Stop Mass Conversions Of Muslims To Hinduism 'Ghar Wapsi' During Mahakumbh: All India Muslim Jamaat Urges Uttar Pradesh CM

New Age Islam News Bureau

4 January 2025

(File) Devotees during 'Ganga Arti' at Sangam, the confluence of River Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, ahead of Mahakumbh in Prayagraj | PTI

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·         Stop Mass Conversions Of Muslims To Hinduism 'Ghar Wapsi' During Mahakumbh: All India Muslim Jamaat Urges Uttar Pradesh CM

·         ISIS Remains A Threat After US Withdrawal From Afghanistan, Expert Says

·         Mississauga Mayor Says Radical Islam Conference, By Hizb-Ut-Tahrir Canada, Not Welcome

·         Halal or Haram? OJK Tests Sharia-Compliant Crypto Innovations in Indonesia

·         Pakistan Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Welcomes $700m Chinese Investment

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India

·         Ahead Of Ajmer Sharif Dargah Trip With ‘Chadar’ Sent By PM, Union Minister Of Minority Affairs Visits Nizamuddin Dargah

·         Muslim Rashtriya Manch, Unit Of RSS, Proposes Negotiated Settlement Of Mandir-Masjid Disputes

·         Don't visit mosques during Sabarimala pilgrimage: BJP MLA Raja Singh tells Ayyappa devotees

·         Allahabad HC stays arrest of SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq over Sambhal violence

·         Gujarat: Shopkeepers evicted from mosque premises in Rajkot; trustee, 8 others arrested

·         Muslim League surrendering to communal forces, alleges CM Vijayan

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South Asia

·         Awami League Should Not Be Allowed To Contest Polls: Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer

·         Jamaat demo to free arrested AL leader in Gazipur

·         Afghani Among Top Three Most Stable Currencies

·         Kunar Province Reports Completion of 129 Development Projects Worth 283 Million AFN

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North America

·         SHOCK: New Orleans Terrorist’s Imam Has History of Extremism.

·         Trump to be sentenced over hush money case but judge signals no jail time

·         Suspect in Cybertruck blast suffered from PTSD

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Southeast Asia

·         Minister orders Jawi to review mosque security after TTDI trespass by mentally ill man

·         Bersatu slams Umno for not upholding Malay, Islam rights

·         Police reject application for Jan 6 Najib solidarity rally in Putrajaya

·         ‘A dark chapter’: Johor demands accountability over Batu Puteh loss

·         Fahmi: TTDI mosque to meet family of man involved in disturbance

·         PAS Pushes Islamic Agenda With Eye On Next Malaysia Election

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Pakistan

·         ‘Doors closed on military for now, PTI only talking to govt’, Gohar says

·         No point in negotiating with govt lacking mandate, Achakzai tells PTI

·         Peace Agreement Reached B/W Stakeholders Of Kurram District

·         Jailed Imran Khan offered deal to move to Nathia Gali, claims Marwat

·         Govt urges PTI to extend deadline for dialogue till Feb 28

·         Govt-opposition negotiations need of Pakistan, say top PTI leaders

·         250 PTI workers held in Nov 26 crackdown granted bail

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Europe

·         New Syrian Authorities Interested In Russia’s Continued Presence – Moscow

·         German FM visits Damascus: No funding for new Islamic structures

·         Names of 425,000 suspected Nazi collaborators published

·         German purchases of Russian uranium surge

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Mideast

·         Al-Jund Mosque In Taiz Witnesses Massive Crowds Celebrate Rajab Friday - Memorial Of Yemenis Islam

·         Mahweet holds 43 marches in support of Palestine, reaffirms commitment to Islamic values, resistance

·         Endowment Authority office celebrates Friday Rajab at Great Mosque in Sana'a

·         Fragile Israel-Hezbollah truce holding so far, despite violations

·         UN experts slam Israel’s blatant assault on health rights in Gaza

·         Lebanon’s PM discusses with Syria’s de facto ruler relations between two countries

·         Lebanese army unit clashes with Syrian gunmen at illegal border crossing

·         Hamas wants Gaza ceasefire deal as soon as possible, senior official says

·         Three Palestinians killed in standoff with security forces in West Bank

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Africa

·         Pastor Donates Prayer Materials To Kaduna Mosque

·         People Are At The Heart Of My Mission – President Tinubu

·         Peter Obi Visits Farotimi, Reveals His State Of Mind After Return From Ekiti Prison

·         Shettima Pays Work Visit To Nasarawa, Lauds Gov Sule

·         Burkina Faso: Two jailed for life over 2017 restaurant attack

·         Post-election crisis in Mozambique forces nearly 3,000 to flee abroad

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Arab World

·         Saudi King, Crown Prince Offer Condolences To US President For Victims Of New Orleans Attack

·         Students explore artificial intelligence in media

·         AlUla celebrates citrus harvest with Citrus Season 2025

·         Islam’s 2nd holiest mosque receives over 5m worshippers in one week

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/conversions-muslims-hinduism-ghar-wapsi/d/134244

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Stop Mass Conversions Of Muslims To Hinduism 'Ghar Wapsi' During Mahakumbh: All India Muslim Jamaat Urges Uttar Pradesh CM

January 04, 2025

By Puja Awasthi

(File) Devotees during 'Ganga Arti' at Sangam, the confluence of River Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, ahead of Mahakumbh in Prayagraj | PTI

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The national president of the All India Muslim Jamaat has asked for a stop to alleged mass conversions of Muslims to Hinduism during the Mahakumbh which gets underway in Prayagraj on January 13.

Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi has written to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aidtyanath, saying that he has come to know of plans for mass conversion during the mela. This, the cleric argues, falls foul of the state’s Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2024.

In the letter dated January 3, Barelvi argues that the conversion could lead to tension in the state and the country, hence it was necessary that it is prohibited. He has also said that as the Kumbh is a religious programme, the message it gives should be one of peace and amity, and not one that divides society.

“If mass conversions were to happen,” argues the cleric, “it will give radical Muslims and Christian missionaries leeway to conduct their own conversion programmes in the silent manner that they are doing thus far.”

Under the 2024 Act, any person who wishes to convert needs to give notice to the district magistrate that s/he is doing so without any force, coercion or undue influence of allurement. The DM is then required to conduct an inquiry into such a conversion to ascertain facts. A person who wishes to convert also needs to present himself before the DM to reaffirm the facts as submitted in the written notice.

News of the conversions emerged from a comment by Mahant Ravindra Puri, president of the All India Akhara Parishad that many Muslims and Christians who were yearning for a return to the folds of Sanatan had been in touch with him. Some other saints have also voiced similar sentiments indicating that people of other faiths want ‘ghar wapasi’.

Source:theweek.in

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

https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2025/01/04/stop-mass-ghar-wapsi-during-mahakumbh-top-muslim-cleric-urges-uttar-pradesh-cm-yogi-adityanath.html

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ISIS remains a threat after US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Expert says

ByFidel Rahmati

January 4, 2025

A senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the editor of The Long War Journal has stated that ISIS remains a threat from Afghanistan.

Bill Roggio, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the editor of The Long War Journal, made these comments on Friday, January 3, during an interview with Fox News.

Bill Roggio pointed out that “the claim of ISIS’s defeat, just like the premature claim of al-Qaeda’s defeat, is inaccurate.”

He emphasized that while the group may have suffered setbacks, their presence remains active. This senior fellow also clarified that, besides Afghanistan, ISIS continues to pose a significant threat in Africa, especially in the Sahel and East Africa, as well as in Iraq and Syria.

He argued that the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria have created security vacuums in South Asia and the Middle East.

Roggio’s comments were made in relation to a recent attack in New Orleans on Wednesday, where 15 people were killed and 30 others injured. After the incident, the FBI revealed that an ISIS flag was found in the attacker’s vehicle.

It is also noteworthy that ISIS was responsible for an attack during the August 2021 evacuation operation at Kabul’s airport, which killed 13 U.S. soldiers and over 150 Afghans.

These attacks highlight the continuing global threat posed by ISIS, despite claims of its defeat in certain regions. The persistent instability in areas like Afghanistan and Syria allows extremist groups to maintain their operations and further destabilize already fragile regions. The international community must continue to address these threats to ensure greater global security.

International organizations and research foundations have revealed that more than 20 terrorist groups, including ISIS, are active in Afghanistan. However, the Taliban claim that ISIS has no presence in the country.

Source:khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/isis-remains-a-threat-after-us-withdrawal-from-afghanistan-expert-says/

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Mississauga Mayor Says Radical Islam Conference, By Hizb-Ut-Tahrir Canada, Not Welcome

3 Jan, 2025

The Khilafah, a radical Islamic conference promoted by Hizb-ut-Tahrir Canada, is planned for Jan. 18, 2025, in Mississauga, but the location of the event is unknown. hizb-canada.org

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The hunt is on to determine just where a radical Islamic conference aimed at defeating the “colonialists” is set to take place in Mississauga.

While scheduled to be held Jan. 18, so far the location is a secret. What isn’t secret is the meeting’s theme.

“The Khilafah, eliminating the obstacles that are delaying its return,” states a social media post promoting the conference, where people are encouraged to sign up for the event put on by Hizb-ut-Tahrir Canada.

On its website, Hizb-ut-Tahrir Canada describes itself as a “political party whose ideology is Islam, so politics is its work and Islam is its ideology.”

Khilafah means Caliphate, which is a society run by Islamic rule. Hizb-ut-Tahrir Canada has so far not commented.

However, Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish wrote in a message posted on X that “preaching hate of any kind is a federal criminal offence. All we as a municipality can do is not rent our facilities to potential hate mongers, try to track down where the conference is being held and inform the police.”

Parrish also told the Toronto Sun “our staff is attempting to track down which private facility is hosting the conference so we can share what we know about the Hizb ut-Tahrir with the management” and “we have also alerted Pearson Airport authorities to carefully monitor passports to deny entry to those on Canada’s banned lists.”

Western Standard journalist Jarryd Jager, who brought this information to the public’s attention, describes Hizb ut-Tahrir as group that advocates for Sharia Law and an Islamic world.

A Facebook video featuring an unnamed man, shot with Mississauga landmarks in the background, promotes the opportunity to “learn what it will take for our Ummah to overcome America, Europe, Russia, China, and others from the position we’re in today” and “if you want to help create real change in our Ummah, then get this critical knowledge by attending, Insha’Allah.”

It also says “the colonialists will point to their technology, vast armies, giant economies, and their pervasive influence,” but he said “none of this power compares to the might of Allah” and doesn’t “stand” against “the strength Allah has given our Ummah.”

Wherever it’s held, Meir Weinstein, of Israel Now, said, “We will confront it,” adding, “we are working to have the conference shut down, but if it isn’t, we will be outside protesting a conference that has declared war against Western civilization, which includes Jews, Christians, Sikhs. Hindus and all non-believers, including Muslims who don’t follow this barbaric doctrine.”

It’s always interesting how hard it is for authorities to say something like this needs to be cancelled, yet it was so easy for them to cancel iconic Mississauga resident Don Cherry for merely saying “you people” should wear a poppy at Remembrance Day.

Fascinating how some are offended by saying Merry Christmas but anything else goes. There are so many double standards and Cherry, who playfully mocked the anti-Christmas sentiment in a Dec. 25 post on X, was the catalyst to pointing out all of this madness way back in 2019.

It seems when it comes to radical Islam planting its flag in Canada – like it did New Years Eve outside Union Station – leaders are afraid to touch it.

“Hizb ut-Tahrir is known internationally for its problematic and extremist ideology and has been recognized in other jurisdictions as a extremist entity,” B’nai Brith Director of Research and Advocacy Richard Robertson said. “B’nai Brith Canada has grave concerns about its upcoming conference and the affect if might have on Canadian society.”

But this event, while promoted in the video where what appears to be Taliban flag is prominent, is being billed as family friendly. At this “free event,” Hizb ut-Tahrir offers a lunch and babysitting to hear speakers Abu Omar talk about “nationalism and the regimes and frontline enemies of Islam” and Malik Abu Luqman talk about “the colonialist powers” and Bilal Khan talk about Palestine and Dr. Gelani talk about “despairing in the victory of Allah” in which “trusting him is an obligation.”

“We do have a duty to ensure no one on our staff inadvertently rented one of our public facilities to them and that has been checked and confirmed they are not in one of our buildings,” Parrish said. “Further, as a responsible organization we are checking out banquet halls they have used before to alert the owners.”

This comes at a time when the Greater Toronto Area has experienced non-stop antisemitic, pro-Hamas demonstrations and just weeks after a group who planned a martyrs’ vigil for the late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was cancelled at City Hall out of concern it could be seen as something in very bad taste in light of the more than 100 Israeli hostages still being held and the more than 1,200 innocent souls slain on Oct 7, 2023.

At the time the martyrs’ vigil was cancelled, Parrish took a lot of heat for suggesting she could not stop any protest in the public square.

This time, however, she told me it is “quite a different issue from previous marches and vigils in that the group has been banned from our facilities for over ten years based on openly discussing overthrowing democracies including ours.”

Peel Regional Police told the Sun it is aware of the event and is “actively monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of our communities,” adding, “At this time, we do not have any information that would indicate there is a threat to public safety. However, please know that we will not tolerate any acts of hate or violence within the region.

The RCMP and the Prime Minister’s office have yet to comment.

“Definitely a federal issue when it comes to refusing admission to Canada by those on terror watch lists,” she said.

But it could be Mississauga’s problem Jan 18th because although last year’s event was cancelled, this one appears to still be on.

Source:torontosun.com

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https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/warmington-mississauga-mayor-says-radical-islam-conference-not-welcome

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Halal or Haram? OJK Tests Sharia-Compliant Crypto Innovations in Indonesia

Muhammad Ghafur Fadillah

January 3, 2025

FILE - An advertisement for the cryptocurrency Bitcoin displayed on a tram, May 12, 2021, in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)

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Jakarta. The Financial Services Authority (OJK) is exploring the development of Sharia-compliant cryptocurrency assets to support the growth of Indonesia's emerging investment sector.

Hasan Fawzi, OJK's executive head overseeing crypto assets supervision, said the agency is open to advancing Sharia-based cryptocurrencies. He noted that the Sharia Crypto Asset Association has proposed a collaboration to introduce digital assets aligned with Islamic principles.

"Globally and regionally, this is a common practice. It is not unusual to create crypto assets that adhere to Sharia principles," Hasan said recently in Jakarta, as reported by Investor Daily.

However, implementing Sharia principles in cryptocurrency is not without challenges. The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has specified that cryptocurrency can be considered halal if it meets conditions such as being a valid commodity (sil'ah), having an underlying asset, and offering clear benefits. Conversely, assets containing elements of gharar (uncertainty), dharar (harm), or qimar (gambling) are deemed haram.

One promising innovation, according to Hasan, is the tokenization of physical assets like gold. A blockchain-based token backed by a physical asset is currently being tested in OJK's regulatory sandbox. If successful, it could open the door for other Sharia-compliant crypto products.

As part of its strategy, OJK plans to collaborate with the National Sharia Council (DSN) of MUI to ensure all Sharia-based products and services comply with Islamic rules. Market players with preferences for Sharia-compliant services will also be involved.

"In Indonesia, the declaration of Sharia principles lies with DSN MUI, so this will be done in collaboration," Hasan added.

While no timeline has been set for launching these products, the regulatory sandbox provides a framework for testing new business models, mechanisms, and innovations.

Source:jakartaglobe.id

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https://jakartaglobe.id/business/halal-or-haram-ojk-tests-shariacompliant-crypto-innovations-in-indonesia

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Pakistan Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Welcomes $700m Chinese Investment

January 4, 2025

LAHORE: Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz has welcomed $700 million Chinese investment in Punjab.

The CM met a high-level Chinese delegation comprising Chengdu General Coordinator for ICT Hub Scarlett and Deputy CEO Huawei Yu Ray on Friday.

Chengdu expressed its consent to make an investment worth $700 million and she gave its principle approval.

“E-taxi service will be launched soon with the cooperation of Chengdu. A Chinese company will also establish a ‘Computing Centre’ in Lahore Nawaz Sharif IT City,” the meeting was told. In the meeting, it was agreed to establish a data and cloud centre in Nawaz Sharif IT City.

The Punjab government will provide land and building for the project. It was also agreed to establish the first e-commerce platform in Pakistan. The Chinese company will also impart training to the Pakistani youth for online worldwide trading. Smart control room, smart traffic control, smart transport, smart sanitation centre will be established in Lahore with the Chinese cooperation.

It was also briefed about the latest digital centre during their visit to China. An AI Industry Centre will also be established in phase two to introduce the youth with the artificial intelligence technology. The Chinese government will also provide assistance for platform service capacity building in Punjab. Providing assistance in local investment for the establishment of industries was also reviewed in phase-III.

A collaboration will also be made to introduce Pakistani youth with the modern technological requirements.

“We want to make Punjab the biggest artificial intelligence centre with the cooperation of China. Punjab will soon become an IT hub in the region and we want our youth to excel and surpass in the IT sector,” Ms Maryam said.

Source:dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1882888/punjab-cm-maryam-welcomes-700m-chinese-investment

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India

 

Ahead Of Ajmer Sharif Dargah Trip With ‘Chadar’ Sent By PM, Union Minister Of Minority Affairs Visits Nizamuddin Dargah

January 4, 2025

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed him a ceremonial chadar to be offered on his behalf at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah on the Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju Friday visited the shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia in Delhi.

Speaking to reporters, Rijiju said, “I bring the chadar that PM Modi has handed over to me for Ajmer Sharif Dargah. Going via Nizamuddin Dargah is good and we came here with the same feeling. We all prayed and sought blessings. We are going there with PM Modi’s message of brotherhood and for peace in the country… Tomorrow at 11 am, we will offer the chadar at Ajmer Sharif.”

Asked by reporters about AAP’s allegations that BJP leaders were visiting the dargah ahead of the Delhi elections, Rijiju said, “We do not indulge in such things. We are praying and working for the future of the country.”

BJP minority wing president Jamal Siddiqui, who visited the shrine Bakhtiar Kaki in Mehrauli, with a chadar sent by the PM, said Rijiju’s visit to Nizamuddin Dargah was in line with tradition. “Whoever goes to Ajmer, they first visit Nizamuddin, then Mehrauli and Ajmer,” Siddiqui said.

Source:indianexpress.com

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

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ahead-of-ajmer-trip-with-chadar-sent-by-pm-rijiju-visits-nizamuddin-shrine-9759037/

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Muslim Rashtriya Manch, Unit Of RSS, Proposes Negotiated Settlement Of Mandir-Masjid Disputes

04-01-2025

Aasha Khosa

The Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) has advocated out-of-the-court settlement between Hindus and Muslims on disputes over the ownership of their religious places in the interests of communal harmony and progress.

In a statement released for the media, MRM said “Wherever there is a dispute going on in the court between the parties, it would be better for any civilized society that both the parties talk to each other and reach an “out-of-court settlement”.

The MRM, the Muslim unit of the Rashtriya Swayemnsevak Sangh (RSS), has thus taken the bold initiative of seeking settlements over disputes.

Shahid Saeed, national convener and media in-charge of Muslim Rashtriya Manch, said that courts are the most important but solutions should be found through dialogue on disputed religious sites. Due to this the unity, integrity, harmony, brotherhood, and harmony of the country are maintained and there is no mutual hostility.

The Manch appealed to the Muslims of the country to respect the statement made by Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat for the national interest of 142 crore people and also show a big heart and pledge to take India on the path of development.

The MRM announced that the controversial structures built at places like Kashi, Mathura, and Sambhal should be handed over to the Hindu community after holding a dialogue. Alongside this, the mosques where prayers are not being offered for some reason or are lying deserted should be handed over to Muslims.

Based on Islamic principles, the Manch clarified that idol worship is not permitted in Islam. Offering prayers in mosques where broken idols are found or where there is historical, social, or direct evidence of the existence of temples is against Islamic principles.

“Prayers are not accepted at such a place. Citing the Quran and Hadith, the Manch said that building a mosque on forcibly occupied,” the statement said.

In an online meeting of the Manch held on Friday in which activists and MRM members from all over the country participated. All the speakers suggested handing over the disputed places of worship to the Hindu community, following the principles of Islamic teachings and brotherhood. Supporting the MRM’s proposal for out-of-the-court settlement of Mandir-masjid disputes,  Muhammad Afzal said, “We aim to bring harmony in the society. For India to move forward, we must work towards collective unity and development.”

Abu Bakar Naqvi said that we aim to respect each other's religion. This step is a symbol of the fact that the Muslim community of India is fully dedicated to the path of development of the country. While fulfilling our responsibilities, we should work for the betterment of the country.

Syed Raza Hussain Rizvi said that our society needs to move forward while always staying connected to its roots. Irfan Kachchhvi said that it is our resolve to move forward on the truth and the right path, not to clash but to walk together. We support this initiative because it promotes goodwill and brotherhood in our society. If we accept it, we move towards Indian unity.

Shiraz Qureshi said that the Manch is trying to take a bold step towards making India prosperous and peaceful. We emphasize that no religious place should be occupied by force. In this way, hatred will end and humanity will increase. This step taken by the Muslim Rashtriya Manch will set a new example of unity and respect in Indian society. All communities will have to play their role to end communal tensions, and this step will certainly help in making India a prosperous country.

This call of the Manch has received strong support from various Muslim organizations, intellectuals, and social workers. Everyone believes that this step will usher in a new era of peace and unity in India, which will lead the country on the path of development and harmony. It was demanded that the disputed sites be handed over to the Hindu community based on historical evidence, traditional and direct evidence, and evidence found in excavations.

The MRM has decided to appeal to Muslims to follow Islamic principles and not offer prayers at places that are disputed or have been built by demolishing other religious places. It asked the government to use constitutional measures to restore the disputed places to their rightful owners. ‘Only if an issue is not resolved through talks, then everyone should accept the court's verdict.”

Source:awazthevoice.in

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https://www.awazthevoice.in/india-news/mrm-proposes-negotiated-settlement-of-mandir-masjid-disputes-33462.html

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Don't visit mosques during Sabarimala pilgrimage: BJP MLA Raja Singh tells Ayyappa devotees

04 January 2025,

Hyderabad: BJP MLA in Telangana Raja Singh on Friday urged Ayyappa devotees visiting Sabarimala in Kerala not to go to any mosques during their pilgrimage.Singh told reporters here that the devotees must strictly follow the rules of 'Ayyappa deeksha' and they would become impure if they go to the mosque (Vavar).The Goshamahal MLA said it is a conspiracy that the devotees are made to visit the mosque,.

He also urged Telangana and Andhra Pradesh chief ministers A Revanth Reddy and N Chandrababu Naidu to write to the Kerala government seeking 10 acres land for constructing accommodation for the devotees.     

Source:deccanherald.com

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https://www.deccanherald.com/india/telangana/dont-visit-mosques-during-sabarimala-pilgrimage-bjp-mla-raja-singh-tells-ayyappa-devotees-3341077

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Allahabad HC stays arrest of SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq over Sambhal violence

Namita Bajpai

03 Jan 2025

LUCKNOW: The Allahabad High Court, on Friday, stayed the arrest of Samajwadi Party’s Sambhal MP, Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, in connection with the communal violence that erupted in western Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district on 24 November last year.

The clashes broke out during a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era Jama Masjid in Sambhal, which was being conducted in compliance with a district court directive.

The violence occurred after members of the Muslim community protested against the survey, with the demonstration turning violent. Protestors resorted to stone-pelting and firing, which claimed five lives and left scores injured, including 20 police personnel.

Despite granting a stay on Barq’s arrest, the High Court refused to quash the FIR lodged against him. The FIR, registered at the Sambhal police station, named Barq for allegedly provoking violence during the survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid.

A double bench of the High Court, comprising Justice Rajiv Gupta and Justice Azahar Husain Idrisi, passed the order to stay Barq’s arrest. This decision followed a petition filed by Barq, whose counsel Imran Ullah argued the case, while the additional government advocate represented the state.

In its order, the court stated that the investigation against Barq would continue and directed the MP to fully cooperate with investigators.

Meanwhile, a detailed survey report of Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid—at the centre of a legal dispute following claims about the existence of a Harihar temple at the same location—was submitted in the Chandausi court on Thursday.

The 45-page survey report, which includes videography from all angles, was compiled during surveys conducted on 19 November and 24 November last year.

Court Commissioner Ramesh Singh Raghav, appointed as the advocate in the case, stated, “The survey was conducted according to the directions of the court, and the complete report, including videography, has been submitted to the Civil Judge, Senior Division, in a sealed envelope.”

Advocate Commissioner Raghav also submitted a three-page covering letter along with the survey report, which contains 60 photographs taken during the survey and related videography content.

Sambhal district government counsel Prince Sharma confirmed that the report could not be disclosed due to a Supreme Court order.

Source:newindianexpress.com

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

https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Jan/03/allahabad-hc-stays-arrest-of-sp-mp-zia-ur-rehman-barq-over-sambhal-violence

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Gujarat: Shopkeepers evicted from mosque premises in Rajkot; trustee, 8 others arrested

January 4, 2025

The removal of three shopkeepers from the premises of a mosque in Rajkot for alleged trespassing escalated into the arrest of nine people, including the mosque trustee; a minister in the state government taking to X to raise the issue; police conducting the reconstruction of the “crime”; and Gujarat Wakf chairman saying proper procedure of eviction was not followed.

According to the FIR filed in the case, a group of people led by mosque trustee Farooq Musani allegedly broke the locks of the shops on December 31 and threw out all the merchandise on the road.

The shops are situated on the ground floor of Nawab Mosque in Danapith area, just a few hundred metres from ‘A’ Division police station, where the FIR was filed.

Complainant Virendra Kotecha stated in his FIR that Musani had cited a Gujarat State Waqf Board order asking the mosque trust to take possession of the shops. Kotecha told mediapersons on New Year’s eve that his family had been running the shop since 1962, and no prior notice was served to him by the trust.

Jagdish Bangarwa, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Zone-2, Rajkot, said that since the rent agreement was several decades old, the amount being paid by the families was around Rs 170, which was not feasible for the trust. They received the order from the Waqf Board and then evicted the renters forcibly, which was an illegal act, he added.

State Waqf Board member Asif Salot is said to have signed the eviction order.

Based on Kotecha’s complaint, Rajkot Police registered an FIR on January 1 against Musani and others under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 189(2) (unlawful assembly), 329(4) (criminal trespass) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation), said DCP Bangarwa. They were arrested the same day.

Police on Friday conducted a reconstruction of the events of the day of the eviction.

“All the shops have reopened and the accused arrested. We will not allow people to be harassed due to any illegal activity,” said Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi in a post on X.

Talking to The Indian Express, Gujarat Wakq Board Chairman Dr Mohsin Lokhandwala said, “The mosque trustee had not followed proper procedures of eviction. They should have given three notices at different time intervals to tenants, requesting them to evict the premises. If the tenants do not act, the trustee should give an application to nearby police. The tenants should be removed in police presence.”

He further said, “If there is an issue of less rent for the shops, the trust should make a new lease agreement with the tenants. The trustees should not take law in their hands and evict the tenants. We have told our Wakf Board member Salot to give detailed information about the issue to enable us to take appropriate action against the trustees.”

Source:indianexpress.com

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

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-shopkeepers-evicted-from-mosque-premises-in-rajkot-trustee-8-others-arrested-9759023/

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Muslim League surrendering to communal forces, alleges CM Vijayan

04 January 2025

Malappuram (Kerala): Training guns again on the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday accused the key Congress ally of surrendering to communal forces by aligning with Jamaat-e-Islami and the SDPI.He stressed the need to protect minority rights but maintained that this should not come at the cost of succumbing to communalism Vijayan said that Jamaat-e-Islami was always kept at bay by the Sunni faction of Islam, but they are now collaborating with the UDF.

While addressing a public meeting as part of the CPI(M) Malappuram district conference, the Marxist veteran asserted that minority communalism is not a remedy for majority communalism, as the two are interdependent."The Muslim League is in a state of submission to communal forces, and if this trend continues, these forces will eventually consume the League itself," Vijayan warned.He said that failing to recognise the peril of such politics could lead the Muslim League to disastrous consequences.

"We do not engage in political malice merely to secure a few votes," he said.

In Kerala, the Congress and BJP are united in opposing the Left government, he added.

The stance of the Congress and the Muslim League, willing to align with anyone for the sake of a few votes, is dangerous, the CM said. Muslim groups have been the primary victims of Sangh Parivar violence, and the situation is no different for Christians.

"However, can Congress truly claim to be a party that uncompromisingly fights communalism?" he asked.

With Congress leaders and cadres "increasingly" joining the BJP, has the party learned anything from this experience? he asked.

"We can see several Congress leaders, in fact, take an open stance with communalist forces when the country is in a fight against Sangh Parivar forces," he stated.

Vijayan has been reiterating that the ruling CPI(M) in the state opposes both majority and minority communalism and will not compromise with either side.

Criticising the BJP, Vijayan alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has insulted BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution. He stated that the BJP-led central government is currently carrying out the culmination of policies initiated by the Congress.

He also asked the Congress if it now believes it was wrong to introduce policies such as liberalisation.

The BJP and Congress share the same economic policy, with Congress also implementing BJP’s policies in the states it governs, he alleged.

He also accused the central government of fuelling communal tensions to divert public attention away from its own failures.

The Kerala chief minister claimed that his government is implementing alternative liberalisation policies in the state.

Source:deccanherald.com

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https://www.deccanherald.com/india/kerala/muslim-league-surrendering-to-communal-forces-alleges-cm-vijayan-3341076

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South Asia

 

Awami League Should Not Be Allowed To Contest Polls: Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer

Jan 4, 2025

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman yesterday said the Awami League should not be allowed to participate in the upcoming elections as it does not believe in such democratic practices.

Addressing a conference organised by the Natore district Jamaat at Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula Government College ground in the afternoon, Shafiqur said elections are for those who respect and love the country and its people.

"Polls are not meant for the people who do not believe these. They wreaked havoc on the country while in power illegally through three [staged] elections. How can those, who do not believe in elections, expect to take part in polls?"

Shafiqur urged the interim government to hold a fair election after carrying out urgent reforms, reports UNB.

"In this election, the people will choose whom they love, whom they can trust," he said.

Saying the AL smuggled Tk 26 lakh crore out of the country in their 15-and-a-half-year rule, the Jamaat ameer said the people of the country will reject the party.

The Jamaat leader further said that political leaders who have held power since the country's independence have betrayed the people's trust to varying degrees.

However, this oppression crossed all limits in the last 15 years, he said.

Shafiqur said Jamaat wants foreign friends, not masters, reports BSS. Bangladesh was not freed from Pakistani rule to become subordinate to others, he said.

Referring to the high prices of essentials, he claimed that the Awami syndicate is still active in the market. And new syndicate has also wiggled in its place there.

Urging the government to keep the prices of essentials under control, Shafiqur said, "We don't want to see any syndicates -- old or new. We want to help the government destroy the syndicates with all our powers."

He also promised to stand by the victims of the July-August uprising and demanded visible initiatives from the government in this regard.

Natore district Jamaat Ameer Mir Nurul Islam presided over the meeting, where leaders from various levels, including the party's central Assistant Secretary General Rafiqul Islam Khan, spoke.

Source:thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/al-should-not-be-allowed-contest-polls-3791021

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Jamaat demo to free arrested AL leader in Gazipur

Jan 4, 2025

Leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami staged a protest procession yesterday at Joydebpur Police Station in Gazipur, demanding the release of an Awami League leader who is a suspect in an ongoing case.

Shafiqul Sikder, Awami League organising secretary of a ward under Mirzapur in Sadar upazila, was detained around 7:00pm.

Despite his affiliation with the Awami League, Jamaat leaders claimed he was a member of their organisation and attempted to secure his release, police officials said.

Around 70–80 Jamaat leaders and activists marched to the police station after Shafiqul's arrest, demanding his release, Md Abdul Halim, officer-in-charge of the police station, confirmed the incident and described the chain of events.

"I cannot release him as he is a suspect in a case. They can bring their demands, but we will act as per the law and departmental guidance."

The OC further clarified that no misconduct occurred during the protest. "If necessary, I would have called for additional police support, but the situation remained under control. The protesters eventually left peacefully," he added.

Abdul Bari, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, told The Daily Star, "The person held by police is now a member of our organisation."

Source:thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/jamaat-demo-free-arrested-al-leader-gazipur-3791446

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Afghani Among Top Three Most Stable Currencies

2025-01-04

KABUL (BNA): Amid a year marked by global upheavals, including wars, geopolitical crises, and shifting economic policies, the value of national currencies around the world experienced significant changes.

In the latest global rankings, Afghanistan has improved its position. According to a Bloomberg report, the Lebanese pound recorded the largest depreciation globally in 2024, losing over 83% of its value. Meanwhile, the Iranian rial was recognized as the world’s least valuable currency of the year.

As reported by Bakhtar News Agency, citing Independent Persian, countries such as Ethiopia, Nigeria, Argentina, Brazil, Russia, Ghana, Mexico, and Turkey also faced severe devaluation of their national currencies.

However, the Afghani stands out as one of the three most stable currencies globally. The economic and monetary policies of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan are credited for this stability.

Despite Western sanctions, including the freezing of billions of dollars in Afghan assets by the U.S. and other Western nations, the afghani has maintained its stability and holds significant value both in the region and internationally.

Source:bakhtarnews.af

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https://bakhtarnews.af/en/afghani-among-top-three-most-stable-currencies/

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Kunar Province Reports Completion of 129 Development Projects Worth 283 Million AFN

2025-01-03

KUNAR (BNA): Officials from the Department of Economy in Kunar province announced that 129 out of 239 development projects initiated in various parts of the province have been completed and are now operational.

Mawlawi Abdullah Hamat, the Director of Economy in Kunar, told BNA that last year, 239 development projects worth 283 million Afghanis were launched in the provincial center and districts. Among them, 129 projects have been completed, while work on the remaining 110 projects is ongoing and expected to be completed soon.

He added that hundreds of people were provided with employment opportunities during the implementation of these projects, and dozens of families are now benefiting from the completed initiatives.

Residents of Kunar expressed satisfaction with the implementation of these projects, highlighting their significance for the country’s development and economic growth.

It is worth mentioning that significant progress has recently been made in various sectors in Kunar province.

Source:bakhtarnews.af

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https://bakhtarnews.af/en/kunar-province-reports-completion-of-129-development-projects-worth-283-million-afn/

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North America

 

SHOCK: New Orleans Terrorist’s Imam Has History of Extremism.

January 4, 2025

Imams of the mosque attended by New Orleans killer Shamsud Din Jabbar, who murdered at least 14 people in New Orleans on New Year’s, attacked Jews in several sermons. Jabbar was reportedly a member of the Islamic Center of Greater Houston (ICHG) – Masjid Bilal, whose imam Eiad Saudan appears to be an ardent antisemite.In November of 2023, Imam Soudan claimed Jews take over economies wherever they go and claimed that was the reason Adolf Hitler killed them. He added that Europeans only supported Israel because they did not want Jews to come back to Europe.

In another sermon from August of last year, another imam, Mohammed ElFarooqui, gave an antisemitic sermon at Masjid Bilal, claiming the Islamic god Allah had turned Jews into monkeys, pigs, and rats for disobeying him. He added that Jews only think God watched them at the Temple in Jerusalem, saying, “So they went out everywhere on the face of this earth, started creating havoc everywhere.”The imam then called for Muslims to “liberate the Al-Aqsa Mosque from the hands of the plunderers.” The Al-Aqsa mosque is located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Following his attack on New Orleans’s famous Bourbon Street, Shamsud Din Jabbar was found with an Islamic State flag in his truck, which was filled with explosives. He was shot and killed by New Orleans police before he could detonate them.Jabbar was also heavily armed and engaged in a gunfight with officers before his death, injuring two of them.Born in Texas, Jabbar was a U.S. citizen and Army veteran who served in Afghanistan. Reports have stated that he also posted videos online stating intentions to kill his own family and discussed dreams that led him to join the Islamic State.Jabbar allegedly changed his plans to make the news focus on a war between “believers and disbelievers.”

Source:thenationalpulse.com

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https://thenationalpulse.com/2025/01/03/shock-new-orleans-terrorists-imam-has-history-of-extremism/

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Trump to be sentenced over hush money case but judge signals no jail time

January 4, 2025

A judge has ordered that Donald Trump will be sentenced on 10 January in his hush-money case in New York - less than two weeks before he is set to be sworn in as president.

New York Justice Juan Merchan signalled he would not sentence Trump to jail time, probation or a fine, but instead give him an "unconditional discharge", and wrote in his order that the president-elect could appear in person or virtually for the hearing.

Trump had attempted to use his presidential election victory to have the case against him dismissed.

The president-elect has posted on social media dismissing the judge's order as an "illegitimate political attack" and calling the case "nothing but a rigged charade".

Trump was convicted in May of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 (£105,000) payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels.

The charges related to attempts to cover up reimbursements to his ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen, who in the final days of the 2016 election campaign paid off the adult-film star to remain silent about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump.

The president-elect has denied all wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty, arguing the case was an attempt to harm his 2024 presidential campaign.

In the post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday Trump said the judge's sentencing order "goes against our Constitution and, if allowed to stand, would be the end of the Presidency as we know it".

Trump's spokesperson Steven Cheung earlier called the order part of a "witch hunt".

"President Trump must be allowed to continue the presidential transition process and to execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this or any remnants of the witch hunts," Cheung said.

"There should be no sentencing, and President Trump will continue fighting against these hoaxes until they are all dead."

In his latest motion against the case, Trump had argued the case would hang over him during his presidency and impede his ability to govern.

Justice Merchan said he had been advised of several measures he could employ that could assuage Trump's concerns about being distracted by a criminal case while serving as president that fell short of the "extreme remedy" of overturning the jury's verdict.

His options included delaying the sentencing until Trump, 78, leaves the White House in 2029, or guaranteeing a sentence that would not involve prison time.

Trump had initially, and unsuccessfully, argued the case against him ran afoul of a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.

In July, the country's top court ruled that presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for "official actions" they take while in office.

However, last month Justice Merchan ruled Trump's hush money conviction was valid.

Trump is currently set to be the first convicted felon to serve in the White House.

He may attempt to appeal against the conviction after the sentencing.

While falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years in prison in the US, there is no minimum sentence and incarceration is not required.

Even before his election victory, legal experts thought it was unlikely Trump would face jail time given his age and his legal record.

Trump has also been charged in three other state and federal criminal cases: one involving classified documents and two relating to his alleged efforts to overturn his loss in the election of 2020.

The president-elect was initially scheduled to be sentenced on 26 November, but Justice Merchan pushed the date back after Trump won the presidential election.

Source:bbc.com

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c390mrmxndyo

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Suspect in Cybertruck blast suffered from PTSD

January 4, 2025

The man identified inside the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday morning had no animosity toward President-elect Donald Trump and likely suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the FBI.

Matthew Livelsberger, an active-duty US army member from Colorado who was found deceased inside the vehicle, also grappled with other family issues or personal grievances, FBI officials said.

Officials also emphasised the deadly truck attack in New Orleans that left 14 dead earlier on New Year's Day was unrelated to the explosion in Las Vegas.

Police said the Las Vegas blast appeared to be a "tragic case of suicide".

"There is no evidence that these two events are connected," Las Vegas FBI agent Spencer Evans told reporters on Friday as officials laid out new information on the incident.

"Investigative steps have discovered, and information of the Army indicates, that he likely suffered from PTSD, and we're also aware that there were potential other family issues or personal grievances in his own life that may have been contributing factors," Mr Evans said.

Data uncovered from Mr Livelsberger's phone, including a series of notes he appeared to have written, suggest that the 37-year-old suffered from PTSD related to his time in combat, officials said.

His body was found inside the charred Tesla, which exploded from fireworks that Mr Livelsberger had purchased on his way to Las Vegas from Colorado.

Mr Livelsberger's identity had been confirmed via a DNA sample that authorities obtained from a family member.

Police said he also appeared to have suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

In the digital notes recovered by police, Livelsberger also mentioned political grievances, calling on his fellow Army officers to criticise military leadership.

In another note, police said he specifically wrote that the incident was "not a terrorist attack" but a "wake-up call".

Mr Livelsberger was a decorated Special Forces intelligence sergeant who was serving in Germany, but was on approved leave at the time of the blast.

His father told BBC's US partner CBS News that his son was in Colorado to see his wife and eight-month-old daughter.

He said he last spoke to his son at Christmas and nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Mr Livelsberger's ex-girlfriend told the Washington Post that he had once told her he suffered a traumatic brain injury during his overseas deployment. Alicia Arritt, a 39-year-old nurse who dated Mr Livelsberger on and off from 2018 to 2021, said he admitted to struggling with memory, concentration and intense guilt over his actions on the battlefield.

The Daily Beast reported that Mr Livelsberger was a big supporter of Trump. A senior law enforcement official who spoke with Mr Livelsberger's family told the outlet that he voted for Trump in November's election.

Police had been able to track his movements in the days leading up to the incident thanks to surveillance cameras and other data obtained from the Tesla vehicle itself.

They said that Mr Livelsberger had rented the Tesla Cybertruck from a mobile application called Turo in Colorado on 28 December, and had driven it more than 800 miles to Las Vegas. He also legally purchased two firearms during that period, which were recovered inside the car.

Sheriff Kevin McMahill with the Las Vegas Police Department said authorities have not determined why Mr Livelsberger chose the site outside the Trump Hotel for the scene of the explosion, but added that evidence suggests it was one of multiple locations he had considered.

Seven people suffered minor injuries from the blast. All have since been released from hospital, Sheriff McMahill said.

He added that the investigation remains ongoing, and that police "are barely scratching the surface" of data they have recovered from the man's devices.

Source:bbc.com

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp3z0x6yx67o

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Southeast Asia

 

Minister orders Jawi to review mosque security after TTDI trespass by mentally ill man

03 Jan 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 — The Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) will reassess the standard operating procedures (SOPs) concerning security at mosques, following an incident where a mentally ill man trespassed and disturbed the congregation at the At-Taqwa Mosque in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), on New Year’s Day.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said JAWI has been instructed to conduct a thorough investigation, as the mosque falls under the department’s supervision.

“I have directed the new JAWI director Hanifuddin Roslan to carry out a detailed inquiry, including re-evaluating the safety protocols that need to be addressed,” he said.

He said this to reporters after officiating the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) International University College Academic Complex, earlier today.

Yesterday, Brickfields police chief Ku Mashariman Ku Mahmood, in a statement, confirmed that the non-Muslim man involved in the mosque incident had been diagnosed with mental illness since April 2022.

It is understood that the man caused a disturbance at the mosque by damaging its television, before rushing to the front row of the main prayer hall, further escalating the commotion.

Meanwhile, regarding the decision by the Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI) to declare the teachings of the Ahmadi Cult of Peace and Light, as well as the teachings of Mhd Mohib Khouli Nazem, as deviant, Mohd Na’im emphasised the importance of respecting the decision.

“MKI is the highest authority in this matter, composed of certified state muftis with extensive expertise in matters of aqidah,” he said.

On Dec 31, MKI chairman Datuk Dr Nooh Gadut, in statements posted on the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) Facebook page, declared the teachings of The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, as well as those of Mhd Mohib Khouli Nazem, to be deviant, misguided, and contradictory to the principles of Islam and Syariah law.

Meanwhile, Hanifuddin, in a statement, said that JAWI, through the Mosque Management Division, has instructed the At-Taqwa Mosque to strengthen security measures in the area to prevent similar incidents in the future.

He also expressed regret over the aggressive behaviour of a congregant toward the trespassing individual, emphasising that such actions are not in accordance with Islamic teachings on handling such matters.

“JAWI would like to extend its gratitude to the Royal Malaysia Police for their prompt response in arresting the individual,” he added.

Source:malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/01/03/minister-orders-jawi-to-review-mosque-security-after-ttdi-trespass-by-mentally-ill-man/161952

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Bersatu slams Umno for not upholding Malay, Islam rights

Jan 3, 2025

Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz slammed Umno for not upholding the rights of Malays and Islam.

He said Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh have failed to speak up in the recent matters regarding DAP leaders Nga Kor Ming and Hannah Yeoh.

Source:malaysiakini.com

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https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/730615#google_vignette

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Police reject application for Jan 6 Najib solidarity rally in Putrajaya

By Malay Mail

04 Jan 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 4 — The police have rejected the application for a solidarity rally in support of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya this Monday.

Putrajaya District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Aidi Sham Mohamed, said in a statement today, that the organisers submitted their application on December 31.

“After a review, the application was found to be incomplete, and the police have denied permission for the rally,” he said.

He added that security preparations are in place, with 456 police officers and personnel on standby.

Earlier, it was reported that the Court of Appeal has set January 6 to hear Najib’s appeal regarding the High Court’s decision concerning a purported “royal addendum” that would allow him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.

Yesterday, Umno announced it would not proceed with the rally planned for Monday, following remarks from Istana Negara and advice from the inspector-general of police.

The rally, organised by Umno, had drawn bipartisan support, including from opposition party PAS who have since said that its members still plan to assemble.

Yesterday, Istana Negara issued a statement urging the public to respect the Constitution and established laws ahead of the rally.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain also warned the public not to join the rally, citing the palace’s statement.

Source:malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/01/04/police-reject-application-for-jan-6-najib-solidarity-rally-in-putrajaya/162042

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‘A dark chapter’: Johor demands accountability over Batu Puteh loss

By Malay Mail

04 Jan 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 4 — The Johor state government has urged that those responsible for Malaysia’s loss of Batu Puteh (Pedra Branca) to Singapore be held accountable.

In a statement today, Johor Chief Minister Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi criticised the federal government’s decision in 2018 to withdraw its application for a review of the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling.

He described it as a deliberate act made “without reasonable grounds,” contrary to historical facts and legal advice.

“The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on December 5, 2024 regarding the handling of the Batu Puteh sovereignty case, including Middle Rocks and South Ledge, revealed that the federal government withdrew the application for a review and interpretation of the ICJ decision on 23 May 2018,” he said in the statement.

“This was done despite new evidence strengthening Malaysia’s claim and countering the ICJ’s 2008 judgement, which favoured Singapore.”

The RCI on the Handling of Matters Related to the Sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge had earlier recommended criminal investigations against individuals implicated in the case.

Onn Hafiz condemned the decision not to pursue Malaysia’s claim, calling it a “dark chapter in the history of Malaysia and Johor” that squandered a critical opportunity to reclaim territory once under the Johor Sultanate.

He also warned against any attempts to manipulate the issue, which could undermine the state and the nation’s sovereignty.

“The Johor government and the people of Johor express deep sorrow over this betrayal,” he said.

“Those responsible must face legal consequences for their actions. Johor will not tolerate any attempt to undermine the state’s or nation’s sovereignty and harmony.”

Source:malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/01/04/a-dark-chapter-johor-demands-accountability-over-batu-puteh-loss/162035

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Fahmi: TTDI mosque to meet family of man involved in disturbance

04 Jan 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 4 — The management of At-Taqwa Mosque in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) is set to engage with the family of the man involved in a disturbance at the mosque on Wednesday (Jan 1).

Minister of Communications Fahmi Fadzil, who attended Friday prayers at the mosque yesterday, said the matter was conveyed to him by the mosque’s chairman, Datuk Mohd Fadzli Yusof.

“The parents of the man have also agreed to meet with the mosque’s management tomorrow (Saturday).

“At the same time, the worshippers involved in the incident have apologised to the mosque after understanding the true circumstances,” he wrote on Facebook.

Fahmi added that Mohd Fadzli had advised congregants not to speculate or make statements about the incident that could create suspicion among the community.

Yesterday, Brickfields District police chief ACP Ku Mashariman Ku Mahmood confirmed that the suspect, who caused the disturbance and damaged a television at the mosque, had been experiencing mental health issues since April 2022. — Bernama

Source:malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/01/04/fahmi-ttdi-mosque-to-meet-family-of-man-involved-in-disturbance/161987

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PAS pushes Islamic agenda with eye on next Malaysia election

JAN 03, 2025

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) is making moves to consolidate its political power ahead of the next general election, analysts said.

Recent measures, such as mandating halal certification for all food outlets in Kelantan and endorsing a controversial public caning in Terengganu, appear to be aimed at bolstering the Islamist party’s image as a staunch defender of syariah law.

These actions contrast with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government, which has faced delays in pushing for a controversial Mufti Bill amid opposition from legal experts and leading figures such as Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin and the Sultan of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail.

While these moves could strengthen PAS’ influence in its conservative strongholds, the party risks alienating moderate Malays and non-Muslims, experts say.

“PAS is doing this because they need to shore up support before the next general election,” said Professor James Chin, an Asian studies expert at the University of Tasmania.

“If Anwar can get (the Mufti Bill) done, he will score a major victory over PAS.”

The Bill – which would grant the federal territories’ mufti in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan the power to enshrine religious edicts in law – was tabled for its first reading in Parliament in July 2024. After a lag of months, it is expected to be tabled for a second reading in the next parliamentary session that begins in February.

In Malaysia, Islamic jurisprudence falls under each of its 13 states’ purview, but in the federal territories, it falls under the federal government. The Bill will allow the mufti to propose a fatwa, or religious ruling, to the King and have it gazetted into law without parliamentary debate; the fatwa will then become legally binding on all Muslims who are in the federal territories. Non-Muslims are not affected.

PAS wants to demonstrate its commitment to Islamisation, boosting its image as the “guardian” of Islamic principles, said Universiti Malaya political science professor Awang Azman Pawi.

“It’s a strategic move to win support among Muslim Malays, especially in the east coast,” he said.

PAS has long been a champion of Islamic governance and holds power in the four northern Malay-belt states of Terengganu, Kelantan, Perlis and Kedah, allowing it to implement policies those places aligned with its religious agenda.

In December 2024, Terengganu made headlines with the public caning of a man convicted of khalwat, or “close proximity” between an unrelated man and woman in a private space.

The punishment followed an amendment to Terengganu’s syariah laws in 2024, expanding the scope and severity of punishments. The latest caning also highlighted the power of the country’s 13 state legislatures to enact their own laws, as long as the Federal Constitution is not violated.

Terengganu state executive councillor Khalil Hadi defended the decision to carry out the public caning despite objections from concerned citizens and rights groups, asserting that the state government was committed to enhancing syariah law enforcement.

On Dec 26, 2024, the Kelantan state government announced that all food and beverage outlets in the state would be required to obtain halal certification to renew their business licences.

In response, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming stated that local councils lacked the legal authority to impose such requirements.

Timing-wise, experts note that PAS pushing the Islamic agenda coincides with growing tensions within the opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, which includes the Islamist party.

PAS and coalition partner Bersatu have clashed in recent weeks over internal leadership roles.

“Bersatu is losing ground to Anwar and Umno, and PAS is holding PN together, but they are in competition for dominance within the coalition,” Prof Chin said.

PAS, with 43 MPs, forms the largest bloc in Parliament but faces keen competition from ally Bersatu, which has 25 seats in the House of Representatives.

In December, PAS leaders were sidelined as Bersatu secured all key positions in PN’s supreme council, with Mr Azmin Ali appointed secretary-general despite PAS’ push for its own, Mr Takiyuddin Hassan, for the role.

Speculation about tensions between the two allies arose after Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar quit as PN treasurer-general, although he denied this was due to a rift in the alliance.

The two parties were also at odds over Bersatu president and former premier Muhyiddin Yassin’s status as PN’s “poster boy” or prime ministerial candidate, as PAS believes itself to be the stronger component party in the opposition alliance.

Meanwhile, speculation is still swirling about PAS joining Datuk Seri Anwar’s unity government.

When Malaysia’s November 2022 General Election resulted in a hung Parliament, Mr Anwar eventually formed a government by cobbling together his Pakatan Harapan coalition, the Umno-led Barisan Nasional alliance and some East Malaysian parties.

A deal with PAS could shift the balance of power, but analysts say the chances of such an arrangement are slim unless PAS secures significant concessions, such as removing the Chinese-led Democratic Action Party (DAP) from the unity government.

PAS is also mobilising its base through rallies.

On Jan 3, the party held a protest against alleged threats to Islam, targeting DAP ministers Nga and Hannah Yeoh. This came after Mr Nga criticised PAS for its hostile response to a Christmas celebration at his ministry.

PAS has accused Ms Yeoh, who is Minister of Youth and Sports, of promoting Christianity.

In addition, PAS, which once heavily criticised Najib Razak over the financial scandal tied to Malaysian state fund 1MDB, is preparing for a rally on Jan 6 in support of the jailed former prime minister, in a hitherto inconceivable move.

PAS is now backing Najib in his appeal over the existence of a royal decree that would allegedly allow him to serve his prison sentence at home.

Umno supreme council member Nur Jazlan Mohamed slammed PAS’ sudden support for Najib, calling it a move to gain political mileage.

“PAS leaders often speak as if they are representatives of heaven. But for me, PAS is not a ‘political angel’ but more of a ‘political genie’ because they cleverly manipulate religion for their own interests,” he wrote on Facebook on Jan 1.

“Their political fatwas change according to convenience.”

While PAS’ focus on Islamisation may solidify its position among conservative supporters, its future in national politics is unclear.

Political scientist Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia said: “PAS will remain a provincial party if it goes down this path. It can kiss its national aspirations goodbye, unless it can convince the Borneo (East Malaysia) coalition members to leave the (Anwar) government to form a new majority coalition with PAS.”

Source:straitstimes.com

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

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/pas-pushes-islamic-agenda-with-eye-on-next-malaysia-election

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Pakistan

 

‘Doors closed on military for now, PTI only talking to govt’, Gohar says

January 4, 2025

• Barrister Gohar admits ‘backdoor contacts’ with establishment ahead of Nov protest

• Sheikh Waqqas says verdict in £190m case won’t impact talks with govt

KARACHI: PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has revealed that his party established “backdoor contacts” with the military before their November 2024 protest, but said the link had now been severed.

The only talks ongoing are with the government, Mr Gohar told DawnNewsTV’s Nadir Guramani on Friday.

PTI leaders and founder Imran Khan had repeatedly hinted at talks with the military as they are the “real decision maker and power centre”.

Days before PTI’s protest in November 2024, Mr Khan authorised his party leaders to hold talks with the army leadership.

According to Mr Gohar, the contact was established with the military, and things were heading in a “positive direction”. But the contact broke down following PTI founder Imran Khan’s arrest in a new case following bail in antoher.

Mr Khan was granted bail in the Toshakhana case — concerning the purchase of an expensive Bulgari jewellery set at a throwaway price — but was not released as Rawalpindi police arrested him on terrorism charges related to a September 2024 protest.

“Now, the PTI is not holding backdoor talks with the establishment,” Mr Gohar stated, adding that doors for talks with the military in future “haven’t been shut”.

Mr Gohar also dismissed claims of an offer by authorities to move the PTI founder from Adiala Jail to his residence in Banigala.

The PTI founder considers his incarceration illgal so there is no point in considering such an offer, Mr Gohar stated.

Trilateral meeting

The PTI chairman also ruled out the possibility of talks between Mr Khan, PML-N president Nawaz Sharif and PPP’s Asif Ali Zardari due to “irreconcilable differences”.

He was replying to a suggestion by PML-N leader Rana Sana­ullah that the three political bigwigs should sit together to overcome the crises facing Pakistan today.

The PTI chairman called Mr Sana­ullah’s suggestion “idealistic” and said the three leaders had “long-held differences”.

“I might see this day [talks between the three leaders] in my life, but for now, this isn’t possible,” Mr Gohar added.

Talks with govt to continue

In Peshawar, PTI’s central information secretary, Sheikh Waqqas Akram, said the ongoing talks with the government “would not be derailed” following the judgement in the £190 million case expected on January 6.

Speaking at a press conference, he said the PTI had not linked the talks with the verdict.

The talks would continue keeping in view the “government’s seriousness”.

Regarding the remission of sentences handed to 19 PTI workers by military courts, he said their release from prisons cannot be linked with the talks.

“Our workers were released because they were innocent, and it was not possible to further keep them in jail,” he claimed.

Civil disobedience

He said the first phase of PTI’s civil disobedience movement — in which the party called upon overseas Pakistanis not to send remittances — had been underway for 15 to 20 days. “This will give a big blow to the already weak government.”

He said the impact of this action would become visible after two months, and the party would closely monitor it.

According to Mr Akram, PTI would withdraw the call for civil disobedience movement decision if the government released all its imprisoned workers and leaders and formed a judicial commission to probe the May 9 and November 26 protests.

The civil disobedience movement was “necessary” for a country where the Constitution, laws and human rights were violated and lawmakers were abducted.

While commenting on the internet disruption, Mr Akram said it would be detrimental to the digital economy and the youth, who were boosting the economy by earning millions of dollars.

Source:dawn.com

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

https://www.dawn.com/news/1882904/doors-closed-on-military-for-now-pti-only-talking-to-govt-gohar-says

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No point in negotiating with govt lacking mandate, Achakzai tells PTI

By Web Desk

January 04, 2025

Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, whose party is an ally of the PTI, has maintained that there is no point for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in holding negotiation with the incumbent government as it lacked  "legitimate mandate".

"What is the point in negotiating with a government that does not have a legitimate mandate?" Achakzai said while speaking to journalists along with Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) Chairman Allama Raja Nasir Abbas in Islamabad on Friday.

The statement came a day after the embattled former ruling party and the government held their second round of dialogue, which the National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said was held in a cordial environment.

During the meeting, the PTI negotiation team sought frequent meetings with party founder Imran Khan to finalise the "charter of demands". While the PTI has been quite vocal about its key demands — the release of political prisoners and a judicial probe into the events of May 9, 2023 and November 26 crackdown — it could not share these demands with the government committee in writing.

The Imran Khan-founded party has already given an ultimatum that talks should conclude by the end of the ongoing month.

The talks were being held in the wake of the former ruling party's announcement of a civil disobedience movement if their demands go unmet. Jailed PTI founder Imran Khan had last month called on his supporters to launch the anti-government movement by withholding remittances in the first phase.

Speaking to the media today, the PKMAP chief said that they would pray for the success of the negotiations, "but in such cases, prayers are not accepted".

Calling Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif "a friend", he claimed that the incumbent premier was ready to become PM under then president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf. He added that Nawaz Sharif courageously stopped Shahbaz, but now the former has also "backed down".

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi — whose party, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), is an ally of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Centre — expressed scepticism on the ongoing government-PTI talks, saying that nothing could be seen to come out of the negotiations taking place between the two.

Speaking to journalists in Peshawar, Kundi noted that negotiations were the only way out of the long-standing issues, adding that he did not see the PTI getting the NRO-like deal.

Source:thenews.com.pk

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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1268328-no-point-in-negotiating-with-govt-lacking-mandate-achakzai-tells-pti

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Peace agreement reached b/w stakeholders of Kurram District

January 03, 2025

A peace agreement has been reached between the Sunni and Shia communities of Kurram District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

This was stayed by Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry in a video statement on Friday.

He congratulated the people of Pakistan, particularly those in Kurram, on this significant development.

The Chief Secretary expressed gratitude to the scholars and leaders of both communities for setting aside their conflicts and facilitating the signing of the peace agreement.

He also commended the law enforcement agencies for their cooperation in this matter.

The Chief Secretary said the first convoy of vehicles carrying supplies of different goods will depart for Parachinar tomorrow, under the protection of police and law enforcement agencies.

He said the peace committees will ensure that no miscreants disrupt the convoys or violate the agreement.

Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry assured that both the provincial and federal governments are committed to supporting the successful implementation of the peace agreement.

Source:radio.gov.pk

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

https://www.radio.gov.pk/03-01-2025/peace-agreement-reached-bw-sunni-shia-communities-of-kurram-district

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Jailed Imran Khan offered deal to move to Nathia Gali, claims Marwat

By Web Desk

January 04, 2025

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Sher Afzal Marwat on Friday claimed that the former ruling party was offered to move its incarcerated party founder Imran Khan to Governor House in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Nathia Gali, a deal he says was rejected.

Speaking on Geo News programme 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath', he claimed that the offer was tabled by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and representatives of the government and the establishment.

The statement came a day after PTI founder's lawyer Faisal Chaudhry said Imran was offered a deal under which he would be shifted to Bani Gala, his residence in Islamabad, to serve the remaining jail time.

"[Imran] Khan said he was offered to be moved to Bani Gala. However, he stressed that he would not move anywhere until those detained without trial are released," Chaudhry told reporters outside Adiala jail.

Last month, it was reported last month that the government may consider offering a deal of house arrest to the PTI founder, provided he does not challenge the present system and stops politics of agitation.

The reports of a "deal" emerged at a time when the federal government and the former ruling party have sat down for talks with the latter tabling two initial demands: the release of all "political prisoners" and the formation of a commission to probe the May 9, 2023, events and November 26, 2024, events.

Speaking on today's show, Marwat said that the former prime minister was "approached directly" on several occasions. "An assurance was given that Imran would be released by December 20," he claimed.

Responding to a question regarding the negotiations, the lawmaker said the PTI negotiators confirmed that no individual was willing to take responsibility for submitting written demands. "The team want to consult the PTI founder before tabling the charter of demands."

The statement came a day after the embattled former ruling party and the government held their second round of dialogue, which the National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said was held in a cordial environment.

During the meeting, the PTI negotiation team sought frequent meetings with party founder Imran Khan to finalise the "charter of demands". While the PTI has been quite vocal about its key demands, it could not share these demands with the government committee in writing.

The Imran Khan-founded party has already given an ultimatum that talks should conclude by the end of the ongoing month.

The talks were being held in the wake of the former ruling party's announcement of a civil disobedience movement if their demands go unmet. Jailed PTI founder Imran Khan had last month called on his supporters to launch the anti-government movement by withholding remittances in the first phase.

Source:thenews.com.pk

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

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1268330-jailed-imran-khan-offered-deal-to-move-to-nathia-gali-claims-marwat

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Govt urges PTI to extend deadline for dialogue till Feb 28

By Web Desk

January 03, 2025

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Thursday urged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to extend “its cut-off date” for dialogue until February 28, saying that the former ruling party itself wasted 15 days.

Speaking on Geo News programme 'Naya Pakistan', the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader said: “The PTI wasted 15 days themselves, now extend the deadline beyond January 31.”

The PTI’s negotiation committee last week set the January 31 timeframe for the ongoing negotiations with the government to reach a "logical conclusion", reiterating the demands of a judicial probe into the May 9 riots and November 26 late-night crackdown and release of "political prisoners".

Responding to a question, Sanaullah said that they were expecting the Imran Khan-founded party to present their charter of demand in writing in yesterday’s meeting but they didn’t.

Second round of negotiation between the PTI and the ruling coalition was held with National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in the chair on January 2. Talking to journalists after the conclusion of the meeting, Sadiq said: “Talks held in more conducive environment.” He said that the former ruling party would present its "charter of demands" in next session after meeting its jailed founder.

During the talk show, Sanaullah said that the former ruling party did not share the list of those killed in its November 26 power show in the federal capital.

Raising questions over the PTI’s claim of 13 causalities during its “do-or-die” protest, the PML-N leader asked the former ruling party to produce eye witnesses to support their claim.

He, however, alleged that the armed men, who were part of PTI’s protest, opened fire near Chungi No 26.

Following the police crackdown against PTI’s November 26 protest in the federal capital, the former ruling party claims that 13 of their supporters were killed, 58 sustained injuries and 45 are still missing.

Five law enforcers — four personnel of Rangers and a policeman, were also martyred during the clashes with the protesters.

'Talks for sake of Pakistan'

On the other hand, the top leadership of the PTI termed Pakistan their top priority and threw their weight behind the dialogue with treasury benches for the sake of the country.

Talking to journalists in Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said: “Pakistan is [our top] priority and [we] will hold talks for [the sake of] it.”

Referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks during today’s meeting of the Central Apex Committee on the National Action Plan (NAP), the KP firebrand chief minister said that the premier should not deny “facts” that no shots were fired during the crackdown on the PTI protesters in Islamabad in November last year.

“Making such comments is inappropriate for PM Shehbaz,” he added.

Responding to a question, the CM said that the nation together with the security institutions would eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country.

Meanwhile, incarcerated PTI senior leader and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi stressed the need for negotiations between the treasury and the opposition benches.

“Dialogue is not the need of PTI but the Pakistan.”

Talking to the media after his appearance in an anti-terrorism court in Lahore, Qureshi warned that the failure of the ongoing negotiation process could endanger democracy in the country.

“Pakistan stands at a critical juncture,” he said and prayed for a breakthrough in the ongoing dialogue process.

“Let the negation take place. The incumbent government [in Centre] will tumble if the outcome of talks is not positive,” warned the PTI leader.

PTI entered the dialogue with sincerity, the former foreign minister said and urged the coalition government to take the matters forward with sincerity.

Source:thenews.com.pk

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

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1268325-govt-urges-pti-to-extend-deadline-for-dialogue-till-feb-28

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Govt-opposition negotiations need of Pakistan, say top PTI leaders

By Web Desk

January 03, 2025

ISLAMABAD: The top leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday threw their weight behind the dialogue with the coalition government for the sake of the country, saying that Pakistan is their utmost priority.

The development came as the Imran Khan founded party is set to present it “charter of demands” in the upcoming session which is likely to be held in the next week. The two sides have met twice — on December 23 and January 2 — to defuse prevailing political tensions in the country.

Talking to journalists in Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said: “Pakistan is [our top] priority and [we] will hold talks for [the sake of] it.”

Referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks during today’s meeting of the Central Apex Committee on the National Action Plan (NAP), the firebrand chief minister said that the premier should not deny “facts” that no shots were fired during the crackdown on the PTI protesters in Islamabad in November last year.

“Making such comments is inappropriate for PM Shehbaz,” he added.

Following the police crackdown against PTI’s November 26 protest in the federal capital, the former ruling party claims that 13 of their supporters were killed, 58 sustained injuries and 45 are still missing.

Five law enforcers — four personnel of Rangers and policeman, were also martyred during the clashes with the protesters.

Responding to a question, the CM said that the nation together with the security institutions would eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country.

Meanwhile, incarcerated PTI senior leader and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi stressed the need for negotiations between the treasury and the opposition benches.

“Dialogue is not the need of PTI but the Pakistan.”

Talking to the media after his appearance in an anti-terrorism court in Lahore, Qureshi warned that the failure of the ongoing negotiation process could endanger democracy in the country.

“Pakistan stands at a critical juncture,” he said and prayed for a breakthrough in the ongoing dialogue process.

“Let the negation take place. The incumbent government [in Centre] will tumble if the outcome of talks is not positive,” warned the PTI leader.

PTI entered the dialogues with sincerity, the former foreign minister said and urged the coalition government to take the matters forward with sincerity.

Following the second round of talks between the PTI and the coalition government, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Wednesday said that the negations were held in "more conducive environment", adding that the former ruling party would present its "charter of demands" in next session after meeting its jailed founder Khan.

"In the last meeting we decided that PTI would present its charter of demands, but the opposition demanded another meeting with [PTI founder] Imran Khan to chalk out the list of demands and the next meeting will be held next week, hopefully," said Sadiq.

Reading out the joint declaration of the meeting, Senator Irfan Siddiqui said that PTI's Ayub and others presented their point of view in detail.

"They [PTI] demanded the release of incarcerated Imran Khan and their workers and formation of judicial commission on the events of May 9, 2023 and Nov 26," he said.

Furthermore, he said, that the opposition wanted to meet the incarcerated PTI founder for consultation to chalk out the "charter of demands". "They [PTI] said Imran had allowed to start this negotiation process... in a bid to continue the process in a positive manner, Imran's guidance is necessary," he added.

Siddiqui noted that the opposition agreed to table the charter of demand in written form after consulting the party founder. During the meeting, he said, the government has no objection to the PTI committee meeting the jailed founder.

"It was agreed that the date for the third round of talks will be announced after the PTI committee meets Imran," he concluded.

Source:thenews.com.pk

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

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1268288-govt-opposition-negotiations-need-of-pakistan-say-top-pti-leaders

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250 PTI workers held in Nov 26 crackdown granted bail

Malik Asad

January 4, 2025

ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) of Islamabad on Friday granted post-arrest bail to 250 workers of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) who were arrested on Nov 26 when law enforcement agencies carried out a crackdown on protesters at D-Chowk.

ATC Judge Abual Has­nat Mohammad Zulqar­nain issued a mixed verdict on bail applications related to 13 cases filed against the PTI workers. The cases, registered across 10 police stations, involve various offences, including rioting.

Out of the 400 suspects, the court granted bail to 250 but rejected the applications of 150 others.

According to a breakdown of the rulings, the court granted bail to those accused who had been arrested by the Banigala Police Station, Kohsar PS, Shahzad Town PS, Noon PS, I-9 PS, Sihala PS, Shams Colony PS, Margalla PS, Secre­tariat PS and Aabpara PS.

The protests on Nov 26 were part of a PTI-led demonstration that turned chaotic, leading to arrests and multiple cases being registered against the party workers and supporters.

The accused face charges under anti-terrorism laws, with offences ranging from rioting to causing public disorder.

It may be recalled that the PTI had organised the march on Islamabad, mainly from Peshawar, to press for the release of its jailed leader Imran Khan.

Source:dawn.com

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

https://www.dawn.com/news/1882975/250-pti-workers-held-in-nov-26-crackdown-granted-bail

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Europe

 

New Syrian authorities interested in Russia’s continued presence – Moscow

3 Jan, 2025

The new de-facto authorities of Syria have shown interest in Russia’s continued presence in the country, Russia’s UN envoy, Vassily Nebenzia, has said, admitting, however, a lack of concrete steps in that direction.

The senior diplomat made the remarks on Friday while speaking to the broadcaster Russia 1. Russia and Syria have been long-linked by “ties of friendship” that are not “bound by any regimes,” Nebenzia stated.

“The incumbent de-facto leaders of Syria are sending signals, including about the Russian stay in Syria, stating that the new Syrian authorities are interested in our continued presence,” the UN envoy said.

The new authorities fancy themselves a force “that cares about the interests of all Syrians,” the diplomat said, noting that they thus far appeared to be “behaving quite competently.”

“I don’t know whether they are being guided or understand themselves that it is necessary to send the right signals to the entirety of Syrian society,” he added.

Militant groups, led by Hayat Tahrir-al-Sham (HTS) jihadists, launched a surprise offensive against the Syrian government led by now-former President Bashar Assad in November last year. The attack resulted in a collapse of the Syrian military in a matter of days and the downfall of the government, with Assad fleeing the country for Moscow.

The development created uncertainty around Moscow’s military presence in the country and the fate of the Russian military installations primarily located on the country’s Mediterranean coast, namely Khmeimim Air Base near Latakia and a naval facility at Tartus.

Late in December, the head of HTS and the country’s de facto leader Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, best known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Julani, said Damascus had “strategic interests” in maintaining good ties with Russia, describing it as the “second most powerful country in the world.”

“We don’t want Russia to exit Syria in a way that would not be befitting for its long-standing relations” with the nation, the HTS chief said at the time.

Source:rt.com

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

https://www.rt.com/russia/610409-syria-authorities-russian-presence/

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German FM visits Damascus: No funding for new Islamic structures

2025-01-04

Shafaq News/ German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that Europe will support Syria, but it will not fund the establishment of "new Islamic structures in the country," after she met with Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the de facto leader of Syria, on Friday.

Baerbock added that lifting sanctions on Syria "entirely depends on the progress of the political process," noting that "the transition in Syria has not yet been achieved."

Baerbock and her French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, are the first European Union ministers to visit Syria since the opposition took control of Damascus on December 8, forcing former President Bashar al-Assad to flee after more than 13 years of civil war, ending his family's decades-long rule.

The visit aimed to send a message of cautious optimism to the Islamic opposition led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and to show openness to recognizing Syria's new rulers while urging them to moderate and respect minority rights.

The German and French foreign ministers expressed their desire to establish new relations with Syria and urged a peaceful transition of power during their visit to Damascus on Friday on behalf of the European Union.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas shared on X regarding the visit, "Our message to Syria’s new leadership: respecting the principles agreed with regional actors and ensuring the protection of all civilians and minorities is of the utmost importance."

Barrot and Baerbock met with Al-Sharaa at the People's Palace in Damascus, but the details of the discussions have not yet been disclosed.

Since Al-Assad's ouster, the Islamic opposition groups have sought to reassure Arab countries and the international community that they will govern on behalf of all Syrians and will not export an Islamic revolution.

Western governments have gradually opened channels of communication with Al-Sharaa and HTS, which was previously an offshoot of the extremist al-Qaeda organization. Governments have also begun discussing whether to remove the group from terrorist lists.

However, many questions remain about the future of a multi-component country where foreign powers, including Turkiye and Russia, have strong and potentially competing interests.

Baerbock stated that she is approaching Syria with an "outstretched hand" and "clear expectations" from the new administration, adding that the judgment of this administration will be based on its actions.

In a statement before heading to Syria, Baerbock said, "We know the ideological affiliation of HTS and what it has done in the past," adding that a new beginning in relations can only happen if there is no room for extremism.

"But we also hear and see the desire for moderation and understanding with other important parties," she continued, referring to talks with the US-allied Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Baerbock mentioned that the goal now is for Syria to once again become a respected member of the international community, which also serves Europe's security interests.

For his part, Barrot expressed hope that Syria would become a "sovereign state where security prevails," with no place for terrorism, chemical weapons, or malicious foreign actors, during a meeting with representatives of Syrian civil society organizations.

Barrot told reporters that Germany and France intend to provide technical assistance and advice to Syria in drafting a new constitution for the country, adding that the hope for a democratic transition in the country is "fragile but real."

He called for a political solution that includes integrating Kurdish fighters into the Syrian state, saying that "a permanent ceasefire must be reached." However, he did not respond when asked about the potential timing for lifting EU sanctions on Syria.

French diplomatic sources mentioned that Barrot visited the closed French embassy in Damascus, signaling a potential restoration of diplomatic ties under improved political and security conditions. However, he refrained from commenting on the timeline for lifting EU sanctions on Syria.

During their visit, the ministers toured Sednaya Prison, infamous for its human rights abuses, and vowed international support for achieving justice for victims.

Source:shafaq.com

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

https://shafaq.com/en/World/German-FM-visits-Damascus-No-funding-for-new-Islamic-structures

--------Names of 425,000 suspected Nazi collaborators published

4 JAN 2025

The names of around 425,000 people suspected of collaborating with the Nazis during the German occupation of the Netherlands have been published online for the first time.

The names represent individuals who were investigated through a special legal system established towards the end of World War Two. Of them, more than 150,000 faced some form of punishment.

The full records of these investigations were previously only accessible by visiting the Dutch National Archives in The Hague.

The Huygens Institute, which helped digitise the archive, says this is a major barrier for people wishing to research the Netherlands' occupation, which lasted from its invasion in 1940 to 1945.

"This archive contains important stories for both present and future generations," the Huygens Institute says.

"From children who want to know what their father did in the war, to historians researching the grey areas of collaboration."

The archive contains files on war criminals, the approximately 20,000 Dutch people who enlisted in the German armed forces, and alleged members of the National Socialist Movement (NSB) - the Dutch Nazi party.

But it also contains the names of people who were found to be innocent.

This is because the archive comprises files from the Special Jurisdiction, which from 1944 investigated suspected collaborators.

Hans Renders, a professor of history at the University of Groningen, noted that only around 15% of cases went to court and around 120,000 people had their cases dismissed.

"So if a name appears in the [archive], it is not certain that the person was 'wrong'," he told the BBC.

The online database contains the names of suspects, as well as the date and place of their birth, which are only searchable using specific personal details.

It does not specify whether a particular person was found guilty, or what form of collaboration they were suspected of.

But it will tell users what file to request to see this information if they visit the National Archives. People accessing the physical files must declare a legitimate interest in viewing them.

Thomas Bottelier, a historian of 20th Century war at Utrecht University, told the BBC there were many similar commissions in other countries, and that until now access to the Dutch records was "more restrictive" than in Italy, "despite [Italy's] much more controversial wartime past".

The project to digitise the records as originally envisioned would have brought the Netherlands in line with other European nations, he said.

But there has been some concern in the Netherlands about personal information linked to a sensitive period of history being made freely available, prompting the information published online to be initially limited.

"I am afraid that there will be very nasty reactions," Rinke Smedinga, whose father was an NSB member and worked at Camp Westerbork, from which people were deported to concentration camps, told Dutch online publication DIT.

"You have to anticipate that. You should not just let it happen, as a kind of social experiment."

 suggests that around a fifth of Dutch people feel uncomfortable with the idea of the children of collaborators holding public office, and 8% if they were to discover a friend or colleague had relatives who were collaborators.

"For children of NSB members, the past is often a trauma," Prof Renders said.

"On the one hand, because they are carrying around a secret, while they have done nothing wrong. On the other hand, because they do not know what their father or mother did during the war."

Tom De Smet, the director of the National Archives, told DIT that relatives of both collaborators and victims of the occupation had to be taken into account.

But he added: "Collaboration is still a major trauma. It is not talked about. We hope that when the archives are opened, the taboo will be broken."

Dr Bottelier said it was "surprising" the project had "kicked up so much dust".

He said the Dutch privacy watchdog "has consistently opposed the complete and transparent digitisation" of the records, and said this clash deserves more attention.

"It has real and often negative consequences for our easy access, as citizens, to the records of the state and its decisions that shape our lives."

In a letter to parliament on 19 December, Culture Minister Eppo Bruins wrote: "Openness of archives is crucial for facing the effects of [the Netherlands'] difficult shared past and to process it as a society."

How much information made available online would be limited given privacy concerns, and those visiting the archive in person will not be allowed to make copies, he said.

Bruins has expressed a wish to change the law to allow more information to be disclosed publicly.

The online database's website says that people who might still be alive are not listed online.

Source:bbc.com

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

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj6z3g0d3x3o

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German purchases of Russian uranium surge

3 Jan, 2025

Germany dramatically increased its uranium imports from Russia in 2024, bringing in 60.8 tons, a 70% jump from the previous year, according to a new report from Der Spiegel published on Friday.

The findings are based on data from Lower Saxony’s Ministry for Environment, Energy and Climate Protection.

The uranium is being processed at the Advanced Nuclear Fuels facility in Lingen, which operates under French ownership through Framatome, a division of energy giant EDF. The plant is gearing up to manufacture specialized nuclear fuel cells for the Soviet-designed WWER reactors still running in Eastern Europe. These power plants have historically depended on Russian-made fuel cells.

The German government noted that imports of uranium from Russia are not subject to any of the EU-wide sanctions imposed on Moscow.

“There is currently no European Union import or export embargo against Russia for nuclear fuel for peaceful use,” the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection said.

The EU has long debated sanctioning Russia’s nuclear sector as part of its efforts to sever energy ties with Moscow. Such restrictions, however, have never materialized, as they have been strongly opposed by several EU nations – namely Hungary and Slovakia – that are reliant on nuclear energy cooperation with Russia.

Last month, the bloc’s new energy commissioner, Dan Jorgensen, admitted the EU had failed to overcome its dependency on Russian energy and urged a new plan to curtail the supply of oil, gas, and nuclear fuel from the country.

“It’s obvious to everybody that something new needs to happen because… now it’s beginning to go in the wrong direction,” Jorgensen said, promising to present “a tangible roadmap that will include efficient tools and means for us to solve the remaining part of the problem.”

Source:.rt.com

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Mideast

 

Al-Jund Mosque in Taiz witnesses massive crowds celebrate Rajab Friday - Memorial of Yemenis Islam

03 Jan 2025

In the presence of acting governor Ahmed Amin Al-Masawi and a member of the Supreme Judicial Council - the Mufti of the province - Judge Alawi Sahl bin Aqeel, mass crowds gathered to celebrate Rajab Friday - the anniversary of the Yemeni people entry into Islam.

For two days, until before today's Friday prayers, religious lectures, songs, chants and poems were delivered, expressing the spirituality of Rajab Friday and its emotional, and faithful connection to the people of Yemen since the dawn of Islam.

Allama Alawi Sahl bin Aqeel delivered two Friday sermons, in which he highlighted the steadfastness of Yemenis in their faith, their trust and reliance on God, and said, "Believers are brothers, even if they differ."

Allama bin Aqeel expressed praise and thanks to God Almighty for the security, safety, pride, dignity and stability bestowed on the Yemenis, pointing out that Yemen today, under the wise leadership, is fighting the fiercest battle with the forces of global evil, and writing heroic epics in support of the vulnerable in Palestine.

He considered the battle that Yemen is fighting as a hinge based on humanitarian and moral principles in standing by the side of the vulnerable in Gaza. He called on everyone to return to the truth, reunite and stand united in the face of the challenges that are being plotted against Yemen and Yemenis.

Source:saba.ye

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Mahweet holds 43 marches in support of Palestine, reaffirms commitment to Islamic values, resistance

03 Jan 2025

Mahweet province held 43 marches and a significant stand on Friday, showing strong support for the Palestinian people under the slogan: "We are steadfast with proud Gaza.. with our faith identity and our Quranic path."

These events, attended by local authorities, security, and executive leaders, took place across several districts of Mahweet, including the city itself, Shibam Kawkaban, al-Tawila, al-Rujm, and others.

Participants expressed opposition to the "Zionist-American-British enemy" and reiterated their support for the Palestinian cause, particularly emphasizing the importance of Arab and Islamic unity in confronting aggression and the ongoing struggle for Palestinian independence with Jerusalem as its capital.

The participants also highlighted the significance of Rajab Friday, a day commemorating Yemen's embrace of Islam, underscoring the nation's attachment to Islamic values and resilience.

They praised the recent military victories of Yemen's armed forces, including the use of sonic missiles and drones against Israel, viewing these actions as part of a legitimate defense of Palestinian rights. The statement issued at the event emphasized the Yemeni people's unwavering support for Gaza and their ongoing commitment to jihad and the battle for the liberation of Palestine.

The participants reaffirmed their determination to stay true to their faith-based positions, citing their readiness to face challenges, make sacrifices, and continue their military efforts in support of Gaza.

The participants also called on the Arab and Islamic world to unite in solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people, invoking God's support and praying for the success of Mujahideen/ fighters, the relief of the oppressed, and victory for the cause.

Source:saba.ye

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Endowment Authority office celebrates Friday Rajab at Great Mosque in Sana'a

03 Jan 2025

The office of the General Authority for Endowments in Sana'a celebrated on Friday in the Great Mosque in Sana'a, the anniversary of the entry of the people of Yemen into Islam, under the title "With our faith identity and our Qur'anic march, we will confront global Zionism".

At the celebration, First Deputy Prime Minister Allama Mohammed Muftah congratulated Yemenis on this solemn religious occasion - the anniversary of their entry into Islam.

He considered the entry of the people of Yemen into Islam as a gain for every Muslim around the globe, which is reflected in the honorable positions taken by the Yemenis in defense of the Palestinians in the face of the war of extermination by the Zionist occupation in light of the shameful Arab , Islamic silence and inaction.

For his part, the head of the General Authority for Endowments, Allama Abdulmajid Al-Houthi, explained that the Yemenis have been the support , supporter of Islam, and the relationship between Yemenis and Islam is not a recent development, but rather an eternal relationship rooted from the depths of history.

Allama Muftah considered Rajab Friday a great occasion and an eternal memory in the hearts of Yemenis, who were blessed with the Messenger of Allah, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah honor his face, and their entry into the religion of Allah through his hands.

Two speeches were delivered by a member of the Yemeni Scholars Association, Allama Muhammad al-Bashiq and activist Dr. Abdullah al-Ahnoumi, who discussed the greatness and sacredness of Rajab Friday.

Al-Bashiq and Al-Ahnoumi discussed the virtues of the Yemenis , the fruits of their entry into Islam, their assumption of the guidance of Al-Bayt family, and what God has bestowed on the Yemenis in the current period by providing them with a wise leadership that has contributed to removing them from dependence on the forces of oppression and tyranny.

Source:saba.ye

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Fragile Israel-Hezbollah truce holding so far, despite violations

January 04, 2025

BEIRUT: A fragile ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has held up for over a month, even as its terms seem unlikely to be met by the agreed-upon deadline.

The deal struck on Nov. 27 to halt the war required Hezbollah to immediately lay down its arms in southern Lebanon and gave Israel 60 days to withdraw its forces there and hand over control to the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers.

So far, Israel has withdrawn from just two of the dozens of towns it holds in southern Lebanon. And it has continued striking what it says are bases belonging to Hezbollah, which it accuses of attempting to launch rockets and move weapons before they can be confiscated and destroyed.

Hezbollah, which was severely diminished during nearly 14 months of war, has threatened to resume fighting if Israel does not fully withdraw its forces by the 60-day deadline.

Yet despite accusations from both sides about hundreds of ceasefire violations, the truce is likely to hold, analysts say. That is good news for thousands of Israeli and Lebanese families displaced by the war still waiting to return home.

“The ceasefire agreement is rather opaque and open to interpretation,” said Firas Maksad, a senior fellow with the Middle East Institute in Washington. That flexibility, he said, may give it a better chance of holding in the face of changing circumstances, including the ouster of Syria’s longtime leader, Bashar Assad, just days after the ceasefire took effect.

With Assad gone, Hezbollah lost a vital route for smuggling weapons from Iran. While that further weakened Hezbollah’s hand, Israel had already agreed to the US-brokered ceasefire.

Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel on Oct. 8, 2023 – the day after Hamas launched a deadly attack into Israel that ignited the ongoing war in Gaza. Since then, Israeli air and ground assaults have killed more than 4,000 people in Lebanon, including hundreds of civilians. At the height of the war, more than 1 million Lebanese people were displaced.

Hezbollah rockets forced some 60,000 from their homes in northern Israel, and killed 76 people in Israel, including 31 soldiers. Almost 50 Israeli soldiers were killed during operations inside Lebanon.

Here’s a look at the terms of the ceasefire and its prospects for ending hostilities over the long-term.

What does the ceasefire agreement say?

The agreement says that both Hezbollah and Israel will halt “offensive” military actions, but that they can act in self-defense, although it is not entirely clear how that term may be interpreted.

The Lebanese army is tasked with preventing Hezbollah and other militant groups from launching attacks into Israel. It is also required to dismantle Hezbollah facilities and weapons in southern Lebanon – activities that might eventually be expanded to the rest of Lebanon, although it is not explicit in the ceasefire agreement.

The United States, France, Israel, Lebanon and the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, are responsible for overseeing implementation of the agreement.

“The key question is not whether the deal will hold, but what version of it will be implemented,” Maksad, the analyst, said.

Is the ceasefire being implemented?

Hezbollah has for the most part halted its rocket and drone fire into Israel, and Israel has stopped attacking Hezbollah in most areas of Lebanon. But Israel has launched regular airstrikes on what it says are militant sites in southern Lebanon and in the Bekaa Valley.

Israeli forces have so far withdrawn from two towns in southern Lebanon – Khiam and Shamaa. They remain in some 60 others, according to the International Organization for Migration, and around 160,000 Lebanese remain displaced.

Lebanon has accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement and last week submitted a complaint to the UN Security Council that says Israel launched some 816 “ground and air attacks” between the start of the ceasefire and Dec. 22, 2023.

The complaint said the attacks have hindered the Lebanese army’s efforts to deploy in the south and uphold its end of the ceasefire agreement.

Israel says Hezbollah has violated the ceasefire hundreds of times and has also complained to the Security Council. It accused Hezbollah militants of moving ammunition, attempting to attack Israeli soldiers, and preparing and launching rockets toward northern Israel, among other things.

Until it hands over control of more towns to the Lebanese army, Israeli troops have been destroying Hezbollah infrastructure, including weapons warehouses and underground tunnels. Lebanese authorities say Israel has also destroyed civilian houses and infrastructure.

What happens after the ceasefire has been in place for 60 days?

Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese towns has been slower than anticipated because of a lack of Lebanese army troops ready to take over, according to Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, a military spokesman. Lebanon disputes this, and says it is waiting for Israel to withdraw before entering the towns.

Shoshani said Israel is satisfied with the Lebanese army’s control of the areas it has already withdrawn from, and that while it would prefer a faster transfer of power, security is its most important objective.

Israel does not consider the 60-day timetable for withdrawal to be “sacred,” said Harel Chorev, an expert on Israel-Lebanon relations at Tel Aviv University who estimates that Lebanon will need to recruit and deploy thousands more troops before Israel will be ready to hand over control.

Hezbollah officials have said that if Israeli forces remain in Lebanon 60 days past the start of the ceasefire, the militant group might return to attacking them. But Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Kassem said Wednesday that, for now, the group is holding off to give the Lebanese state a chance to “take responsibility” for enforcing the agreement.

Over the final two months of the war, Hezbollah suffered major blows to its leadership, weapons and forces from a barrage of Israeli airstrikes, and a ground invasion that led to fierce battles in southern Lebanon. The fall of Assad was another big setback.

“The power imbalance suggests Israel may want to ensure greater freedom of action after the 60-day period,” Maksad, the analyst, said. And Hezbollah, in its weakened position, now has a “strong interest” in making sure the deal doesn’t fall apart altogether “despite Israeli violations,” he said.

While Hezbollah may not be in a position to return to open war with Israel, it or other groups could mount guerilla attacks using light weaponry if Israeli troops remain in southern Lebanon, said former Lebanese army Gen. Hassan Jouni. And even if Israel does withdraw all of its ground forces, Jouni said, the Israeli military could could continue to carry out sporadic airstrikes in Lebanon, much as it has done in Syria for years.

Source:arabnews.com

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UN experts slam Israel’s blatant assault on health rights in Gaza

January 04, 2025

GENEVA: UN experts have denounced Israel’s raid on an embattled hospital in northern Gaza, demanding an end to the “blatant assault” on health rights in the besieged Palestinian territory.

Reiterating charges that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, two independent UN rights experts said they were “horrified” by the raid last Friday on Kamal Adwan, northern Gaza’s last functioning major hospital.

“For well over a year into the genocide, Israel’s blatant assault on the right to health in Gaza and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory is plumbing new depths of impunity,” the experts said.

The joint statement was from Francesca Albanese, the independent UN special rapporteur on the rights situation in the Palestinian territories, and Tlaleng Mofokeng, the special rapporteur on the right to health.

Israel’s diplomatic mission in Geneva dismissed the statement as “far removed from the truth,” saying it “completely ignores critical facts and the broader context of Hamas’s exploitation of civilian infrastructure for military purposes.”

The Israeli military has repeatedly accused Hamas of using hospitals as command centers, something Hamas denies.

The military “undertook every effort to protect civilians,” the Israeli mission said, insisting its “actions highlight Israel’s commitment to international law and the protection of civilian infrastructure, even under the most challenging circumstances.”

Israel’s military said it had killed more than 20 suspected militants and detained more than 240, including the hospital’s director, Hossam Abu Safiyeh, describing him as a suspected Hamas militant.

In their statement, Albanese and Mofokeng said they were “gravely concerned” at Safiyeh’s detention and demanded his “immediate release.”

“Yet another doctor to be harassed, kidnapped, and arbitrarily detained by the occupation forces,” they said.

“This is part of a pattern by Israel to continuously bombard, destroy, and fully annihilate the realization of the right to health in Gaza.”

UN special rapporteurs are independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council but do not speak on behalf of the world body.

The experts also highlighted “disturbing reports” that Israeli forces had allegedly carried out extrajudicial executions of some people near the hospitals, including a Palestinian man reportedly holding a white flag.

They pointed to figures provided by the Health Ministry in Gaza indicating that at least 1,057 Palestinian health and medical professionals have been killed since the war erupted following the Palestinian group’s Oct. 7, 2023 attack inside Israel.

The World Health Organization has repeatedly denounced the high number of attacks on health care staff and facilities in the war: 1,273 attacks on health care in Gaza and the West Bank have been recorded since the start of the war.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned on X that the pace of desperately needed medical evacuations out of Gaza was “excruciatingly slow.”

“Only 5,383 patients have been evacuated with support from WHO since October 2023, of which only 436 since the Rafah crossing was closed” last May, he said.

He said more than 12,000 people were awaiting medical evacuation from Gaza.

“At this rate, it would take 5-10 years to evacuate all these critically ill patients, including thousands of children,” he added.

“In the meantime, their conditions get worse and some die.”

Source:arabnews.com

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Lebanon’s PM discusses with Syria’s de facto ruler relations between two countries

January 03, 2025

Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, in a phone call on Friday with Syria’s de facto ruler Ahmed Al-Sharaa, discussed relations between the two countries, according to a statement from Mikati’s office posted on X, and said that he received an invitation from Sharaa to visit Syria to discuss common files.

Sharaa also affirmed that Syrian authorities took the necessary measures to restore calm on the border between the two countries, the post on X said.

Source:arabnews.com

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Lebanese army unit clashes with Syrian gunmen at illegal border crossing

NAJIA HOUSSARI

January 03, 2025

BEIRUT: A Lebanese army unit clashed with a group of armed Syrian nationals at the border on Friday as the soldiers attempted to “close an illegal crossing” in the Maarboun-Baalbek area of eastern Lebanon.

The Syrians were trying to forcibly reopen the crossing with a bulldozer, the army said. Soldiers fired warning shots into the air and Syrians responded by returning fire.

The “armed Syrians fired at the Lebanese soldiers, injuring one and sparking a clash between both sides,” the army command added. “Artillery shells were used” and other Lebanese army units in the area also responded with strict military measures, it added.

Subsequently, “reinforcements from the army’s mobile regiment arrived in the area, following the retreat of the armed Syrians, some of whom sustained injuries,” and the illegal crossing remained closed.

Maarboun is a town in Baalbek-Hermel governorate, and a natural crossing point between the two countries. However it is an illegal crossing mainly used by smugglers and human traffickers. The surrounding area is known to be pro-Hezbollah.

The incident at the illegal crossing coincided with the actions of Syrian authorities on Friday morning that prevented hundreds of Lebanese from crossing the border between Masnaa in Lebanon and Jdeidet Yabous in Syria.

The Syrians suddenly imposed new conditions on Lebanese visitors, including requirements that they have a hotel reservation and at least $2,000 in cash. People visiting Syria for surgery or other medical care must now have proof of an appointment and a Syrian sponsor who can confirm their identity. A valid residence permit for the stay in Syria is also required. Lebanese authorities imposed similar rules on Syrians entering Lebanon after the civil war in Syria began more than a decade ago.

Buses carrying Lebanese passengers who intended to visit Syria were forced turn back at the border as a result of the new Syrian rules.

Lebanon’s General Security Directorate decided to “prohibit any Lebanese from entering Syria through illegal crossings between both countries in Bekaa and the north, pending clarity during this stage,” a source from the agency said.

After the fall of President Bashar Assad and his regime in Syria in early December, the directorate held two meetings with officials from the new Syrian administration to discuss the regulation of movement between the two countries.

Though media delegations, politicians and civilians have crossed into Syria in recent days, Lebanese authorities have tightened security at land crossings, following similar actions at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut.

Normal operations at the airport resumed on Friday after an incident on Thursday night involving an aircraft belonging to Iranian airline Mahan Air. Airport security decided to conduct a thorough inspection of all passengers when the plane landed, including luggage belonging to diplomats on board. The diplomats protested and chose instead to leave their luggage at the airport. It was taken to a storage facility for inspection the following day using scanners.

Footage circulated on social media apparently showing young men on motorcycles heading to the airport to protest against the measures. It was believed the heightened security was motivated by concerns that passengers might be carrying money for delivery to Hezbollah. A second Iranian plane that landed on Friday faced similar security measures.

Lebanon’s interior minister, Bassam Mawlawi, described the move as a routine procedure and added: “What the airport security is doing aims to protect Lebanon and the Lebanese people. We are enforcing the law, protecting the airport and safeguarding all of Lebanon because it cannot withstand any new aggression.”

The decision covered the inspection of all luggage, he said, including that carried by diplomats.

The heightened measures drew criticism from the vice president of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council, Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib. During his Friday sermon, he called on the interior minister “to demonstrate his heroism against the enemy, not against those who made sacrifices to defend Lebanon’s sovereignty.”

Also on Friday, US Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, head of the international committee monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, toured Khiam, where the Lebanese army was deployed after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces. He was accompanied by Brig. Gen. Tony Faris, commander of the Lebanese army’s 7th Brigade.

Their visit came as Israel continued to face criticism for violating Lebanese sovereignty, including reconnaissance flights over southern Lebanon, extending as far as the southern suburbs of Beirut. Israeli forces were also accused of demolishing houses and roads in Dhayra and Jebbayn, and there were renewed warnings to residents of southern Lebanon not to return to homes in border areas until further notice.

There was a heavy presence of UN Interim Force in Lebanon forces along the Bayada-Naqoura road. The Lebanese army has placed concrete barriers on the road to Naqoura, preventing people other than UNIFIL personnel from entering. The UN force’s headquarters is located there.

The Lebanese army said it was surveying military remnants in Naqoura following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the town on Thursday. When this task is complete, Lebanese forces will be redeployed to the area, it added.

Source:arabnews.com

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Hamas wants Gaza ceasefire deal as soon as possible, senior official says

January 03, 2025

CAIRO: Hamas said a new round of indirect talks on a Gaza ceasefire resumed in Qatar’s Doha on Friday, stressing the group’s seriousness in seeking to reach a deal as soon as possible, senior Hamas official Basem Naim said.

The new talks will focus on agreeing on a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces, he added.

Mediators Qatar, Egypt and the US have been engaged in months of back-and-forth talks between Israel and Hamas that have failed to end more than a year of devastating conflict in Gaza.

A key obstacle to a deal has been Israel’s reluctance to agree to a lasting ceasefire.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he had authorized Israeli negotiators to continue talks in Doha.

In December, Qatar expressed optimism that “momentum” was returning to the talks following Donald Trump’s election victory in the United States.

But a war of words then broke out with Hamas accusing Israel of setting “new conditions” while Israel accused Hamas of creating “new obstacles” to a deal.

In its Friday statement, Hamas said it reaffirmed its “seriousness, positivity and commitment to reaching an agreement as soon as possible that meets the aspirations and goals of our steadfast and resilient people.

Source:arabnews.com

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Three Palestinians killed in standoff with security forces in West Bank

January 03, 2025

RAMALLAH: A Palestinian man and his son were killed in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, local medical officials said on Friday, as a month-long standoff between Palestinian security forces and armed militant groups in the town continued.

Separately, a security forces officer died in what Palestinian Authority (PA) officials said was an accident, bringing to six the total number of the security forces to have died in the operation in Jenin which began on Dec. 5. There were no further details.

The PA denied that its forces killed the 44-year-old man and his son, who were shot as they stood on the roof of their house in the Jenin refugee camp, a crowded quarter that houses descendants of Palestinians who fled or were driven out in the 1948 Middle East war. The man’s daughter was also wounded in the incident.

At least eight Palestinians have been killed in Jenin over the past month, one of them a member of the armed Jenin Brigades, which includes members of the armed wings of the Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Fatah factions.

Palestinian security forces moved into Jenin last month in an operation officials say is aimed at suppressing armed groups of “outlaws” who have built up a power base in the city and its adjacent refugee camp.

The operation has deepened splits among Palestinians in the West Bank, where the PA enjoys little popular support but where many fear being dragged into a Gaza-style conflict with Israel if the militant groups strengthen their hold.

Jenin, in the northern West Bank, has been a center of Palestinian militant groups for decades and armed factions have resisted repeated attempts to dislodge them by the Israeli military over the years.

The PA set up three decades ago under the Oslo interim peace accords, exercises limited sovereignty in parts of the West Bank and has claimed a role in administering Gaza once fighting in the enclave is concluded.

The PA is dominated by the Fatah faction of President Mahmoud Abbas and has long had a tense relationship with Hamas, with which it fought a brief civil war in Gaza in 2006 before Hamas drove it out of the enclave.

Source:arabnews.com

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Africa

 

Pastor donates prayer materials to Kaduna mosque

January 3, 2025

By John Gabriel

As part of his efforts to foster peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in the state, the General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, Kaduna, Pastor Yohanna Buru, has made a generous donation to the newly constructed Tudun-Biki Central Mosque in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Pastor Buru, who presented over one hundred plastic kettles during the grand opening of the mosque in Tudun Biki on Friday, said the aim was to strengthen Christian-Muslim relations and foster religious tolerance in the state.

The event also marked the one-year anniversary of the tragic drone attack on the community, which claimed the lives of several worshippers celebrating the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Special prayers were offered for the victims, and the new mosque was officially opened for prayers.

In his address, Pastor Buru explained that the church’s visit was intended to support the Muslim community and promote peace and harmony between Christians and Muslims in the region.

He emphasised that the church’s contribution was aimed not only at providing essential materials for the mosque but also at helping to strengthen the bond between the two faiths, thereby fostering peace and religious tolerance.

“We must remember that we are one family under God. Both Christians and Muslims follow holy scriptures—the Bible and the Quran—and we share common beliefs in paradise and hell. Our ancestry traces back to Adam and Eve, and as such, we must live as brothers and sisters, supporting one another.”

The pastor also highlighted the church’s longstanding tradition of assisting mosques affected by disasters such as fires and storms, providing much-needed aid during times of hardship.

Expressing gratitude to the church, Mallam Ibrahim Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, who received the donation, thanked Pastor Buru for his generous gifts, which included historical trees, prayer mats, and plastic kettles for Muslim worshippers.

Mallam Ibrahim stated that the community had gathered to offer special prayers for the victims of the bombing and to formally open the new mosque for use.

“Exactly one year ago today, this tragedy struck during the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

“We are deeply grateful that, on this occasion, our Christian brothers have shown such solidarity and brought these valuable gifts for our mosque,” he said.

He also urged Nigerians to continue praying for peace and stability across the country.

“We must all work together in protecting the peace and unity of Nigeria,” he added.

“Let us show patriotism in every way we can to uphold the dignity of our nation.”

Source:dailypost.ng

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People Are At The Heart Of My Mission – President Tinubu

3 January 2025

By Udeze Ekene

President Bola Tinubu has assured that his mission remained to make the lives of Nigerians better.

President Tinubu, on Friday, after Jummat prayers in Lagos Island, thanked supporters who trooped out and hailed him.

In a brief appreciation tweet on his X handle, the President reassured his commitment to creating a better future for the citizens.

“People are at the heart of our mission. Thank you, Lagos Island, for the warm and rapturous welcome this afternoon.

“I appreciate your support, which further fuels my determination to create a brighter future for a Nigeria that works for everyone—one we will all be proud to call our country.

“We must work and pray together for a better country,” he said.

Nigeria’s President had, in his New Year speech promised a better year for the citizens. He said his policies would boost food production, promote local manufacturing and reduce high cost of living.

“In 2025, our government is committed to intensifying efforts to lower these costs by boosting food production and promoting local manufacturing of essential drugs and other medical supplies. We are resolute in our ambition to reduce inflation from its current high of 34.6% to 15%. With diligent work and God’s help, we will achieve this goal and provide relief to all our people.

“In this new year, my administration will further consolidate and increase access to credit for individuals and critical sectors of the economy to boost national economic output,” the President stated.

Source: naijanews.com

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Peter Obi Visits Farotimi, Reveals His State Of Mind After Return From Ekiti Prison

3 January 2025

By Oladipo Abiola

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has praised the personality of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

Obi described Farotimi as a courageous individual, who has remained unwavering in the quest for good governance in Nigeria.

The former Anambra State Governor also revealed that the lawyer is in good spirits following his return from the correctional centre in Ekiti State over the legal battle with Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola, in an alleged case of defamation.

Obi expressed happiness in meeting Farotimi, disclosing that the two of them met on Thursday in Lagos after his own meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Taking to his X account on Friday, Obi wrote: “Yesterday, following my visit and meeting with President Obasanjo, I made time to visit my dear younger brother, Dele Farotimi. Since his return from the correctional center in Ekiti, I have not had the opportunity to meet with him. I was pleased to find him in good spirits and deeply encouraged by his unwavering dedication to the struggle for a better Nigeria.

“@DeleFarotimi exemplifies courage in the face of adversity, consistently taking bold stands for good governance in our nation. I wish him a fruitful and productive year as we continue to work together toward the development of our country.

Source: naijanews.com

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Shettima Pays Work Visit To Nasarawa, Lauds Gov Sule

3 January 2025

By Udeze Ekene

Vice President Kashim Shettima has lauded the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, for his exemplary leadership in the state.

Shettima, on Friday, paid a one-day working visit to Governor Sule. He was welcomed by the Governor, accompanied by Deputy Governor Emmanuel Akabe and other top government functionaries.

Senator Shettima performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a World Bank-funded State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) project, which includes a one-stop investment centre and multi-door court in Lafia, as part of events marking his one-day state visit to Nasarawa State.

Following the groundbreaking ceremony, Vice President Shettima oversaw the distribution of relief materials to flood victims in affected Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nasarawa State.

He also presided over the presentation of tractors and distribution of Jangwa Paddi Rice to 13 LGAs, sourced from the pioneering Nasarawa Rice Farm project.

The Vice President praised Governor Sule‘s exemplary leadership, noting that “his outstanding leadership qualities have fostered peaceful coexistence among the state’s diverse ethnic groups while transforming and enhancing agricultural productivity throughout the region“.

Vice President Kashim Shettima later arrived at the palace of the Emir of Lafia, His Royal Highness, Justice Sidi Bage Mohammed I, for a courtesy call and to join in the Juma’at prayers.

Source: naijanews.com

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vhttps://www.naijanews.com/2025/01/03/shettima-pays-work-visit-to-nasarawa-lauds-gov-sule/

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Burkina Faso: Two jailed for life over 2017 restaurant attack

3 January 2025

A court in Burkina Faso has sentenced two people to life in prison over a deadly 2017 attack on a Turkish restaurant in the capital that killed 19 people, officials said.

Two gunmen opened fire at the Aziz Istanbul restaurant on Ouagadougou’s main avenue in August 2017.

No claim of responsibility was made for the attack,

The victims included 10 Burkinabes and nine foreigners.

The restaurant was just 200 metres from a hotel and cafe targeted in an assault in January 2016 that left 30 people dead and 71 wounded.

In March 2018, simultaneous attacks also targeted the army headquarters and the French embassy, killing eight Burkinabe soldiers.

Burkina Faso has been battling a surge of attacks by jihadist armed groups.

Nearly two million of its citizens have been forced from their homes by the conflict.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2025/01/03/burkina-faso-two-jailed-for-life-over-2017-restaurant-attack/

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Post-election crisis in Mozambique forces nearly 3,000 to flee abroad

3 January 2025

The aftermath of Mozambique’s disputed presidential election has driven nearly 3,000 people to seek refuge in neighboring countries, as violence and unrest continue to grip the nation.

The defeated presidential candidate, Venancio Mondlane, canceled a planned address on Thursday, January 2, where he was expected to outline the next phase of the opposition’s protest movement. For nearly two months, Mozambicans have been demonstrating against the October 9 election results, which saw the ruling Frelimo party, in power since independence, retain the presidency.

Refugee Influx in Eswatini and Malawi

According to an internal note from Eswatini’s authorities, nearly 1,000 Mozambicans have crossed the border into the kingdom over the past two months. Many have found shelter at the Malindza Refugee Centre near the border, which is now overwhelmed. Originally designed to house 250 people, the facility is struggling to accommodate the influx, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The UN is urgently seeking additional funding to address the crisis.

Further north, Malawi has also seen a surge in refugees, with nearly 2,000 Mozambicans arriving in just one week, the UNHCR reports. Many fled after attacks and looting in their villages, risking their lives to cross the Shire River by swimming or using makeshift boats.

A Growing Humanitarian Crisis

As tensions persist in Mozambique, the strain on neighboring countries and international aid organizations continues to grow. With limited resources and an increasing number of displaced people, the region faces mounting challenges in addressing this escalating humanitarian crisis.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2025/01/03/post-election-crisis-in-mozambique-forces-nearly-3000-to-flee-abroad/

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Arab World

 

Saudi king, crown prince offer condolences to US president for victims of New Orleans attack

January 04, 2025

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered their condolences to US President Joseph Biden on Friday for the victims of the terrorist attack that took place in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.

“As we condemn this shameful act, we express to Your Excellency, to the families of the deceased and to the friendly people of the United States of America our deepest condolences and sincere sympathy, wishing the injured a speedy recovery,” King Salman said in a cable, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Crown Prince Mohammed, who is also the Kingdom’s prime minister, sent a similar cable to President Biden

Fourteen people were killed and dozens were injured in a pickup truck rampage by US Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar in the southern city of New Orleans on January 1, in what the FBI said was an act of terrorism inspired by the Daesh group. He was later killed in a shootout with police.

FBI Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia said on Thursday that videos made by Jabbar just before the attack showed the 42-year-old Texas native supported Daesh, claimed to have joined the militant group before last summer and believed in a “war between the believers and nonbelievers.”

The FBI, however, clarified that Jabbar acted alone.

Jabbar’s rampage happened on the same day Matthew Livelsberger, an active duty member of the US Army Special Forces, drove a Tesla Cybertruck packed with firework mortars and camp fuel canisters and exploded it outside the entrance of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, injuring seven people.

Investigators on Friday said Livelsberger wrote that the explosion was meant to serve as a “wake up call” and that the country was “terminally ill and headed toward collapse.”

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2585195/saudi-arabia

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Students explore artificial intelligence in media

January 03, 2025

RIYADH: The Saudi Press Agency’s Academy for News Training recently held a forum for media students on the use of artificial intelligence.

The forum, entitled “Employing Artificial Intelligence in the News Industry,” was held in collaboration with Microsoft, the SPA reported.

The participants included 180 male and female students from five universities and was held at the academy’s headquarters in Riyadh.

The forum’s speakers explored the most prominent AI applications within the news industry and compared various programs and technologies. They also demonstrated their practical use for journalists.

During the forum, students engaged with the speakers on the best use of AI technology.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2585151/saudi-arabia

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AlUla celebrates citrus harvest with Citrus Season 2025

RASHID HASSAN

January 03, 2025

ALULA: The Royal Commission for AlUla launched Citrus Season 2025 on Friday. The event coincides with the peak harvest period, and “underscores the RCU’s commitment to supporting the agricultural sector and establishing AlUla as a premier agritourism destination,” according to a statement.

Rami AlMoallim, the RCU’s vice president of destination management and marketing, told Arab News: “AlUla’s growth as a destination has always been rooted in supporting the local community, with farmers playing a pivotal role in our agritourism endeavor.

“The Citrus Festival is one of several platforms that celebrate AlUla’s farmers, showcasing their expertise and the city’s natural abundance. These farmers, with generations of knowledge and dedication, are also central to our vision for a more sustainable future. Through initiatives such as festivals, marketplaces, training, and ongoing support, we are amplifying their contributions and providing them with broader opportunities to thrive,” he continued.

Underscoring that the changing seasons are fundamental to agriculture, AlMoallim said: “We work closely with farmers to identify the optimal times for events like the Citrus Festival, which harnesses the peak season for the more than 20 citrus variants in AlUla. This thoughtful planning enables us to align complementary events, offering visitors an immersive experience that reflects the rich diversity of AlUla.

“Such initiatives showcase the beauty of our agricultural heritage and position AlUla as a premier agritourism destination in Saudi Arabia, contributing significantly to its economic and cultural development,” he added.

Citrus Season, which runs until Jan. 11, is intended to stimulate economic growth through community-focused initiatives and sustainable development projects. It provides a vital platform for local farmers to market their produce, which yields thousands of tons of fruit annually between November and February, contributing significantly to the region’s agricultural and economic development.

The event showcases the diverse range of citrus fruits cultivated in AlUla, which is home to more than 5,000 farms containing 405,000 trees between them, bearing 29 distinct varieties of fruits including oranges, sweet lemons, bergamot oranges, sugar oranges, mandarins, clementines, grapefruits, and kumquats.

Covering 701 hectares, these farms produce 14,000 tons of citrus fruit annually, accounting for a significant portion of the Kingdom’s total annual production of 160,000 tons.

This demonstrates AlUla’s crucial role in strengthening the national agricultural sector and supporting economic diversification in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

The RCU prioritizes the development of AlUla’s agricultural sector to “expand economic opportunities, increase producer competitiveness, create opportunities for local residents, and offer visitors unique experiences through interactive activities that highlight the importance of agriculture to the region’s present and future,” according to the commission.

This year’s Citrus Season will feature exhibition spaces for local families and farmers, a variety of events for residents and visitors, and a training course on using citrus fruits in cooking.

Along with AlUla’s Dates Season, Citrus Season represents a key economic driver, showcasing AlUla’s rich agricultural heritage.

Dates and citrus fruits play a vital role in supporting the local economy and advancing the RCU’s sustainable development goals.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2585141/saudi-arabia

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Islam’s 2nd holiest mosque receives over 5m worshippers in one week

January 03, 2025

Cairo: The Prophet’s Mosque, Islam’s second holiest site in the Saudi city of Medina, last week received 5.6 million worshippers and visitors amid a seamless network of services and care, figures from a state agency in charge of the place showed.

The General Authority for Care of the Prophet’s Mosque said the figure included 367,729 who visited and prayed at Al Rawda Al Sharifa where the tomb of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) is located in the mosque.

The visits were made according to crowd-management rules and separate schedules set for women and men.

Saudi authorities have repeatedly stressed that visitors to Al Rawda Al Sharifa must make electronic reservations before arriving at the revered site, and show up according to the fixed appointment to get smooth access.

Over the past week, 46,731 non-Arabic-speaking worshippers benefited from multilingual communication services available in the mosque, according to the figures.

Sterilisation and disinfection works were, meanwhile, carried out with the use of 24,256 litres.

In addition, 1,460 tons of Zamzam water were provided for the worshippers across the mosque as 179,056 fast-ending (Iftar) meals were distributed at designated places.

After performing the Umrah or minor pilgrimage in the Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest site in the Saudi city of Mecca, many pilgrims would head to Medina to offer prayers in the Prophet’s Mosque and visit other Islamic landmarks in the city.

More than 280 million Muslims prayed in the mosque in 2023.

Source: gulfnews.com

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https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/islams-2nd-holiest-mosque-receives-over-5m-worshippers-in-one-week-1.500010464

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