Treatment Of Muslims In Public Spaces: An Elderly Man Brutally Tortured By A Hindu Woman On Train In West Bengal
New Age Islam News Bureau
8 march 2025
Mafikul Islam, from Tofapur village in Farakka, Murshidabad district, was brutally assaulted by a Hindu woman on the Balurghat Express train.
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· Treatment Of Individuals In Public Spaces: An Elderly Muslim Man Brutally Tortured By A Hindu Woman On Train In West Bengal
· Bangladesh Police Stop Rally By Banned Islamist Group Hizb ut-Tahrir, Pledging To Take A Zero Tolerance Approach To The Hardline Outfit
· MPR Speaker Highlights Pancasila Significance At Muslim World League
· Scholars At Makkah “Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought” Conference Call For Unity Among Muslims
· Hamas: The Occupation's Aggression Against Mosques Is Insistence On Its Religious War
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India
· Hindus To Play Holi Till 2.30pm On March 14, Muslims To Offer Jumma Namaz Thereafter In Sambhal
· No One Can Stop Anyone From Celebrating Holi Inside AMU Campus: Aligarh BJP MP
· Ayodhya Priest Booked For Fraudulent Land Deal With Ram Temple Trust
· Private Member’s Bill On Love Jihad, Anti-Conversion Listed In Maharashtra Assembly
· Raze Aurangzeb’s tomb, stop his glorification, demands Satara MP Udayanraje
· Nepali Muslims Mark First Friday Of Ramzan With Prayers In Mosques Nationwide
· Cong Will Follow ‘All Democratic Routes’ To Oppose Waqf Bill, Coordinate With INDIA Allies: Congress General Secretary
· ED conducts raids on 12 locations linked to SDPI across multiple states amid money laundering case
· Jamia Millia Islamia sparks row after dropping South India’s only entrance test center in Trivandrum
· K’taka CM presents state budget; oppn dubs it ‘Muslim League budget’
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South Asia
· Bangladesh Student Federation Slams Govt's Leniency Over Mob Violence
· Afghanistan to Revive Pistachio Forests with Industrialists’ Support
· 12 Afghan citizens released from Sindh prisons in Pakistan
· UN provides $19 million in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan
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Southeast Asia
· Malaysia Rejects Trump’s Proposal To ‘Take Over’ Gaza, Calls It ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ And Breach Of International Law
· Man suspected of insulting Islam believed to be overseas - IGP
· Religious affairs minister: Jakim, authorities to ensure Islam insult cases face justice
· Gov’t firm on religious issues to preserve harmony – Ahmad Zahid
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Arab World
· Saudi Students Qualify For Science, Engineering Fair In US
· How Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve protects biodiversity
· Saudi Arabia's foreign minister meets Iranian counterpart on sidelines of OIC
· King Salman, crown prince donate $19m as Ehsan’s 5th national charity campaign launched
· Workshop on combating money laundering held in Riyadh
· Riyadh Literary Club hosts the 18th Charity Book Fair
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Mideast
· Zionist Enemy Storms 6 Mosques, Partially Burns One Of Them In Nablus
· Palestinian Foreign Ministry Condemns Occupation Forces Storming Eight Mosques In Nablus
· Al-Aqsa Mosque Preacher Calls For A Stronghold At Al-Aqsa Mosque Throughout Ramadan
· Israel’s West Bank operation aligns with annexation ‘vision’: UNRWA
· Syrian Arab Republic welcomes re-activation of its frozen OIC membership after 13 years
· Israel army says struck Hezbollah ‘military sites’ in south Lebanon
· Haredi Jews enter Lebanese territory under Israeli army protection
· Clashes in Syria between government forces and Assad loyalists kill more than 200
· Yemen’s Houthis give Israel four-day deadline to lift Gaza aid blockage
· Syria’s Sharaa urges Alawites to surrender after deadly clashes
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Pakistan
· Joint Investigation Team Questions PTI Members Over Social Media Propaganda Allegations
· Police take 25 Ahmadis into ‘protective custody’ as mob gathers at worship place in Karachi’s Surjani Town
· March 31 deadline for Afghan citizen card holders to exit Pakistan
· Yousuf Gilani acquitted in three corruption cases
· HRCP concerned over FIR lodged against students protesting canals project
· LHC issues notices on PTI’s plea against Punjab govt’s promotional supplement
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North America
· ‘We Open Our Arms To All’: New Islamic School In Elgin Hopes To Appeal To Families Of All Faiths
· CAIR-NJ to Release 2025 Impact and Data Report Revealing New Trends in Anti-Muslim Bigotry
· Why Muslim American nonprofits are taking steps to build trust with donors during Ramadan
· CAIR Calls on People of All Faiths to Condemn Israel’s ‘War on Islam’ After West Bank Mosque Attacks
· Double murderer is first US inmate executed by firing squad in 15 years
· Is Trump reining in Musk after a cabinet showdown with secretaries?
· Envoy jokes about Trump’s promise to end Ukraine war in 24 hours
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Africa
· Inadequacy Of Mosque Responsible For Societal Decadence – Islamic Cleric
· School closures: Sharia council, groups urge more shutdown as opposition grows
· DRC : Ramadan under a cloud of uncertainty in Goma
· South Sudan president appeals for calm after UN helicopter attack
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Europe
· Chesham Mosque Fundraising For Displaced Communities
· Upper Batley High School sacks teacher after video surfaces
· Crackdown on illegal traders in Coventry Road ahead of Ramadan celebrations
· Controversial Littlehampton mosque plans given go-ahead
· Ukraine could get NATO protection without membership – Italian PM
· UK will return Russian money it is ‘so generously giving away’ – Moscow
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/muslim-man-hindu-woman-west-bengal/d/134816
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Treatment Of Individuals In Public Spaces: An Elderly Muslim Man Brutally Tortured By A Hindu Woman On Train In West Bengal
March 7, 2025
Mafikul Islam, from Tofapur village in Farakka, Murshidabad district, was brutally assaulted by a Hindu woman on the Balurghat Express train.
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On March 5, an elderly Muslim man, Mafikul Islam, from Tofapur village in Farakka, Murshidabad district, was brutally assaulted by a Hindu woman on the Balurghat Express train.
The incident, which occurred during the train’s journey, has sparked widespread outrage after a video of the attack went viral on social media.
In the video, the woman is seen repeatedly slapping Mafikul Islam, who was traveling to work from Dhulian station to Malda, where he sells Ayurvedic medicines. The altercation began at Farakka station and quickly escalated into a physical confrontation.
The woman reportedly accused Mafikul Islam of filming her, though no evidence has surfaced to confirm that he was recording her.
According to Mafikul, he has little experience with mobile phones, and the woman grabbed his phone and smashed it before subjecting him to verbal abuse and physical assault.
He claims that he was unable to defend himself or speak during the attack. The viral video, recorded by another passenger, shows the woman slapping him multiple times, further fueling condemnation on social media.
Before the video spread widely, there was significant outrage over the incident, with many people criticizing the woman’s actions.
The controversy deepened when BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari shared the video on his Facebook page and praised the woman’s behavior, a move that only intensified the online backlash.
The incident highlights issues of communal tensions and the treatment of individuals in public spaces.
Mafikul Islam has since expressed his shock and fear over the assault, stating that he was simply traveling for work and had no ill intentions.
The incident has sparked debates about respect, dignity, and the rights of individuals in India, drawing attention to how violence can erupt in seemingly everyday situations.
An FIR has been filed against the woman, and authorities are investigating the matter further. — With Agencies Inputs
Source:muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/west-bengal-a-muslim-man-brutally-attacked-and-tortured-by-a-hindu-woman-on-train/
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Bangladesh Police Stop Rally By Banned Islamist Group Hizb ut-Tahrir, Pledging To Take A Zero Tolerance Approach To The Hardline Outfit
March 08, 2025
Members of banned Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir take part in a rally 'March For Khilafah' after their Friday prayers outside the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram in Dhaka on March 7. (Photo: AFP)
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Bangladeshi police on March 7 fired tear gas to disperse a rally by banned Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir after pledging to take a zero tolerance approach to the hardline outfit.
Hizb ut-Tahrir is an international fundamentalist Sunni group that calls for the establishment of a caliphate, and has been banned in Bangladesh since 2009.
It has begun resurfacing publicly in the South Asian nation since last year's ouster of ex-premier Sheikh Hasina, whose autocratic government clamped down on Islamist groups.
Around 1,000 members of the group gathered outside Bangladesh's largest mosque, the Baitul Mukarram in the capital Dhaka, but were stopped by police.
Officers thwarted efforts by demonstrators to regroup, using baton charges, tear gas and stun grenades.
Police arrested three members of the group in Dhaka on March 6 night ahead of the rally.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesperson Talebur Rahman said Hizb ut-Tahrir was not allowed to hold public events.
"Legal action will be taken against any banned outfit, including Hizb ut-Tahrir, if they attempt to organise meetings, rallies, or any form of publicity," he said.
Source:ucanews.com
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https://www.ucanews.com/news/bangladesh-police-stop-rally-by-banned-islamist-group/108104
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MPR Speaker Highlights Pancasila Significance At Muslim World League
March 7, 2025
Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Ahmad Muzani, delivering a speech at a conference organized by the Muslim World League in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday (March 6, 2025). (ANTARA/HO-MPR)
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Jakarta (ANTARA) - Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Ahmad Muzani, underlined the role of Indonesia's ideology, Pancasila, or the Five Principles, as a unifying foundation for the nation at a conference organized by the Muslim World League.
At the event in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday, he said that Pancasila was chosen as a unifying compromise to resolve the debate over Indonesia's ideology between the Islamist, nationalist, and secularist founding fathers of the nation.
"Pancasila emerged as a unifying factor for us, a highly diverse nation," he added, according to a statement received from the MPR in Jakarta on Friday.
Elaborating on Indonesia's characteristics, Muzani said that the country is home to approximately 230 million Muslims, who make up 87 percent of the population, making it the world's second-largest Muslim nation.
He added that Indonesia spans over 17 thousand islands and is home to people of around 13 thousand ethnicities who speak about 700 languages.
The Malayic language, now known as Indonesian, has proven instrumental in binding the country's diverse people together, he pointed out.
"We designated a Malayic language, which was not the most widely spoken, as our unifying language. This language later transformed into Indonesian, the language spoken nationwide to this day," he told the international audience.
The lawmaker, however, acknowledged that the Indonesian nation has also faced challenges and disagreements, particularly those stemming from differences in the visions and policies of the central and regional governments.
In this context, he emphasized that President Prabowo Subianto has been encouraging Indonesian citizens to prioritize unity to deal with such issues.
He said the head of state believes that fostering a sense of unity among leaders and their constituents is crucial for Indonesia to fully capitalize on its vast natural resources and achieve progress.
"Indonesia aims to be stronger; a healthy and smart nation standing on an equal footing with others," he added.
Source:antaranews.com
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Scholars At Makkah “Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought” Conference Call For Unity Among Muslims
TAREQ AL-THAQAFI
March 07, 2025
The conference opened on Thursday under the patronage of King Salman. (Supplied)
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MAKKAH: Participants at the second “Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought” conference in Makkah have called for unity among Muslims globally.
The conference opened on Thursday under the patronage of King Salman, bringing together Muslim leaders of various sects from more than 90 countries.
The event, organized by the Muslim World League, is being held under the theme “Towards an effective Islamic alliance.”
The conference opened with several sessions addressing developments in Palestine, Sudan and Syria, as well as issues concerning Muslim minorities around the world.
The participants include senior muftis, scholars, intellectuals and representatives from Islamic councils across different sects and denominations.
Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh, in his opening remarks, stressed the critical responsibility of Islamic scholars to “elevate the voice of wisdom” to ensure Muslim unity.
His remarks, read by Dr. Fahd Al-Majed, secretary-general of the Council of Senior Scholars, called for reason to prevail over division.
He stressed that “our obligation, in pursuit of compassion for Muslims and their collective unity, is to fortify relationships, establish mutual trust, and strengthen the essential ties of brotherhood.”
“During a time when uncertainties proliferate and debates grow heated, faith’s wisdom emerges to direct both intellect and sentiment toward proper understanding.
“We must reject extremism, factionalism, and capricious thinking in favor of evidence-based truth and conscious guidance within Islam’s framework.
“The challenges and hardships facing the Islamic world should serve as catalysts for unification rather than opportunities for blame, projection, or division.”
The grand mufti added that the event was taking place in “Saudi Arabia, a blessed land that serves as the pulsing heart of the Muslim world and consistently upholds its responsibilities.
“The Kingdom stands as a vanguard in matters of Muslim unity, solidarity, and collective aspirations, exercising its leadership through effective mechanisms that bring together diverse voices, consolidate ranks, and harmonize efforts and positions.”
The MWL’s chief Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa said the conference extends the groundwork laid by the document produced after the inaugural meeting last Ramadan.
Al-Issa noted that differences and diversity are natural but require proper management. “When awareness is heightened and intentions are noble, diversity follows a sound path,” he said.
He warned warning that negative doctrinal debates have historically harmed both perpetrators and the broader Muslim community.
He emphasized that genuine unity, coexistence and solidarity do not require complete agreement but rather mutual understanding and respect.
“While dialogue represents an essential and worthwhile endeavor championed by the wise, it has remained largely static for decades without progressing to the crucial next phase of practical implementation and constructive action.
“This advancement is particularly vital now that we have established our foundation — the broad Islamic commonality that brings us together today and authenticates our identity as true adherents to Islam’s name and principles.”
He explained that the conference will launch practical initiatives based on the “Building Bridges” document.
“The initiative, which has received formal endorsement from Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states, now moves to the implementation phase,” he said.
Source:arabnews.com
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Hamas: The occupation's aggression against mosques is insistence on its religious war
07 Mar 2025
The Hamas movement said, today, Friday, that the occupation's aggression against mosques in the holy month of Ramadan, and what the world witnessed of the occupation forces and settlers storming Al-Aqsa Mosque and attempts to Judaize it, and continuing attempts to completely seize the Ibrahimi Mosque, and desecrating and burning a number of mosques in Nablus at dawn today, is an insistence on the occupation's religious war and targeting Islamic sanctities within its open war on our people and the Palestinian land.
The movement stressed in a press statement that these attacks on mosques in Nablus and Hebron and setting fire to rooms in them, and preventing worshipers from performing the dawn prayer is a dangerous precedent, which requires making every effort to not repeat it, and standing as an impregnable barrier in the face of the occupation's policies and ambitions.
He added: "Our Palestinian people and their resistance will remain the impregnable shield to defend and protect their mosques and holy sites that are subjected to attacks and desecration by the occupation and its settlers, especially in the holy month of Ramadan, the month of sacrifice and jihad." She called on the masses of the Palestinian people in the West Bank, Jerusalem and the occupied interior to escalate all forms of resistance, and to intensify their commitment and travel to Al-Aqsa and Ibrahimi Mosques and repel the occupation's aggression on mosques and holy sites.
Source:saba.ye
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India
Hindus To Play Holi Till 2.30pm On March 14, Muslims To Offer Jumma Namaz Thereafter In Sambhal
Mar 7, 2025
SAMBHAL: Hindus would play Holi till 2.30 pm on March 14 while Muslims would offer Jumma namaz after 2.30pm here in the communally sensitive city of Uttar Pradesh, a senior police official on Friday said, adding seven companies of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) have been deployed ahead of the festival.
The new directive comes a day after a circle officer (CO) kicked up a row by saying that Holi is a festival that occurs once a year whereas Jumma namaz takes place 52 times a year. He said anyone who feels uncomfortable with the colours of Holi should stay indoors on that day.
Sambhal Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishan Kumar on Friday told reporters that in view of Holi and the first Friday of Ramzan falling on the same day, seven companies of PAC have been deployed in the city. Complete peace prevails in the district and peace committee meetings are being organised at the mohalla level, he said.
Asked about the discussions that took place in the meeting of the peace committee, the SP said, "Talks were held with key people from both sides in the district-level peace committee meeting and it was decided that the Jumma namaz will be held after 2.30pm and people of the Hindu community will play Holi till 2.30pm and go to their homes."
He said the Sambhal district police are keeping a strict vigil on social media and people should not believe any kind of rumour.
Kumar said the police outposts are being inspected, an antenna has been installed at the Satyavrat police outpost and a district control room is being built on it because it is located at a height.
"If there is any rumour then inform the police so that it can be refuted in time. I would also appeal to everyone not to believe any kind of rumour," he said.
Sambhal District Magistrate (DM) Rajender Pensiya told reporters that the city has been divided into six zones and 29 sectors.
Magistrates have been deployed in all sectors. Peace committee meetings have been held at the police station level and the district level.
Asked whether tarpaulin cover will be put on mosques due to Holi, he said, "There is no such plan from our side. If the parties decide on their own, they can cover them. Both the parties have said they will celebrate both festivals with great harmony, coordination and peace."
On Thursday, a police officer posted in Sambhal had said those uncomfortable with Holi colours should remain indoors as the festival comes once a year, sparking criticism from the opposition parties which demanded action against him saying his remarks show "bias" and are not befitting of an officer.
A peace committee meeting was held on Thursday at the Sambhal Kotwali police station given the upcoming Holi festival, which coincides with Friday prayers during the ongoing holy month of Ramzan.
"Holi is a festival that comes once a year, whereas Friday prayers take place 52 times in a year. If anyone feels uncomfortable with the colours of Holi, they should stay indoors on that day. Those who step out should have a broad mindset, as festivals are meant to be celebrated together," Sambhal Circle Officer (CO) Anuj Chaudhary told reporters on Thursday after the meeting.
He emphasised the need for communal harmony and strict vigilance to maintain law and order. He said peace committee meetings had been going on for a month at various levels to ensure smooth celebrations.
Chaudhary urged both communities to respect each other's sentiments and also appealed to people to avoid forcibly applying colours on those who do not wish to participate.
"Just as Muslims eagerly await Eid, Hindus look forward to Holi. People celebrate by applying colours, sharing sweets and spreading joy.
"Similarly, on Eid, people prepare special dishes and embrace each other in celebration. The essence of both the festivals is togetherness and mutual respect," he had said.
Source:indiatimes.com
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No one can stop anyone from celebrating Holi inside AMU campus: Aligarh BJP MP
07 Mar 2025
ALIGARH: Aligarh BJP MP Satish Gautam has sparked a controversy over the celebration of Holi at Aligarh Muslim University, declaring that "no one can stop anyone from celebrating Holi inside the AMU campus".
Gautam also extended his support to Hindu students, saying, "If any Hindu student faces any problem in celebrating Holi inside the campus, then I am there to help him."
The controversy erupted after members of right wing Hindu groups accused the AMU administration of denying permission to the Hindu students to organise a 'Holi Milan' function on campus.
"No permission is necessary from anybody to play Holi anywhere," Gautam said, further fuelling the ongoing debate.
Asked about potential objections or conflicts arising from such celebrations, Gautam issued a threatening remark, saying, "Agar koi mar peet karega to usay oopar pahuncha diya jaiga."
Permission was sought for the event on Wednesday but it was reportedly denied.
Local Congress leader and former Aligarh MLA Vivek Bansal accused the BJP of deliberately stoking controversy over the celebration of Holi at AMU for political gain, calling it "unfortunate".
Bansal, who is also an alumnus of AMU, shared his personal experience, saying, "We always used to celebrate Holi with friends at AMU and I never recollect any bitterness or opposition on this issue from anyone. Then why is the BJP engaging in provocative politics and trying to disturb the peace?"
He urged the BJP to refrain from inflaming tensions.
On Thursday, Gyanendra Singh Chauhan, president of the Uttar Pradesh unit of Karni Sena, along with other members, marched to the district collectorate, submitting a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The group demanded the PM's intervention and called for action against AMU officials, alleging that the university had intentionally denied Hindu students the right to hold the event on Holi.
The issue began on Wednesday when student leader Akhil Kaushal submitted an application to AMU authorities requesting approval for a special Holi celebration at the Non-Resident Students' Centre (NRSC) on March 9.
However, AMU officials have strongly denied these allegations.
AMU Proctor Mohammad Waseem explained that like in previous years, Holi would be celebrated traditionally across the campus and there would be no special function for any particular group.
"Traditionally, all festivals, including Eid, Holi and Diwali, are celebrated across hostels. There is no precedent for holding a special function for any specific group.
"We do not consider it advisable to start a new precedent as it can lead to misuse of such permissions under any pretext," Waseem stated.
He also emphasised that there had been no conflict or violence among students over the issue.
Source:newindianexpress.com
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Ayodhya Priest Booked For Fraudulent Land Deal With Ram Temple Trust
Namita Bajpai
08 Mar 2025
LUCKNOW: Another case of a fraudulent land deal has cropped up in temple town as Ayodhya police registered an FIR against a temple priest Ramakant Pathak for allegedly selling Naya Anand Bhavan Temple property to Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Keshtra Trust through fake documents.
The complaint about the matter was filed by Anand Prakash Pathak, the temple's caretaker, who claimed that the property was an ancient religious asset that could not be transferred for personal gain.
Meanwhile, Ramakant Pathak, initially appointed as the temple priest, was removed due to alleged misconduct and was ordered by the court to vacate the temple in 2016. However, Pathak stayed on despite the court order and conspired with revenue officials to get the temple land transferred in his name.
Going a step further, Ramkant Pathak, on September 21, 2024, reportedly sold 21,198.8 square feet of temple land to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for Rs 6 crore using forged documents.
Following a court directive, police filed an FIR, and an investigation got underway.
According to the complaint of the temple caretaker Anand Prakash Pathak, the Bhagwan Sundar Ram Ji Maharaj Temple is an ancient religious site located on Nazul land plots numbered 280, 281, 282, 283, and 289 in Chak Ramkot, Ayodhya. The temple was originally established by Ram Sundar, a childless devotee, who registered the temple’s ownership and management with the Sub-Registrar's Office in Faizabad on January 6, 1962, and November 8, 1967.
The registered documents explicitly stated that no individual could sell or transfer any part of the temple’s property for personal gain. A management committee had been taking care of the temple and Anand Prakash Pathak serves as President of the committee and caretaker of the temple.
The accused Ramakant Pathak was initially appointed the temple’s priest for performing day-to-day rituals and puja. However, he was later removed from his position after being accused of misusing and damaging temple property. However, he allegedly refused to vacate the premises.
In response, the management committee filed a civil suit in the Faizabad Civil Judge’s Court, seeking his eviction. After years of legal proceedings, the court ruled on February 2, 2016, ordering Ramakant Pathak to vacate the temple premises within two months. However, he did not abide by the court order, leading to ongoing legal battles.
According to the complaint, Ramakant Pathak, in collusion with local land mafias and a Nazul clerk named Lalamani, fraudulently altered official land records.
By forging documents, he falsely registered himself as the owner of the temple land. The fake mutation was allegedly executed on September 16, 1995, where he replaced the name of the original temple founder with his own. When temple authorities discovered the forged land records, they filed an appeal with the Nazul Officer, who, after investigation, cancelled the fraudulent entries on February 21, 2019. Subsequently, an FIR was registered against Ramakant Pathak and clerk Lalamani at Kotwali Nagar police station under Sections 419, 420, 467, 468, 471, and 120B of the IPC. Ramakant Pathak was arrested but later released on bail.
Despite the cancellation of his fraudulent land ownership, Ramakant Pathak allegedly concealed the legal facts and, on September 21, 2024, sold the disputed temple land to the Temple Trust. The sale deed, registered at the Sub-Registrar’s Office in Ayodhya, falsely stated that the land was under his undisputed ownership.
On learning about the sale, Anand Prakash Pathak filed complaints at Kotwali Nagar and Ram Janmabhoomi police stations on October 3, 2024. When no FIR was registered, he escalated the matter with the Senior Superintendent of Police, Ayodhya, on October 4, 2024. The case was eventually brought before the
Additional Civil Judge (CD) Fourth/ACJM Ayodhya, who directed the Kotwali Nagar police station to register an FIR and initiate an investigation within 20 days. SHO, Kotwali, Ashwini Pandey, said that an FIR was registered under the charges of BNS 319 (2) (cheating by personation), 318 (4) (fraudulently inducing someone to give property), 338 (forgery of valuable documents), 336 (3) (forgery), and 340 (2) (use of forged documents) against Ramakant Pathak.
Source:newindianexpress.com
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Private member’s Bill on love jihad, anti-conversion listed in Maharashtra Assembly
March 08, 2025
VINAYA DESHPANDE PANDIT
A private member’s Bill on love jihad and anti-conversion was listed in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Friday. The Bill, seeking to make forcible conversions a cognisable offence, and seeking a ban on them, was sought to be brought by BJP MLAs Atul Bhatkhalkhar and Sudhir Mungantiwar. Though it was listed, the Bill was not tabled in the Assembly on Friday.
“I have requested for a private member’s Bill on love jihad and anti-conversion. It is likely to come for discussion at a later stage during the Budget session of the Assembly,” Mr. Bhatkhalkar told The Hindu.
The Bill seeks imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to ₹15,000 for forced conversions. It seeks that the person who forcibly converts “an ignorant person, a woman or a person belonging to the Scheduled Caste or the Scheduled Tribe, will be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and a fine which may extend to ₹1 lakh”.
The Bill is likely to be tabled at a later stage during the ongoing session. “Whenever the private member’s Bill will come for discussion, the government will respond to it. It was listed in today’s agenda,” Mr. Bhatkhalkar added.
Earlier this year, the Maharashtra government had set up a high-level committee against forced conversions and love jihad. The seven-member panel, headed by the Director General of Police, includes officials from other departments including the women and child welfare, minority affairs, law and judiciary, social justice, special assistance and Home departments. The committee has been asked to give recommendations for a legislation to prevent such acts.
Source:thehindu.com
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Raze Aurangzeb’s tomb, stop his glorification, demands Satara MP Udayanraje
March 7, 2025
Satara MP Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, on Friday called for demolishing the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb located in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (earlier called Aurangabad).
“What is the need for the tomb ?….Bring in a JCB machine and raze the tomb. Aurangzeb was a thief and a lootera,” Udayanraje said when he was asked by reporters in Satara whether the tomb of Aurangzeb should be demolished.
The BJP MP advised those who visit the tomb of Aurangzeb to take it to their homes. “He (Aurangzeb) was a thief, and he had come for the purpose of looting. Why should he be glorified? Those who visit his tomb to pray should take the tomb to their homes. Are they, his descendants?” he said.
In the same breath, Udayanraje said, “Some people will colour this as a Hindu-Muslim issue. This is not a Hindu-Muslim issue by any chance. In Shivaji Maharaj’s empire, Muslims occupied important place, be it in his Army or in other services. He never discriminated against them. Even Shivaji Maharaj’s bodyguards were Muslims.”
The royal descendant demanded strict action against those make objectionable statements against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. “Stern action should be taken against those who indulge in making objectionable statements against our icons like Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj,” he said.
Udayanraje said a law should be made against those who make derogatory statements against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapai Sambhaji Maharaj. ”The state government and the Centre should make a law against those who make derogatory statements against our national icons…At the same time, the government should publish an official book on the life and times of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj so that wrong information about the history during his era is not spread among the masses. A committee of experts should be set up for the purpose,” he said.
Source:indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/satara-mp-udayanraje-bhosale-demands-demolishing-of-aurangzeb-tomb-9874566/
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Nepali Muslims Mark First Friday Of Ramzan With Prayers In Mosques Nationwide
07 March, 2025
Kathmandu [Nepal], March 7 (ANI): Nepali Muslims gathered at mosques across the country to offer prayers on the first Friday of Ramzan, the holiest month in Islam.
In Kathmandu, a large number of worshippers congregated at the Kashmiri Mosque near Ghantaghar to perform ‘Namaz’. Similar gatherings took place in mosques nationwide as devotees observed the religious occasion.
During Ramzan, Muslims observe a month-long fast, refraining from food and water from sunrise to sunset while dedicating time to prayers.
The holy month of Ramzan is believed to be the period when the Quran was revealed. Observing the fast (roza) is considered an act of devotion that brings blessings from Allah.
“During Ramzan, we observe Roza (fast), followed by timely held Namaz, Quran as well as give Jakat. During this time, we are supposed to only do noble works. This time demands full dedication to noble works, other tasks are deemed to be kept aside and continue the Roza. For the entire month, we have been focusing on Namaz, Quran recitation and do noble works as we continue the Roza,” Mohammad Razwi, one of the attendees of first Friday prayers of Ramzan told ANI.
Ramzan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, is one of the most sacred times as the month is believed to be when the Quran came down to the earth from heaven for the very first time. The holy Quran is regarded “as a guidance for men and women, a declaration of direction, and a means of salvation.”
For an entire month, Islam followers follow a schedule of waking up early, which they call ‘Sheheri’. By 4:45 (AM), they have food, and then they fast for the whole day–not even drinking a drop of water. They perform Namaz five times a day.
The early morning is known as Fazar, followed by Zohar in second, Ashar in third, Magrit in fourth, and Isha in the final one. The day-long fast (Roza) ends after Magrit, which usually falls after 6 PM or later in the evening.
For a month, Muslims observe a strict fast from dawn until sunset. According to the religion, fasting is a private act of worship that brings about nearness to God, a form of spiritual discipline, and a means of empathizing with those less fortunate.
The evening meal, or dinner, which is taken late in the evening after Magrit is called Iftar. It is mandatory to visit family and friends. On the evening of the 27th day of Ramadan, Muslims observe a special night called Layat al-Qadr, sometimes referred to as the Night of Power. It is believed that Muhammad first received the Holy Qur’an on this night.
At the end of Ramzan, Eid al-Fitr celebrates the breaking of the fast. Friends and families gather for festive meals and exchange gifts. Special gifts are also given to the poor. It is also believed that fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. (ANI)
Source:theprint.in
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https://theprint.in/world/nepali-muslims-mark-beginning-of-ramzan-with-friday-prayers/2539084/
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Cong Will Follow ‘All Democratic Routes’ To Oppose Waqf Bill, Coordinate With INDIA Allies: Congress General Secretary
ASIM KAMAL
07 March, 2025
New Delhi, Mar 7 (PTI) Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Friday said his party will follow “all democratic routes” to oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Bill when it comes up for passage in Parliament and asserted that the INDIA bloc is against the “content, intent and extent” of the proposed legislation.
Ahead of the start of the second half of the Budget session, Ramesh said there will be “extensive consultation” among INDIA bloc parties to jointly oppose the bill and the leaders of opposition in both Houses of Parliament will coordinate with INDIA parties on the issue soon.
In an interview with PTI, Ramesh said the Waqf (Amendment) Bill will probably come in the second half of the Budget session and that “there is absolutely no doubt” that the Congress is going to oppose the bill and so will many other political parties.
“I think the entire political spectrum of the INDIA political parties are opposed to the content, intent and extent of the bill. The manner in which the bill was bulldozed through made a mockery of Parliament’s joint committee process,” he alleged.
“The Waqf (Amendment) bill is controversial and it is going to be opposed lock, stock and barrel,” the Congress’ general secretary in-charge communications said.
He asserted that the Congress will oppose the bill “tooth, nail and hammer” because it was the most unnecessary and the manner in which Parliament’s joint committee functioned was “undemocratic”.
“Some witnesses were called selectively, some witnesses were not called. Most importantly perhaps for the first time in parliamentary history a joint committee had submitted a report on a bill without a clause-by-clause discussion on the bill,” Ramesh said.
Ramesh said he had been a member of the JPC on the data protection bill that was chaired by a BJP MP but inspite of that a clause-by-clause discussion was done.
The Congress is in touch with INDIA bloc parties and Leader of Opposition and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as well as LoP in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will in the next couple of days be talking to all opposition leaders, he said.
“On this, all opposition parties are united. Privately even the TDP and the JDU MPs are very uneasy with the bill but they have their compulsions. They seem to have gone along because they were browbeaten by the BJP to support this bill,” he claimed.
Ramesh said he does not know what JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu would do but there “real face will be revealed”.
“I don’t know what is going to happen when they will list the bill but I am sure they will list it, whether they pass it in the din or not I have no idea, but we will follow all democratic routes to oppose this bill,” he said.
Talking about the upcoming second half of the Budget session, he said there will be a discussion on various ministries on the demands for grants.
“Both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha at least five ministries will be taken up. We have given our list of ministries — home, education, social justice, railways and health. That is going to be decided very shortly, our suggestions have already gone,” Ramesh informed.
Then there will be a debate on the finance bill and there will be a debate on the appropriation bill, he said.
The 31-member panel on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, after multiple sittings and hearings, had suggested several amendments to the proposed legislation even as the opposition members disagreed with the report and submitted their dissent notes.
The panel’s 655-page report was submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 30.
The joint committee of Parliament had adopted the report that contained changes suggested by members from the ruling BJP by a majority vote of 15-11. The move prompted the opposition to dub the exercise an attempt to destroy Waqf boards.
The Bill was referred to the joint committee of Parliament on August 8, following its introduction in the Lok Sabha by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.
Asked about the differences among INDIA bloc parties in assembly polls held after the Lok Sabha elections, Ramesh said it was not “unnatural” as the INDIA group was formed to fight the Lok Sabha election and not to fight thr state assembly elections.
“When we formed the INDIA bloc we knew that we were fighting the Left in Kerala, we were fighting TMC in West Bengal… So, INDIA group was for the Lok Sabha election, it was not for fighting assembly elections. But we had state-level alliances. We had an alliance with DMK in Tamil Nadu, we have a long-standing alliance with the NCP (SP) of which Shiv Sena (UBT) has been a part since 2019, we have been in alliance with RJD for many years in Bihar, we have been in alliance with JMM in Jharkhand,” he said.
“But the INDIA group was for the Lok Sabha polls so I am not surprised or disappointed that we fought each other in the state assembly polls that is the nature of the INDIA alliance,” Ramesh asserted.
He said the INDIA bloc will be coordinating closely in the upcoming second half of the Budget session.
The first half of the Budget Session was held from January 31 to February 13. The second half starts on Monday and will conclude on April 4. PTI ASK ZMN
Source:theprint.in
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https://theprint.in/india/cong-will-follow-all-democratic-routes-to-oppose-waqf-bill-coordinate-with-india-allies-ramesh/2538305/
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ED conducts raids on 12 locations linked to SDPI across multiple states amid money laundering case
March 7, 2025
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at 12 locations linked to the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) across multiple states on Thursday, officials said.
The raids took place at two locations in Delhi, including the SDPI headquarters, as well as in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram and Malappuram, Karnataka’s Bengaluru, Andhra Pradesh’s Nandyal, Maharashtra’s Thane, Tamil Nadu’s Chennai, Jharkhand’s Pakur, West Bengal’s Kolkata, Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow, and Rajasthan’s Jaipur.
These operations are part of an ongoing investigation into the SDPI’s financial activities.
The SDPI, established in 2009, is a political party with a presence in multiple Indian states. In previous instances, such as in 2022, coordinated raids were conducted on SDPI and Popular Front of India (PFI) offices across several states, leading to multiple arrests.
The latest raids come just days after the federal agency arrested SDPI President Moideen Kutty K, alias MK Faizy, at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
According to an earlier statement by the ED, the SDPI was financially dependent on the banned outfit PFI for its day-to-day operations, policy-making, and even selecting candidates for elections. The ED has also alleged that the SDPI serves as a political front for the PFI, and Faizy has been its National President since 2018. Following his arrest on March 3, a special court in Delhi remanded him to six days of ED custody.
The ED initiated its investigation against PFI and related entities under the PMLA, 2002, based on a First Information Report (FIR) registered on August 7, 2013, by the National Investigation Agency’s Kochi branch, and another FIR by its Delhi branch on April 13, 2022, along with multiple FIRs from other law enforcement agencies.
According to the ED, the investigation revealed that office bearers, members, and cadres of the PFI were involved in raising and collecting funds from both domestic and international sources through banking channels, hawala networks, and donations. These funds, the ED claims, were used to finance terrorist activities across India.
During searches conducted on December 3, 2020, at various locations linked to PFI and its office bearers, the ED claimed to have recovered incriminating documents and digital evidence. The agency asserts that these documents establish that:
PFI controlled, funded, and supervised SDPI’s activities.
SDPI functioned as a front for PFI, sharing common members, cadres, and leadership.
SDPI relied on PFI for its operational and political decisions, including election candidate selection, public programs, and cadre mobilization.
The ED has also alleged that documents recovered during these searches provide insight into the PFI’s ultimate objectives, describing it as an organization committed to advancing an “Islamic movement” in India by endorsing “jihad in all forms.” According to the ED, the PFI positions itself publicly as a social movement while internally functioning as an Islamic movement.
“As National President, Faizy exercised authority and control over SDPI, which received and used proceeds of crime—funds raised by PFI within and outside India as part of a larger criminal conspiracy. He was fully aware that PFI was involved in fundraising for unlawful activities, including violent and terrorist acts in India,” the ED claimed in its statement.
The ED has quantified the proceeds of crime in this case at ₹4.07 crore, stating that SDPI’s funding from PFI was sourced through suspicious, undisclosed, and unaccounted transactions.
The agency also noted that Faizy had been summoned under Section 50 of the PMLA, 2002, multiple times, receiving 12 notices but failing to appear. As a result, a complaint was filed against him on March 28, 2024, by the ED before a special court in Delhi for non-compliance.
On December 17, 2024, the court issued a bailable warrant against Faizy, followed by a non-bailable warrant on January 17, 2025, after he remained untraceable.
So far, the ED has attached movable and immovable properties worth ₹61.72 crore in connection with this case. Additionally, nine prosecution complaints have been filed before special PMLA courts, and 26 PFI office bearers, members, and cadres have been arrested. These include the PFI Chairman, General Secretary, State Executive Council (SEC) members, and Physical Education (PE) coordinators who allegedly provided weapons training to PFI members.
Reacting to the ED’s claims, SDPI Vice President Advocate Sharfuddin Ahmed dismissed the allegations, stating, “The ED is conducting raids at SDPI offices to substantiate its claim that the PFI funded over three crore rupees to SDPI. However, since their claim was false, they have no proof and now stand exposed.”
The SDPI has consistently denied any involvement in illegal activities and has accused the ED of targeting the organization for political reasons.
The ED’s latest actions signal continued scrutiny of organizations previously linked to the PFI, which was banned in 2022. With financial and legal proceedings still unfolding, the case against SDPI and its alleged ties to PFI remains a focal point in ongoing investigations.
Source:muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/ed-conducts-raids-on-12-locations-linked-to-sdpi-across-multiple-states/
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Jamia Millia Islamia sparks row after dropping South India’s only entrance test center in Trivandrum
Ifrah Mufti
07 Mar 2025
NEW DELHI: For the first time, Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI) has removed Thiruvananthapuram, the only entrance test center in South India, sparking criticism from students on social media. Meanwhile, the university has added two new test centers in North and Central India.
Last year, entrance test centres included Delhi, Lucknow, Guwahati, Patna, Kolkata, Srinagar, and Thiruvananthapuram. This year, test centres are in Delhi, Lucknow, Guwahati, Patna, Kolkata, Srinagar, Malegaon, and Bhopal, with the last two making their debuts as test centres.
Rajya Sabha MP Haris Beeran on Friday wrote to the Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia stating, “I would like to bring to your attention a matter of urgent concern regarding the removal of the Thiruvananthapuram entrance examination centre from the list of multi-city centres for the Jamia Millia Islamia entrance examinations for the academic year 2025-26.”
Beeran further added, “For several years, JMI has provided an entrance test centre in Kerala, either in Thiruvananthapuram or Calicut, facilitating students from the state to appear for examinations without excessive financial and logistical burdens. However, with the removal of this centre from the prospectus this year, over 2000 students from Kerala who intended to apply for various programs at JMI are now left in distress.”
The letter also highlighted how the removal will impose significant challenges, including the requirement for students to travel to distant centres, incurring substantial expenses on travel, accommodation, and food and secondly, the loss of valuable preparation time, as travel to and from alternative centres could take up to four days.
Taking to social media, Shashi Tharoor also pointed out on X, “Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI) has removed Thiruvananthapuram from its list of entrance test centres. And it was the only such centre in south India! The city, moreover, witnessed at least 550 students taking the exams. An inexplicable decision: has @jmiu_official decided it doesn’t want south Indian students?”
In 2023, JMI courted controversy when the university removed Srinagar as a centre. JMI then claimed that the Srinagar centre was not removed for all courses but had to be cancelled for some programmes as the number of applicants was fewer than 50. However, several students alleged that they were getting Delhi as the only option when filling out application forms online for admission to most undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programmes.
The Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, Professor Mazhar Asif did not respond to the queries.
Source:newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Mar/07/jamia-millia-islamia-sparks-row-after-dropping-south-indias-only-entrance-test-center-in-trivandrum
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K’taka CM presents state budget; oppn dubs it ‘Muslim League budget’
LAKSHMANA VENKAT KUCHI
March 7, 2025
Karnataka Chief Minister S Siddaramaiah on Friday presented his 16th state budget for 2025-26 in the assembly, refurbishing Brand Bengaluru is one of the key focus areas.
The Chief Minister also listed out a slew of measures aimed at all round development and growth of Karnataka and welfare measures for SCs, STs, backward classes and minorities.
Brushing aside suggestions for taking a cautious view of guarantee schemes from the opposition, and a section within the party, Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio reiterated his commitment on the five guarantees, women empowerment and thrust on SC, ST and minority welfare, and played big on infrastructure building with specific allocations.
With significant allocations and specific programmes aimed at minority welfare, Siddaramaiah has also invited sharp criticism from the opposition BJP that declared it a ‘Muslim League Budget’, vehemently countered by the Congress that said it was a progressive, pragmatic, growth-oriented budget which had something for everyone, and for every section of the population.
But for sure, the allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for minority welfare, Rs 100 crore for Urdu Schools and allocation of Rs 150 crore for protection of Wakf Board properties has touched a raw nerve of the BJP legislators, who have hit out against the Congress government saying that once again the Congress was dividing people with its actions.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka claimed that this is the “last Budget” of CM Siddaramaiah as he is the “outgoing Chief Minister”. He accused the government of not working on development from the past two years, and this year too the Congress expects that few announcements they make will bring development in the state.
Something that clearly the Chief Minister believes is patently wrong with this assessment.
Presenting the budget, Chief Minister S Siddaramaiah said, the budget is focused on sustainable economic growth while ensuring fiscal consolidation.
“By prioritizing key sectors such as infrastructure, irrigation, and social welfare, we are laying the foundation for long-term prosperity. The fiscal discipline we have outlined will ensure stability and strengthen the financial position of the State and the budget will foster growth and also secure a strong fiscal health of the state,” the Chief Minister said.
“This budget reaffirms our commitment to fulfil the dreams of every citizen of the State, creating hopes for tomorrow, and honouring our promise to ‘Walk the Talk’. It embodies Mahatma Gandhi’s vision that the welfare of all is achievable through a sustainable and just economy and showcases the Government’s dedication to social and economic equality,” Siddarmaiah said opening his budget presentation speech.
“This budget is not merely a lifeless exercise of adding and subtracting numbers. I stand here with the utmost understanding that I carry a huge responsibility of putting forward our promises made to the seven-crore people of the State, breathing the hopes of a better life, he said as he went ahead to present the numbers – allocations and announcements of various projects to be taken up in the new financial year 2025-26.
With a total outlay of Rs 4,08, 647 crore, this is the largest budget he has presented so far, which is also one that has a deficit of Rs 19,000 crore. Revenue expenditure stands at Rs 3 lakh crore and capital expenditure at Rs 71,000 crore, makes this exercise one aimed at boosting infrastructure building, especially in Bengaluru city with an additional grant of Rs 4,000 crore, taking the total to Rs 7,000 crore and another allocation of Rs 1,800 crore for building Brand Bengaluru.
Consider what all is planned for the capital city of the state: Out of a total outlay of Rs 40,000, a sum of Rs 19,000 crore has been allocated in the budget for the FY 2025-26 for tunnel roads, and another ambitious 40.5 km long double-decker flyover to decongest traffic has been planned at a cost of Rs 8,916 crore along with a proposal for 120 km of flyovers and grade separators.
The city’s long-pending Peripheral Ring Road project is also set to receive Rs 27,000 crore through a HUDCO bank loan. Additionally, under the Bengaluru Safe City project, Rs 667 crore has been allocated, with 7,500 cameras installed across the city.
But, it is not just Brand Bengaluru that has received the attention of the Chief Minister. He said that this year budget focused on implementing programmes across six key developmental dimensions – which include people oriented initiatives for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, Minorities, Women, Farmers, and Labourers –, agriculture, rural development, infrastructure, to drive holistic development of the state.
Our funding for capital expenditure – which has seen a 47.3 percent increase highlighting our development oriented approach, the Chief Minister said.
The minority welfare programmes, including Rs 500 crore programme for classes from pre-primary to PU in 250 Moulana Azad Model English Medium schools, for this Rs 100 crore has been allocated this year.
A sum of Rs 1,000 crore allocated for ‘Chief Minister’s Minority Colony Development Programme’., Minority youth will be encouraged to launch new start-ups through Karnataka Minority Development Corporation, Rs 150 crore allocated for repair and renovation of Waqf properties and for providing infrastructure and protection of Muslim burial grounds, self defence skills training programme for 25,000 girl students run by directorate of minorities.
But for other minorities like Jain, Buddhist and Sikh communities too the government has earmarked grants worth Rs 100 crore and another Rs 250 crore provided to development of the Christian community.
Source:thestatesman.com
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https://www.thestatesman.com/india/ktaka-cm-presents-state-budget-oppn-dubs-it-muslim-league-budget-1503405516.html
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South Asia
Bangladesh Student Federation Slams Govt's Leniency Over Mob Violence
Mar 8, 2025
The Bangladesh Student Federation has criticised the government's lenient stance on mob violence and killings, stating that it contradicts with the people's aspirations that led to the July uprising.
In a statement sent to the press yesterday, the federation condemned the police attack on teachers protesting the cancellation of their primary appointments.
The statement, signed by the federation's central president, Mashiur Rahman Khan Richard, and general secretary, Saikat Arif, emphasised that organising protests and demonstrations democratically is a fundamental right of all citizens.
They highlighted that under prolonged fascist rule, the democratic rights of the people of Bangladesh were suppressed, but through the July uprising, the people regained their democratic rights. The government must ensure these rightful democratic rights of the people.
The statement also demanded immediate legal action against the police officers involved in the attack on the protesting teachers.
Additionally, the federation expressed concern over the government's inaction in various criminal activities since the formation of the interim government, while witnessing brutal police attacks on the people during various legitimate struggles.
They cited incidents such as the attack on indigenous students and citizens by the Students for Sovereignty, the police attack on aggrieved students and citizens demanding justice, and the police attack on teachers.
Source:thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/rights/news/student-federation-slams-govts-leniency-over-mob-violence-3842006
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Afghanistan to Revive Pistachio Forests with Industrialists’ Support
2025-03-07
KABUL(BNA): Mawlavi Ataullah Omari, the acting Minister of Agriculture, convened a meeting with members of the Afghanistan Industrialists Union.
The union has announced plans to invest millions of dollars in the creation of pistachio orchards and forests in the western and northwestern provinces of Afghanistan.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, this initiative aims not only to revive pistachio production but also to enhance the country’s agricultural landscape.
In addition to the pistachio projects, the union intends to invest in Afghanistan’s chicken egg sector, further diversifying its agricultural investments.
During the meeting, union representatives sought the ministry’s assistance in securing land leases and fostering cooperation to facilitate the launch of these agricultural projects.
Mawlavi Ataullah Omari expressed strong support for the initiatives, assuring the industrialists that the ministry would provide the necessary resources and support to ensure the implementation of their plans.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/afghanistan-to-revive-pistachio-forests-with-industrialists-support/
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12 Afghan citizens released from Sindh prisons in Pakistan
By Fidel Rahmati
March 8, 2025
Twelve Afghan citizens have been released from prisons in Pakistan’s Sindh province and have returned to Afghanistan, authorities confirmed.
Abdul Jabbar Takhari, the Taliban’s Consul General in Karachi, states that 12 Afghan citizens have been released from prisons in the Sindh province of Pakistan.
Takhari added in a message that these individuals were released on Friday, March 7, and have returned to their country.
He further mentioned that the number of Afghans in the prisons of Sindh province in Pakistan has now decreased.
Takhari pointed out that in the past three months, 64 Afghans, including two women and five children, have been released from the prisons of Sindh and returned to Afghanistan.
These releases indicate a gradual reduction in the number of Afghan detainees in Pakistan, signaling some positive developments in the relationship between the two neighboring countries. However, questions remain about the conditions that led to their detainment and the broader issues affecting Afghan citizens in Pakistan.
The situation highlights the importance of continued diplomatic efforts to address the challenges faced by Afghan nationals abroad, especially in regions like Sindh, where many still face hardship. Ongoing dialogue between the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan will be crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of all Afghan citizens living in or passing through Pakistan.
Source:khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/12-afghan-citizens-released-from-sindh-prisons-in-pakistan/
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UN provides $19 million in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
March 7, 2025
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced that the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated $19 million to aid those in need in Afghanistan.
This funding will be used to meet the basic needs of vulnerable individuals in the country, providing immediate relief to those affected by the ongoing crisis.
On Friday, March 7th, OCHA confirmed that this amount was dedicated to Afghanistan from the CERF to address urgent humanitarian needs.
According to OCHA, the funds are intended to provide immediate and essential assistance to those in desperate need across Afghanistan, with a focus on the most vulnerable populations.
Meanwhile, Andrika Ratwatte, Deputy Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), emphasized that the funds will be distributed across various humanitarian sectors to meet the urgent needs of vulnerable communities.
While the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains dire, international organizations have repeatedly called for increased assistance to the country. The reduction in funding and logistical challenges have left many families struggling to survive.
The United Nations and humanitarian agencies are urging the international community to increase their support for Afghanistan to alleviate the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The $19 million in aid is a vital step, but much more is needed to address the country’s worsening conditions.
With limited resources and mounting challenges, the need for international collaboration and increased humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan has never been more critical. Increased global support is essential to mitigate the humanitarian crisis and provide relief to millions of Afghan citizens.
Source:khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/un-provides-19-million-in-humanitarian-aid-to-afghanistan/
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Southeast Asia
Malaysia Rejects Trump’s Proposal To ‘Take Over’ Gaza, Calls It ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ And Breach Of International Law
08 Mar 2025
JEDDAH, March 8 — Malaysia has firmly opposed the proposal to annex Gaza, condemning it as a form of “ethnic cleansing” and a blatant violation of international law, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
In his national statement at the Extraordinary Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers on yesterday, Mohamad described the proposal to ‘take over’ Gaza as a violation of Article 17 of Protocol II of the Geneva Convention, which prohibits the forced relocation of civilians in occupied territories.
“Malaysia is resolute in our stance against this distressing proposal, which completely undermines all international efforts to seek justice for the Palestinians and further jeopardises peace and regional stability.
“While the ceasefire successfully allowed Palestinians to return home and receive much-needed aid, the full implementation of the second phase, unfortunately, hangs in the balance as negotiations are deadlocked, while Israel exploits this predicament.
“Crucial supplies have been cut off, further worsening the hardships faced by the Palestinians, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan,” he said.
Mohamad called on the OIC, as the voice of the ummah within the international community, to condemn Israel’s crimes and pressure the regime to allow urgent humanitarian aid into Gaza without delay.
“It is the duty of the OIC and the international community to ensure that Israel complies with its ceasefire obligations, facilitates the continuing supply of humanitarian aid, enables the implementation of the subsequent phases of the ceasefire agreement, ceases military operations, and commits to the rebuilding and reconstruction of Gaza,” he added.
Malaysia also reiterated its commitment to securing Palestine’s recognition as a full United Nations (UN) member to enshrine its sovereignty and independence.
Mohamad said recognition of Palestine is not only a pivotal step towards lasting peace but also essential to addressing the humanitarian crisis, establishing a functioning administration, and garnering international support for recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
“I respectfully urge the OIC and its member states to prioritise the international recognition of the State of Palestine as a primary goal,” he said.
To achieve this, Mohamad said OIC members must intensify strategic lobbying efforts and actively participate in ongoing diplomatic initiatives, such as the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, to expedite Palestine’s path to becoming a full UN member.
In addition to advocating for political solutions, Malaysia remains committed to supporting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in providing essential services to Palestinian refugees, while also backing legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice to hold Israel accountable for its actions.
“As the Chair of ASEAN for 2025, Malaysia will continue to advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people in their enduring struggle for peace, justice, and freedom, while rallying international support from the Non-Aligned Movement and the Commonwealth,” he said.
The Foreign Minister reaffirmed Malaysia’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Meanwhile, Mohamad welcomed Syria’s reinstatement in the OIC and expressed hopes for positive changes through renewed dialogue with the country.
Recently, during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump stated that the US would “take over the Gaza Strip” and suggested that Gaza could potentially become “the Riviera of the Middle East” under US control. — Bernama
Source:malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/03/08/tok-mat-malaysia-rejects-trumps-proposal-to-take-over-gaza-calls-it-ethnic-cleansing-and-breach-of-international-law/168936
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Man suspected of insulting Islam believed to be overseas - IGP
BERNAMA
07-03- 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: The man suspected of insulting Islam and making offensive remarks about the religion is believed to be overseas, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said.
“Efforts to locate the suspect are ongoing, but we believe he is currently abroad,“ Razarudin told Bernama today.
Yesterday, Razarudin confirmed that police were working to identify the individual responsible for posting a viral video on social media, which has been circulating since Wednesday. The video allegedly contained insults and offensive language aimed at Islam.
An investigation was launched after a report was filed at the Manchis police station in Bentong, Pahang on Wednesday afternoon.
The video in question, which showed several individuals using offensive language to insult Muslims, is believed to have been uploaded in response to a previous incident involving radio hosts accused of mocking Hinduism.
The video was subsequently taken down after facing widespread public condemnation.
The case is being investigated under Section 298 of the Penal Code, which addresses actions that could incite disharmony between races and religions, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which pertains to the improper use of network facilities or services.
Source:thesun.my
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Religious affairs minister: Jakim, authorities to ensure Islam insult cases face justice
07 Mar 2025
PUTRAJAYA, March 7 — The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) will continue collaborating with authorities, including the police (PDRM), Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), state Islamic religious councils and departments, to ensure cases involving insults against Islam are brought to justice.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said anyone found insulting Islam would be called in and investigated under existing laws.
“As with previous investigations and prosecutions involving insults against Islam, public interest will be prioritised to safeguard national harmony.
“Agencies under the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) fully support Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s firm stance that the government will act against anyone who insults religion without favouritism, in line with the country’s legal provisions,” he said in a statement today.
He added that agencies under his purview remain committed to upholding the sanctity of Islam and fostering harmony in the country’s diverse society, in line with the Federal Constitution.
Mohd Na’im said the actions of certain individuals who disregard religious sensitivities and cause public unrest are deeply regrettable.
He urged all parties to respect the law and cooperate with ongoing investigations in the interest of national harmony. — Bernama
Source:malaymail.com
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Gov’t firm on religious issues to preserve harmony – Ahmad Zahid
BERNAMA
08-03- 2025
ALOR GAJAH: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the government remains firm in addressing religious issues to ensure harmony in Malaysia is preserved.
“We know religious issues are sensitive, and we do not want fingers pointed at the government, accusing it of being indifferent, especially in defending Islam.
“We are confident that the MADANI Government upholds the principles enshrined in the Federal Constitution, and the parties within the government also support what is stipulated in the constitution,“ he told reporters after attending the Southern Zone-level Santunan Kasih Ramadan event at Kampung Rantau Panjang, Masjid Tanah, last night.
Also present were Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
Ahmad Zahid also reminded individuals, groups, or certain factions not to exploit religious issues to disrupt harmony in the country’s multiracial society.
Earlier, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had instructed all enforcement bodies and security agencies to take swift, effective, and uncompromising action against any party attempting to incite racial or religious sentiments.
Source:thesun.my
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Arab World
Saudi students qualify for science, engineering fair in US
March 07, 2025
DAMMAM: Nine students from Eastern Province schools have secured their place on the Saudi Science and Engineering Team at the prestigious International Science and Engineering Fair in the US, the Saudi Press Agency has reported.
The students, whose qualification followed a rigorous national competition in Riyadh, were selected after they impressed in the four-stage process.
Their journey involved project submissions, electronic arbitration, and regional exhibitions before they earned their place at the final Kingdom-level event.
Sami Al-Otaibi, director general of education in the Eastern Province, hailed the achievement as testament to Saudi Arabia’s ongoing investment in its youth and education sector.
He added that the students’ success reflected the unwavering support of the Saudi leadership in empowering students to contribute to the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 reform program.
Source:arabnews.com
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How Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve protects biodiversity
HAIFA ALSHAMMARI
March 07, 2025
RIYADH: Established seven years ago as part of Saudi Vision 2030, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve stands as a testament to the Kingdom’s commitment to environmental conservation.
Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in protecting its ecosystems and wildlife, expanding its protected areas from 19 to more than 400 — now covering 18 percent of the Kingdom’s territory.
“When I was invited to come and look at Saudi Arabia, I was struck by its rugged expansive beauty, natural wildness and unique biodiversity,” Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, told Arab News.
“I was impressed by the vision and strong leadership and direction with respect to conservation. Vision 2030 puts in place a framework to make the Kingdom’s commitments to the environment a reality and globally relevant.
“Its potential to be a serious global contender was an opportunity I could not pass up.”
Located in northwestern Saudi Arabia, the reserve spans about 24,500 sq. km, encompassing 15 ecosystems and hosting more than 50 percent of the Kingdom’s marine and terrestrial species, making it one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the Middle East.
“The reserve is home to exceptional plant and animal biodiversity,” Zaloumis said, noting that it covers 1 percent of Saudi Arabia’s terrestrial area and 1.8 percent of its marine area.
“The reserve’s 170 km coastline is the longest under the management of a single conservation agency in the Kingdom.
“It is home to 64 percent of the Kingdom’s coral species, 22 percent of its fish species, as well as hawksbill and green turtle populations, spinner dolphin, dugong, whale shark, and critical gray mangrove ecosystems.”
Not every piece of land is suitable for reserve status, Zaloumis explained, as such areas must possess particular ecological significance.
“To be of global significance, a reserve must have the conservation values that enable this,” he said. “It is not any piece of land — it is being conserved for a very specific conservation reason.”
A nature reserve safeguards biodiversity by protecting plant species, providing a sanctuary for endangered animals, and maintaining ecological balance.
So far, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has successfully reintroduced 11 of its 23 native species, including sand gazelle, mountain gazelle, onager and pharaoh eagle owl.
“Genetic testing is key to ensure the correct subspecies are brought back,” Zaloumis said.
“One of the reserve’s conservation successes recognized globally is the return of the Persian onager after a 126-year absence. There are less than 600 left in the wild globally.
“The big-picture strategy is to create an open ecological area where historically occurring species can roam freely as they once did more than a century ago.”
The strategy is already bearing fruit. In December, the reserve celebrated the birth of its 15th Arabian oryx calf since launching its rewilding program in 2022.
The rewilding program is part of the reserve’s Integrated Development Management Plan, which aims to protect, conserve and restore its natural and cultural assets, promote eco-tourism, and provide socioeconomic benefits to local communities.
Beyond conservation, the reserve also highlights historical landmarks from both the Islamic and pre-Islamic periods, including sites built by the Nabataeans.
Zaloumis said that achieving UNESCO World Heritage status is no simple feat, as a site must meet strict international criteria.
“To be a World Heritage site, you have to be globally exceptional — one of a kind,” he said. “Less than 1 percent of the world’s 262,000-odd reserves have the outstanding universal values that could get it recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.”
Currently, the reserve is part of two cultural and two natural sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List, placing it among a select few globally with this distinction.
The reserve has also made a significant social impact through its community development initiatives.
Zaloumis said that the reserve’s greatest asset is its people. With 85 percent of its staff drawn from nearby areas, community development remains essential to ensuring locals benefit from conservation efforts.
A key initiative has been the establishment of a ranger force — including an all-women unit, the first of its kind in the Middle East.
“We have established a highly effective 250-strong ranger force from scratch, drawn from the towns and villages in the reserve,” Zaloumis said.
“Thirty-four percent of our rangers are women compared to a global average of 11 percent.”
He added: “These are the first women ranger units in the Middle East. Women globally have an important role to play in conservation — they give you different perspectives and are able to access different stakeholders. We wanted to make sure we started that way in the reserve.
“Our ability to develop conservation careers for Saudi men and women to excel in is important because, again, that is the future of conservation — it’s the sustainability of conservation in the Kingdom.”
Looking ahead, Zaloumis is focused on equipping the next generation with the skills needed to lead conservation efforts in Saudi Arabia.
“Our goal is to build a new generation of conservationists to take the reserve forward and contribute to the Kingdom’s green agenda,” he said.
He believes that the key lies in empowering people to take control of their own future and communities.
“What we are doing is equipping the next generation of conservationists with the tool set necessary, not only to conserve the reserve but to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s broader conservation efforts, both in terms of protecting wildscapes and wildlife species.”
Source:arabnews.com
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Saudi Arabia's foreign minister meets Iranian counterpart on sidelines of OIC
March 08, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Friday.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of a gathering of foreign ministers from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC), Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and developments in the region.
Earlier, Prince Faisal met with the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya and the foreign minister of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov.
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King Salman, crown prince donate $19m as Ehsan’s 5th national charity campaign launched
March 08, 2025
JEDDAH: King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman donated SR70 million ($19 million) to the National Campaign for Charitable Work via the Ehsan platform in its fifth edition on Friday.
King Salman on Friday approved the launch of the 5th National Campaign for Charitable Work, via the Ehsan platform, with donations continuing throughout Ramadan to enhance charitable giving and maximize its impact, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
As an extension of the leadership’s support for charitable work in the Kingdom, King Salman made a donation of SR40 million and the crown prince donated SR30 million.
SPA reported that the campaign aims to provide opportunities for all citizens and residents to participate in charitable acts and strengthen community solidarity during Ramadan.
Majid Al-Kassabi, chairman of the Ehsan platform’s supervisory committee, expressed his gratitude to King Salman and the crown prince for their unwavering support of the platform since its inception under a royal decree in 2021.
“The 5th National Campaign for Charitable Work follows the remarkable success of previous editions,” said Al-Kassabi.
The 2024 campaign attracted more than SR1.8 billion in donations through 15 million transactions, demonstrating the Kingdom’s leadership in charitable work and sustainable development.
Donors can digitally contribute to various charitable and development fields throughout the campaign. Additionally, donations can be made toward the Ehsan Endowment Fund.
All transactions are securely processed through the Ehsan app, https://ehsan.sa, or by calling the unified number 8001247000.
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Workshop on combating money laundering held in Riyadh
March 07, 2025
RIYADH: The National Center for Non-Profit Sector Development held a virtual workshop on combating money laundering and terrorism financing, targeting non-profit organizations, including charitable associations and foundations.
The workshop aimed to raise awareness among members of non-profit organizations, including board members, trustees, and executive management, about issues and developments related to combating money laundering and terrorism financing.
The workshop covered several topics, including an introduction to money laundering and terrorism financing, their risks and impacts, local regulations related to combating them, the legislative framework in the Kingdom for their prevention, key methods of exploiting non-profit organizations for criminal purposes, and local and international efforts to combat them.
The center intends to hold multiple workshops on addressing these crimes in future.
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Riyadh Literary Club hosts the 18th Charity Book Fair
March 07, 2025
RIYADH: The Riyadh Literary Club recently hosted the 18th Charity Book Fair at its headquarters in the Al-Malaz district of Riyadh.
The event highlights the spirit of charity through books, knowledge and culture, attracting intellectuals, writers, and those passionate about these fields.
Held annually, the book fair is a unique cultural event in Riyadh. Each year, proceeds from the sale of donated books are directed to a selected charitable cause. This year’s beneficiary is the Friends of the Disabled Association.
Saleh bin Abdulaziz Al-Mahmoud, the president of the Literary Club, said in an interview with SPA that “the charity book fair is both a national and cultural initiative that has been celebrated for over 18 years”. He explained that the event reflects the Riyadh Literary Club’s commitment to its social and cultural responsibilities as a national institution. Since its inception, the book fair has supported 18 licensed charitable organizations, including those focused on people with disabilities, medical services, orphan care, water provision and other charitable causes.
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Mideast
Zionist enemy storms 6 mosques, partially burns one of them in Nablus
07 Mar 2025
The Zionist enemy forces stormed, at dawn on Friday, six mosques in the old city of Nablus, north of the West Bank, and wreaked havoc and burned parts of Al-Nasr Mosque.
Local sources reported to the Palestinian Safa Agency that the occupation forces stormed the city from several axes, and spread in the neighborhoods of the old city, and began extensive raids that included homes, mosques and shops, coinciding with the time of Suhoor and Fajr prayers.
The sources explained that the occupation soldiers stormed the mosques of Al-Satoun, Ajaj, Al-Salahi Al-Kabir, Al-Tina, Al-Nasr and Al-Baik, after removing their doors, and conducted searches, and set fire to a room inside Al-Nasr Mosque, which led to its burning and smoke rising.
Source:saba.ye
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Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemns occupation forces storming eight mosques in Nablus
07 Mar 2025
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates confirmed that the occupation authorities have no authority or right to restrict citizens' entry to pray in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque under any pretext or justification.
The Foreign Ministry considered in a statement issued today, Friday, that determining the age of worshipers is a blatant violation of the obligations of the occupying power, and a violation of international law and the principle of the right to freedom of movement and access to places of worship.
The ministry considered that the restrictions accompanying determining the age of men and women add further restrictions on the number of worshipers on Fridays, and invalidate the occupation's arguments and justifications for determining the age, in addition to the fact that Quds is an occupied Palestinian land according to international legitimacy resolutions and is not subject to the Zionist enemy.
Source:saba.ye
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Al-Aqsa Mosque Preacher Calls For A Stronghold At Al-Aqsa Mosque Throughout Ramadan
07 Mar 2025
Last night, Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher Sheikh Akram Sabri called for intensifying the stronghold and traveling to the blessed mosque during the month of Ramadan.
Sheikh Sabri said: “Strengthening and worshiping in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque is worship and a religious duty.”
Sabri called on every able Muslim to travel to Al-Aqsa Mosque to support it and protect its blessed status.
Wide calls were made to march in a magnificent crowd to the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and to hold strongholds in its courtyards, in defiance of the occupation’s policies and to thwart its plans, on the first Friday of the blessed month of Ramadan.
Source:saba.ye
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Israel’s West Bank operation aligns with annexation ‘vision’: UNRWA
March 07, 2025
RAMALLAH: A major Israeli offensive, which over several weeks has displaced tens of thousands of Palestinians and ravaged refugee camps, increasingly appears to be aligned with the “vision of annexation” of the West Bank, said a UN official.
Israeli forces carry out regular raids targeting militants in the West Bank, which has been occupied since 1967, but the ongoing operation since late January is already the longest in two decades, with dire effects on Palestinians.
“There are growing concerns that the reality being created on the ground aligns with the vision of annexation of the West Bank,” said Roland Friedrich, director of West Bank affairs for UNRWA, the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees.
“It’s an unprecedented situation, both from a humanitarian and wider political perspective,” he said.
“We talk about 40,000 people that have been forcibly displaced from their homes” in the northern West Bank, mainly from three refugee camps where the operation had begun, said Friedrich.
“These camps are now largely empty,” he said, their residents unable to return and struggling to find shelter elsewhere.
Inside the camps, the level of destruction to “electricity, sewage and water, but also private houses” was “very concerning,” Friedrich added.
The Israeli operation, which the military says targets militants in the northern West Bank, was launched shortly after a truce took hold in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, a separate Palestinian territory.
The operation initially focused on Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams refugee camps, where UNRWA operates, but has since expanded to more areas of the West Bank’s north.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has said troops would remain for many months in the evacuated camps to “prevent the return of residents and the resurgence of terrorism.”
And Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right politician who lives in one of dozens of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, has said that Israel would be “applying sovereignty” over parts of the territory in 2025.
According to Friedrich, “the statements we hear indicate that this is a political operation. It is clearly being said that people will not be allowed to return.”
Last year, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion saying that Israel’s prolonged presence in the West Bank was unlawful.
Away from home, the displaced Palestinian residents also grapple with a worsening financial burden.
“There is an increasing demand now, especially in Jenin, for public shelter because people can’t pay these amounts for rent anymore,” said Friedrich.
“Everyone wants to go back to the camps.”
The UN official provided examples that he said pointed to plans for long-term Israeli presence inside Palestinian cities, which should be under the control of the Palestinian Authority.
“In Tulkarm, you have more and more reports about the army just walking around ... asking shop owners to keep the shops open, going out and issuing traffic tickets to cars, so almost as if there is no Palestinian Authority,” said Friedrich.
“It is very worrying, including for the future of the PA as such and the investments made by the international community into building Palestinian institutions.”
The Ramallah-based PA was created in the 1990s as a temporary government that would pave the way to a future sovereign state.
UNRWA is the main humanitarian agency for Palestinians, but a recent law bars the agency from working with the Israeli authorities, hindering its badly needed operations.
“It’s much more complicated for us now because we can’t speak directly to the military anymore,” said Friedrich.
“But at the same time, we continue to do our work,” he said, assessing needs and coordinating “the actual emergency response on the ground.”
Israeli lawmakers had passed the legislation against UNRWA’s work over accusations that it had provided cover for Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip — claims the UN and many donor governments dispute.
The prolonged Israeli operation could have long-term consequences for residents, particularly children traumatized by the experience of displacement, Friedrich warned.
“If people can’t go back to the camp and we can’t reopen the schools... clearly, that will lead to more radicalization going forward.”
He said the situation could compound a legitimacy crisis for the PA, often criticized by militant Palestinian factions for coordinating security matters with Israel.
Displaced Palestinians “feel that they are kicked out of their homes and that nobody is supporting them,” said Friedrich.
He added that a “stronger international response” was needed, “both to provide humanitarian aid on the ground, and secondly, to ensure that the situation in the West Bank doesn’t spin out of control.”
Source:arabnews.com
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Syrian Arab Republic welcomes re-activation of its frozen OIC membership after 13 years
March 08, 2025
CAIRO: The Syrian Arab Republic welcomed on early Saturday the re-activation of its membership in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) after it was frozen for 13 years, the foreign ministry said.
“This decision represents an important step toward Syria’s return to the regional and international communities as a free and just state,” a ministry said in a statement.
Syria's membership frozen since 2012, was re-activated during a meeting of the 57-member group at the organization's headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday, a Turkish diplomatic source said.
The source said the initiative put forth by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to re-activate Syria’s membership was accepted.
A statement posted on the OIC website highlighted Syria's membership as one of the topics in the discussion of the "extraordinary ministerial" meeting at the organization's headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but did not mention how the meeting turned out.
In his opening statenment, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha said the initiative to include an item on Syria on the agenda of the session comes at an appropriate time.
In December, Syrian opposition forces led by the Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) toppled Bashar Assad after an 11-year civil war, ending his five-decade rule.
Syria’s new government has since sought to rebuild ties with Arab nations, Western powers, and others.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shibani was called into the meeting to take Syria’s seat after the vote, the source said. A video shared by Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry showed members applauding as the minister entered the room.
NATO member Turkiye has backed opposition forces looking to oust Assad for years. It is a close ally and supporter of the new government in Damascus, vowing to help rebuild the country and help them train their armed forces.
Last month, Syria’s new President Ahmed Al-Sharaa received an invitation from Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to participate in an Arab League summit in Cairo, a major step in rebuilding ties with the Arab world after Assad’s downfall.
Source:arabnews.com
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Israel army says struck Hezbollah ‘military sites’ in south Lebanon
March 07, 2025
JERUSALEM: Israel’s army said it conducted strikes on “military sites” belonging to the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in south Lebanon on Friday, as Lebanese media reported a series of Israeli strikes in the south.
A November 27 truce agreement largely halted more than a year of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, including two months of full-blown war in which Israel sent in ground troops.
Israel has continued to carry out periodic strikes on Lebanese territory since the agreement took effect.
“A short while ago, the IDF conducted intelligence-based strikes on military sites in southern Lebanon belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in which weapons and rocket launchers belonging to Hezbollah were identified,” the army said in a statement.
“The weapons and the rocket launchers in the military sites posed a threat to the State of Israel and constituted a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon,” it added.
Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) reported a series of Israeli strikes targeting several areas of Lebanon’s south.
Israel had been due to withdraw from Lebanon by February 18 after missing a January deadline, but it has kept troops at five locations it deems “strategic.”
The ceasefire also required Hezbollah to pull back north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border, and to dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.
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Haredi Jews enter Lebanese territory under Israeli army protection
NAJIA HOUSSARI
March 07, 2025
BEIRUT: In a provocative challenge to Lebanese sovereignty, around 250 Haredi Jews — followers of a strict branch of Orthodox Judaism — entered Lebanon to visit the Al-Ibad tomb on the outskirts of the Lebanese border village of Houla under the protection of the Israeli army, which characterized the visit as a religious pilgrimage.
Al-Ibad tomb is of religious significance to Muslims, who believe it contains the remains of Sheikh Al-Ibad, who lived as a hermit in the area around 500 years ago. Jews believe the site to be the tomb of Rabbi Rav Ashi, a Babylonian rabbi who lived in the fifth century and was the first editor of the Babylonian Talmud.
These contradictory accounts lead to recurring disputes over the identity and ownership of the site.
Al-Ibad Hill is one of five locations still occupied by the Israeli army after its withdrawal from Lebanese border villages under the ceasefire agreement. Lebanon has demanded the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the hills that overlook both the Lebanese border region and adjacent Israeli settlements.
Images and video footage showing the ultra-orthodox Jewish group performing religious rituals at the tomb were shared on social media.
The visit came on the anniversary of the birth and death of Prophet Moses in the Jewish calendar.
Media outlets had reported earlier on Thursday that the Israeli army was preparing to permit Jewish worshippers into the shrine after extremist religious groups had spent a week restoring it.
The controversial site has been treated by Israel as a Jewish shrine since 1972, at which time small groups began visiting it under the protection of the Israeli army.
The area was split into two sections following Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, after negotiations between the Israeli and Lebanese governments. Jewish visits to the shrine ceased with the outbreak of the July 2006 war.
Speaking to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the extraordinary Arab summit in Cairo last Tuesday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun raised the issue of “the presence of Israeli forces on several hills within Lebanese territory and the lack of Lebanese army deployment in these areas.”
Aoun stated that the situation “hinders the achievement of stability and the implementation of UN Resolution 1701, as well as the ceasefire agreement that took effect on Nov. 27, 2024,” and was extended until Feb. 18.
Guterres expressed surprise at the continued presence of Israeli forces in several southern areas and said it “does not contribute to stability in the region.”
Aoun discussed developments in the south of the country with Nabih Berri, speaker of the parliament, on Friday.
According to Aoun’s media office, he briefed Berri on the outcomes of his meetings on the sidelines of the Arab summit in Cairo.
Aoun also followed up on developments in the south with Defense Minister Maj. Gen. Michel Menassa, particularly regarding the deployment of the Lebanese army in southern cities and villages.
Also on Friday, Israeli forces reportedly fired on Lebanese citizens returning to border areas, wounding three civilians near the border wall in Kafr Kila.
Lebanese Army Command issued a statement condemning ongoing Israeli violations in the south. The army said that Israeli troops continue to violate Lebanon’s sovereignty by land, sea, and air.
“The most recent violation involves operations targeting citizens in the south and Bekaa, alongside the continuous occupation of Lebanese territory and repeated breaches of the land borders,” the army stated, adding that Israel’s “ongoing aggression threatens Lebanon’s stability and negatively impacts regional stability, directly violating the ceasefire agreement.”
The army also announced that it is actively facilitating the return of residents to southern areas by clearing unexploded ordnance, removing debris, and reopening roads.
It added that the situation was being closely monitored, with necessary action being taken in coordination with the committee overseeing the ceasefire agreement and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon.
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Clashes in Syria between government forces and Assad loyalists kill more than 200
March 07, 2025
BEIRUT: Fighters siding with Syria’s new government stormed several villages near the country’s coast, killing dozens of men in response to recent attacks on government security forces by loyalists of ousted President Bashar Assad, a war monitor said.
The village assaults erupted Thursday and continued Friday. Ongoing clashes between the two sides have marked the worst violence since Assad’s government was toppled in early December by insurgent groups led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham. The new government has pledged to unite Syria after 14 years of civil war.
More than 200 people have been killed since the fighting broke out, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. In addition to around 140 killed in apparent revenge attacks in the villages, the dead include at least 50 members of Syria’s government forces and 45 fighters loyal to Assad. The civil war that has been raging in Syria since March 2011 has left more than half a million people dead and millions displaced.
The most recent clashes began when government forces tried to detain a wanted person near the coastal city of Jableh on Thursday and were ambushed by Assad loyalists, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
On Thursday and Friday, gunmen loyal to the new government stormed the villages of Sheer, Mukhtariyeh and Haffah near the coast, killing 69 men but harming no women, according to the observatory.
“They killed every man they encountered,” said observatory chief Rami Abdurrahman.
Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen TV also reported the attacks on the three villages, saying that more than 30 men were killed in the village of Mukhtariyeh alone.
Another 60 people were killed in the town of Baniyas, including women and children, the observatory said.
Syrian authorities did not publish a death toll, but Syria’s state news agency SANA quoted an unidentified security official as saying that numerous people went to the coast seeking revenge for recent attacks on government security forces. The official said the actions “led to some individual violations and we are working on stop them.”
Interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa in a video statement called on armed groups affiliated with the former government to hand over their weapons and for those loyal to the new government to avoid attacking civilians or abusing prisoners.
“When we compromise our ethics, we reduce ourselves to the same level as our enemy,” he said. “The remnants of the fallen regime are looking for a provocation that will lead to violations behind which they can seek refuge.”
Coastal towns still under the control of Assad loyalists
Overnight, Damascus sent reinforcements to the coastal cities of Latakia and Tartus and nearby villages that are home to Assad’s minority Alawite sect and make up his longtime base of support. A curfew remained in effect in Latakia and other coastal areas.
Under Assad, Alawites held top posts in the army and security agencies. The new government has blamed his loyalists for attacks against the country’s new security forces over the past several weeks. There also have been some attacks against Alawites in recent weeks, though the new government says it won’t allow collective punishment or sectarian vengeance.
As of Friday, the observatory said, Jableh and the coastal town of Baniyas were still under the control of Assad loyalists, along with other Alawite villages nearby and Assad’s hometown of Qardaha, in the mountains overlooking Latakia.
One Qardaha resident told The Associated Press in a text message that government forces were firing with heavy machine guns in the town’s residential areas. Another said people had not been able to leave their homes since Thursday afternoon because of the intensity of the shooting. Both spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.
The fighting could stoke more sectarian tensions
Gregory Waters, an associate fellow with the Middle East Institute who has researched Syria’s coastal areas, said he doesn’t expect the flareup to escalate into sustained fighting between the two sides. However, he said he was concerned it could stoke cycles of violence between different civilian communities living along the coast.
Also, any violations by the security forces sent from Damascus would leave young Alawite men more fearful of the new government — and more prone to take up arms, Waters said.
In Damascus, a crowd gathered in the rain at Umayyad Square to show support for the new government.
“We’ve had enough of long periods of wars and tragedies,” said retiree Mazen Abdelmajeed. He blamed the violence on remnants of the former regime and said Syria’s unity must be preserved.
“No one wants a civil war to happen,” he said. “We’re not against any of the components of the Syrian people. … We’re all one Syrian people.”
Qutaiba Idlbi, a research fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank, said that apart from the danger of sectarian escalation, the violence had laid bare a “big security challenge for the government in terms of potentially its inability to address multiple security threats on multiple fronts across the country.” Armed groups opposed to the new authorities may take note, he said.
Syrian people ask Russia for help
Scores of people gathered Friday outside the main Russian air base in Syria near Jableh to ask Moscow for protection. Russia joined Syria’s conflict in 2015, siding with Assad, although it has since established links with the new government. Assad has been living in Moscow since leaving Syria in December.
Russia’s foreign ministry said in a written statement that Moscow is “closely coordinating efforts with foreign partners in the interests of a speedy de-escalation of the situation.”
“We reaffirm our principled position in support of the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic,” the statement said. “We expect that all states that have influence on the situation in Syria will contribute to its normalization.”
A warning from Turkiye
Turkiye, which backed the insurgents when Assad was still in power, warned on Friday that the current fighting poses a serious threat to the new government.
“Intensive efforts are underway to establish security and stability in Syria,” Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli said in a post on X. “At this critical juncture, the targeting of security forces could undermine the efforts to lead Syria into the future in unity and solidarity.”
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2592833/middle-east
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Yemen’s Houthis give Israel four-day deadline to lift Gaza aid blockage
March 07, 2025
CAIRO: The leader of Yemen’s Houthis, Abdul Malik Al-Houthi, said on Friday the group would resume its naval operations against Israel if Israel did not lift a blockage of aid into Gaza within four days.
The Iran-aligned movement staged more than 100 attacks on shipping from November 2023, saying they were in solidarity with Palestinians over Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza — and the assaults tailed off in January after a ceasefire there.
Over that period, it sank two vessels, seized another and killed at least four seafarers in an offensive that disrupted global shipping, forcing firms to re-route to longer and more expensive journeys around southern Africa.
“We will give a deadline for four days. This deadline is for the (Gaza ceasefire) mediators for their efforts,” Al-Houthi said.
“If the Israeli enemy after four days continues to prevent the humanitarian aid into Gaza and continues to completely close the crossings, we will resume our naval operations against the Israeli enemy.”
On March 2, Israel blocked the entry of aid trucks into Gaza as a standoff over the truce escalated, with Hamas calling on Egyptian and Qatari mediators to intervene.
The Houthis, who control most of Yemen, also said in February they will take military action if the US and Israel try to displace Palestinians from Gaza forcibly.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2592828/middle-east
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Syria’s Sharaa urges Alawites to surrender after deadly clashes
March 07, 2025
DAMASCUS: Syria’s leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa on Friday urged insurgents from ousted president Bashar Assad’s Alawite minority to lay down their arms or face the consequences after the fiercest attacks on the war-torn country’s new rulers yet.
The threat came as Syria’s security forces “executed” 162 Alawites on Friday, according to a Syrian war monitor, in a massive operation in the ethnic group’s Mediterranean heartland triggered by deadly clashes with gunmen loyal to Assad the day before.
“You attacked all Syrians and made an unforgivable mistake. The riposte has come, and you have not been able to withstand it,” Sharaa warned in a speech broadcast on Telegram by the Syrian presidency.
“Lay down your weapons and surrender before it’s too late.”
More than 250 people have been killed since the clashes erupted on Thursday along the country’s western coast, which followed other deadly incidents in the area earlier this week, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Restoring security has been one of the most complex tasks for Syria’s new authorities, installed after Islamist-led forces ousted Assad in a lightning offensive in December.
In his Friday address Sharaa, who headed the Islamist-led coalition which ousted Assad, also vowed to keep working toward “monopolising weapons in the hands of the state.”
“There will be no more unregulated weapons,” he pledged.
Western powers and Syria’s neighbors have emphasized the need for unity in the new Syria, which is seeking funds for reconstructing a nation ravaged by years of war under Assad.
The Britain-based Observatory said: “Five separate massacres claimed the lives of 162 civilians in Syria’s coastal region on Friday, including women and children.”
“The vast majority of the victims were summarily executed by elements affiliated to the Ministry of Defense and the Interior,” both under the Islamist-led authorities’ control, the rights group announced.
The Observatory and activists released footage showing dozens of bodies in civilian clothing piled in the yard of a house, with blood stains nearby and women wailing.
Other videos appeared to show men in military garb shooting people at close range.
AFP could not independently verify the images.
The United Nations envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, decried “very troubling reports of civilian casualties.”
He called on all sides to refrain from actions which could “destabilize Syria, and jeopardize a credible and inclusive political transition.”
An interior ministry source quoted by official news agency SANA said isolated incidents had occurred on the coast and pledged to put a stop to them.
After Thursday’s clashes, which according to the Observatory left 78 dead — about half security force members and the other half gunmen, plus seven civilians — the authorities launched a sweeping security operation.
Mustafa Kneifati, a security official in Latakia, said that in “a well-planned and premeditated attack, several groups of Assad militia remnants attacked our positions and checkpoints, targeting many of our patrols” around the coastal town of Jableh.
A curfew was imposed until Saturday in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus, heartland of the ousted president’s Alawite religious minority, and authorities on Friday announced a security sweep in the Jableh area, between Latakia and Tartus.
Officials blamed “sabotage” for a power outage that affected much of Latakia province.
A curfew has also been imposed in Syria’s confessionally divided third city Homs.
The security operation “targeted remnants of Assad’s militias and those who supported them,” an official cited by SANA said, as he called on civilians to stay in their homes.
On Friday SANA said a security operation was launched in Assad’s hometown of Qardaha, near Latakia, “against loyalists of the former regime.”
SANA said that during their operation, security forces detained Ibrahim Huweija, a general who was “accused of hundreds of assassinations” under Assad’s father and predecessor, Hafez Assad.
Ali, a farmer living in Jableh, told AFP he saw urban battles and street fighting.
“All night, we heard the sounds of gunfire and explosions,” he said.
“Everyone’s afraid... we are trapped at home and we can’t go out.”
Earlier in the week the Observatory reported four civilians killed in a security operation in the Latakia area, where state media had said “militia remnants” supporting Assad killed two security personnel in an ambush.
“Both sides feel like they’re under attack, both sides have suffered horrific abuses at the hands of the other side, and both sides are armed,” Syria expert Aron Lund, a fellow at the Century International think tank, told AFP.
Forces led by Sharaa’s Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham launched the offensive that toppled Assad on December 8, when he fled to Russia with his family.
Syria’s new security forces have since carried out extensive campaigns seeking to root out Assad loyalists from his former bastions.
During those campaigns, residents and organizations have reported executions and other violations, which the authorities have described as “isolated incidents.”
Russia, Assad’s main backer that helped turn the tide of the war in his favor before he was toppled, called on Syrian authorities to “do their utmost to put an end to the bloodshed as soon as possible.”
The foreign ministry of Iran, another major ally of Assad, said it strongly opposes “harming innocent Syrian people from any group and tribe, and considers it to be paving the ground for the spread of instability in the region.”
Saudi Arabia and Turkiye reaffirmed their support for the new authorities, while Jordan condemned “attempts to drive Syria toward anarchy.”
Germany meanwhile urged Syria’s authorities to avoid a “spiral of violence.”
Source:arabnews.com
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Pakistan
Joint Investigation Team Questions PTI Members Over Social Media Propaganda Allegations
By Haider Sherazi
March 07, 2025
ISLAMABAD: A Joint Investigation Team (JIT), formed by the federal government to investigate “malicious campaigns on social media,” questioned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members on Friday over allegations of spreading anti-state propaganda online.
The JIT — led by Islamabad Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi — had issued notices to 15 members of the former ruling party, but sources informed Geo News that only three party members appeared before the body.
Apart from the three leaders, two members of the party's finance department also appeared before the investigation team. Meanwhile, Alia Hamza and Kanwal Shauzab were represented by their lawyer, Dr Ali Imran.
Among those summoned by the JIT were PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Hammad Azhar, Salman Akram Raja, Raoof Hasan, Asad Qaiser, Aun Abbas, and Waqas Akram. Others include Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Khalid Khurshid Khan, Aliya Hamza, Kanwal Shauzab, Taimoor Saleem Khan, Shah Farman, Shehbaz Shabbir, and Mian Muhammad Aslam.
The JIT had also issued summons to 10 members of PTI’s social media team, including Asif Rasheed, Muhammad Arshad, Sibghatullah Warq, Azhar Mashwani, Muhammad Nauman Afzal, Jibran Ilyas, Syed Salman Raza Zaidi, Zulfi Bukhari, Moosa Warq, and Ali Husnain Malik.
Sources said on Friday that the summoned PTI members were grilled regarding the party's social media handles. Strong questions were asked about social media posts related to the Pakistan Army and state institutions, they added.
PTI leaders were shown anti-state posts on social media, added the sources.
Separately, Barrister Gohar and others were also asked questions about party financing.
Last year in July, the federal government constituted a five-member JIT to probe organised anti-state malicious social media campaigns.
The JIT was constituted under Section 30 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016, and included the Federal Investigation Agency’s cybercrime director, FIA counter-terrorism wing director, DIG investigation Islamabad and senior superintendent of the Counter Terrorism Department Islamabad.
As per the terms of reference of the JIT, it will investigate and determine the objectives of the accused and their accomplices who have allegedly created chaos and disorder in Pakistan through malicious social media campaigns.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1289636-jit-questions-pti-members-over-social-media-propaganda-allegations
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Police take 25 Ahmadis into ‘protective custody’ as mob gathers at worship place in Karachi’s Surjani Town
Imtiaz Ali
March 7, 2025
Over two dozen members of the Ahmadi community, including children, were taken into “protective custody” by law enforcement personnel as a mob gathered outside its place of worship in Surjani Town, according to the police.
West Zone Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Irfan Ali Baloch told Dawn.com: “Several workers of the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) gathered outside the Ahmadi place of worship in Surjani Town.
“They demanded to prevent the Ahmadis from offering Friday prayers and using symbols of Islam,” the DIG said. “Anticipating a possible law and order situation, police took 25 Ahmadis into protective custody.”
Meanwhile, Ahmadi community spokesperson Amir Mehmood claimed that the police detained 25 Ahmadis, including eight children, and took them to Khawaja Ajmer Nagri police station.
“For some time, TLP workers gathered outside the worship centre, demanding the arrest and sealing of such places,” he told Dawn.com, adding that members practised religious rites inside closed buildings and wondered how this could be a “crime”.
He said that detaining Ahmadis from their place of worship for performing their rituals “was a grave violation of human rights and Pakistan’s Constitution, which allowed freely practicing faith”.
DIG Baloch denied the allegations by the spokesperson that the worshippers had been arrested. He added that police would get a “legal opinion” about the place of worship.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said on Tuesday it had observed a growing trend of mob-led attacks on the homes of families belonging to religious minorities, as well as their places of worship.
The HRCP also spoke of Ahmadis’ “arbitrary” detention, alleged desecration of their graves and the vulnerability of Hindu and Christian women to forced conversion.
The report, titled Under Siege: Freedom of Religion or Belief in 2023-24, said over 750 persons were in prison on charges of blasphemy as of October last year. It documented at least four faith-based killings, three of which targeted the Ahmadi community.
HRCP observed an “increasing weaponisation of blasphemy laws against Ahmadis”, with cases often initiated by law enforcement officials themselves.
According to the report, “four cases were filed by police officers against Ahmadis in Punjab, reflecting an institutional bias against the community.”
Source:dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1896433/police-take-25-ahmadis-into-protective-custody-as-mob-gathers-at-worship-place-in-karachis-surjani-town
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March 31 deadline for Afghan citizen card holders to exit Pakistan
Iftikhar A. Khan
March 8, 2025
ISLAMABAD: As part of the government’s plan to repatriate all illegal foreigners, March 31 has been officially set as the deadline for Afghan Citizen Card (ACCs) holders to leave Pakistan voluntarily, with a renewed warning by the interior ministry that mass deportations would commence afterwards.
A leaked document seen by Dawn indicated ACCs staying in Islamabad and Rawalpindi would be moved out and sent back to Afghanistan as part of a multiphase relocation plan for Afghan migrants, including those awaiting resettlement in third countries.
The document shows that Proof of Registration (POR) card holders, who had been allowed an extended stay in the country till June 30, 2025, would be relocated from Islamabad and Rawalpindi to some other area.
A directive to this effect was issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, according to the document.
ACCs will be immediately relocated as part of Phase-I alongside undocumented Afghans and eventually repatriated to Afghanistan, according to the document.
In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been tasked with coordinating with foreign embassies to expedite their relocation. If immediate arrangements are not made, these individuals will also be repatriated to Afghanistan.
Intelligence agencies, including the ISI and IB, have been tasked with monitoring the implementation of the relocation plan and directed to provide regular updates to PM Office.
The move further complicates the resettlement of 15,000 Afghans awaiting relocation to the United States, as promised under the evacuation and resettlement efforts following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Last month, President Donald Trump had halted the US Refugee Admission Programme to assess whether reinstating it would serve the interests of Washington, leaving at least 15,000 Afghan allies in Pakistan approved or being assessed for relocation to the US in a state of uncertainty.
Pakistan has been home to millions of Afghan migrants for decades, including those who fled after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Officials estimate that over 800,000 documented migrants hold Afghan Citizen Cards, while many others remain undocumented.
Pointing out that Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Programme (IFRP) was being implemented since Nov 1, 2023, the interior ministry in a statement mentioned that sufficient time had already been granted for their dignified return.
Pakistan has been a gracious host and continues to fulfill its commitments and obligations as a responsible state. “It is reiterated that individuals staying in Pakistan will have to fulfill all legal formalities and abide by Pakistan’s constitution”, the statement read.
It stated that no one would be maltreated during the repatriation process and arrangements for their food and healthcare had also been put in place.
An official told Dawn that Pakistan was not a signatory to the United Nations Convention 1951 or its Protocol 1967 on Refugees, yet the country hosted millions of Afghan refugees for several decades.
UN’s concerns
A week after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a multistage plan targeting nearly three million Afghan citizens residing in Pakistan, the United Nations agencies focused on refugees and migration had jointly voiced their concerns over the new round of mass deportations of Afghan refugees and asylum-seekers.
They include legally declared refugees, documented as well as undocumented migrants, and those who are awaiting promised relocation to the US and other Western countries.
In a joint statement the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said they “are seeking clarity over the modality and timeframe of this relocation.”
Both agencies urged Pakistan to consider human rights standards when implementing relocation measures. This includes ensuring due process for legal refugees and economic migrants who have been granted Afghan Citizen Cards by Pakistan in collaboration with IOM, the statement explained.
“Forced return to Afghanistan could place some people at increased risk. We urge Pakistan to continue to provide safety to Afghans at risk, irrespective of their documentation status,” said Philippa Candler, the UNHCR country representative.
Mio Sato, the IOM chief of mission in Islamabad, said her organisation was committed to working with the Pakistani government and UNHCR to develop a mechanism to register, manage and screen Afghan nationals in Pakistan.
“This will open the door to tailored solutions, including international protection to those in need and pathways for Afghan nationals with long-standing socioeconomic and family ties in the country,” she said.
Source:dawn.com
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Yousuf Gilani acquitted in three corruption cases
Sumair Abdullah
March 8, 2025
• Ex-PM exonerated due to lack of evidence; around 23 more cases with similar allegations still pending
• Senate chairman says production orders not being honoured has ‘disrupted environment of parliament’
KARACHI: An anti-corruption court on Friday acquitted Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani and several others in three cases related to a multibillion-rupee trade subsidy scandal, citing a lack of evidence.
The former prime minister, along with former and serving officials of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) — including ex-chairman Tariq Iqbal Puri and former director general Abdul Karim Daudpota — was accused of fraudulently approving and disbursing trade subsidies worth billions to fake companies through fictitious claims and backdated cheques under the PPP government at the Centre.
In 2018, charges were framed against Mr Gilani, Mr Puri, Mr Daudpota, former deputy secretary (personal) to the PM Mohammad Zubair, and around 20 others.
However, after hearing arguments from both sides and reviewing the evidence, Special Federal Anti-Corruption Court Judge Dr Shahbana Waheed acquitted the accused in three cases on Friday.
Despite the acquittal, 23 more cases with similar allegations remain pending.
Speaking to reporters, defence counsel Farooq H. Naek said the judge had stated that charges against Mr Gilani could not be proven.
He recalled that in 2009, allegations were made that Mr Gilani had accepted a Rs5 million bribe through his personal secretary.
Later, the PML-N government merged 26 cases into a single allegation, leading to an FIR being registered in 2013.
He pointed out that Mr Gilani’s name was not initially included in the FIR or interim challan, but was added in 2015 when the final challan was submitted.
“These cases have dragged on for 12 years, and today, a verdict has been finally delivered,” he said, adding that no witness testified against Mr Gilani in the court.
‘No grievances’
Speaking to the media outside the court, Mr Gilani said the inquiry was initiated against him in 2009 and then the case was officially registered in 2013.
“Since then, the witness who turned approver and gave a statement against me has now become an accused and has fled the country,” he said.
Regarding the cases registered against him, he stated that it was the coalition — referring to the PML-N government — that was responsible for filing them.
“We have no grievances against them. We are still supporting the government. We stand with them, and we will not backstab them,” he said.
When asked whether he was disappointed by the Senate or the government for not producing a detained senator despite his directive, Mr Gilani said: “This is not my first tenure in parliament. Whether as speaker of the National Assembly, Senate chairman or prime minister, I have always upheld parliamentary rules,” he said.
“If an honourable member is in jail, then according to the law and rules, I can issue a production order. This has been happening in the National Assembly, and I have done it as well. However, the production order was not implemented, which has disrupted the environment of parliament,” he said.
He added that he would personally issue fresh production orders for another detained senator if the government failed to act.
FIA charge sheet
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had charge-sheeted Mr Gilani in 25 out of over 70 cases related to the trade subsidy scandal in 2014.
According to the FIA’s final investigation report, the Ministry of Commerce had announced a 25 per cent freight subsidy under its 2002-03 trade policy to promote the export of non-traditional items, which brought less than $5m annually.
The FIA report also found that of the 48 companies that received subsidies, 22 did not exist, while the remaining were ineligible for government support.
Source:dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1896554/yousuf-gilani-acquitted-in-three-corruption-cases
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HRCP concerned over FIR lodged against students protesting canals project
March 7, 2025
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Friday expressed its concern over the FIR registered by Jamshoro police against nearly 100 Sindh University (SU) students allegedly involved in a clash with cops on Tuesday.
On March 4, the Jamshoro police baton-charged and lobbed teargas shells to disperse students protesting against Cholistan canal and other water channels being created to irrigation millions of acres of Panjab lands with Indus water.
The FIR was registered on Wednesday against the students, 37 of whom are activists of student wings of different nationalist groups.
Many of the booked suspects were rounded up soon after a complaint against them was lodged by Superintendent Saleem Panhwar following the clash.
However, they were set free after negotiations between Jamshoro SSP Zafar Siddique and some senior leaders of the political and nationalist parties that participated in a March 4 event at the university on the controversial canals issue.
On Friday, the HRCP expressed its concern over the FIR and “deplore[d] the use of disproportionate force” against the protesters, after the police attempted to prevent them from gathering on the Indus Highway.
“We remind the Sindh government that under international best practices, nonviolent assemblies that obstruct public roads should not be dispersed with force solely on the basis of the disruption they cause,” the human rights organisation said
“The FIR must be withdrawn and those still in custody released.”
Violence on March 4
The March 4 event at the SU was organised by certain nationalist parties, including Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) and its student wing, to pay tribute to those Sindhi students who had participated in the movement launched on March 4, 1967 against ‘One Unit’.
The event featured a march from the SU campus to the nearby section of the Indus Highway. However, strong contingents of police deployed along the route of the march tried to stop several hundred male and female students, as well as activists of the participating nationalist parties, from heading towards the highway.
This led to a clash between the two sides and police had to lob teargas shells and apply baton charge to disperse the marchers. The participants reacted to the police action by pelting police and their mobile vans with stones, causing injuries to some policemen and damage to at least two police vehicles.
Controversial canals
The speeches made at the event focused on the federal government’s controversial six-canal plan, corporate farming and other projects being regarded as detrimental to Sindh’s vital interests.
According to the FIR, the students participating in the rally illegally blocked the Indus Highway and caused disruption in the flow of vehicular traffic. When police arrived at the scene to restore order, they were attacked by the marchers, it claimed, adding that two policemen, constables Farhan Loond and Sadaqat Ali, suffered injuries from the stones thrown at them.
The constables were admitted to the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) for treatment. Two police vehicles were damaged during the incident, it added.
It said that despite making attempts, the police could not arrest more than 10 students due to the presence of a large number of protesters. The traffic movement was, however, restored eventually after the crowd dispersed, it said.
Meanwhile, Zubair Hussain Panhwar, Zahid Keerio and other student leaders have condemned the registration of the FIR, desciribing it as a false and politically motivated case. They vowed to continue their struggle against the six canals.
Sindh United Party (SUP) President Syed Zain Shah, in his press statement, has demanded that the FIR should be quashed.
Instead, he added that action should be taken against those police officers and personnel, including the SSP, DSP and SHO of Jamshoro, who were involved in resorting to baton-charge and lobbing teargas shells to disperse the peaceful protesters.
He warned of a severe public reaction if the demands were not met.
Source:dawn.com
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LHC issues notices on PTI’s plea against Punjab govt’s promotional supplement
Rana Bilal
March 7, 2025
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday issued notices on a petition filed by the PTI against the Punjab government for alleged “wastage of public funds” through a recent extensive promotional supplement.
A 60-page newspaper supplement was published in most national dailies on Feb 26, 2025, highlighting the Punjab government’s performance in its first year under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
While the supplement generated debate and questions on social media, including from a PPP leader, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari defended it and dismissed criticism from the PTI as “propaganda”.
Today, Justice Farooq Haider took up the petition filed by Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar on March 3 through Advocate Abuzar Salman Niazi.
Subsequently, the judge issued notices to the respondents in the case — namely the Punjab government, its information department, and the Public Relations Directorate General.
In his petition, Bhachar had requested that the court declare the supplements “unconstitutional, illegal, arbitrary and without legal authority.”
He had also urged the court to declare the “use of public funds for promotion of incumbent chief minister” as the same.
The PTI leader had further requested that the LHC direct the respondent to immediately cease all activities being funded from the public exchequer related to the chief minister’s promotion and to order the recovery of that amount from CM Maryam’s “personal pocket”.
Bhachar had contended that the supplement was a “publicity stunt aimed at personally benefitting” the chief minister. He said it was “utterly ridiculous and shocking to note that there are 301 pictures” of CM Maryam throughout the material.
The plea further claimed that the supplement carried 28 pictures of CM Maryam’s father, Nawaz Sharif, the PML-N president.
“Thus, the dynasty and clan of Sharif family is being promoted through wastage of public funds and taxpayers’ money,” it added.
Another petition had been filed before the LHC on February 28, seeking action against Nawaz and CM Maryam for allegedly misusing public funds for “personal and political promotion”.
Source:dawn.com
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North America
‘We Open Our Arms To All’: New Islamic School In Elgin Hopes To Appeal To Families Of All Faiths
March 07, 2025
Burhan Academy welcomed members of the Elgin community to the Islamic school this week, saying they “stand on the shoulders of a great legacy” after taking over the former Elgin Academy campus.
Mufti Yasir Nadeem, founder and president, told guests during a Wednesday ribbon-cutting and open house that the school wants to be “partners in a shared mission — the pursuit of knowledge, excellence and community building.”
“While Burhan Academy is a faith-based institution, let me be clear. We open our arms to all,” Nadeem said. “We are not just a school for one community. We are a school for all who seek knowledge, character and a sense of belonging.”
The academy purchased the former Elgin Academy campus for $3.7 million following that school’s closure in June after 185 years.
Nadeem said they want to build on the legacy left by Elgin Academy.
“The spirit of academic rigor and character development lives on in Burhan Academy,” he said. “We believe education is not just about acquiring facts, but about nurturing individuals with integrity, purpose and a sense of service to others.”
When school officials closed on the sale of the property in August, they were planning to open for the 2025-26 academic year.
But Hamid Nazeer, vice president of Burhan, said the academy was able to open with 90 students in September.
“It kind of shocked all of us. When it (the sale closing) happened, we all just kind of looked at each other and said, ‘Why can’t we just start school?’” he said. “There was a big demand. So we did it, and it worked out.”
The school currently has roughly 100 students in pre-K through third grade. It will expand up to eighth grade next school year, and Nazeer said they have about 250 kids preregistered for the 2025-26 school year.
Ultimately, the school will offer grade levels through high school.
Nazeer likens the mission of Burhan Academy to Catholic schools in that they want to be “an open door here for everybody.”
“In times when education may be deteriorating, they’ve taken a lead in creating nice, strong environments that stress character, morality and boundaries and also give them a good education with awesome extracurriculars and athletics,” he said.
They’ve already laid the groundwork for sports programs, hiring coaches to teach kids and running camps for basketball, soccer, volleyball and wrestling.
“We believe in that holistic approach. It’s one of the best ways to teach kids lessons,” he said.
Nazeer said they want to make the school as affordable as possible, keeping tuition at about $5,000 per year.
“We hope it to be an opportunity for everyone — for everyone of every socioeconomic background, of every ethnicity and every faith,” Nazeer said. “Burhan Academy is going to be more than a school. It’s going to be a beacon of light.”
Source:dailyherald.com
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https://www.dailyherald.com/20250307/news/we-open-our-arms-to-all-new-islamic-school-in-elgin-hopes-to-appeal-to-families-of-all-faiths/
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CAIR-NJ to Release 2025 Impact and Data Report Revealing New Trends in Anti-Muslim Bigotry
March 7, 2025
On Tuesday, March 11, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, plans to release its 2025 Impact and Data Report during a news conference at its office in Newark, New Jersey.
The report documents rising trends of anti-Muslim discrimination in New Jersey, as well as emerging shifts in how American Muslim communities have faced various forms of anti-Muslim bigotry. The report includes dozens of specific incidents of bias and offers insightful analysis into key findings and trends.
WHAT: News Conference to Release CAIR-NJ’s 2025 Impact and Data Report
WHO: CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut; CAIR-NJ Operations Director Dyaa Terpstra
WHEN: Tuesday, March 11, 1 p.m. ET
WHERE: CAIR-NJ Office, 570 Broad Street, Suite 703, Newark, NJ 07102
CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, 551-208-5482, aelamroussi@cair.com
Also on March 11, CAIR National will release its comprehensive annual civil rights report titled “Unconstitutional Crackdowns,” which includes data from CAIR chapters across the U.S. CAIR researchers plan to break down the details of the report during a virtual community briefing featuring international experts on Tuesday, March 11, at 3 p.m. ET.
Since 1996, CAIR’s annual reports on the status of American Muslim civil rights document anti-Muslim incidents that were reported to CAIR in any given year. The report also usually includes sections on specific civil rights and civil liberties issues confronting Americans of the Islamic faith in the year under review.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
Source:cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-nj-to-release-2025-impact-and-data-report-revealing-new-trends-in-anti-muslim-bigotry/
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Why Muslim American nonprofits are taking steps to build trust with donors during Ramadan
Shariq Siddiqui
March 7, 2025
(The Conversation) — As Muslims fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan, an important aspect of their faith is their role as stewards of God on Earth. One way Muslims do this is through the practice of Zakat, an obligatory kind of charity that’s one of the five pillars of Islam.
Zakat requires Muslims to give 2.5% of their wealth to eight prescribed categories: the poor; the needy; Zakat administrators; those whose hearts can be reconciled; to free the enslaved; to help those in debt; for travelers; and for the sake of God.
Muslims, however, worry that they are responsible to God to ensure that their Zakat is used by institutions in ways that would do good, while adhering to the theological requirements of this religious practice. Yet, my research shows that Muslim American nonprofits are taking steps to build trust with donors.
Zakat as a communal practice
Muslims see themselves as custodians of whatever they possess as gifts from God.
During their lifetime, they must use wealth responsibly and for good; upon their death, the Quran prescribes who can inherit their wealth.
One important aspect of how Muslims are supposed to use their wealth is through charity. Zakat is an obligatory charitable practice in which donations are traditionally channeled through institutions.
According to research my team conducted, nearly 70% of Muslims in the United States report giving Zakat during Ramadan. Ramadan is thus a critical time for nonprofits to solicit Zakat funds.
Historically, Zakat was given through central Zakat collection agencies, or “bait-ul-maals.” For example, at the time of the Prophet Muhammad and early Islamic rulers, Zakat collection and distribution was carried out by the government.
Today, Zakat collection and distribution varies from place to place. In six of the 47 Muslim-majority countries – Libya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen – Zakat is obligatory and collected by the state. In Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon and Bangladesh, Zakat is regulated by the state, but contributions are voluntary.
Most countries do not have a formal Zakat collection agency and rely upon local nonprofits or individuals for the collection and distribution of Zakat.
Over time, due to distrust in Zakat collecting institutions and perceived corruption, the practice of Zakat has become more individual and less communal. The vast majority of Zakat across the globe is collected and distributed individually rather than through institutions. Scholars have argued that many fear that Zakat collecting institutions may not be using the funds ethically, impactfully and in accordance with Islamic requirements.
For example, according to the Hanafi school of thought, a Zakat collection agency can spend up to 12.5% of donation money on administrative costs; other schools of thought argue that Zakat should be administered at no cost.
Building trust through transparency
Nonprofits are taking steps to build trust. For example, Muslim American charities were among the first to embrace Charity Navigator as a way to evaluate their impact.
Charity Navigator is a U.S.-based nonprofit that rates nonprofits. Many Muslim-led charities in the United States proudly display their “Four Star” Charity Navigator status.
My team has found that Muslim Americans are more likely to donate to nonprofits that the Internal Revenue Service has granted 501(c)(3) status. This is true even if they don’t claim the charitable deduction on their taxes and therefore cannot get tax breaks for their donations.
More recently, in my conversations with leading Muslim-led nonprofits, I learned that they are seeking to respond to Muslim concerns about how these nonprofits use Zakat funds. It is important for them that funds are used in compliance with Islamic religious requirements.
For example, they are looking at how nonprofits interpret what it means to be “needy,” “the poor,” “the enslaved” or “for the sake of God” in the contemporary context.
Many nonprofits are adopting Zakat policies that explain how they define these terms and how much of their budget covers their administrative costs. These include international organizations that are not led by Muslims, like the U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, Save the Children, and the anti-poverty group Oxfam.
A case study
The Muslim Philanthropy Initiative at Indiana University, which I lead, convened a group of scholars in November 2024 to discuss challenges of collecting and distributing Zakat in the U.S. This discussion resulted in a report that sums up these conversations and examines the Zakat policy of the largest U.S. Muslim-led nonprofit: Islamic Relief USA.
Islamic Relief USA’s Zakat policy limits its administrative costs to 12%; it permits funding for both immediate and long-term projects and allows Zakat to be distributed not just as cash payments but also as goods and services. It does not discriminate on the basis of religion.
While not all scholars at the convening agreed with every aspect of the Islamic Relief USA Zakat policy, they accepted that diversity in Islamic thought permitted various approaches to Zakat. They also concurred that Islamic Relief USA’s process was likely the best framework for how nonprofits should approach the development of Zakat policies.
Ultimately, there was consensus that nonprofits seeking Zakat should have Zakat policies; should make them available on their websites; should state the process through which it was developed; and name the scholars and other experts who took part in the process.
Since a majority of American Muslims prefer to donate their Zakat during Ramadan, perhaps this might be the time when nonprofits can build trust through adopting more transparent Zakat policies.
Source:religionnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://religionnews.com/2025/03/07/why-muslim-american-nonprofits-are-taking-steps-to-build-trust-with-donors-during-ramadan/
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CAIR Calls on People of All Faiths to Condemn Israel’s ‘War on Islam’ After West Bank Mosque Attacks
March 7, 2025
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today said Israel is continuing its “war on Islam” with raids on mosques in the occupied West Bank on the first Friday in Ramadan, during which a prominent mosque was set on fire.
Israeli occupation forces reportedly invaded and desecrated several mosques in the city of Nablus and set ablaze Al-Nasr Mosque. The occupation forces also reportedly stopped dawn prayers.
CAIR has repeatedly condemned the far-right Israeli government’s “war on Islam.”
In a statement, CAIR said:
“The Israeli military’s decision to randomly attack mosques across the occupied West Bank after destroying nearly every mosque in Gaza is an act of war against Islam, pure and simple. These attacks on houses of worship by the forces of indicted war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu must be condemned by the international community, starting with Arab and Muslim-majority nations who must unite and use their collective power to force an end to this war on Islam.”
Earlier this week, CAIR called on all Americans to urge their members of Congress in the U.S. House and Senate to condemn the far-right Israeli government’s decision to block all humanitarian aid entering Gaza—recognized as a war crime under international law—while also denouncing Israel’s latest forced displacement and ethnic cleansing campaign in the West Bank.
Source:cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-calls-on-people-of-all-faiths-to-condemn-israels-war-on-islam-after-west-bank-mosque-attacks/
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Double murderer is first US inmate executed by firing squad in 15 years
March 8, 2025
A South Carolina man convicted of bludgeoning his ex-girlfriend's parents to death has become the first US death row inmate to be executed by firing squad in the last 15 years.
Brad Sigmon was shot to death just after 18:00 local time (23:00 GMT) on Friday by three state corrections department volunteers firing rifles at his chest with specially designed bullets.
Sigmon, 67, was convicted of murdering David and Gladys Larke with a baseball bat in 2001 before kidnapping his ex-girlfriend at gunpoint. She managed to escape as he shot at her.
He had requested death by firing squad over the other two state-approved methods of execution: electric chair and lethal injection.
Chrysti Shain, of the South Carolina Department of Corrections, said Sigmon was pronounced dead by a doctor at 18:08.
Three members of the Larke family were present to witness his death, she said, as well as Sigmon's spiritual adviser.
Sigmon was strapped to a chair, which had a basin underneath to catch blood, witnesses said.
He told witnesses he wanted his final statement "to be one of love and a calling to my fellow Christians to help us end the death penalty".
"An eye for an eye was used as justification to the jury for seeking the death penalty," he added.
"At that time, I was too ignorant to know how wrong that was. Why? Because we no longer live under the Old Testament law but now live under the New Testament."
After his final statement, a hood was placed over his head.
A curtain that concealed three volunteers opened at 18:01. At 18:05, the trio fired from 15ft (4.6m) away without any countdown.
Jeffrey Collins, a reporter for the Associated Press news agency, said at a news conference that Sigmon had a red bullseye target placed over his heart.
When he was shot, his chest rose and fell several times, the reporter added.
A doctor performed an exam that took about 90 seconds, before declaring him dead.
The .308 Winchester Tap Urban bullets used are designed to break apart on impact and cause maximum damage. Medical experts have debated the amount of pain they may cause.
Anna Dobbins, a reporter for WHFF-TV, added that Sigmon had worn a black jump suit but his bare arms had "flexed" when he was shot.
"I did see a splash of blood when the bullets entered his body," she told the news conference.
All the shots were fired simultaneously, she said, and witnesses were unable to see the guns.
Prison guards also offered witnesses ear plugs to protect their ears from the sound of the shots, added a reporter for the Post and Courier newspaper.
Counselling services are being offered to any prison staff who were traumatised by the execution, said Ms Shain.
Sigmon's lawyer, Bo King, had been hoping for a last-minute stay of execution by the South Carolina governor and accused the state of withholding information about the lethal injection process.
"Brad only wanted assurances that these drugs were not expired, or diluted, or spoiled—what any of us would want to know about the medication we take, or the food we eat, much less the means of our death," he said in a statement after his death.
"It is unfathomable that, in 2025, South Carolina would execute one of its citizens in this bloody spectacle."
King said his client had been suffering from mental illness, and that the friendships he formed in prison were proof he had been rehabilitated.
"Brad is someone who, for his last meal, asked to get three buckets of original recipe Kentucky Fried Chicken so he could share with the guys that he's incarcerated with on death row," he told a WYFF-TV earlier on Friday.
"With his last meal, he wanted to share something special with them," he said, later telling reporters that the request to share had been denied.
Officials later confirmed his last meal as four pieces of fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, biscuits, cheesecake and sweet tea. The meal was served on Wednesday evening.
Since 1977 only three people had died by firing squad, all three of them in the state of Utah. The last to die had been Ronnie Lee Gardner in 2010.
Ahead of Sigmon's execution, anti-death penalty protesters held a rally outside the jail in the city of Columbia.
They held signs saying "all life is precious" and "thou shalt not kill".
The state allows witnesses to observe the death from behind bulletproof glass, but the executioners are hidden from view to protect their identities.
South Carolina passed a law in 2023 requiring that the identities of the execution team members remain secret.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8j0me0jzwko
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Is Trump reining in Musk after a cabinet showdown with secretaries?
March 8, 2025
US President Donald Trump called a meeting of his cabinet secretaries on Thursday to discuss Elon Musk and his efforts to slash government spending and personnel numbers.
It turned heated, according to media reports.
Musk accused Secretary of State Marco Rubio of failing to cut enough staff at the state department, reports the New York Times.
The tech mogul told Rubio he was "good on TV", according to the newspaper, pointedly skipping any praise of his work as America's top diplomat.
The billionaire also clashed with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy over whether Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) task force had tried to lay off air traffic controllers who were already in short supply in the Federal Aviation Administration, according to the New York Times.
Duffy's department has been under scrutiny after two US airline crashes since Trump took office in January.
After listening to the back-and-forth, the Republican president reportedly intervened to make clear he still supported Doge, but from now on cabinet secretaries would be in charge and the Musk team would only advise.
A state department spokeswoman told the newspaper Rubio felt the cabinet meeting was an "open and productive discussion". The White House has not responded to BBC requests for further comment.
The hastily planned gathering could provide evidence that the president has decided to curtail the sweeping power the SpaceX and Tesla boss and his Doge cost-cutting initiative have commanded in the early weeks of his administration.
Trump first commented on the substance of Thursday's meeting, which was disclosed only in after-the-fact media reports, through a post that evening on his social media site, Truth Social.
He said that he had instructed his secretaries to work with Doge on "cost-cutting measures".
"As the secretaries learn about, and understand, the people working for the various departments, they can be very precise as to who will remain, and who will go," he wrote, adding that they should use a "scalpel" not a "hatchet".
Just a few weeks ago, Musk wielded a shiny chainsaw at a conservative conference – a visible symbol of aggressive attempts to slash government spending that have angered Democrats and concerned some officials in the Trump administration.
Musk's team had sent multiple emails from an official government account to millions of federal workers, encouraging them to accept months of advance pay in exchange for their resignations.
Federal workers were instructed to provide accounts of their weekly accomplishments or risk firing – a request some agencies instructed their employees to ignore.
Doge also ordered the dismissal of many newly hired government employees who, because of their "probationary" status, did not have full civil service protections.
Some government agencies have since rescinded these orders because employees deemed essential, such as those who oversee nuclear weapon security, had been affected.
During an Oval Office event on Friday, Trump responded to questions about the cabinet meeting – and reports of its heated exchanges. He insisted there was "no clash". He praised both Rubio and Musk and said the two got along "great".
Trump's Thursday Truth Social post, however, appears to give department heads more authority to push back against Musk.
It also may be an attempt to insulate the Trump administration from lawsuits that allege Musk is wielding too much power for someone who, unlike cabinet secretaries, is not subject to Senate review and confirmation.
Several federal judges overseeing these cases have already expressed concern about Musk's authority – concerns that may be further fuelled by Trump's comments during his address to Congress on Tuesday that the billionaire was, in fact, the man in charge of Doge.
Musk and Trump have formed a formidable partnership so far – as the richest man in the world and the most powerful politician in America. Washington has been rife with speculation for months about whether that partnership could ultimately fracture.
Those predictions, however, have usually been followed by renewed signs of comity between the two men.
On Friday night, Musk was seen boarding Air Force One with the president for a flight to Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in Florida for the weekend.
The cabinet room dust-up may be the first crack in the foundation – but there is plenty of evidence that Trump still supports Musk's broader efforts and goals, even if he might prefer he use a scalpel in the days ahead, not a chainsaw.
Source:bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpwd1722yr2o
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Envoy jokes about Trump’s promise to end Ukraine war in 24 hours
7 Mar, 2025
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Russia and Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has joked about the president’s ambitious campaign promise to put a swift end to the Ukraine conflict.
In a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations on Thursday, Kellogg quipped that no specific time frame had been set.
“Remember the president said he was going to end the war in 24 hours. We didn’t say what day or what year,” the envoy said, eliciting laughter from the audience.
The White House is trying to mediate an end to the hostilities between Ukraine and Russia. Trump’s approach so far has included direct talks with Moscow and seeking to leverage economic agreements and sanctions.
Washington has also halted military aid and suspended intelligence sharing with Kiev. According to Kellogg, the Ukrainians “brought it on themselves.”
Last week’s meeting between Trump and Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky at the White House descended into an argument. The US president, along with Vice President J.D. Vance, confronted Zelensky about not being grateful enough for the billions of dollars in US aid given to Kiev since the escalation of the conflict with Russia three years ago, and claimed he was not ready for peace. Zelensky has so far refused to apologize for his role in the tense exchange.
Trump plans to “reset relations with Russia” and withdraw from the “endless proxy war” in Ukraine, Kellogg has stated.
Moscow has praised Washington’s attempts to restore relations and its new approach to the Ukraine conflict.
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/613884-kellogg-joke-trump-ukraine-promise/
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Africa
Inadequacy Of Mosque Responsible For Societal Decadence – Islamic Cleric
March 8, 2025
As Oyetola build mosque in mother’s memory
Shina Abubakar, Osogbo
A renowned Islamic scholar Sheikh Imran Eleha has attributed the decadence in the society to failure of the mosque to discharge it responsibility.
Speaking at the inauguration of an ultra modern mosque built by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola in memory of his mother, Wulemotu in Iragbiji on Friday, he said the mosque ought to be a moral building institution for all class of people in the society.
He frowned at the practice of closing mosques except during prayer hours or jumat service, saying the mosque during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) is both a worship place and a centre for preparing man for a peaceful society.
The cleric who led the first jumat service at the Alhaja Wulemotu Anike Oyetola Central Mosque said, “Our society has failed because the mosque has jettison most of its responsibilities of building a peaceful and value oriented society. The mosque holds only to prayers daily and has stop teaching and impacting knowledge on all strata of the society.
“The mosques under any situation must be operational 24-hour to meet it responsibilities not just during prayer hours and jumat services, but operate as a center for impacting knowledge, building individual and societal values to make our society a peaceful one.
“We must go back to the times of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), to teach morals and value to all classes of people to live a good life and bestow a violence-free society to future generations”, he added.
Speaking after the service, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola said he built the mosque for his mother’s memory because of her dedication to Islam, saying she had always requested that he renovate mosque when she was installed a religious leader at the Iragbiji Central Mosque when she was alive.
“Why did I decide to build a mosque for my mother, in 2006 my she was installed as Iyalaje Adini of a central mosque and I asked her what she wanted me to do for her and she said she wanted me to invite my friends to donate to the rehabilitation of the mosque. I was able to donate N6.5 million and we used the entire money to rehabilitate the central mosque.
“So I now thought about what she would have loved me to do if she were to be alive and I concluded that it is important for me to build a central mosque in her memory, hence, this ultra-modern mosque in her name”, he said.
Also speaking the Asiwaju of Musulumi in the Southwest, Edo and Delta States, Chief Tunde Badmus stressed that such gesture is worthy of emulation by all rich Muslims across the country, stressing the need for Muslims to lead a purposeful life and be compassionate towards one another during and after the month of Ramadan.
Source:vanguardngr.com
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https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/inadequacy-of-mosque-responsible-for-societal-decadence-islamic-cleric/
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School closures: Sharia council, groups urge more shutdown as opposition grows
8th March 2025
The decision by the four northern states of Kebbi, Katsina, Bauchi and Kano to close schools for the Ramadan period has continued to spark criticism with education stakeholders raising concerns over the impact on students.
While the four states shut down schools for five weeks, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State reduced the official working hours for civil servants to six hours.
Sharia Council, groups urge more shutdown
The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria urged Zamfara, Sokoto, Jigawa and other states to adopt similar measures.
In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, the council insisted that the governors had full authority to determine school schedules.
It said the closures indicated that the government prioritised students’ well-being amid extreme heat conditions.
Also, the Northern Elders Forum expressed support for the closures, emphasising the need for policies that balance education with religious observances.
The NEF’s spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, explained the challenges Muslim students faced during Ramadan, saying fasting affected their concentration, energy levels, and academic performance.
In a statement shared with Saturday PUNCH, Suleiman stated, “As a Muslim, I believe that this decision is not only respectful of the sacred observances associated with Ramadan but also essential for fostering a supportive environment for students who wish to engage fully in their religious practices.
“Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, increased devotion, and communal solidarity for Muslims around the world. For many Muslim students, the observance of Ramadan can be particularly challenging when juxtaposed with the demands of a traditional school schedule.”
Suleiman stated that closing schools during the period would give students the chance to focus on their religious duties without the additional pressures of academic work.
However, he emphasised that such decisions must be implemented thoughtfully.
Similarly, the Arewa Youth Consultative Council supported school closures, saying they had no significant impact on the education of the children.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the National President of the council, Zaid Ayuba, said the four northern governments were operating in line with the culture and values of the northern region.
He disclosed that the council would write to the Northern Governors Forum to ensure that other states in the region declared a holiday for Ramadan.
“We are 100 per cent in support of the school closure. We are working towards writing the Northern Governors Forum to ensure that it becomes a policy in the region. If they cannot shut down schools, they should reduce the working hours.
“It is in this country that some states are announcing that they are Christian states. Everybody has a way to operate. So, there is no reason for people from northern Nigeria not to operate the way they want,” he stated.
Ayuba added, “We declare holiday for the New Year, but what is the relevance of New Year in our religious beliefs? It has no place either in Christianity or in Islam. If we could shut down schools for New Year, why can’t we for the sake of the beauty and the supremacy of Ramadan, shut down our schools for 22 days?
“In fact, it came out with the unique beautification of us aligning ourselves with our values, traditional and cultural beliefs. We are identifying and aligning ourselves with the northern values.”
Civil societies, Christian youths kick
But the Executive Director of the Civil Liberty Organisation (Northern region), Steve Aluko, said school closures were not in line with the tradition of fasting.
“Fasting is meant to deal with the flesh, which does not require abstaining from work. Education is another form of work. Will they close schools if the children are having international exams because of Ramadan? That is not the best decision to have been taken,” he said.
Aluko said closing schools because of Ramadan jeopardised the interest and enrollment of students, adding that it was not only an infringement on the children’s rights, but also a breach of other people’s rights.
He said, “If you close school because one religion is fasting, what about the rights of others who belong to other religions? Religion is a personal affair and it should be so treated. It should not affect the development of any child. It should not also affect the opportunity of any child to get the very best in life. The school closure is not a welcome development.
“I schooled in the North and I recall that the government didn’t close schools during Ramadan, and people did their best while their religious rights were also respected. It is not acceptable, and should not be commanded by any sustainable means.
“All the governors that are closing schools because of Ramadan are acting contrary to their oath of offices because they all sworn to defend the intent and the spirit of the law as long as it promotes humanity. What they are doing is not in tandem with the position of the Constitution.”
Warning that the school closure could trigger protests, a youth leader in Kebbi State, Umar Abubakar, condemned the state governments’ decision, saying it was not in the best interest of the youth.
He said leaving the children at home would affect their education.
“You will see that when these children are at home, they will just keep roaming about. They will not learn anything. I prefer that these children go to school during Ramadan. I advise the government to ensure they attend school during this period. This will help them.
“If one protests in the North, it will be turned into a religious issue. That’s why people do not protest. If you protest now, they will claim you are acting against your religion, not against the government. We should set religion aside and focus on society.
“As a Muslim, I attended school while fasting. It is beneficial for children to go to school during the holy month, so they learn how to balance education and Ramadan. This will help them,” he said.
Another youth leader from Katsina State, Bako Yahaya, said the school closure was a setback, adding that the government should be more willing to combat the scourge of out-of-school children in the North.
He said, “Northern youths, please wake up. We should occupy the streets in Katsina, Kebbi and other states to protest this mayhem done to us. From the look of things, we (the youth) are not even ready for a change in the North. If we are sincere with ourselves, religion should be kept separate from education.
“We are left behind in education, with insecurity here and there, and here comes other factors that could also hinder our growth, which is school closure. Some students will sit for JAMB soon but how can they learn, and come out brilliantly?”
A senior government official in Kano State, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, stated that if the state governments did not reverse their decision, the youths would resort to protests.
Source:punchng.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://punchng.com/school-closures-sharia-council-groups-urge-more-shutdown-as-opposition-grows/
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DRC : Ramadan under a cloud of uncertainty in Goma
March 8, 2025
With prayers at home and a muted breaking of the fast, the holy month of Ramadan is different this year for Muslims in Goma.
The city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo was captured in January by M23 rebels, and the atmosphere of uncertainty and fear makes some traditional practices impossible.
“At the moment, some are meeting in their homes, but the Taraweeh prayer is held, as usual, at the mosque. But there aren't as many of them as there used to be, but they are praying,” said Ahmed Salim, a Muslim resident in the city.
This Friday, the mosque is packed with worshippers, torn between the joy of marking Ramadan and their pain. Together they share a common wish. A return to peace.
“Already in our preaching, we are advocating peace, and we are also obliged to communicate in this way because, during the month, among our prayers, we ask for peace in the province and in the country in general’, confides Maris Mambo, another of the faithful.
This is the first time worshipers in Goma are experiencing the holy month of Ramadan in stressful conditions under the M23 occupation.
Leaders of the Muslim community in the provinces are reassuring people and calling on the new leaders to guarantee the safety of the faithful throughout this period.
“Our leaders went to see the new people in charge of the town. Thank God, they sent them the message and asked us not to worry and agreed that we could say our evening prayers in safety,” said Imam Djuma Dauda.
“The new leaders gave us permission and asked the Muslims to be quiet, but to be in Muslim dress so that they could be identified as Muslims,” he said.
With insecurity intensifying at nightfall, mosques in Goma have been forced to recommend that worshippers living far away stay at home during evening prayers.
In Goma, the holy month has not only become a symbol of resilience, but also an expression of people’s hope for a return to peace and security.
Faced with uncertainty, the faithful turn to prayer, hoping that the holy month will be a time of peace and reconciliation for their town.
Source:africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2025/03/07/drc-ramadan-under-a-cloud-of-uncertainty-in-goma/
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South Sudan president appeals for calm after UN helicopter attack
March 07, 2025
JUBA: South Sudan’s president appealed for calm and pledged his country would “not go back to war” after a UN helicopter was attacked and a crew member killed on a rescue mission on Friday.
In recent weeks, a fragile power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar has been threatened by clashes between their allied forces in the northeastern Upper Nile State.
The UN Mission in South Sudan, or UNMISS, said its team was attempting to extract members of the South Sudanese army from the area when their helicopter came under fire, killing a crew member and seriously injuring two others.
A South Sudanese army general and other officers were killed in the failed rescue mission, UNMISS said in a statement, saying the incident may constitute a war crime.
Kiir urged citizens to remain calm, saying: “I have said it repeatedly that our country will not go back to war. Let no one take law into their hands.”
“The government which I lead will handle this crisis. We will remain steadfast in the path of peace,” he added.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, ended a five-year civil war in 2018 with a power-sharing agreement between bitter rivals Kiir and Machar.
But Kiir’s allies have accused Machar’s forces of fomenting unrest in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, in league with the so-called White Army, a loose band of armed youths in the region from the same ethnic Nuer community as the vice-president.
“The attack on UNMISS personnel is utterly abhorrent and may constitute a war crime under international law,” said head of UNMISS Nicholas Haysom.
“We also regret the killing of those that we were attempting to extract,” he added.
The rebels overran a government garrison in the region on Tuesday, the information minister told reporters earlier this week, adding that a general and several soldiers had survived the attack and were still fighting the rebels.
Kiir’s government responded with multiple arrests of Machar’s allies in the capital Juba, including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, deputy army chief General Gabriel Duop Lam and Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol.
The latter was released on Friday, according to his spokesman.
UNMISS said its evacuation mission was an attempt to end the violence in Nasir County that had caused “significant casualties and civilian displacement.”
Regional and Western diplomats warned earlier this week that the events threaten the 2018 peace agreement that put an end to a civil war that had killed some 400,000 people.
“Juba-based leaders must demonstrate their commitment to peaceful dialogue and should put the interest of the South Sudanese people first,” said a group embassies including the US, Britain and the EU in a joint statement.
UNMISS also called on the parties to “adhere to their commitment to uphold the ceasefire and protect the integrity” of the peace agreement.
There has also been criticism of recent political moves by Kiir, described by analysts as attempts to consolidate his position and sideline Machar.
Last month, Kiir fired two of the five vice-presidents in his unity government without consulting other stakeholders, and removed the governor of Western Equatoria State, a member of Machar’s movement.
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2592812/middle-east
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Europe
Chesham mosque fundraising for displaced communities
7th March
By Elizabeth Scott
Chesham Mosque is launching a monthly charity drive to support displaced communities.
The mosque is organising various fundraising activities, including a charity car wash, to raise money for people displaced from their homes in Palestine, Yemen, and the Rohingya community.
All donations will go directly to the cause.
The charity car wash will run on the next four Saturdays at the mosque's premises.
The Chesham Mosque have said: "We’re appealing to all communities to come and support our charity by allowing us to wash their cars."
This effort is part of the mosque's broader community support activities during Ramadan.
The mosque is encouraging people from all backgrounds to participate and help make a difference in the lives of those affected by conflict and displacement.
Source:bucksfreepress.co.uk
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https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/24985044.chesham-mosque-fundraising-displaced-communities/
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Upper Batley High School sacks teacher after video surfaces
7th March
By Brad Deas
A SECONDARY school has sacked a teacher after a video of an ugly confrontation involving a child in a mosque surfaced on social media.
The footage was posted on a Facebook community group last night and showed a man berating a young boy before seemingly slapping him inside a mosque.
It was put online by an anonymous poster who claimed the man involved was a teacher at Upper Batley High School – a boys-only secondary school with almost 800 pupils.
The poster claimed he had assaulted a minor and threatened him.
Upper Batley High School confirmed this afternoon that it took swift action when the incident was brought to the school's attention.
A spokesperson for the school said: “We took action as soon as we were made aware of this incident, ending the employment of the individual concerned with immediate effect and informing the relevant authorities.
“While this incident did not happen at our school, behaviour like this goes against all that we stand for and is completely unacceptable.
“The health, safety and high-quality education of our young people is our priority and what we provide every day.”
The video seems to show the man stood next to another child as he points towards a young boy who holds his chest and bends down.
The man can be heard saying, “you mess about a lot, alright”, before adding, “don’t ever mess about with him again, do you understand”.
He looks to then move forward and slap the young boy as he backs away, before saying “everybody complains about you” as he walks towards the room’s exit.
In a separate video he can be heard saying “I’ll bury you in the ground” as he walks out the mosque room while holding a child and then shouts, “pick on somebody your own size”.
The video sparked controversy and widespread debate on social media, with more than 1,000 comments across several posts.
Police are also aware of the video and are making enquiries.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: “We are aware of a video circulated on social media.
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish what happened.”
The Telegraph & Argus has contacted Kirklees Council and Independent MP for Dewsbury and Batley Iqbal Mohamed but are yet to receive a response.
Source:thetelegraphandargus.co.uk
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https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/24991204.upper-batley-high-school-sacks-teacher-video-surfaces/
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Crackdown on illegal traders in Coventry Road ahead of Ramadan celebrations
Nick Horner
07 Mar 2025
Special powers have been introduced in a Birmingham street to crack down on a number of street sellers and collectors causing anti-social behaviour in the area.
Birmingham City Council has introduced a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the Coventry Road area of Small Heath, which allow the authorities to tackle persistent illegal behaviour which has hit local residents, businesses, and commuters.
The council said it had received ‘overwhelming reports’ of issues including illegal street trading, peddling, charity cash or digital collections, and obstruction of the public highway.
It said the new order aims to create a ‘safer, cleaner, and more welcoming environment for all’. particularly ‘whilst the community observes Ramadan’.
The proposal was for it to come into force for Ramadan and during Eid Al-Fitr and two weeks after Eid-Al-Fitr.
And also to come into effect from two weeks before Eid-Al-Adha, during Eid-Al-Adha and two weeks after Eid-Al-Adha, and lasting for three years.
The order gives both West Midlands Police and city council officers additional enforcement powers.
Councillor Nicky Brennan (Sparkhill, Lab.), cabinet member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities, welcomed the implementation of the PSPO.
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Cllr Brennan said: “We have listened to the concerns of residents, businesses, and commuters who regularly use Coventry Road and it’s clear that action was needed.
“The introduction of this PSPO reflects our commitment to ensuring Birmingham remains a safe and vibrant city for everyone.
“With these additional powers, we can take decisive action against those who engage in behaviour that disrupts the lives of others.
“This is especially important as the community comes together to observe Ramadan, ensuring that people can celebrate and reflect in a safe and respectful environment.
“To everyone marking this sacred month, I wish you, your families, friends and loved ones a peaceful and healthy Ramadan.”
Anyone who breaches the PSPO is committing a criminal offence and may face warnings, fines, or further legal action where necessary.
They can receive a fixed penalty notice, be prosecuted before a magistrate and receive a fine upto £1,000.
Usually an individual will first be given the opportunity to stop the activity or behaviour which isn’t allowed.
But if they continue they can be issued with a suspected offence ticket and a warning letter from Birmingham City Council. And if they commit a further breach they can be fined.
Birmingham City Council said it encourages the community to continue reporting incidents of anti-social behaviour to support ongoing enforcement efforts.
Source:birminghammail.co.uk
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https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/crackdown-illegal-traders-coventry-road-31153721
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Controversial Littlehampton mosque plans given go-ahead
7th March
By Charles Pring
Controversial proposals for a new mosque have been approved despite noise concerns.
Plans to convert a shop at 1-5 St Martin's Lane, Littlehampton, were approved by Arun District Council, despite a report from the council's planning officer suggesting the proposal be denied.
The site previously housed a Shopmobility store.
The planning officer's report recommended refusal mainly due to objections from Environmental Health (EH) officers.
While EH officers did not object to the change of use, they said they could not support the proposed hours of use from 4.30am to 10.30pm.
They said this would negatively impact the neighbouring area in the early hours of the morning.
They also said insufficient evidence had been provided to demonstrate the use of the building would not result in adverse noise pollution, which would be unduly harmful to the quality of the environment and amenities of nearby residents.
This concern was discussed at a meeting of the planning committee on February 19 and it was eventually agreed that early morning prayers could be held using the back door instead of the front entrance, to minimise the noise impact on the residents located opposite the main entrance.
The plans received 155 objections and 62 letters of support from members of the public.
The general concerns of the objections included issues such as parking, traffic and congestion.
They also highlighted potential problems with overcrowding, anti-social behaviour and crime.
Air pollution, harm to neighbouring properties, and the existence of other places of worship in Worthing and Bognor were also mentioned.
Supporters said the mosque would be positive for the community and would benefit businesses by bringing visitors and increasing footfall into the town centre.
The supporters also highlighted the potential increase in multicultural and community facilities and the positive impact on diversity and inclusion.
The council planning report acknowledged the benefits of having a community facility and place of worship in the town centre, reinforcing the town's cultural and community needs.
The proposal includes a variety of services, groups and events to be provided by the centre.
This includes youth mentoring and personal development sessions, youth counselling, after-school and holiday youth clubs, advice for domestic conflict, weekend cultural talks and events, weekend playgroups, adult learning, children's after-school classes and daily prayers.
The plans were approved subject to a number of conditions.
No sound reproduction or amplification equipment which is audible outside the building shall be installed or operated on the site.
Prior to the commencement of the development, a noise management plan shall be submitted to and approved by the local planning authority.
Source:theargus.co.uk
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https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/24984833.controversial-littlehampton-mosque-plans-given-go-ahead/
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Ukraine could get NATO protection without membership – Italian PM
7 Mar, 2025
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has suggested that Ukraine should receive NATO-level security guarantees without officially joining the US-led military bloc. Speaking on Thursday, she dismissed the idea of deploying European peacekeeping troops, arguing for a “more durable” solution.
Meloni’s remarks come as Washington seeks a swift resolution to the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Last month, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine, describing the country’s aspirations as “unrealistic.” He emphasized that any security guarantees should be supported by both European and non-European forces.
“Extending the same coverage that NATO countries have to Ukraine would certainly be a much more effective solution than entering NATO,” Meloni told reporters on the sidelines of an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels. She clarified that the approach would differ from full NATO membership but could still offer significant security assurances.
Meloni was apparently referring to extending NATO’s Article 5 protections to Ukraine without requiring formal accession to the bloc. Article 5 stipulates that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.
Russia has long opposed NATO’s eastward expansion. Moscow has repeatedly stated that the bloc’s enlargement since the 1990s, including promises of eventual membership for Ukraine, contributed to the escalation of the conflict in 2022.
There have also been concerns among NATO’s European members about Washington’s future commitment. US President Donald Trump has insisted the bloc’s member states spend more of their GDP on collective defense. NBC reported earlier this week that the administration is considering adjusting the country’s engagement in NATO, potentially favoring members that meet defense spending targets.
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/613878-meloni-ukraine-nato-security-membership/
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UK will return Russian money it is ‘so generously giving away’ – Moscow
7 Mar, 2025
The UK’s transfer of the proceeds from Russia’s frozen central bank funds to Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law, Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin has said.
On Friday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigal said that Kiev had received a first tranche worth about $1 billion from the UK, secured by the proceeds from the Russian assets. He said the funds would go toward “strengthening” Ukraine’s defense and voiced hope that all frozen Russian assets would be “confiscated and transferred” to Kiev.
Speaking to reporters later in the day, Volodin said Britain “will have to give back to Russia what they are now so generously giving away,” adding that Moscow has “every reason to respond in kind.”
Volodin also warned that London’s actions would “undermine confidence” in its financial system, as they “violate the principle of property inviolability, a cornerstone of the global financial system.”
Western countries froze around $300 billion in Russian central bank assets after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Of this total, more than $200 billion is reportedly held at the Brussels-based clearinghouse Euroclear, while up to $30 billion is in the UK.
The assets have already generated billions in interest. Euroclear transferred over $1 billion directly to Ukraine last July. Kiev has been pressing its Western backers to expropriate the assets to finance its military and reconstruction efforts.
The West remains divided over the fate of the frozen assets. Many EU countries are reluctant to tap the reserves themselves, opting instead for the interest earned on them. Some have raised concerns that seizing the assets could damage the Western financial system and erode trust in the euro. The International Monetary Fund has also warned that taking the funds without a clear legal basis could undermine global confidence in Western financial institutions.
The Kremlin has repeatedly denounced the asset freeze as “theft” and warned of legal action against those involved in the asset seizure.
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/business/613880-uk-ukraine-russian-assets/
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