Sacred Black Soil Brick With ‘Aayats’ in Gold from Mecca on Its Way to Ayodhya for the Grand Mosque

New Age Islam News Bureau

06 February 2024

  

Office-bearers of the Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF), the trust formed to oversee the construction of the mosque, said the brick is already on its way from Mecca. (Special arrangement/News18)

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·         Sacred Black Soil Brick With ‘Aayats’ in Gold from Mecca On Its Way to Ayodhya for the Grand Mosque

·         Hindu Outfit, Maharana Pratap Sena, Claims Ajmer Dargah, A Sufi Shrine, As Hindu Temple, Calls For March On 9th Feb In Ajmer

·         Records Of A 1920 Gazette: Aurangzeb Demolished Temple At Site Of Mathura’s Krishna Janmabhoomi Complex: ASI

·         Lakshagriha-Mazar Dispute: UP Court Grants Ownership Rights Of Tomb And Over 100 Bighas Land To Hindus

·         Turkey Revives Plan To Convert Another Iconic Byzantine Site, The Chora Church, Into A Mosque

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India

·         ‘Karnataka Govt Facilitating Namaz’, Say Hindu Outfits On Change In Exam Timing

·         Gyanvapi Row: Courts to Hear Hindu Side’s Demand for Closed 'Tahkhana' Survey, Muslims' Opposition to Puja in Cellar Today

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Mideast

·         Palestinian Endowments Says 22 Raids On Al-Aqsa, 47 Prevention Of Call To Prayer In Al-Ibrahimi Mosque In January

·         Israel Obstructs Any Agreement For All-Out Ceasefire In Gaza

·         -Qassam says it targets six Zionist tanks in Gaza

·         Islamic Revolution poised to spread to more regions

·         UNRWA: 100,000 Palestinians killed, wounded or missing in Gaza

·         ‘Intertwined crises’: Iraq condemns US attacks on its soil, warns of Gaza war spillover

·         President Raeisi: Iran's core policy supports distancing of countries from Israel

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North America

·         CAIR Calls for Hate Crime Charge in Stabbing Attack on Young Muslims After Pro-Palestine Protest

·         Biden Threatens Veto Of US House’s ‘Political Ploy’ Israel Bill

·         Pentagon Not Aware Of Any Iranians Being Killed In Recent Strikes

·         Arab American leaders demand apology, retraction after Wall Street Journal 'jihad' column

·         US Carries Out 'Self-Defence' Strikes Against Houthis In Yemen

·         UNBC lecturer says Mosques, Islamic groups have right to be mad over Minister’s Palestine remarks

·         US to continue to defend its forces against 'unacceptable attacks': Envoy

·         US, UK forces launch new wave of strikes on Yemen amid Gaza war

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Pakistan

·         Cabinet Body Finds May 9 Mayhem A Plot To Create Rift Within Army

·         Terrorist Groups Picked Up US Weapons Left Behind In Afghanistan: Pakistan PM

·         World community should come to rescue of people of IIOJK: Masood

·         COAS vows to defend Pakistan's territorial sovereignty

·         Peace in South Asia linked with settlement of Kashmir dispute: Munir

·         Participation of youth vital to strengthening democracy: PM

·         PM addresses AJK Legislative Assembly: India is a ‘terrorist’ state

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South Asia

·         Neighbouring Nations Voice Silent Protest Against Terrorist Activities In Afghanistan:

·         Pakistani Media

·         Ulema, Elders in North Bring Up Education in Meeting With Kabir

·         21 million Afghans lack access to clean drinking water: Official

·         Posting of UN Special Envoy for Afghanistan Against UN Law: Mujahid

·         113 Myanmar BGP members have taken refuge in Bangladesh so far: BGB

·         PM for patience on war-like situation along Myanmar border: law minister

·         Biden’s letter to Hasina: ‘What will BNP say now?’ asks Quader

·         Biden's letter to PM a mere 'formality': BNP

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Southeast Asia

·         New Muslim Community Endowment Fund To Be Established

·         Parliament Passes Bill Enabling MUIS To Better Oversee Muslim Religious Schools

·         SSP, MAPIM submit memorandum to US Embassy regarding Palestine conflict

·         Thailand confident aid effort will lead to Myanmar crisis dialogue

·         Japanese, Italian premiers call for ‘calming down’ situation in Gaza

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Africa

·         UN Refugee Chief Warns Europe Of A New Influx Of Sudanese Migrants If Sudan's Conflict Continues

·         I Will Inform Tinubu of the Suffering of Nigerians – Kano Governor Yusuf

·         B’Haram kills two at Yobe collation centre

·         UK announces $125M aid package for Ethiopia as humanitarian crisis deepens

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Arab World

·         Yemen’s Houthi Militia ‘Ready For Peace’ With Saudi Arabia

·         Minister of Defence Meets with the Pakistani Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee

·         Resistance rooted in Imam Khomeini's anti-Zionist vision: Yemen PM

·         Saudi foreign minister, GCC chief discuss Gulf initiatives

·         Saudi, Bahraini FMs meet ahead of coordination council meeting

·         Saudi crown prince meets with Blinken in Riyadh

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Europe

·         Britain Can’t Protect Its Own Government Ministers From Islamists

·         Bosnian, Croatian Journalists Pay Tribute To Murdered Colleagues In Palestine

·         Gaza War Costing UK Labour Party Vital Muslim Votes, New Poll Indicates

·         Brussels journalists call on media organizations to take action against killing of Gaza colleagues

·         Germany provides over $5 million in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL:   https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/sacred-black-soil-brick-aayats-gold-mecca/d/131665

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Sacred Black Soil Brick With ‘Aayats’ in Gold from Mecca On Its Way to Ayodhya for the Grand Mosque

 

Office-bearers of the Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF), the trust formed to oversee the construction of the mosque, said the brick is already on its way from Mecca. (Special arrangement/News18)

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FEBRUARY 06, 2024

A special ‘sacred’ brick, made of black soil and bearing ‘Aayats’ (couplets from the holy Quran) in gold would be brought all the way from Mecca to lay the foundation of the Ayodhya mosque, to be named after Mohammed Bin Abdullah.

Office-bearers of the Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF), the trust formed by the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board (UPSCWB) to oversee the construction of the mosque on the five-acre land allocated in lieu of Babri Mosque in Ayodhya’s Dhannipur village, said the brick is already on its way, being brought by a few office-bearers from Mecca. It would reach Ayodhya by April after which the much-awaited construction of the mosque would start.

“It’s Allah’s work; nothing is better than starting his work from his own will and from the holiest city of Islam. Hence, we decided to start our journey from Mecca itself, I took the freshly baked brick from Maharashtra to Mecca, gave it a ‘gusl’ (full ablution) by Zam Zam water. We then took the brick to Madina Sharif and gave it another ‘gusl’ with Itra and offered prayers,” Haji Arafat Sheikh, the chief of the mosque development committee and a member of the Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF), told News18.

On February 2, the brick was brought back to Maharashtra. “Then, the brick would be taken to Ajmer Sharif and after offering prayers it would be taken to Ayodhya. We are still planning how to taken the brick to Ayodhya, some people are saying to take it on foot, which will take 30 days, while some are saying to take it by road or take it by train since there will be thousands of people who would be accompanying us on our journey to Ayodhya,” said Sheikh.

He said the entire journey would be planned in a way that the brick reaches Ayodhya by April so that the foundation of the mosque could be laid.

After the grand consecration ceremony of Lord Ram’s idol and the inauguration of the much-awaited Ram Temple, Uttar Pradesh’s temple town Ayodhya would witness the construction of Mohammed Bin Abdullah mosque from April 2024.

As per the new blueprint of the mosque, it will be the country’s first mosque with five minarets soaring to a height of 340 feet. The minarets will highlight the five tenets of Islam – Shahada (declaration of faith), Salah (prayer or Namaz), Sawm (fasting or Roza), Zakat (charity) and Hajj.

The entire mosque has been divided into two parts – the basement area and the ground floor. The basement area is a multipurpose hall, whereas the ground floor will have an expansive Namaz Hall with the capacity to accommodate more than 9,000 Namazis at a time. There will be five entries to the Namaaz Hall and it will be solely meant for offering prayers. There are also special arrangements for women Namazis.

Central Waqf Board officials further said that the towering minarets, with interior staircases and a small window, will be an essential part of the new design of the mosque. Domes, another essential feature of Islamic architecture, will be a part of the proposed mosque as per the new design. Officials said that the mosque would be a major attraction among tourists too since it will house the world’s largest Quran measuring 21 feet by 36 feet, a grand aquarium or underwater zoo will be another unique feature.

The aquarium will be bigger than Dubai’s famous aquarium and will house more than 400 species of aquatic animals. The design of the mosque, a grand library and other features will make Mohammed Bin Abdullah mosque a major attraction. The minarets are being designed in such a way that the Azaan would trigger a fountain from all five minarets.

Other than the mosque, the entire complex would also house a grand pure vegetarian kitchen, 500-bed multi-speciality hospital that would offer free cancer treatment. It would also have a law college, engineering college, dental college, architectural college and an international school in order to spread education in society.

Source: news18.com

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

https://www.news18.com/india/sacred-black-soil-brick-with-aayats-in-gold-from-mecca-on-its-way-to-ayodhya-for-the-grand-mosque-8768080.html

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Hindu Outfit, Maharana Pratap Sena, Claims Ajmer Dargah, A Sufi Shrine, As Hindu Temple, Calls For March On 9th Feb In Ajmer

 

Maharana Pratap Sena claims that there is evidence suggesting the site was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to a revered deity

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Feb 6, 2024

In a surprising turn of events, a Hindu outfit has stirred controversy by claiming that the historic Ajmer Dargah, a renowned Sufi shrine in Rajasthan, is, in fact, a Hindu temple. The group, identified as Maharana Pratap Sena , has called for a march on February 9th to assert their claim, raising concerns about potential communal tensions in the region.

The Ajmer Dargah, dedicated to the Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, has been a symbol of religious harmony and attracts devotees from various faiths. The shrine has stood as a testament to India’s rich cultural and religious diversity for centuries. However, this recent assertion challenges the established historical and cultural narrative surrounding the Dargah.

Maharana Pratap Sena claims that there is evidence suggesting the site was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to a revered deity, and they argue that it was later converted into a Muslim shrine during a historical period. The outfit’s leaders have cited historical texts and archaeological findings to support their claims, although the mainstream historical consensus contradicts their assertions.

The announcement of the march on February 9th has raised concerns among various communities, including religious leaders, scholars, and local authorities. Many fear that such claims and public demonstrations could lead to heightened tensions and communal discord in the region.

The government and law enforcement agencies are closely monitoring the situation, deploying additional security forces to maintain peace and prevent any untoward incidents during the proposed march. Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and not engage in any activities that could disrupt communal harmony.

Political leaders and religious figures across the spectrum have called for restraint and have emphasized the need for dialogue to address such sensitive issues. They stress the importance of preserving the country’s diverse cultural heritage and maintaining the inclusive nature of religious sites.

The Ajmer Dargah’s custodians and representatives from the Muslim community have strongly refuted the claims made by the Hindu outfit, asserting that the Dargah has been a symbol of unity and spirituality for centuries. They argue that attempts to alter the narrative surrounding the shrine are misguided and could have far-reaching consequences for the nation’s social fabric.

As the controversy unfolds, there is a growing need for a balanced and informed approach to historical claims, ensuring that religious sites continue to serve as beacons of tolerance and coexistence. The march scheduled for February 9th is being closely monitored, and authorities are prepared to take swift action to prevent any potential unrest. The outcome of this situation will undoubtedly have implications for the ongoing discourse surrounding India’s rich cultural and religious heritage.

Source: muslimmirror.com

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

https://muslimmirror.com/eng/hindu-outfit-claims-ajmer-dargah-as-hindu-temple-calls-for-march-on-9th-feb-in-ajmer/

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Records Of A 1920 Gazette: Aurangzeb Demolished Temple At Site Of Mathura’s Krishna Janmabhoomi Complex: ASI

 

Krishna Janmabhoomi site in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. Photograph:(PTI)

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 Feb 6, 2024

AGRA: In response to an RTI query, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has disclosed information based on historical records of a 1920 gazette about Mathura’s Krishna Janmabhoomi temple complex. Attaching an excerpt from the Nov 1920 gazette, the ASI stated in its response: “Portions of Katra mound which are not in the possession of nazul tenants on which formerly stood a temple of Keshavdev which was dismantled and the site utilised for the mosque of Aurangzeb...”.

The RTI was filed by Ajay Pratap Singh, a resident of Mainpuri in UP, and the reply came from the office of superintending archaeologist of ASI, Agra circle. Singh had sought specific information about “dismantling” of Keshavdev temple — claimed to be part of Krishna Janmabhoomi temple complex. The RTI reply, while not specifically mentioning the words “Krishna Janmabhoomi,” confirmed the demolition of the former temple of Keshavdev at the disputed site by the Mughal emperor.

Advocate Mahendra Pratap Singh, president of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Mukti Nyas, said that “he will place the key piece of evidence before Allahabad HC and SC”.

“On basis of historical evidence, we had in our petition mentioned that Aurangzeb issued a decree in 1670 CE to demolish the temple. Following that, Shahi Idgah Mosque was built there. Now ASI in reply to the RTI query has attested the information. We’ll put forward ASI reply in HC during the Feb 22 hearing,” he said.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/keshavdev-temple-razed-mosque-built-at-site-says-asi-in-rti-reply/articleshowprint/107439343.cms

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Lakshagriha-Mazar Dispute: UP Court Grants Ownership Rights Of Tomb And Over 100 Bighas Land To Hindus

 

Lakshagriha-Mazar

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 Feb 6, 2024

In a significant development, a court in Uttar Pradesh has delivered a verdict in the longstanding Lakshagriha-Mazar land ownership dispute, ruling in favour of the Hindu side. The dispute cantered around a piece of land and a tomb in Baghpat, and the court’s decision comes after years of legal battles and communal tensions in the region.

The contentious Lakshagriha-Mazar site has been a source of discord between the Hindu and Muslim communities, with both claiming historical and religious connections to the land and the tomb. The dispute revolved around conflicting narratives about the origin and significance of the site, leading to heightened tensions in the area.

The court’s ruling, which grants ownership rights to the Hindu side, has been met with mixed reactions from various quarters. The Hindu claimants argued that the site holds religious significance in Hindu mythology, asserting that it was once associated with the Lakshagriha incident mentioned in the Mahabharata. On the other hand, the Muslim community, contending that the site is a Mazar (a tomb associated with a Sufi saint), had a different historical and religious narrative.

The court carefully considered the evidence presented by both parties, including historical documents, archaeological findings, and testimonies from experts. After a thorough examination, the court concluded that the preponderance of evidence favored the Hindu side, granting them ownership rights over the disputed land and the tomb.

Following the court’s decision, authorities are taking precautionary measures to maintain law and order in the area. Security has been heightened to prevent any potential flare-ups or communal tensions, given the sensitive nature of religious and land disputes. Local leaders and law enforcement agencies have called for calm and communal harmony, urging residents to respect the legal process and the court’s verdict.

Source: muslimmirror.com

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

https://muslimmirror.com/eng/lakshagriha-mazar-dispute-court-grants-ownership-rights-of-tomb-and-over-100-bighas-land-to-hindus/

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Turkey Revives Plan To Convert Another Iconic Byzantine Site, The Chora Church, Into A Mosque

 

The Byzantine Chora Church

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Manolis Kostidis

06.02.2024

Authorities in Turkey are moving ahead with the conversion of another important Byzantine monument, the Chora Church, into a mosque, with plans to open it to Muslim worshippers for Friday prayers on February 23, the Yeni Safak newspaper has reported.

The plan to convert the church, which had been operating as a museum for nearly 80 years, dates from 2020, when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a decree that also included turning the iconic Hagia Sophia church into a mosque.

While Hagia Sophia was inaugurated as a mosque in July of that same year, the Chora Church scheme was put on hold so that restoration work could be carried out.

The conversion of Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a powerful symbol for the world’s Orthodox Christians, sparked an international outcry and caused an additional strain in tense ties between Athens and Ankara.

Chora Church, or Church of the Holy Savior, is another emblematic monument listed among the masterpieces of UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

It was originally built in the early 4th century as part of a monastery complex, outside the Constantinian land wall. It was rebuilt in the 11th century to take the form of an inscribed cross, while the church suffered a partial collapse in the 12th century, possibly from an earthquake. The present structure dates mostly from the 14th century.

“Its mosaics and frescoes, commissioned by the Byzantine humanist and poet Theodore Metochites (14th century) form one of the most complete ensembles of late Byzantine art to survive in Istanbul,” according to UNESCO.

Chora Church was the first to be looted when the Ottomans conquered the city in 1453 and was converted into a mosque under Sultan Bayezid II in the early 16th century, when it was renamed Kariye Camii and a minaret was added to the structure.

The building was designated a museum by the Turkish government in 1945.

Source: ekathimerini.com

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

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1230965/turkey-revives-plan-to-convert-another-iconic-byzantine-site-into-a-mosque/

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 India

‘Karnataka govt facilitating namaz’, say Hindu outfits on change in exam timing

February 05, 2024

Bengaluru: The issue of change in the preparatory examination timings on Friday for Class 10 students in Karnataka has taken a communal turn with Hindu organisations alleging that the step was taken to facilitate namaz for Muslims.

The development has stirred controversy in the state and the state education department is likely to issue official clarification regarding the timetable. The exams are scheduled from February 26 to March 3.

All exams are scheduled to begin at 10:15 a.m. every day, except on March 1, which is a Friday, when the department has fixed the Science subject examination at 2 p.m. The Hindu organisations have claimed that the exam timetable has been changed to appease Muslims by allowing them to offer morning prayers on Friday.

Srikantha Naik, a Hindu leader from Bhatkal said the education department has changed the timetable as per the directions of the Congress government. The government is directly allowing appeasement in the education department, he alleged.

Sources in the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board maintained that the change in Class 10 preparatory exam was made on the same day the exams of Kannada and Arabic subjects were scheduled to be held for Class 12 students.

As the debate rages in the state, the Education Minister, Madhu Bangarappa is expected to react and issue clarification over the matter on Monday. — IANS

Source: muslimmirror.com

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

https://muslimmirror.com/eng/karnataka-govt-facilitating-namaz-say-hindu-outfits-on-change-in-exam-timing/

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Gyanvapi Row: Courts to Hear Hindu Side’s Demand for Closed 'Tahkhana' Survey, Muslims' Opposition to Puja in Cellar Today

 FEBRUARY 06, 2024

The Varanasi district court is set to hear the Hindu side’s petition seeking an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the closed cellars of the Tahkhana (basement) of the disputed Gyanvapi Mosque complex in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi on Tuesday (February 6). Also, the Allahabad High Court will hear the Muslim side’s opposition to puja in the southern cellar today.

Last Friday, the Allahabad High Court refused to grant an interim stay on the Varanasi court order that allowed Hindu prayers before idols in ‘Vyas Ji ka Tehkhana’– a cellar in the basement of Gyanvapi mosque. The court said that unless the January 17 order is challenged, nothing can be done. Justice Rohit Ranjan Agrawal passed the order while hearing an appeal filed by the committee.

Days after Hindu prayers were at the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi Masjid for the first time in three decades a day after a local court gave the go-ahead for it at the 17th-century mosque complex, the Hindu side on Monday filed a fresh plea in the court demanding ASI survey of the rest of the basements in the mosque premises.

LATEST UPDATES IN GYANVAPI ROW

The petitioner, Rakhi Singh, filed the application seeking an ASI survey of the blocked cellars in the basement in the lower court of Varanasi. The application said that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) should conduct the study after removing the blocked entrance and debris.

In the petition, Singh has claimed some of the basements inside the mosque were not surveyed as their entrances were blocked. Hence, ASI be directed to survey the cellars without causing any damage to the structure, the petition said.

After the Allahabad High Court refused to put a stay on the Varanasi court’s order allowing Hindu prayers inside the mosque complex, the Muslim side said, “Proof should be above faith for court.”

The Varanasi court ruled that a Hindu priest can perform prayers before the idols in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque.

The mosque committee on Thursday moved the high court within hours of the Supreme Court refusing to hear its plea against the Varanasi district court’s order and asking it to approach the Allahabad High Court.

The counsel for the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, SFA Naqvi, said they have requested an urgent hearing in the matter.

In the appeal filed before the high court, it has been pleaded that the Hindu side’s suit itself is barred by order 7 rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Code, Naqvi said.

The plea has also alleged that the main purpose behind filing the suit was to create a controversy over the functional Gyanvapi mosque where regular namaz is offered. A caveat was also filed by the Hindu side regarding the matter.

The Varanasi district court arrived at the decision of allowing ‘puja’ in a Gyanvapi mosque cellar in “haste”, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) said Friday, asserting it would pursue the matter right up to the Supreme Court.

The Muslim side has also filed a plea in district court seeking a stay for 15 days on puja inside the basement

Meanwhile, the Hindu side has filed a caveat, seeking that it should be heard before the court passes any order.

Shailendra Kumar Pathak, who had petitioned the Varanasi district court seeking the right to worship there, had claimed that his grandfather, Somnath Vyas, offered “puja” there up to December 1993, when it was stopped by the administration.

Source: news18.com

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

https://www.news18.com/india/gyanvapi-mosque-case-latest-update-demand-to-conduct-asi-survey-of-closed-basements-hearing-muslim-side-opposition-puja-8767841.html

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Mideast

 

Palestinian Endowments says 22 raids on al-Aqsa, 47 prevention of call to prayer in al-Ibrahimi mosque in January

[06/February/2024]

OCCUPIED AL-QUDS February 06. 2024 (Saba) - The Palestinian Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs has announced that herds of Zionist settlers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque in al-Quds 22 times, while the enemy army prevented the call to prayer in al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron 47 times in January.

The Palestinian Information Center quoted the Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs Sheikh Hatem al-Bakri in a statement as saying “Al-Aqsa Mosque is subjected to settlers’ incursions every day except Saturday and Friday, in the morning and evening periods, in an attempt to impose a temporal and spatial division on it.”

Al-Bakri explained that Zionist settlers storming came amidst the occupation authorities imposing strict restrictions and sieges on Palestinians entering the mosque, checking their identities, detaining worshipers at its external gates, and deporting dozens of them from it for varying periods.

On an almost daily basis, settlers storm al-Aqsa in two periods, in the morning and after the noon prayer, through “Maghariba Gate” in the western wall of the mosque, with facilities, escort, and protection from the Zionist police.

In response to the incursions of extremist settlers, which are protected from enemy security, the Zionist police prevent Palestinians from entering al-Aqsa Mosque, which reduced the number of worshipers there to record proportions compared to before October 7, 2023.

In Hebron, “the Zionist enemy prevented the call to prayer in al-Ibrahimi Mosque during the past month 47 times,” according to what the Endowments stated in its report.

Since 1994, the Zionist enemy divided al-Ibrahimi Mosque between Muslims and Jews, following a massacre committed by a settler that resulted in the martyrdom of 29 worshipers.

The call to prayer room is located in the section that has since been expropriated and allocated to Jews.

Al-Bakri also said settlers carried out acts of sabotage inside the Okasha Mosque, west of al-Quds, since October 7, and turned it into a Jewish synagogue.”

He pointed out that "the Zionist enemy authorities stormed two mosques in the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank and caused damage to them."

Source: saba.ye

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

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3302369.htm

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Israel obstructs any agreement for all-out ceasefire in Gaza

Feb 6, 2024

TEHRAN, Feb. 06 (MNA) – The Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas has blasted Israel for stonewalling any agreement that could lead to a comprehensive ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Osama Hamdan, who represents Hamas in Lebanon, made the remarks at a press briefing in Beirut on Monday.

"The Israelis want to continue their military attacks against the Gaza Strip and to retain the siege on it. They also do not want to achieve a ceasefire," the Hamas official said.

Hamdan added, "The mediators are working on achieving some kind of agreement, which should, from our point of view, fulfill what we have asked for."

According to Hamdan, Hamas insists that any ceasefire agreement in Gaza must include complete cessation of the Israeli regime's onslaught, full withdrawal of its forces, and an end to the crippling siege that Israel has been enforcing against the Palestinian territory.

In a previous presser on Saturday, Hamdan noted that since the beginning of the aggression, Hamas has been open to discussing any initiatives or ideas that could stop Israel's barbaric onslaught.

He also slammed the global inaction in the face of Israel's crimes in Gaza, saying, “The crimes of genocide and ethnic cleansing are being committed in plain sight of the whole world, which stands by watching, [and] procrastinating and [is] unable to stop the Zionist crimes that are supported by the US administration.”

The Israeli regime has been pounding Gaza since October 7, 2023, when the coastal territory's Resistance movements staged Operation al-Aqsa Storm against the occupied territories.

Nearly 27,500 people, most of them women and children, have been killed in the regime's brutal aggression against Gaza, while more than 66,800 have been injured.

Source: mehrnews.com

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

https://en.mehrnews.com/news/211733/Israel-obstructs-any-agreement-for-all-out-ceasefire-in-Gaza

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Al-Qassam says it targets six Zionist tanks in Gaza

[06/February/2024]

GAZA February 06. 2024 (Saba) - Al-Qassam Brigades, the military arm of the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas, has said that it targeted six Zionist tanks in Khan Yunis and Tel al-Hawa areas in the Gaza Strip.

The Brigades explained that their fighters caught a convoy of Zionist vehicles in a compound ambush, detonating three devices previously planted in a “Merkava” tank, and targeting another tank with a homemade “al-Yassin 105” missile in al-Amal neighborhood, west of the city of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip.

They added that its fighters targeted two enemy army tanks of the "Merkava" type with two "Al-Yassin 105" shells, west of the city of Khan Yunis.

The Brigades added that its fighters targeted a "Merkava" tank with an "Al-Yassin 105" shell in Tal Al-Hawa, southwest of Gaza City.

They indicated that its fighters and fighters of the Al-Quds Brigades, the military arm of the Islamic Jihad Movement, targeted a tank with a "Al-Yassin 105" shell in the Al-Amal neighborhood, west of the city of Khan Yunis.

The Brigades indicated that it bombed, in conjunction with the Al-Quds Brigades, a gathering of enemy forces penetrating west of Gaza City with mortar shells and 107 missiles.

In turn, al-Quds Brigades said that they targeted Zionist enemy soldiers on the front lines of the advance in the city of Khan Yunis with anti-personnel lightning-type bombs.

They added that it bombed with mortar shells a position of Zionist enemy soldiers and vehicles in al-Taqaddam axis southwest of Khan Yunis, east of al-Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip, and east of al-Masdar village in the central Gaza Strip.

The Brigades continued that they bombed gatherings of enemy soldiers and military vehicles with Grad missiles in al-Taqadum axis, al-Amal neighborhood, west of Khan Yunis, confirming that their targets were accurately hit.

Source: saba.ye

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

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3302380.htm

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Islamic Revolution poised to spread to more regions

February 5, 2024

The Tehran Times, which began publishing in 1979, was founded during the early years of Iran’s quest for independence. The English-language daily newspaper has been regarded by Mohammad Beheshti, one of the most influential and renowned figures of the Islamic Republic, as the “voice of the Islamic Revolution”.

Such a label, made the staff at the Tehran Times feel an even bigger responsibility to accurately and effectively report the daily occurrences in the country and become a helping hand in the consolidation and entrenchment of the new people-led governance. For that, the paper needed to follow the events with a keen eye and try to draw attention to issues that were essential to be addressed. That’s why with the approaching of the 10-day Fajr occasion, the period from February 1st (Bahman 12th) to February 11th (Bahman 22nd) of 1977 during which Imam Khomeini returned to Iran after 15 years of exile, we have decided to take a look at how the Tehran Times commemorated the historic period in February of 1980. Such an act would help us understand where we stand today, and give us a clearer vision of the hardships Iranians had to endure to be able to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution today. February 1st in the year 1980 was a Friday. The Tehran Times’s covering of the Fajr decade began a day later, on Saturday.

Wednesday, February 6, 1980

Islamic Revolution poised to spread to more regions

One of the most renowned figures of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Mohammad Beheshti, warned the West and Israel multiple times before his assassination that no matter what Iran’s adversaries do, the Islamic Republic is bound to spread to other regions as its essence is all about fighting colonialism and imperialism. The Tehran Times reflected the religious figures' remarks on February 6, 1980.

“The revolution of Iran is purely ideological and Islamic in its nature and therefore, does not know any boundaries or limits, said Dr. Beheshti who was speaking to foreign guests at the former Assembly of Experts building.

The guests were attending a special function arranged to mark the birthdays of the Holy Prophet and Imam Ja’far Sadegh and the beginning of 15th Century Hejira, as well as the first anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran.

Dr. Beheshti said that the foreigners misunderstand our concept of exporting the Islamic Republic. They consider us to be a nation that wants to dominate and is power-hungry when we talk of exporting the Islamic Revolution. They should realize that our ideology is against every and all kinds of domination. It is the false propaganda of international imperialism and Zionism because they are afraid of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and fear that the countries of the Third World will revolt against them if inspired by the Islamic Revolution of Iran,” The Tehran Times reported.

Source: tehrantimes.com

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https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/494610/Islamic-Revolution-poised-to-spread-to-more-regions

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UNRWA: 100,000 Palestinians killed, wounded or missing in Gaza

05 February 2024

The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees says nearly 100,000 Palestinians have been either killed, wounded, or missing since Israel launched its brutal war in the besieged Gaza Strip in early October.

UNRWA’s Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said in a post on X, “In 4 months of war, around 100,000 people in Gaza were killed, injured or are currently missing.”

More than 80 percent of the 2.3 million people of Gaza have been displaced, most of them several times over, the UNRWA official said.

He called for “a different trajectory” than a ceasefire “for the sake of people in Gaza.”

The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor earlier said around 90 percent of the population in Gaza has been displaced.

Separately, UNRWA said one of its food convoys has come under Israeli artillery fire. The agency said trucks were delivering aid to the starving Palestinians in northern Gaza.

UNRWA has said it cannot carry out its mission and provide humanitarian relief if safety conditions are not met.

“Safe and sustainable humanitarian access is urgently needed everywhere, including to the north of Gaza,” UNRWA said in a post on X.

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip continue to grapple with death, destruction and displacement as Israel keeps the genocidal campaign going.

UNRWA has also shared footage of one of its health centers. “There is nothing left. This is an unprecedented level of destruction and forced displacement, taking place in front of our eyes.”

Over 110 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli shelling over the course of one day. The central city of Deir al-Balah and the southern city of Khan Younis, where most displaced civilians are sheltering, have been the focus of attacks.

The Amal and Nasser hospitals in Khan Younis are still under siege. Israeli drones fire on residents there.

Israel has killed nearly 27,500 people in Gaza, a considerably large number of them women and children, since October 7, 2023.

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/02/05/719547/UNRWA-Palestinians-Gaza

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‘Intertwined crises’: Iraq condemns US attacks on its soil, warns of Gaza war spillover

06 February 2024

Iraq has strongly condemned the latest US airstrikes on positions used by anti-terror resistance groups in the western part of the country near the border with Syria, warning against escalation of the crises in the West Asia region.

Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security in New York City on Monday afternoon, Deputy Permanent Representative of Iraq, Abbas Kadhom Obaid al-Fatlawi, said crises in the region are all linked.

“We have already cautioned against escalation,” Fatlawi noted, adding that Iraq is carrying out a balanced foreign policy to ensure its natural role as a key player in the region and around the world.

He said Iraq had been working very hard to become a source of stability and bridge the differences throughout West Asia.

The Iraqi diplomat pointed out that the Baghdad government condemns and categorically rejects attacks by some allied and friendly countries that violate the Iraq’s sovereignty based on futile and illogical pretexts.

“We reject all types of attacks against our military bases, which are a violation of our sovereignty and security. This Security Council must protect the territorial integrity of all states,” Fatlawi underscored.

‘Flimsy pretexts’ by US: Syrian UN ambassador

For his part, Syria’s UN Ambassador Qusay al-Dahhak stated that the arguments heard at the meeting were the “same flimsy pretexts and misleading claims the US administration is promoting to justify its repeated attacks” on the Arab nation.

This included presenting a “distorted and wrongful interpretation” of the provisions of the UN Charter, especially Article 51, and that the root causes of conflicts, suffering and instability in the region are the “wrongful and destructive policies” of the US, Dahhak said.

He also slammed Washington’s “blind and unlimited” support for the Israeli occupation and the atrocities Israel is committing against Palestinian people.

Dahhak further noted that successive US administrations have misused their permanent membership of the Security Council and interfered thoroughly in the internal affairs of other countries, including Syria.

The US has formed military coalitions outside the United Nations and international legitimacy, perpetrating acts of aggression and occupation, the Syrian diplomat said.

He stressed that Syria completely rejects all the “pretexts and lies” that the US administration is trying to use to justify its aggression which aims to protect its agents in the region.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on Friday that its military forces struck more than 85 targets in the two countries “with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from the United States.”

“The air strikes employed more than 125 precision munitions,” it added in a statement.

US President Joe Biden also stated that the strikes were the first in a series of actions by Washington in response to a drone attack that killed a number of soldiers at a remote US base in Jordan.

“Our response began today,” Biden said. “It will continue at times and places of our choosing,” he stated.

Three US soldiers were killed and about 40 others injured in the assault on the military base known as Tower 22 near the Jordan-Syria border on Sunday.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of anti-terror fighters, in a statement published on its Telegram channel claimed responsibility for the drone strike.

In retaliation for the flurry of US aerial assaults on several locations in Iraq and Syria, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced that it had conducted missile strikes against the Ain al-Asad Airbase, housing US occupation forces in the western Iraqi province of al-Anbar.

The group also said it had staged missile and drone strikes against the strategic al-Tanf military base in southeastern Syria near the border with Jordan and Iraq, as well as the al-Khadra Village in Syria's northeastern province of al-Hasakah.

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/02/06/719564/Iraq-denounces-US-airstrikes-at-Security-Council,-cautions-against-escalation-of-crises

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President Raeisi: Iran's core policy supports distancing of countries from Israel

 05 February 2024

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says the Islamic Republic's core policy is to support countries' distancing from Israel.

"Negligence by some Muslim countries with respect to this principled policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran has inflicted a heavy blow to the Islamic Ummah," Raeisi said in a meeting with Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali al-Sadiq Ali in Tehran on Monday.

He added that the criminal Israeli regime has always hatched plots to obstruct Muslim countries' path towards progress.

Israel would be neither a friend of Muslim countries nor interested in their development, he emphasized.

The Iranian president criticized some Muslim countries' move to normalize relations with the Tel Aviv regime, which he said runs counter to their nature.

"Had these countries tried to cut off their relations with the Zionists, today we would not have witnessed the continuation of attacks and bombings against the oppressed and Muslim people of Gaza," Raeisi pointed out.

Four Arab countries – the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco – agreed to normalize relations with Israel under US-brokered agreements in 2020, when former US President Donald Trump was in office.

A recent opinion poll has revealed that support for the controversial normalization deals with Israel has plummeted in Persian Gulf Arab nations.

Spearheaded by the UAE, the move has sparked widespread condemnations from the Palestinians as well as nations and human rights advocates across the world, especially within the Muslim world.

Palestinians see the accords as a stab in their back and a direct affront to their cause to liberate their lands from Israeli occupation.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Raeisi said Iran fully supports Sudan's territorial integrity and the establishment of a powerful government in the African country.

He also welcomed revival of mutual relations after seven years of hiatus.

Pointing to the two countries' capacities and determination to promote political, economic and cultural relations, he added that the exchange of ambassadors and the reopening of embassies in Tehran and Khartoum have prepared an appropriate ground for enhanced relations.

Back in October 2023, Iran and Sudan agreed to restore diplomatic relations after seven years to serve the two countries' interests.

Tehran and Khartoum decided to restore relations after Iran and Saudi Arabia signed a China-brokered agreement in March 2023 to resume ties following a seven-year break.

Riyadh closed its diplomatic missions in Tehran in 2016 after they were ransacked by protesters enraged by the Saudi execution of top Shia cleric Nimr Baqir al-Nimr.

For his part, the Sudanese foreign minister said his country is keen to restore its political and diplomatic relations with Iran.

He commended Iran's political support for Sudan in international circles and said Khartoum is ready to develop economic and commercial cooperation with Tehran.

The Iranian foreign minister and his Sudanese counterpart say the two countries are resolved to strengthen cooperation.

In a meeting earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Sudanese counterpart expressed the determination of their countries to strengthen cooperation.

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/02/05/719539/Iran-Sudan-Raeisi-Foreign-Minister-Ali-al-Sadiq-Ali-ties-normalization-Israel-cooperation-Muslims-

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North America

 

CAIR Calls for Hate Crime Charge in Stabbing Attack on Young Muslims After Pro-Palestine Protest

Ismail Allison

February 5, 2024

The Austin office, Dallas office and national headquarters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to file hate crime charges against Bert James Baker, the man accused of attacking a group of young Muslims after a pro-Palestinian protest, stabbing and seriously injuring a 23-year-old Palestinian-American.

MEDIA ADVISORY: CAIR and local community leaders plan to hold a press conference about the incident tomorrow, Feb. 6 at 11:00 A.M. outside of City Hall in Austin, Texas. Three of the victims are Palestinian-Americans, including the 23 year-old who was stabbed.

On Feb. 4 around 7 p.m., four young Muslim Americans who had just attended a protest in support of Palestinian human rights were driving home when a white male riding a bicycle, later identified as Bert James Baker, allegedly attempted to rip a flagpole with a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf reading ‘Free Palestine’ off of their car.

According to the victims, Baker repeatedly screamed the n-word and other obscenities, opened the passenger door, pulled one of the victims out of the car and physically attacked him. The three others in the car say they then exited the car and fought off Baker. After Baker appeared to be subdued, he allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed one of the young men in the chest, breaking one of his ribs.

The stabbing victim again subdued Baker, who was arrested after police arrived on the scene. The father of the stabbing victim reports that he has undergone a successful surgery and is recovering at the hospital.

In a statement, CAIR-Austin Board Chair Fayyaz Shah said:

“The entire Austin Muslim community stands in solidarity with these young members of our community, who appear to be the latest victims of a surge in anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate across our nation. We encourage law enforcement to file hate crime charges against the suspect and we also encourage federal law enforcement to open a hate crime probe.”

In a statement, CAIR-Dallas Director Mustafa Carroll said:

“We strongly condemn this apparent act of hate, we applaud these young men for bravely defending themselves, and we call on state and federal law enforcement authorities to file appropriate charges against the suspect, including hate crime charges. No one should be targeted and attacked because they put Palestinian-themed items on their vehicle. Anti-Palestinian racism and anti-Muslim bigotry have no place in Texas or anywhere else in our nation.”

In a statement, CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:

“This apparent act of hate in Austin appears to be the latest incident of hate motivated by the rise in anti-Palestinian racism and Islamophobia. From the murder of six-year-old Wadea outside Chicago to the shooting of three college students in Burlington, Vermont, far too many incidents of violence against Muslims, Palestinians and others who support Palestinian human rights have occurred over the past several months. Those responsible for this violence must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and those fomenting the hate that leads to this violence must be condemned.”

He noted that CAIR recently released new civil rights data showing that it has received 3,578 complaints during the last three months of 2023 amid an ongoing wave of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate.

Source: cair.com

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

https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-calls-for-hate-crime-charge-in-stabbing-attack-on-young-muslims-after-pro-palestine-protest/

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Biden threatens veto of US House’s ‘political ploy’ Israel bill

February 06, 2024

WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden’s administration said on Monday he would veto a standalone bill backed by House of Representatives Republicans that would provide aid to Israel, as the White House pushes for a broader measure providing assistance to Ukraine and Israel and providing new funds for border security.

“The Administration strongly encourages both chambers of the Congress to reject this political ploy and instead quickly send the bipartisan Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act to the President’s desk,” the White House Office of Management and Budget said in a statement.

Officials from the Democratic president’s administration have been working for months with Senate Democrats and Republicans on legislation unveiled on Sunday combining an overhaul of US immigration policy and new funding for border security with billions of dollars in emergency aid for Ukraine, Israel and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

The $118 billion spending measure also would provide humanitarian assistance to civilians affected by global conflicts.

“The Administration strongly opposes this ploy which does nothing to secure the border, does nothing to help the people of Ukraine defend themselves against Putin’s aggression, fails to support the security of American synagogues, mosques, and vulnerable places of worship, and denies humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, the majority of whom are women and children,” the statement said.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Saturday that the House would reject the bipartisan Senate bill, and instead vote this week on a measure providing aid only to Israel.

“The president’s veto threat is an act of betrayal,” Johnon said in a statement on Monday evening. “In threatening to veto aid to Israel and to our military forces, President Biden is abandoning our ally in its time of greatest need.”

Republicans are bitterly divided over the legislation, with Donald Trump — the frontrunner for his party’s presidential nomination — and his closest allies loudly voicing opposition, calling the Senate plan insufficiently tough.

Trump has made security at the border with Mexico a major talking point in his campaigning against Biden ahead of the November election.

The Republican-majority House passed an Israel-only bill in November, but it was never taken up in the Democratic-led Senate, as negotiators worked on Biden’s request for Congress to approve a broader emergency security package.

Source: arabnews.com

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

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2454761/world

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Pentagon not aware of any Iranians being killed in recent strikes

February 06, 2024

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon said on Monday that it was not aware of any Iranian deaths in the recent US strikes against Iran-linked targets in Iraq and Syria.

The United States launched airstrikes in Iraq and Syria on Friday against more than 85 targets linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and militias it backs in retaliation for a deadly attack on US troops.

Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder told reporters initial indications were that the strikes did not kill any Iranians. But he said other casualties other were likely, without giving details.

Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, a state security force including Iran-backed groups, said 16 of its members were killed including fighters and medics. The government earlier said civilians were among 16 dead.

In Syria, the strikes killed 23 people who had been guarding the targeted locations, said Rami Abdulrahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which reports on war in Syria.

“It’s fair to conclude that there likely were casualties associated with these strikes,” Ryder told reporters, but said an assessment was ongoing.

He added that there had been two attacks against US troops in Syria since the Friday strikes, but there were no US injuries. The Pentagon has said it does not want war with Iran and does not believe Tehran wants war either, even as Republican pressure has increased on US President Joe Biden to deal a blow directly.

Source: arabnews.com

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

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2454721/middle-east

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Arab American leaders demand apology, retraction after Wall Street Journal 'jihad' column

February 5, 2024

DEARBORN — The media clash between local Arab American leaders and the writer of a Wall Street Journal opinion piece continued Monday as both sides doubled down on accusations their opponents are pedaling hate.

On Monday, members of the Arab-American Civil Rights League and others held a press conference outside the Dearborn Police Department and denounced the op-ed piece published Friday.

The piece, which described the Wayne County suburb as "America's Jihad Capital," prompted city officials to increase police patrols near places of worship.

Source: rawstory.com

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

https://www.rawstory.com/arab-american-leaders-demand-apology-retraction-after-wall-street-journal-jihad-column/

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UNBC lecturer says Mosques, Islamic groups have right to be mad over Minister’s Palestine remarks

Feb. 5th, 2024

Brendan Pawliw

Public outrage continues to swirl around Post-Secondary Education Minister Selina Robinson’s comments during an online forum hosted by B’nai Brith Canada – the country’s oldest independent Jewish Human Rights organization.

On January 30th, Robinson stated pre-1948 Palestine was founded on “a crappy piece of land with nothing on it.”

During the session, she also stated that “regular people” should not be weighing on a conflict between two “Indigenous nations”, comparing the conflict between Jews and Palestinians to a fight between the Tsleil-Waututh and the Squamish First Nations over land.

Over the weekend, the NDP cancelled a fundraiser amid several calls for Robinson to resign.

UNBC Political Science Lecturer, Jason Morris told Vista Radio this serves as a stark reminder that we all need to be aware of our surroundings, especially in public view.

“All of us as citizens should be looking at as well ways that we can get to better know each other’s positions, find commonalities, and build bridges for international events that appear very divisive.”

“Cancelling a fundraiser event feels like some damage control or even a way to make the apology from the minister seem more sincere. It officially doesn’t have much connected to the minister’s remarks.”

Morris added roughly a dozen leaders from BC Mosques and Islamic organizations are urging Premier David Eby to remove Robinson from her role in the legislature.

“We wouldn’t want to have it (the response) any other way. At the same time, we have to also consider ways to move forward and even forgive,” added Morris.

He also hinted this is the second misstep in a matter of weeks from the governing NDP as Premier Eby was forced to apologize after a member of his staff incorrectly posted on social media he stood with Muslims during International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

When asked if this might sway voters minds heading into the fall election, Morris stated that it’s too early to speculate.

“We tend to say when there is even a bunch of minor to moderate missteps, that it creates a narrative in voters’ minds about the ability of an incumbent government to demonstrate that they should keep the reins. That being said, we are still a ways away from an election and we say in politics that a day is like a month.”

Furthermore, groups are planning to protest outside the provincial NDP caucus retreat in Surrey today (Monday), with organizers saying they will deliver the signatures of more than 11,000 people asking for Robinson’s resignation.

Source: myprincegeorgenow.com

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

https://www.myprincegeorgenow.com/191495/news/unbc-lecturer-says-bc-mosques-islamic-groups-have-right-to-be-mad-over-ministers-palestine-remarks/

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US to continue to defend its forces against 'unacceptable attacks': Envoy

Diyar Guldogan 

06.02.2024

The US took "necessary and proportional" actions last week in Iraq and Syria against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated militia groups, an official said Monday.

“We also repeatedly stated in previous letters to this Council that the US would take further action to respond to future attacks or threats of attacks against US nationals or US personnel and facilities,” Robert Wood, deputy permanent representative of the US to the UN, told a UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security.

The Council convened for an urgent meeting at the request of Russia as the war in Gaza continues to fan tensions across the Middle East, with potentially dramatic consequences for regional peace and security.

The meeting came against the backdrop of a series of strikes by the US on targets in Iraq and Syria on Friday.

The US launched airstrikes on Friday against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force and Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria after a suicide drone attack killed three American troops in Jordan.

"This is unacceptable, and attacks like it cannot continue," Wood said, adding the US's actions were consistent with international law and in exercise of its right to self-defense.

"President (Joe) Biden has made clear that these strikes were the start of our response to the deadly attack on Tower 22 in northeastern Jordan," he said, adding the strikes were "separate and distinct" from the coalition strikes in Yemen, which were in response to attacks by the Houthi group on vessels in the Red Sea.

"Let me be clear: the US does not desire more conflict in the region when we are actively working to contain and deescalate the conflict in Gaza, and we are not seeking a direct conflict with Iran," Wood said, adding that the US will continue to defend its forces against "unacceptable attacks."

UK 'fully' supports right of US to self-defense

Separately, Barbara Woodward, the permanent representative of the UK to the UN, said the UK "fully supports" all efforts to maintain and enhance international peace and security, including in Iraq and Syria, and that it is committed to de-escalation.

She added that the UK fully supported the right of the US to self-defense and the right to respond to attacks on its troops and bases.

Woodward noted that Iran’s political, financial and military support to militant groups was destabilizing the region and hampers efforts to counter Daesh/ISIS.

"We call on the regime to reign in these groups and to act now to prevent further attacks by its proxies and partners in Iraq, Syria and Yemen," she said.

She said the Houthis’ continued attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea are "illegal and unacceptable."

The UK’s actions and presence in the Red Sea are designed to protect innocent lives, preserve freedom of navigation and deter further attacks on shipping, Woodward stressed.

The Houthis have been targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea, particularly those bound for Israel, since November. They say their attacks aim to put pressure on Israel to halt its deadly onslaught on the Gaza Strip, prompting the US and UK to launch retaliatory airstrikes against targets inside Yemen.

The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.

Source: aa.com.tr

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

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/us-to-continue-to-defend-its-forces-against-unacceptable-attacks-envoy/3128723

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US, UK forces launch new wave of strikes on Yemen amid Gaza war

06 February 2024

The United States and the United Kingdom have carried out strikes on positions in Yemen in a new wave of attacks against the Yemeni military, which has been targeting Israeli interests in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Yemen’s official Saba news agency, citing a security source speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that three aerial assaults targeted the eastern flank of the northwestern city of Sa’asa, which is located some 540 kilometers (336 miles) north of the capital Sana’a, early on Tuesday.

There were no immediate reports about possible casualties and the extent of damage caused.

The development came only a few hours after US and British warplanes struck two targets in the al-Katheeb region of the strategic western province of Hudaydah, with no quick reports about victims and damage available.

The United States and United Kingdom have been carrying out strikes against Yemen after the Biden administration and its allies offered the Tel Aviv regime unqualified support and said that Yemeni forces bear the consequences of their attacks against Israeli-owned ships or merchant vessels heading to the occupied territories.

Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine’s struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory’s Palestinian resistance movements carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity.

A Yemeni deputy foreign minister describes the United States as the first and foremost threat to international shipping in the Red Sea.

Yemeni Armed Forces have said that they won’t stop their attacks until unrelenting Israeli ground and aerial offensives in Gaza, which have killed at least 27,478 people and wounded another 66,835 individuals, come to an end.

Leader of the Ansarullah resistance movement, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, has said that it is “a great honor and blessing to be confronting America directly.”

The attacks have forced some of the world’s biggest shipping and oil companies to suspend transit through one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. Tankers are instead adding thousands of miles to international shipping routes by sailing around the continent of Africa rather than going through the Suez Canal.

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/02/06/719557/US-UK-conduct-airstrikes-against-Yemen-over-Red-Sea-retaliatory-attacks

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Pakistan

 

Cabinet body finds May 9 mayhem a plot to create rift within army

February 06, 2024

Ansar Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: A high-level cabinet committee of the federal government has found May 9 a planned conspiracy hatched to cause a rift within the institution of the Pakistan Army.

The masterminds, conspirators, and planners of the May 9 attacks include both local and foreign elements, an informed source while referring to the findings of the cabinet committee confided to The News.

The source said that the cabinet committee, which was constituted a few weeks ago to review and investigate the violent incidents of May 9, 2023, is presently finalising its report that would be presented before the cabinet for approval and necessary action.

The report, it is said, would be damning for the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf and its top leadership. The probe by the cabinet committee shows that the May 9 attacks were not spontaneous but part of proper planning. The purpose of the attack was to create a rift within the Army. The attacks on military buildings, installations, and symbols were also part of the conspiracy.

The conspiracy, it is said, was prepared and executed with the collaboration of both local and foreign elements. It was all planned how the PTI would react to the arrest of PTI founder chairman Imran Khan. The dissemination of misinformation, false propaganda, and fake news was also part of the plan, according to the source.

Reports of the federal and provincial governments and intelligence agencies, including ISI, MI, IB, and police, are also considered by the cabinet committee, headed by the caretaker law minister, to finalise its work. Based on its findings, the cabinet committee will firm up its recommendations for the cabinet.

The recommendations, it is said, may include a proposal for setting up a commission for criminal, legal, and administrative actions against those involved in the May 9 attacks. The cabinet committee, the source said, will also advise the government on measures to avert the May 9-like attacks.

The cabinet committee will also suggest actions to cleanse the politics of hatred, violence, and cult following.

The cabinet body was established on the directions of Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and was tasked with determining the masterminds, orchestrators, facilitators, and those who carried out those plans of violence, including attacks on military installations, on May 9.

The committee also reviewed the immediate and long-lasting impacts of the May 9 incidents. It was asked to submit its report within 14 days, but it takes a bit more time to complete the task assigned to it.

The committee also asked for recommendations for stopping such happenings in the future.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1154890-cabinet-body-finds-may-9-mayhem-a-conspiracy-to-create-rift-within-army

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Terrorist groups picked up US weapons left behind in Afghanistan: Pakistan PM

February 5, 202

Pakistan’s caretaker prime minister, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, has said that after the withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan, small arms, left behind in the country, fell into the hands of terrorist groups.

“We believe that when the Americans and NATO left Afghanistan, their small weapons fell into the hands of terrorist groups. Considering the situation in Afghanistan, they had high self-confidence and based on that they waged war against the Pakistani government. This happened during my tenure and we took a very clear stand against terrorist groups, and now Pakistan’s army, intelligence and police are strongly fighting against this challenge,” Kakar said in an interview with Pakistan’s Geo News.

Kakar also emphasized that Afghanistan and Pakistan need defined relations that could benefit both countries.

“We understand the legitimate interest of Afghanistan and we should, but if they cannot understand the legitimate interest of Pakistan, having good relations between the two countries will be a big challenge for a long time,” Kakar said.

The Islamic Emirate rejects Pakistani officials’ claims suggesting US weapons left in Afghanistan fell into the hands of terrorist groups.

“In this regard, we should not be victims of propaganda. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan uses all its capabilities to maintain security in the country and it is important for it to play a role in the security of the region. This depends on resources of the Islamic Emirate. We cannot provide security in Pakistan. They have to step in this matter themselves and prove their effectiveness. We will not allow Afghanistan’s soil to be used against Pakistan,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated in the past two years with Islamabad claiming attacks on its country are rooted in Afghanistan.

In November, Pakistan started a crackdown to expel illegal migrants, and so far over 500,000 Afghans have returned home from the country.

Source: ariananews.af

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

https://www.ariananews.af/terrorist-groups-picked-up-us-weapons-left-behind-in-afghanistan-pakistan-pm/

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World community should come to rescue of people of IIOJK: Masood

February 06, 2024

Pakistan's Ambassador to the US Masood Khan has said the world community should come to the rescue of the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a special event to observe the Kashmir Solidarity Day in Embassy of Pakistan, Washington DC, he said Kashmiris are the most disenfranchised people on the face of the earth. They are victims of genocide, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing. He said Kashmir is a powder keg in South Asia that threatens regional peace and stability.

The Ambassador said we feel the pain of our Kashmiri brothers and sisters. Their wounds are our wounds. He said Kashmir is the keystone of foundations of Pakistan. It cannot be separated from us.

Former Member of Norwegian Parliament Lars Rise, speaking on the occasion, said that we must stand and protest for the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people.

He pointed out that the right to self-determination was not only promised to the Kashmiri people by UNSC but the Indian Prime Minister Nehru had also made the pledge to the Kashmiris. He said Kashmir should never be a forgotten conflict for the international community.

Professor George Washington University, Dr Imtiaz Hussain highlighted the harrowing crimes of the Indian forces against innocent women and children of Kashmir. He said India is making demographic changes in the occupied territory and is trying to reduce Muslim majority into minority.

Source: radio.gov.pk

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https://www.radio.gov.pk/06-02-2024/world-community-should-come-to-rescue-of-people-of-iiojk-masood-khan

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COAS vows to defend Pakistan's territorial sovereignty

February 05, 2024

Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir has reaffirmed that any aggression or violation of the territorial sovereignty of Pakistan will be responded with full national resolve and military might.

He was addressing the troops deployed on the front lines along the Line of Control in the Sarian sector near Muzaffarabad today.

The Army Chief said the Pakistan Army is well-versed in the full threat spectrum and is perpetually ready to respond effectively. He mentioned that Indian state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan has now extended to the heinous targeting of individual Pakistani citizens on our soil. Such a callous disregard for international law and norms of the international system is becoming a routine occurrence, and India is now being openly called out by many countries worldwide, exposing its sham credentials.

General Syed Asim Munir said Pakistan would continue to expose all such attempts and ensure the security of its citizens.

During the occasion, the Army Chief was briefed about the latest situation along the Line of Control. He appreciated the operational readiness, high morale, and effective response of troops to Indian ceasefire violations.

Earlier, upon arrival at the Jammu and Kashmir Monument in Muzaffarabad, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Prime Minister Azad Kashmir, and the Army Chief laid floral wreaths at the Martyrs' Monument and paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifices of Shuhada.

They acknowledged that the fortitude, resilience, and unwavering faith of Kashmiris in the face of unabated brutality of Indian occupation forces in IIOJK are exemplary. They said the brewing humanitarian and security crises in the IIOJK seriously threaten regional peace and stability. Pakistan would always stand with Kashmiris in their just struggle for the inalienable right to self-determination in light of UN Security Council resolutions.

They noted that India is attempting to change the demography of IIOJK through illegal administrative and unilaterally imposed draconian laws and security clampdowns. Such machinations cannot suppress the will of the Kashmiri people to attain their legitimate objectives. 

Source: radio.gov.pk

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https://www.radio.gov.pk/05-02-2024/coas-reiterates-resolve-to-defend-pakistans-territorial-sovereignty

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Peace in South Asia linked with settlement of Kashmir dispute: Munir

February 05, 2024

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Munir Akram says sustainable peace, stability and security in South Asia is linked with a just and peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute in line with the UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of Kashmiris.

In his message on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day, he urged the United Nations, the Security Council and the international community to fulfill their obligations vis-à-vis the people of Jammu and Kashmir. 

The Ambassador also renewed his pledge to continue to extend moral, diplomatic and political support to Kashmiris in their legitimate and just struggle for their inalienable rights.

Munir Akram lauded the sacrifices made by heroic Kashmiri people in their enduring struggle for freedom and self-determination against India's brutal occupation since 1947.  He said their right to self-determination has been recognized in the UN Security Council resolutions prescribing a UN supervised plebiscite. This is a binding commitment on India, Pakistan and the UN.

The permanent representative said future of international order, based on the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, and indeed global peace and security depends on ensuring the just and peaceful resolution of the festering Jammu and Kashmir dispute and securing freedom and self-determination for peoples struggling against colonization & foreign occupation.

He said despite India’s brutal campaign to suppress the Kashmiri freedom struggle, the Kashmiri people continue to bravely resist Indian occupation.  Munir Akram said the lesson of history is that no occupying power has ever succeeded in suppressing the aspirations of a people who are willing to render supreme sacrifices to defeat foreign occupation. 

Source: radio.gov.pk

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https://www.radio.gov.pk/05-02-2024/peace-in-south-asia-linked-with-settlement-of-kashmir-dispute-munir

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Participation of youth vital to strengthening democracy: PM

2024-02-06

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Monday said youth should be engaged in the political system and their energies should be utilized for strengthening democracy in the country.

Speaking during a podcast, he said political parties should be democratic minded to fortify democracy in the country.

Political parties in government should improve their performance to gain political space in the country, he added. The prime minister said leadership of the political parties should be elected in a democratic manner in order to take democracy forward.

He said the idea of democracy was facing many challenges in Pakistan due to different reasons and weaknesses in the structure of the civil institutions.

He said the Afghan refugees lived in Pakistan for decades, and used the health and education services and the infrastructure of Pakistan and their businessmen earned billions of dollars through the Afghan transit trade.

The prime minister asserted that Pakistan wanted a friendly government in Afghanistan as was the desire of other countries in the region.

He was of the view that the government of Taliban was formed in Afghanistan after the world squandered its opportunities despite spending $ 2 trillion.

He said the Taliban forcefully took over the government as the United States and NATO abandoned Afghanistan.

To a question, he said during his tenure, he interacted with the students from the educational institutions of Balochistan, Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan, and shared his views with them and listened to their perspectives.

He said in Balochistan, armed insurgents were masquerading as civil society and speaking the language of human rights for achieving a certain goal.

Those elements never belonged to a mainstream political party but were part of the proscribed organizations in the province, he added.

PM Kakar said some groups in Balochistan wanted to carve out a new country on the basis of identity and through armed struggle, and they had declared a war on the state of Pakistan.

The stance of those elements was against morality, and the Constitution and laws of Pakistan, he remarked.

The prime minister said most of the people left the country for better jobs and due to economic reasons, however, millions of youth saw their future in Pakistan.

Those people who send remittances from abroad were assets of Pakistan and they were contributing to its economic growth, he remarked.

He opined that there were many people who wanted to return to Pakistan after living their lives in Europe and North America.

In future, more people will return to Pakistan because of their Islamic roots and attachment to eastern values, he observed.

He said during his tenure he tried to take decisions in the best interest of Pakistan.

After leaving the office of caretaker prime minister, Kakar said he would like to serve in the Senate of Pakistan.

He said the caretaker government assisted the Election Commission for the holding of elections which would take place on February 8 despite all the speculations.

Source: brecorder.com

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https://www.brecorder.com/news/40287510/participation-of-youth-vital-to-strengthening-democracy-pm

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PM addresses AJK Legislative Assembly: India is a ‘terrorist’ state

2024-02-06

MUZAFFARABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Monday said that India was a terrorist state, which had been committing the worst atrocities and brutalities against the innocent people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIO&JK) for decades.

The world was, however, silently watching the Indian state terrorism against the Kashmiris, he regretted while addressing the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day.

The prime minister said for last many years, India was presenting a false narrative and trying to weaken the indigenous movement of the Kashmiris for freedom by wrongly labeling them as terrorists.

There was a clear difference between terrorism and the people’s struggle for independence, he added. PM Kakar said the Indian leadership was also claiming that Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir were part of their country.

“On this day, I make it clear that that India should not have any such illusions. We believe in peace and are showing maximum patience and tolerance, but any misadventure in this regard will be forcefully responded.”

He reaffirmed that Pakistan did not want any conflict in the region, however, it was fully capable of strongly retaliating any attack on its soil.

India, he said, had for many times tested Pakistan’s capacity, and if still had any desire in that regard then “we are fully ready to show our might”.

He said if India was a true democracy then it should give the people of Kashmir their just right to self-determination, besides restoring all the basic human rights in the IIOJ&K.

PM Kakar said India must also stop the gross violations of human rights in the region along with releasing all the political prisoners. It should also abrogate all the strict emergency laws, besides removing its heavy military presence from the villages and towns of Kashmir.

It should allow the Kashmiris to hold peaceful gatherings, he added. The prime minister said that India must allow unrestricted access to the observers of UN and Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), international media and human rights organizations to IIOJ&K to get first-hand information about the situation there; and investigate and report human rights violations.

He said India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019 usurping the special status of the IIOJK were a blatant violation of international laws, including the UN Charter, 4th Geneva Convention and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

India had since been engaged in taking further measures to alter the demographic structure and political landscape of the held Valley, he added. PM Kakar said the ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’ was annually observed on the 5th February across Pakistan to express its unwavering support for the Kashmiris’ just struggle for realisation of their right to self-determination.

It was also an occasion to pay rich tribute to the sacrifices rendered by the Kashmiri brothers and sisters during the last 76 years, he added.

The prime minister said Pakistan had consistently maintained that a lasting solution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute was possible only in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and as per the wishes of Kashmiri people. “Pakistan would continue its moral, diplomatic and political support for the just cause,” he vowed.

PM Kakar said that the relevant UN Security Council resolutions provided that the final disposition of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute would be made in accordance with the will of its people through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.

Source: brecorder.com

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https://www.brecorder.com/news/40287520/pm-addresses-ajk-legislative-assembly-india-is-a-terrorist-state

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South Asia

 

Neighbouring nations voice silent protest against terrorist activities in Afghanistan: Pakistani Media

Fidel Rahmati

February 5, 2024

A Pakistani media outlet has claimed that Russia, China, Iran, and Pakistan have raised their objections discreetly regarding terrorist activities with the Afghanistan-Taliban rule.

Express Tribune reported on Sunday, February 4th, that representatives from these four countries, all having significant interests in Afghanistan, registered their shared protest during the “Regional Cooperation Initiative of Afghanistan” meeting held in Kabul on January 29.

The media outlet stated that these representatives from Pakistan, Russia, China, and Iran expressed their concerns in silence about the insufficient control over various terrorist groups’ activities in Afghanistan. This information came from a reliable source who spoke to Express Tribune on Sunday.

According to the report, this collective protest was made during the Kabul conference, where delegates from the four countries were present. It had previously been agreed upon that these nations would collectively voice their concerns regarding terrorist activities to the Taliban officials.

Express Tribune also mentioned that the initiative for this joint protest from Pakistan, which believed that a united front of key neighbours could influence the Taliban leaders to address the issue.

The source further disclosed that the Taliban officials cleverly organized a regional conference attended by officials from India, Turkey, Indonesia, and some Central Asian countries alongside representatives from China, Pakistan, Russia, and Iran to counteract the actions of these four countries secretly.

Recently, Pakistan’s interim Prime Minister, Anwar al-Haq Kakar, has claimed that no dangers are coming from Afghanistan to Pakistan.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/neighbouring-nations-voice-silent-protest-against-terrorist-activities-in-afghanistan-pakistani-media/

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Ulema, Elders in North Bring Up Education in Meeting With Kabir

Nazir Shinwari

February 5, 2024

The religious clerics and tribal elders of the northern provinces called for attention to education and health issues in their meeting with the deputy prime minister for political affairs, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, according to a statement of the Arg.

They mentioned their problems and requested the interim government reconstruct the roads and provide job opportunities for the youth.

“They ask for attention to the schools and seminaries. There are not enough seminaries in some provinces. There was discussion in many areas,” said Abdul Jamil Shirani, a tribal elder.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate’s spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, told TOLOnews that Mawlawi Kabir stressed that the current government has been established as a result of sacrifice.

Mawlawi Kabir stated that the interim government is committed to reconstruction, economic empowerment and fundamental projects that will solve the majority of people’s problems.

“The tribal elders and religious clerics had a meeting with him. He heard their wishes and problems and instructed the relevant organizations to solve their problems. Some people shared problems of roads and some shared problems in agriculture and effects of drought,” Mujahid said.

Earlier, during his visit to Khost province, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir said that the Islamic Emirate will not compromise on Islam and people's rights in order to be recognized by the world.

Source: tolonews.com

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https://tolonews.com/index.php/afghanistan-187290

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21 million Afghans lack access to clean drinking water: Official

Fidel Rahmati

February 5, 2024

The Taliban official claims that 21 million people in Afghanistan lack access to clean drinking water due to climate change.

Abdul Salam Haqani, the Deputy Head of the Taliban’s Environmental Department, stated on Monday, January 5th, that the wars have caused Afghanistan to suffer “serious harm” from climate change.

Previously, the United Nations had announced that climate change had reduced people’s access to water throughout Afghanistan.

The organization held a meeting in the city of Herat in May this year that focused on climate impacts in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is one of the countries with the lowest readiness to cope with climate change-induced shocks.

According to the latest assessments, Afghanistan ranks sixth as the most climate-vulnerable country in the world.

UN findings indicate that rural communities in Afghanistan have faced countless environmental challenges in recent years due to drought, floods, and landslides.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Higher Education and the National Environmental Protection Agency have announced in a joint press conference that an international climate change conference will be held next week at Nangarhar University.

Dr. Latifullah Khairkhwa, the Scientific Advisor to the Ministry of Higher Education, stated on Monday, January 5th, that Nangarhar University will host an international conference on climate change next week.

The conference coincides with Afghanistan’s worst drought in 30 years, which is expected to have a severe impact on the country’s agriculture-based economy and food security. Additionally, decades of war have left Afghans highly vulnerable to climate change due to the destruction of socio-economic infrastructure.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/21-million-afghans-lack-access-to-clean-drinking-water-official/

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Posting of UN Special Envoy for Afghanistan Against UN Law: Mujahid

 Mitra Majeedy,

February 5, 2024

The Islamic Emirate spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said that the appointment of the UN special envoy for Afghanistan—a vacancy approved in the 2721 resolution by the UNSC in December 2023-- is contrary to the law of the United Nations.

Mujahid said that the UN seeks to display Afghanistan as a country involved in crisis and war.

He argued that the situation in Afghanistan is normal and that there is no need for a special envoy.

“It is an unnecessary step. Based on the UN law, it is also unnecessary. Secondly, the UN may be trying to show Afghanistan as a country involved in a crisis and war. It is not a good intention and Afghanistan will not allow any such thing,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chargé d'Affaires of Afghanistan's Permanent Mission to the UN, Naseer Ahmad Faiq, said that the appointment of the special envoy for Afghanistan is within the authority of the UN Secretary-General.

“The task of the special envoy would be implementation of the proposals for formation of an international consensus and also for formation of a legitimate government. So that Afghanistan can integrate into the international...,” he said.

The political analysts give various opinions regarding the appointment of the UN special envoy for Afghanistan.

“If the UN wants to solve our problems, they should reach an agreement with the Islamic Emirate and then appoint the envoy because the Islamic Emirate is now a side,” said Amanullah Hotak, a political analyst.

“This delegation can open the path for the intra-Afghan dialogue and as long as we know, the problems of Afghanistan are internal. As long as a consensus is not formed among the Afghans, the problems of Afghanistan cannot be solved,” said Wahid Faqiri, political analyst.

In December 2023, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution which was co-penned by the UAE and Japan that focuses on a path for Afghanistan's reintegration into the international community referencing the recently completed independent assessment on Afghanistan.

The resolution was adopted after 13 members of the Security Council voted in favor, while Russia and China abstained.

Source: tolonews.com

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https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-187288

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113 Myanmar BGP members have taken refuge in Bangladesh so far: BGB

Feb 6, 2024

One hundred and thirteen members of Myanmar's Border Guard Police (BGP) have crossed the border at Tumbru and taken shelter in Bangladesh, said Border Guard Bangladesh today.

They have been disarmed and kept at a safe place in Naikhhongchhari upazila of Bandarban, said BGB's Public Relations Officer Md Shariful Islam.

As heavy fighting continued in Myanmar between the junta forces and rebel group Arakan Army, a Bangladeshi woman and a Rohingya man were killed yesterdag when a mortar shell fired from Myanmar exploded in Bandarban's Ghumdhum union yesterday.

Several thousand Bangladeshis in the border areas feel insecure as bullets and mortar shells fired from Myanmar landed in Bangladesh over the last two days.

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/113-myanmar-bgp-members-have-taken-refuge-bangladesh-so-far-bgb-3537436

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PM for patience on war-like situation along Myanmar border: law minister

Feb 5, 2024

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has instructed the armed forces and paramilitary border guards of Bangladesh to have patience regarding the recent war-like situation in Myanmar between their government forces and insurgents.

Law Minister Anisul Huq, in absence of Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, today said this while responding to a supplementary question from Opposition Chief Whip Mujibul Huq Chunnu in the parliament.

"Bangladesh is observing the situation closely and steps will be taken," he said.

The law minister responded to MPs' questions on the home ministry during the question-answer session as the Home boss was absent in the House.

He said that today some 78 Myanmar Border Police members entered Bangladesh, some of them with injuries.

He mentioned that these personnel have been kept in a school there and the injured persons were given treatment.

The law minister said that Instructions have been given to initiate dialogue with Myanmar through foreign ministry and send them back.

"If we are not able to send them back the next course will be taken," he said.

The minister said that government is aware of this matter and steps have been taken to close down schools in areas close to Myanmar frontier.

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/sreepur-al-leaders-house-attacked-3537561

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Biden’s letter to Hasina: ‘What will BNP say now?’ asks Quader

Feb 5, 2024

While speaking about the letter US President Joe Biden sent to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressing commitment to work with Bangladesh, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today made a pointed remark aimed at the BNP.

"What will BNP say now?"

During a press interaction at the Awami League President's office in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, earlier today, Quader criticised the BNP leadership for their absence and evasion, questioning the source of their confidence in regaining power.

He remarked, "The people have already distanced themselves from you. Your international allies have also turned their backs. The US has now pledged to work alongside Sheikh Hasina's government. What hope does the BNP have for returning to power?"

The road transport and bridges minister also expressed concern over the recent conflicts near the Myanmar border, where violence has forced citizens from several Bangladeshi villages to flee.

The ongoing internal conflict in Myanmar, resulting in gunfire and mortar shells landing within Bangladeshi territory, has prompted communication between the foreign ministries of Bangladesh and Myanmar.

"The conflict is Myanmar's internal issue, but its resolution should ensure that the panic does not spill over to neighbouring countries," Quader added, mentioning the potential role of the United Nations in mediating a solution.

Addressing the issue of the Rohingya refugees amid Myanmar's continued unrest, the minister firmly stated that Bangladesh would not show leniency in accepting more refugees: "We cannot bear this burden anymore."

In response to a question about negative activities within the student wing of the ruling party at Jahangirnagar University, Quader emphasised Awami League's zero tolerance of misconduct. "Not everyone in a party can be virtuous, but we do not condone wrongdoing. Any criminal activity should be dealt with according to the law. No one has been spared for committing crimes while we are in power," he asserted.

The meeting was also attended by Awami League's Organizational Secretary BM Mozammel Haque, SM Kamal Hossain, and other central and metropolitan leaders.

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/bidens-letter-hasina-what-will-bnp-say-now-asks-quader-3536781

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Biden's letter to PM a mere 'formality': BNP

 Feb 5, 2024

BNP Senior Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today said US President Joe Biden wrote a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as part of their state-to-state relations.

"There can be relationships between one state to another state. But, the US has not declared that the January 7 dummy elections were valid," Rizvi said at a press conference in Nayapaltan central party office.

"Relationships exist between states in trade, cultural, and economic aspects," he added.

Rizvi said the Bangladesh-Myanmar border has remained unprotected due to the Awami League government's "subservient" foreign policy.

"Now blood is being shed at the border. The country's borders always remained unprotected under the Awami League government. The government is failing to protect the country's sovereignty.

"The current government is afraid of even lodging strong protests. They have kept the people of the country captive and that is why they are afraid to protest," he said.

Under the leadership of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and his wife Khaleda Zia, Rizvi claimed, "Myanmar was unable to create tension along the border because they responded appropriately to any incident and strongly protested against any negative occurrence."

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/bidens-letter-pm-mere-formality-bnp-3537106

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Southeast Asia

 

New Muslim community endowment fund to be established

Zhaki Abdullah

06 February 2024

SINGAPORE – A new community endowment fund will be established to allow for a sustainable revenue stream to meet the needs of the Muslim community here, as part of a slew of changes to the Administration of Muslim Law Act (Amla).

The wide-ranging amendments, which were passed in Parliament on Feb 5, also covered changes in areas such as foreign halal certification bodies and Muslim religious schools, enhancing the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore’s (Muis) administration of these sectors.

First announced in 2020, the fund – known as Wakaf Masyarakat Singapura (WMS) – will finance the renewal of mosque leases and mosque maintenance, the development of religious teachers and scholars, and other community programmes.

While traditionally the wakaf – a type of Islamic religious endowment – is created by individual Muslims for specific charitable purposes upon their death, Muis will be empowered to create a wakaf on its own, as part of amendments to Amla.

Enacted in 1966, Amla administers many aspects of Muslim life here.

“The WMS will enable more individuals to bequeath their assets for future generations, and for our Muslim community to remain financially self-reliant and capable to address future needs and challenges,” said Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli in Parliament on Feb 5.

People will be able to donate to WMS by contributing cash or property, or by making Central Provident Fund nominations, Mr Masagos said, adding that the WMS is expected to complement existing community funds such as the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund.

Noting that many mosques and madrasahs here will face land lease renewals over the next 30 years, Mr Masagos said the WMS will enable Muslims here to prepare early for such needs.

WMS will also act as a reserve fund to support the community in times of crisis, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, he added.

Mr Masagos said the amendment Bill will also enhance Muis’ foreign halal certification bodies (FHCB) scheme by setting out a legal framework for recognising these bodies as having comparable halal certification benchmarks to those of Muis.

“This will provide greater transparency and assurance to our Muslim community on the quality of Muis-recognised FHCB, and provide our Muslim consumers and businesses with greater assurance when purchasing and consuming halal food products,” he said.

In response to questions from various MPs – including Mr Sharael Taha (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) and Nominated MP Syed Harun Alhabsyi – on the extent of Muis’ regulation of FHCB, Mr Masagos noted that such bodies will have to undergo mandatory training and assessment to ensure they can meet Singapore’s halal requirements.

FCHB will be placed under an audit and surveillance regime for three years. Those that fail to meet Muis requirements will be suspended and delisted, he added.

In 2020, Muis began a review of its FHCB framework, following allegations of an abuse of power in its recognition of such bodies.

The following year, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau said it found no evidence of wrongdoing following a probe into these claims.

In 2022, Berita Harian reported that there were 85 FHCB internationally.

Mr Masagos noted that the amendment Bill will provide a definition for Muslim religious schools and provide Muis officers with the power to inspect such institutions.

This will strengthen Muis’ ability to regulate such schools here, both online and physical, and enable the council to take enforcement action against unregistered institutions.

“This will ensure that Islamic religious education in Singapore is conducted by accredited institutions and asatizah (religious teachers) with the necessary qualifications,” Mr Masagos said.

Other changes include expanding the Fatwa Committee – which issues religious rulings – from four full members to eight, and allowing for the Registry of Muslim Marriages to introduce digital certificates of marriage for Muslim unions, which will not require the signatures of the solemniser, the marrying parties or their witnesses.

Source: straitstimes.com

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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/community/new-muslim-community-endowment-fund-established

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Parliament passes Bill enabling MUIS to better oversee Muslim religious schools

05 Feb 2024

Matthew Mohan

SINGAPORE: Changes to laws to strengthen the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore's (MUIS) ability to oversee all Muslim religious schools were passed in Parliament on Monday (Feb 5).

Under the amendments to the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA), MUIS will be allowed to take enforcement action against any of such schools which are unregistered.

A definition of Muslim religious schools will also be introduced, and there will be inspection powers for MUIS officers.

Tabling the Bill for a second reading, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli said the changes will ensure that Islamic religious education in Singapore is conducted by accredited institutions and asatizah (religious teachers) with the necessary qualifications.

While AMLA states that it is the function and duty of MUIS to administer all Muslim religious schools in Singapore, the definition of such institutions has never been prescribed in law, said Mr Masagos.

“This will maintain the integrity of our religious sector in guiding our Muslim community on the practice of Islam in a modern and multi-religious society,” he added.

Under the new amendments, a Muslim religious school can be defined as any person or organisation which "habitually" provides Islamic instruction to 10 or more individuals physically present in Singapore, or a place where 10 or more individuals physically present in Singapore are habitually provided with Islamic instruction.

In the case of a correspondence school where Islamic instruction is provided to 10 or more individuals physically present in Singapore, it is defined as the place or places where such instruction is prepared or where answers are examined or corrected.

In his speech, Member of Parliament Muhamad Faisal Manap (WP-Aljunied) voiced his party's support for the amendments, but asked how the figure of 10 or more individuals was arrived at.

In response, Mr Masagos said that the number is in line with the "broad understanding" of what a school is defined as in other legislative acts, and to ensure consistency.

Nominated Member of Parliament Dr Syed Harun Taha Alhabsyi also sought clarification on the intention of including an individual as part of the definition of Muslim religious schools given that such religious instruction could be carried out privately within a family.

"I would like to clarify that this amendment aims to better regulate Islamic religious education in Singapore, specifically religious schools or other individuals and entities that provide religious instructions," said Mr Masagos in his closing speech.

"It's not intended to regulate the private and personal sharing of religious views and opinions between individuals, friends, family members or colleagues."

Mr Masagos added that Islamic education in Singapore must be delivered by individuals who are certified under MUIS' Asatizah Recognition Scheme.

Muslim religious schools also must be registered under MUIS, as part of the Islamic Education Centres and Providers (IECP) scheme, he pointed out. These IECPs must submit their school curriculum syllabus and learning materials for verification and "quality assessments".

MUIS also conducts "periodic audits" on these institutions and their teachers to ensure "quality education", he said.

AMLA was introduced in 1966 to cover key aspects of Muslim life in Singapore, so that personal matters such as marriage, divorce and estates could continue to be governed by Muslim law.

Under the Act, MUIS was established as a statutory board to administer the religious affairs of the Singapore Muslim community. AMLA has since been reviewed regularly.

Last year, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth published a draft of the new Bill for public consultations. There was "broad support" from the community and "valuable feedback" received, added Mr Masagos in his speech.

The other changes to the AMLA include the Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM) being able to issue digital certificates of marriage.

Similar to the case for civil marriages, this digital certificate will not require the signatures of the Muslim marriage solemniser, as well as the marrying parties and their witnesses.

This follows amendments to the Act in 2022 where ROMM was allowed to continue to conduct solemnisations via video-link technology.

Moving forward, MUIS will also be able to create a wakaf - Islamic charitable endowment - on its own. The Bill will be the "overarching legal foundation" for the Wakaf Masyarakat Singapura (WMS), which was announced in 2020.

While this practice of leaving a charitable legacy for future generations has been ingrained in Muslim tradition, the wakaf created in the past are no longer “sufficient nor flexible” enough to meet the evolving needs of Singapore’s Muslim community, said Mr Masagos.

Unlike traditional wakaf which must be created by Muslim individuals and scoped for specific religious charitable purposes by the bequeathed upon their death, the MUIS wakaf will serve as a community endowment fund for social and religious development, he added.

It will "enable more individuals to bequeath their assets for future generations and for our Muslim community to remain financially self-reliant and capable to address future needs and challenges”.

Source: channelnewsasia.com

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https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/muis-better-oversee-muslim-religious-schools-parliament-bill-4099876

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SSP, MAPIM submit memorandum to US Embassy regarding Palestine conflict

06-02- 2024

KUALA LUMPUR: The Palestine Solidarity Secretariat (SSP) and Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (MAPIM) handed over a memorandum containing four demands, including an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine conflict to the United States Embassy here today.

SSP representative, Maria Chin Abdullah said the immediate ceasefire is a prerequisite that must be implemented according to the rules of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in ensuring that civilian lives are protected and preventing the tragedy of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

“The US Embassy said it will send the memorandum that was submitted today to the US Secretary of State (Antony J. Blinken) ,“ she told Bernama after submitting the memorandum.

Also present to hand over the memorandum were social activist Tian Chua and Federal Territories MAPIM coordinator Fadhil Osman.

In addition to the ceasefire, SSP and MAPIM also demanded that Israel obey international laws by respecting the ICJ as the highest judicial body of the global order where every country has a responsibility to defend the sanctity of international law.

Two other demands were that the US end all funding and military support for Israel to prevent violence that aggravates the Palestinian people and finally, the restoration of basic humanitarian aid to avoid a severe humanitarian tragedy in Gaza after the threatened crisis of lack of food, clean water, medical care, and other necessities essential to life.

The death toll in the Gaza Strip and West Bank since Oct 7, 2023 has risen to 19,088 with more than 54,450 injured.–Bernama

Source: thesun.my

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https://thesun.my/local_news/ssp-mapim-submit-memorandum-to-us-embassy-regarding-palestine-conflict-HF12067022

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Thailand confident aid effort will lead to Myanmar crisis dialogue

 06 Feb 2024

BANGKOK (Reuters): A new Thailand-led humanitarian initiative aims to pave the way for talks between warring camps in military-ruled Myanmar, a senior Thai official said, three years after a coup triggered instability and a wave of violence across the country.

Thailand plans to establish a humanitarian safe zone later this month at its border with Myanmar, near the Mae Sot-Myawaddy crossing, to deliver food and medical supplies to local communities and 20,000 people displaced by fighting, said Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thailand's vice foreign minister.

Sihasak said the plan would augment efforts by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which has tried unsuccessfully to start a peace process between the military and its enemies among ethnic minority armies and an armed resistance movement.

The ultimate goal was to bring the conflict under control and open up dialogue channels.

"We don't want to see a Myanmar that is destabilised further," he said, adding the process must be "effective, credible and transparent".

The initiative, endorsed last week by ASEAN foreign ministers and a representative from Myanmar, will see the Thai and Myanmar Red Cross deliver supplies on the ground under the observation of ASEAN's humanitarian aid body.

Myanmar has been locked in conflict since the military seized power in 2021, upending a decade of tentative democracy and reform. The United Nations says at least 2.6 million people have been displaced by fighting and more than 18 million people are in need of assistance.

ASEAN's peace plan, which Myanmar's generals agreed to in April 2021, has yet to advance, with frustration in the bloc about the junta's lack of commitment. Central to the plan is dialogue between rival forces, which the generals call "terrorists" and refuse to engage with.

Sihasak said the Thai-led plan could lead to talks that include the junta, ethnic armed groups and a shadow National Unity Government allied with pro-democracy militias.

He did not say if the junta had agreed to such talks.

A spokesperson for the military government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"Some kind of a dialogue process should begin maybe at least by the middle of the year," Sihasak said, without elaborating.

Thailand had consulted international partners, including Myanmar's other neighbours, India and China, he added.

"It's about paving the way for Myanmar to once again reengage and engage constructively with the international community," he said.

"This is an opportunity for some dialogue, constructive dialogue, to begin."

Source: thestar.com.my

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https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2024/02/06/thailand-confident-aid-effort-will-lead-to-myanmar-crisis-dialogue

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Japanese, Italian premiers call for ‘calming down’ situation in Gaza

Anadolu Staff 

06.02.2024

The leaders of Japan and Italy called Monday for “calming down” the situation in the Gaza Strip, recognizing the critical importance of improving the humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave.

The appeal was made during a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his visiting Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni in Tokyo, said a statement from Japan’s Foreign Ministry.

“On the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine, recognizing the critical importance of improving the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and reviewing the efforts made by the G-7 last year, the two leaders concurred to intensify efforts at this year's G-7 summit toward the immediate release of the hostages, improving the humanitarian situation and calming down the situation,” the statement added.

Israel has launched a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian group Hamas, killing at least 27,478 Palestinians and injuring 66,835 others.

The Israeli offensive has left 85% of Gaza’s population internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, the two leaders agreed to continue to work closely together at this year's G-7 summit meetings under the Italian Presidency.

They also shared “the recognition that the role of the G-7 in leading the international community's response to the conflict is “extremely important.”

“The two leaders also exchanged views on the response to North Korea, including the nuclear and missiles issue and the abductions issue, as well as on the situation in East Asia, including China, and concurred to work closely together.”

Appreciating the progress in bilateral cooperation, Kishida welcomed cooperation in the field of defense and security such as joint naval exercises and port calls by naval vessels including an aircraft carrier strike group as well as the joint development of next-generation fighter aircraft by Japan, Italy and the UK.

Meloni welcomed the deepening of Japan-Italy relations in various fields and expressed the desire for close communication in various areas including space, science and technology to further strengthen relations, the statement said.

Source: aa.com.tr

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https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/japanese-italian-premiers-call-for-calming-down-situation-in-gaza/3128734

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Africa

 

UN refugee chief warns Europe of a new influx of Sudanese migrants if Sudan's conflict continues

 06 Feb 2024

If a cease-fire agreement isn't signed soon between Sudan's warring sides and relief efforts aren't strengthened, refugees will look for safety beyong Sudan's neighbouring countries, the head of the United Nations refugee agency warned Monday (Feb. 05).

Filippo Grandi spoke from Nairobi one day after visiting Ethiopia.

"The Europeans are always so worried about people coming across the Mediterranean. Well, I have a warning for them that if they don't support more refugees coming out of Sudan, even displaced people inside Sudan, we will see onward movements of people towards Libya, Tunisia and across the Mediterranean," Filippo Grandi said. "There is no doubt."

More than 9 million people are thought to be internally displaced in Sudan, and 1.5 million refugees have fled into neighboring countries in 10 months of clashes between the Sudanese military, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, a powerful paramilitary group commanded by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.

The conflict erupted last April in the capital, Khartoum, and quickly spread to other areas of the country.

Grandi said several countries neighboring Sudan — Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan and Ethiopia — have their own "fragilities" and will be unable to give refugees enough assistance.

He said refugees will move further toward northern counties like Tunisia, where some have been documented planning to cross to Europe "When refugees go out and they don't receive enough assistance, they go further," Grandi said.

He said the war in Sudan is becoming fragmented, with a number of militias controlling areas. "Militias have even less hesitation to perpetrate abuse on civilians," he said, suggesting that it would create even more displacement.

Grandi also said conflicts in places like Sudan, Congo, Afghanistan and Myanmar should not be overlooked during the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

"Gaza is a tragedy, it needs a lot of attention and resources, but it cannot be at the expense of another big crisis like Sudan," he said.

Grandi spoke a day after visiting Sudan and Ethiopia, which is recovering from a two-year conflict in its northern Tigray region.

The United Nations says at least 12,000 people have been killed in Sudan's conflict, although local doctors groups say the true toll is far higher.

Dagalo's paramilitary forces appear to have had the upper hand over the past three months, with their fighters advancing to the east and north across Sudan's central belt. Both sides have been accused of war crimes by rights groups.

Regional partners in Africa have been trying to mediate an end to the conflict, along with Saudi Arabia and the United States, which facilitated several rounds of unsuccessful, indirect talks between the warring parties. Burhan and Dagalo are yet to meet in person since the conflict began.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/05/un-refugee-chief-warns-europe-of-a-new-influx-of-sudanese-migrants-if-sudans-conflict-cont/

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I Will Inform Tinubu of the Suffering of Nigerians – Kano Governor Yusuf

 Daniel Daniel

February 6, 2024

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state has expressed concern over the rising cost of essential commodities in his state and across the country, vowing to personally inform President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the plight of Nigerians.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Governor Yusuf lamented the hardship faced by many residents who are struggling to afford even three meals a day due to the persistent inflation.

He attributed the high prices, in part, to monopolistic practices and called on the business community to prioritise ethical values and collaborate with the government to address the situation.

According to the governor, despite the challenges posed by the rising dollar exchange rate, corrective measures can significantly alleviate the suffering in the land.

Governor Yusuf said he is committed to understanding the challenges faced by ordinary citizens and ensuring their well-being. According to the statement, the governor has ordered a comprehensive market survey to assess the true extent of inflation and is determined to find solutions through collaborative efforts.

One of the key initiatives announced by the governor is the establishment of a high-powered Business Community Consultative Forum. This forum will bring together government officials and business leaders to regularly discuss and combat monopolistic practices while also working to create a more conducive business environment.

Governor Yusuf also proposed the implementation of a price regulatory mechanism to stabilise inflation and provide relief to the populace. Additionally, he outlined plans to introduce a more effective revenue generation system to meet constitutional requirements and prevent revenue leakages.

During the interactive session with the Kano Business Community, some business leaders attributed the inflation to various factors, including the high dollar exchange rate, rising production costs, unreliable power supply, and border closures. They urged the governor to seek intervention from the Federal Government to address these issues.

Source: politicsnigeria.com

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https://politicsnigeria.com/i-will-inform-tinubu-of-the-suffering-of-nigerians-kano-governor-yusuf/

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B’Haram kills two at Yobe collation centre

 Njadvara Musa (Damaturu) and Danjuma Michael (Katsina)

06 February 2024

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have killed two persons at an election collation centre in Kukareta, along Damaturu-Maiduguri road, Yobe State government has said.

There were multiple attacks on Sunday, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was collating results of Yobe East Senatorial by-elections.

Confirming the incident, yesterday, in Damaturu, Security Adviser to the Governor, Maj-Gen Dahiru Abdulsalam (rtd), disclosed: “The residence of the District Head of Kukareta (name withheld) was torched, after the killing of two persons at the collation centre.”

He noted that the centre is about 20 kilometres east of Damaturu, the state capital.

Abdulsalam, however, assured both the electoral officials and residents to remain calm, as security agencies had been reinforced to complete the collation.

SIMILARLY, terrorists have killed one person and injured another during an attack, on Sunday night, in Katsalle community, Kankara Local Council of Katsina State.

The Guardian learnt that the terrorists also abducted many women and children, with community members, yesterday, trying to ascertain the exact number of the victims.

A source said the terrorists killed a middle-aged man simply identified as Mallam Mustapha, and injured another called Mallam Rabiu.

Rabiu’s house was reportedly ransacked and set ablaze by the terrorists.

The source also said that women and children were kidnapped and whisked into the forest on motorcycles by the marauders.

Kankara is among council areas in the state facing incessant security challenges due to activities of terrorists, rustlers and kidnappers.

Hundreds of lives have been lost, injured or kidnapped in recent times in the affected areas, all of which share a border with a forest reserve that serves as terrorists’ hideout.

As at press time, yesterday, spokesperson for the police command in the state, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, had yet to respond to inquiry on the incident.

Source: guardian.ng

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https://guardian.ng/news/bharam-kills-two-at-yobe-collation-centre/

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UK announces $125M aid package for Ethiopia as humanitarian crisis deepens

Andrew Wasike 

06.02.2024

The UK pledged £100 million ($125 million) in new aid on Monday to provide life-saving assistance to more than three million Ethiopians in response to the escalating humanitarian crisis in the East African country.

The announcement was made by the UK’s Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, following a two-day visit to Ethiopia, where he outlined a comprehensive plan to address the deepening crisis.

"Millions are trapped in displacement, hunger and need. As ever, the most vulnerable people, particularly women and children, are the first to be hit," said Mitchell.

"The crisis is a wake-up call to the world. Food shortages are at a critical level," he added, noting that the number of critically food-insecure people is projected to reach 10.8 million in the coming months.

The aid package aims to target vulnerable groups, particularly children under the age of five and pregnant and post-natal women.

The program seeks to improve access to essential health services for over 3 million Ethiopians, with a primary focus on women and children.

The UK noted that aside from providing food, the funding will contribute to enhanced family planning support, the provision of medicines and childhood vaccinations.

The emergency funding from the UK will also assist 75 health centers in addressing malnutrition and other preventable causes of death, including malaria and cholera.

The announcement comes as millions of people across northern Ethiopia are grappling with hunger, exacerbated by conflict and climate change, resulting in failed harvests and mass displacement.

Source: aa.com.tr

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https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/uk-announces-125m-aid-package-for-ethiopia-as-humanitarian-crisis-deepens/3128762

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Arab World

 

Yemen’s Houthi militia ‘ready for peace’ with Saudi Arabia

February 05, 2024

AL-MUKALLA: Yemen’s Houthi militia is ready to make peace with Saudi Arabia, the groups’ deputy foreign minister said on Monday, accusing the US of obstructing efforts to reach a settlement.

Speaking to reporters in Sanaa, Hussein Al-Ezzi expressed “special gratitude” to Saudi Arabia for its unwillingness to join US-UK strikes on Yemen, adding that the militia is “eager” to enter peace negotiations with the Kingdom.

“Sanaa is prepared for peace with Riyadh despite the challenges posed by the US and its associated Yemeni groups,” Al-Ezzi said.

The US and UK have carried out about 300 strikes in Yemen since Jan. 12, the official said, threatening to make the US pay a “heavy price” for the attacks. “America is the one assaulting us, and it will not escape retribution, and we will never remain mute about the aggression against our nation, and it will have no impact on our stance toward Gaza and Palestine.”

Since November, the Houthis have seized a commercial ship and launched dozens of missiles and drones at civilian as well as military vessels in the Red Sea. Al-Ezzi said that the militia, in a show of support to Palestine, only targets Israel-linked ships or vessels on their way to the country.

US and UK military and commercial ships were added to the militia’s list of targets after the two countries launched strikes on Yemen, he added.

The Houthi warning to strike US and UK ships came as Houthi media and Yemenis in the Houthi-controlled western province of Hodeidah reported explosions on Sunday night when jets struck targets in the Ras Isa, Al-Zaydiyah and Al-Hawak districts. On Monday afternoon, the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV channel claimed that the US and UK forces conducted attacks on Hodeidah’s Al-Katheeb area.

Meanwhile, Yemen’s internationally recognized government said that UN pressure to end its offensive on Hodeidah city in 2018 had led to the escalating Houthi violence on the Red Sea since last year.

Yemeni Information Minister Muammar Al-Eryani on Sunday blamed the UN and its former Yemen envoy, Martin Griffiths, for pressuring the Yemeni government to abandon its military offensive on the Houthi-controlled port city and sign the UN-brokered Stockholm Agreement.

Government forces controlled Hodeidah’s airport, as well as the city’s southern and eastern entrances, and were only a few kilometers from the city’s port before the UN urged an end to the offensive, he added.

At the time, the UN warned that conflict in Hodeidah would halt the supply of 70 percent of the country’s humanitarian aid and other essential items through the city’s port.

“The entire world is paying the price for ignoring government warnings about the dangers of allowing the Iranian regime and its arms in the region, most notably the Houthi militia, to control the city of Hodeidah and its ports,” Al-Eryani said, according to the SABA news agency.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2454541/middle-east

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Minister of Defense Meets with the Pakistani Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee

06 Feb, 2024

Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met in his office in Riyadh on Monday with Pakistani Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Lt. Gen. Sahir Shamshad.

 The two leaders discussed strategic relations between the two countries, defense cooperation and ways to enhance it, and topics of common interest.

 Present at the meeting were Deputy Defense Minister Prince Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf, Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Fayyad bin Hamid Al-Ruwaili, Assistant Minister of Defense Eng. Talal bin Abdullah Al-Otaibi, and Director General of the Office of the Minister of Defense Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif.

Source: alriyadhdaily.com

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http://alriyadhdaily.com/article/a5f042eb246c4b14a6136146c8e6ca56

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Resistance rooted in Imam Khomeini's anti-Zionist vision: Yemen PM

05 February 2024

The prime minister of Yemen says the advent and rise of the Axis of Resistance in the West Asia region is rooted in the anti-Zionist vision and ideas of the Founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini.

Abdulaziz bin Saleh Habtoor made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Press TV's Face to Face program.

"Imam Khomeini came to refute the Zionist project that had been established 75 years ago," the Yemeni premier said, adding, "Today, the resistance is based on the vision of this eminent scholar and leader of the Iranian revolution."

Habtoor stressed that the strength with which the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip stands up to the Israeli aggression today emanates from Imam Khomeini's ideology.

"You can see that the resistance in Palestine has continued for four months and has not been supported by any Arab countries or Arab armies, except the Islamic Republic of Iran, our brothers in Syria, and the rest of the [regional] Axis of Resistance," he said.

"So, these are the fruits of the seeds of Imam Khomeini's ideas, and had it not been for his ideas, the Palestinian resistance wouldn't have been able to stand [against Israel] with such strength...."

The remarks came as Gaza's resistance movements continue to confront a genocidal Israeli war that began on October 7, 2023 after those movements staged Operation al-Aqsa Storm against the occupied territories.

Habtoor went on to recount some instances of Imam Khomeini's endeavors and struggle in the face of Western hegemony and Israeli colonialism.

"Imam Khomeini's first step was to close the American and Israeli embassies and open the Palestinian embassy," Habtoor said, adding, "This was a call to all the free people of the Islamic homeland that the situation has changed."

"From that day, the idea of Quds Day began, which was established by the Imam, and then the Quds Force [of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps] also came [into being]," the Yemeni premier said, referring to two momentous legacies of the late founder of the Islamic Republic.

"He (Imam Khomeini) was a man who had a political, cultural, and religious project and thought [that was meant] to end the hegemony of the West that controlled the Arab and Islamic world."

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/02/05/719550/Iran-Yemen-Imam-Khomeini-Islamic-Revolution-resistance-Israel

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Saudi foreign minister, GCC chief discuss Gulf initiatives

February 05, 2024

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Secretary-General Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi on Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Discussions focused on collective Gulf initiatives and provided updates on regional and international developments, highlighting the ongoing efforts in these areas.

The meeting was also attended by Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral International Affairs.

Prince Faisal met his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani on the same day to chair the preparatory committee meeting for the third session of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council.

The officials reviewed the council’s progress and provided updates on the outcomes of its subsidiary committees. The meeting also focused on bilateral and multilateral coordination on issues of mutual interest.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2454641/saudi-arabia

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Saudi, Bahraini FMs meet ahead of coordination council meeting

February 05, 2024

RIYADH: The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain met in Riyadh on Monday ahead of the third meeting of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council, the Kingdom’s foreign ministry said.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani chaired a preparatory committee meeting and reviewed the latest developments in the council’s work.

They also discussed updates on the outputs of the council’s subcommittees and aspects of bilateral and multilateral coordination on issues of common interest.

The council meeting will take place on Wednesday and will be chaired by the crown princes of both countries, Bahrain News Agency reported.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2454516/saudi-arabia

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Saudi crown prince meets with Blinken in Riyadh

February 05, 2024

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Riyadh on Monday, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Blinken arrived in Riyadh earlier on in the day, on the first stop of his fifth regional tour since the beginning of the Israel-Gaza war. Blinken is later expected to visit Israel, Egypt and Qatar.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and the Kindom’s ambassdor to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar attended the meeting.

Ahead of the trip, Blinken stressed the need for “urgently addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza,” after aid groups have repeatedly sounded the alarm over the devastating impact nearly four months of war have had on the besieged territory.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said at least 27,478 people have been killed in the territory in nearly four months of war between Palestinian militants and Israel.

A ministry statement said 66,835 people have been wounded since fighting erupted on Oct. 7.

Source: arabnews.com

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

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2454421/saudi-arabia

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Europe

 

Britain Can’t Protect Its Own Government Ministers from Islamists

Oliver Wiseman

February 6, 2024

Two and a half years ago, a member of Britain’s parliament was murdered in a church in southeast England where he was meeting his constituents. Ali Harbi Ali, a 25-year-old who called himself a soldier of the Islamic State, said “Sorry” to David Amess before pulling a knife from his pocket and stabbing the Conservative lawmaker repeatedly in the stomach. When two constituents heard Amess’s screams and rushed into the room, Ali said simply, “I’ve killed him.”

In an interview with police after his arrest, Ali said that a month before the attack, he had visited the constituency of Mike Freer, another Conservative MP, armed with the intent to harm.

“That’s when I bought the stab vest,” Freer tells me over the phone from his home in his constituency of Finchley and Golders Green, a leafy corner of northwest London once represented by Margaret Thatcher and home to one of the UK’s largest Jewish communities.

Last week, Freer, 63 and a justice minister in the British government, took an even more dramatic measure to protect his safety. He announced that he will be stepping down at the next election because of the “intolerable stress” on his husband and extended family from the “several serious threats to my personal safety.”

Freer, who was attending a meeting in central London at the time Ali visited his office, said he escaped the attack “by the skin of his teeth.”

“Just walking across the road to get a can of Coke could have been fatal,” Freer said.

It isn’t just the near-miss with Ali. Freer said that during his 14 years in parliament he has seen an escalation of abuse, intimidation, and threats. The most recent incident came last Christmas Eve, when his office—the same building once used by Thatcher—was set ablaze in an arson attack that Freer says “melted the phones, melted the computer screens, and caused the ceiling to collapse.” Paul Harwood, 42, and Zara Kasory, 32, have been charged with arson and are awaiting trial. The police have not given a possible motive for the attack but said it is not being treated as a hate crime.

“The arson attack was the final straw,” Freer said when we spoke over the phone shortly after his announcement last week. “It just made me think ‘God, this is all getting too much.’ ”

Freer’s decision to prioritize his family’s well-being is a depressing sign of the times: a gay conservative justice minister hounded out of office by threats of violence, including from Islamist extremists. What’s more, it suggests the assassin’s veto—the use of violent threats to silence speech—is alive and well in the UK.

The same week Freer declared he did not feel safe to continue as an MP, Stephen Pollard, the former editor of The Jewish Chronicle, Britain’s leading Jewish newspaper, revealed that he too had been targeted by Islamists and had relied on police protection for years. On Sunday, a theater in central London canceled a pro-Israel event with the journalist and Free Press contributor Douglas Murray, citing threats to employees. Accusing the theater of “cowering to a campaign of intimidation,” Murray said in a post on X that “We have arrived at the point where theaters in London no longer feel safe to support free speech—or at least not when the subject is about Jews or Israel.”

MPs have been a focus of Islamist intimidation and violence in recent years. In 2010, Labour MP Stephen Timms was the first UK lawmaker targeted. A 21-year-old student named Roshonara Choudhry stabbed him twice in the abdomen at an East London community hall, later telling police she had wanted to “punish” the politician for voting for the invasion of Iraq. (Amess’s killer said he had targeted MPs who had voted for air strikes against ISIS in Syria.) The following year, Islamist group Muslims Against Crusades posted a picture of Freer on their website with the message “Let Stephen Timms be a warning.”

In 2011, while Freer was meeting with constituents at a local mosque, members of Muslims Against Crusades burst in and called him a “Jewish homosexual pig” and accused him of “defiling the house of Allah.” Freer, who is not Jewish, was forced to retreat into a back room at the mosque until police came to his aid. At the time, Freer was not public about his sexuality, and only spoke openly about it in debates over same-sex marriage two years later.

The next time he visited the mosque, he required police protection. “They could only shout at me on the way in and out that time,” he told me. (The British government has since banned Muslims Against Crusades, making membership in the group a criminal offense.)

MPs on both sides of the aisle have complained of a coarsening political culture and increasingly nasty interactions with constituents. In 2016, the Labour MP Jo Cox was murdered by a far-right extremist.

So it’s unsurprising that Freer is spooked, especially as he has had to endure a particularly brutal level of abuse and intimidation.

I asked him why he thought he had become a target.

“I get abuse for standing up for my constituents on antisemitism and Israel,” he said of the individuals and groups who have harassed him. “They also clearly take offense at my views on the Middle East.”

Freer is a robust supporter of Israel, and Jews make up around 20 percent of the voters in his district—a higher proportion than in any other constituency in the country.

And since October 7, “there has been an uptick in terms of polarization,” he says.

He said his Jewish constituents have also felt greater fears for their safety since Hamas’s attack on Israel, as anti-Israel protesters have taken to London’s streets almost weekly, waving antisemitic posters while shouting genocidal chants like “from the river to the sea.” In November, protesters intimidated Jewish families outside a synagogue in North London, with police having to escort congregants away in groups. Antisemitic hate crimes in London rose by 1,350 percent immediately after October 7, according to police.

“Many of my Jewish constituents won’t go to central London on a Saturday when there’s one of these big demonstrations. They feel it is not safe for them,” Freer told me.

They have reason to be worried. Last February, British Security Minister Tom Tugendhat revealed that criminal gangs in the UK are being hired by the Iranian regime to “map” British Jews as a “preparation for lethal operations.” This includes murdering high-profile British Jews as retribution in the event that Israel attacks Iran, Tugendhat said.

And last month, Britain’s head of counterterrorism said that the Israel-Gaza war has brought with it a rising threat of Islamist violence.

In addition to the stab vest, Freer is now protected by private security at some of his events, and he makes sure he meets with his constituents in rooms with two doors, in case he needs to make a quick escape. At home, Freer now has “security lighting, front and back, I have a doorbell that allows me to see who is at the door. My letterbox is sealed up. . . . All of my windows have been replaced with security windows. I have to have shutters on the windows so that people can’t see in and there’s now a panic button in every room.” He took similar measures at his constituency office—although they failed to prevent last year’s arson attack.

Freer said there is a “heightened level of anxiety” for his husband Angelo, a 63-year-old high school math teacher, about going anywhere on foot or on public transport. He describes to me the constant vigilance and precautions he now has had to take for himself. “Whenever I park at night, I am careful to look around to see if there’s anybody lurking,” he tells me. “It just grinds you down, but what’s more important is the impact on my husband.”

Alongside all this, Freer has to endure what he refers to as “the routine stuff you just take on the chin these days”—not just online abuse but someone harassing him in a shopping mall, leaving threatening notes on his car, or “mock Molotov cocktails on the office doorstep.”

Only last week, after he announced his departure from parliament, a constituent called the office and threatened him, saying, “We’re coming for you, you cunt.” Freer said he and his staff traced the number back to a man who once turned up at the office saying he had a gun.

Freer said the man was “probably someone with mental health issues and he probably hasn’t got a gun. But my staff don’t know that. And why should they have to deal with someone turning up with a knife or a gun or trying to set fire to their office?”  

Until the next election is announced, Freer will continue to serve in parliament. And he has told his staffers that if an attack happens, their job is not to protect him.

“Their job is to run,” he said. “You know, they’re not my bodyguards.”

For all the threats to his own safety, Freer—who belongs to his party’s liberal wing—is clearly reluctant to paint the entire city as dangerous. He told me that he doesn’t “want people to join the dots and come to the wrong conclusion,” adding that “London is still a safe and vibrant community.”

After Freer announced his resignation, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was “extremely saddened” by the decision, calling the threats against Freer “not just an attack on him but an attack on British democracy.” Sunak’s statement echoed those given after Amess’s murder two and a half years ago. But, beyond vague pledges by politicians to crack down on social media trolls, next to nothing was done in the intervening months to address the problem of political, often Islamist, violence.

Even as he heads for the exits, Freer, with British understatement, attempts to downplay the forces that have pushed him out of his job. When I ask him whether he thinks any of his parliamentary colleagues will avoid standing up for Israel—or against antisemitism—in the face of these dangers, he bristles at the suggestion: “No, no, I think most of us would take the contrary view. I’ve been very clear that I won’t be intimidated to be quiet on things I believe in.”

Except for the fact that you’re stepping down, I point out.

“True. True. Well, certainly not in parliament. Certainly not in the House of Commons, but it doesn’t mean I won’t continue to advocate for Israel and the Jewish community. So it’s a fair point. I suppose in some ways they have silenced me, but there you go.”

Source: thefp.com

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https://www.thefp.com/p/mike-freer-islamist-threats-mp-parliament

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Bosnian, Croatian journalists pay tribute to murdered colleagues in Palestine

Talha Öztürk

06.02.2024

Bosnian and Croatian journalists gathered Monday in the capitals of Sarajevo and Zagreb to pay tribute to their colleagues killed in Israeli attacks in Palestine.

The tribute was organized as part of a protest staged by representatives of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) operating in the UK and Ireland and the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate (PJS) simultaneously in Brussels.

Hundreds of journalists lit candles and observed a minute of silence before calling for a cease-fire.

Bosnian journalist Borka Rudic said crimes against journalists are unacceptable and they mourn equally for all colleagues who were killed while reporting from the Gaza Strip.

"Today, we are sending a message from Bosnia and Herzegovina that crimes against journalists are inadmissible. Journalism is a public good and journalists must have minimum security conditions, regardless of whether they are reporting from the center of Sarajevo today or from the war zone of the Gaza Strip," Rudic said at the gathering.

Croatian journalist associations joined the global appeal to stop the killing of journalists and civilians and the bloodshed in Gaza.

According to the International Federation of Journalists, at least 99 journalists have been killed since Oct. 7, 2023 in Gaza.

Tensions have been running high across the occupied West Bank since Israel launched a deadly military offensive against the Gaza Strip following an Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian group Hamas in which Israel says 1,200 Israelis were killed.

At least 27,478 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and 66,835 others injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Source: aa.com.tr

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https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/bosnian-croatian-journalists-pay-tribute-to-murdered-colleagues-in-palestine/3128750

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Gaza war costing UK Labour Party vital Muslim votes, new poll indicates

05 February, 2024

Support for the UK's Labour Party from British Muslims has tumbled since the 2019 general election, a new poll has revealed, in a sign Israel's war on Gaza could cost Western politicians valuable seats.

The survey, carried out by respected pollster Survation for the Labour Muslim Network (LMN), found that support for the party had fallen from 86 to 60 percent.

It also showed that an overwhelming majority - 85 percent - believe the position taken by British political leaders on the Israel-Palestine conflict will be very or somewhat important to influencing how they vote for at the next general election, expected later this year.

"For decades the Muslim community has been amongst the most loyal Labour supporters anywhere in the United Kingdom," LMN said in a statement.

"The findings of this new opinion poll shows a startling collapse of this electoral and communal relationship.

"This is a crisis point for the future of the relationship between the British Muslim community and the Labour Party."

The Survation poll, conducted from 18 January to 3 February, also revealed a small drop in British Muslim support for the ruling Conservative Party.

Eight percent said they would vote for the Conservatives in a general election held the following day, down from the 10 percent who cast their ballots for the party at the 2019 general election, although this is in-line with a dramatic drop in support for the party nationwide.

The general election data was collected in a 2021 survey in which participants recalled how they had voted.

Labour and its leader Keir Starmer have faced heavy criticism over their approach to Israel's war on Gaza.

The party has stopped short of backing an immediate ceasefire in the devastated Palestinian enclave.

In late January, Starmer said: "What is needed in Gaza is a humanitarian truce now, a sustainable ceasefire to stop the killing of innocent civilians, space for the return of all hostages, urgent humanitarian relief and a decisive step towards a two-state solution."

Three days later, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) found that Israel was plausibly breaching the Genocide Convention in Gaza.

LMN, which describes itself as seeking to promote British Muslim engagement with Labour, said the party's response to Israel's campaign in Gaza, which has so far killed 27,365 people, has been "unacceptable" and "deeply offensive" to Muslims across the UK.

"Muslim voters have been watching and are now sending a clear message – they will not support any political party that does not fervently oppose the crimes committed against the people of Gaza," the group added.

"The Labour leadership must change paths now or risk losing the support of the Muslim community for a generation."

The Survation poll found 49 percent of British Muslims now identify more with Labour than any other party, a drop of 23 points since 2021.

Primary identification with the Green Party rose to nine percent, while the Conservatives held steady – also at nine percent.

The survey showed five percent identify with the Liberal Democrats and three percent with the Scottish National Party, while 16 percent said they identified with none.

The poll also revealed that Labour's net favourability among British Muslims is down 21 points since 2021 to +21 percent. The Conservatives' rating fell 11 points to -50 percent.

Starmer's net favourability was lower than his party's, up four points since 2021 to -11 percent, while Conservative leader and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's favourability was at -58 percent.

Source: newarab.com

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https://www.newarab.com/news/uk-labours-ratings-tumble-among-brit-muslims-amid-gaza-war

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Brussels journalists call on media organizations to take action against killing of Gaza colleagues

Talha Ozturk

06.02.2024

Hundreds of journalists staged a protest in Belgium’s capital on Monday against Israel's killing of their colleagues in Gaza and called on media organizations to take action.

Representatives of the Brussels-based International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) operating in the UK and Ireland and the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate (PJS) gathered at Schuman Square, where European Union institutions are located.

They carried banners that said "Freedom for Palestinian journalists," "Israel, stop killing journalists in Gaza" and "Journalists in Gaza, we are with you."

The journalists left a cardboard coffin with a press vest in the square and held a moment of silence.

"I am here to support Palestinian journalists and to protest the deliberate targeting and killing of journalists. They are just doing their job. This is unacceptable. Israel must stop. This is a war crime," said NUJ Vice President Sarah Lewis.

IFJ Deputy Secretary General and NUJ Executive Board member Tim Dawson said that media organizations working with journalists in Gaza should take a stand.

"The erosion of freedom of expression in Gaza is shocking. The international press is not allowed into the country, and local press is being killed," said Dawson.

The IFJ issued a statement on the protest, saying that at least 100 journalists and media workers have been killed and many have been injured or are missing since Oct. 7, 2023, when Israel launched its war on Gaza.

"The number of deaths is unprecedented. Targeting journalists who document such violent events is a war crime, and this must stop," said the statement.

Tensions have been running high across the occupied West Bank since Israel launched a deadly military offensive against the Gaza Strip following an Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian group Hamas in which Israel says 1,200 Israelis were killed.

According to Palestinian health authorities, at least 27,478 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and 66,835 others injured.

The Israeli offensive has left 85% of Gaza’s population internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.
Source: aa.com.tr

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https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/brussels-journalists-call-on-media-organizations-to-take-action-against-killing-of-gaza-colleagues/3128742

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Germany provides over $5 million in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

Fidel Rahmati

February 5, 2024

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced that Germany has contributed $5.4 million to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund.

On Monday, February 5th, OCHA expressed gratitude for Germany’s €5 million donation to humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan through a message posted on its social media platform X.

OCHA has not provided specific details regarding the sectors in which this assistance will be utilized.

Previously, OCHA, as the coordinator of humanitarian aid, had reported Germany’s €5 million contribution for life-saving and livelihood support to the people of Afghanistan.

It’s worth noting that humanitarian organizations providing aid to Afghanistan have consistently warned of budget shortages for delivering humanitarian assistance and the increasing level of need in the country.

These contributions come as Afghanistan has faced increased needs due to the recent expulsion of thousands of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan and the occurrence of earthquakes in Herat province in recent months.

According to OCHA’s statistics, humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan has declined, and five million people in central provinces, including Kabul, are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/germany-provides-over-5-million-in-humanitarian-aid-to-afghanistan/

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