Rethinking Islam with Sultan Shahin

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Islamic World News
05 Aug 2010, NewAgeIslam.Com
50 yrs on, Dilip Kumar remembers magnum opus Mughal-e-Azam

Iran president unhurt in alleged bomb attack

Gunmen kill 3 soldiers in south Yemen

Violent protests erupt in Kashmir after 2 killed

Malaysian female Islamic court judges get full power

Pentagon demands that WikiLeaks give back leaked reports and not post others

As Indonesians Go to Mecca, Many Eyes Follow Their Money

U.S. Indicts 14 Accused of Supporting Terrorist Group in Somalia

Saddam Aide Says U.S. "Leaving Iraq to The Wolves"

Iran launches website to undermine Holocaust

Kashmiris must be given 'self-determination' right: Pak panel

Authorities dismiss rumours on Zamzam

Mumbai builder Rizvi clashes with Obama’s Islam envoy

Suicide blast kills six police in Afghan north

28 Afghan civilians killed in US airstrike

Death threats in burqa court case

Malaysia state chief encourages teen marriages

Gaza girls turn to fishing due to rising poverty

Survey finds 'most non-Muslim Britons equating Islam with terrorism'

Malaysian Indian woman wants her conversion to Islam invalidated

Pakistan: Blast kills 2 children

Pakistan: 45 militants surrender

Rs 42cr Games gains for Jamia: Practice venue ready

India not listening to people of J&K

Have faith in Omar govt, PC appeals to Kashmiris

1 death as shoot-at-sight enforces calm in Valley

Violence harms our cause: Hurriyat leader

50 yrs on, Dilip Kumar remembers magnum opus Mughal-e-Azam

Can’t stop JuD relief work : Pak Punjab minister

Pak latest: Tell us by Friday if 26/11 case magistrate, cop are being sent

Sindh govt issues shoot-at-sight orders in Karachi

US keeping close watch on A Q Khan's network

LeT man interrogated

US blacklists 21 Iranian firms, military leaders

Iraq releases former top Saddam loyalist

Kids join Valley mobs

L K Advani meets PM Manmohan Singh to discuss Kashmir situation

Saudi athletes taking part in Youth Olympic Games

Hezbollah threatens to strike heart of Israel

Sitara-e-Shujaat announced for martyred FC chief Siffwat

500,000 stranded in Dera Ghazi Khan division

Top Chechen leader denies plan to quit

Malik to make announcements regarding target killings

Unfazed by flood, Taliban claim responsibility for suicide attack

Petraeus issues new rules to avoid civilian casualties

Sudanese youths flogged for wearing ‘women’s’ clothes

Bloodbath continues in Karachi, 27 more killed

Turkey to provide $5 million

Sweden to help Pak in war on terror: envoy

Stop settlements, Abbas tells Israel

Kingdom's population surpasses 27 million

Big drop seen in Egyptian sea pilgrims

Turkey summons US envoy over UN probe

Govt staff shun work in Valley

India ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan, says Krishna

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

Photo: Iranian President Ahmadinejad escapes bid on life on Tuesday

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50 yrs on, Dilip Kumar remembers magnum opus Mughal-e-Azam

Meenakshi Sinha

Aug 05th, 2010

New Delhi: Stylish and spectacular,Mughal-e-Azam is the grandest historical ever in Hindi films.And even 50 years after director K Asif s magnum opus was first released on August 5,1960,the films hero Dilip Kumar remembers every last detail of the movie.So does his wife,Saira Banu,but for other reasons.

Set in 16th century Mughal era,the film told the love story of Emperor Akbars son Salim and a courtesan Anarkali.Mughal-e-Azam was an altogether different experience.Asif trusted me enough to leave the delineation of Salim completely to me.The shooting in Rajasthan was most memorable.Imagine my state with my body covered by armour in the desert heat! the 87-year-old actor said.

Mughal-e-Azam took nine years to make.But Yusuf Sahab,as Kumar is fondly called,says he never felt the film took too long to complete.Such was the all-round commitment that nobody saw the delay as tiresome.We were experienced enough to know that a film involving such overwhelming craftsmanship,minute detailing,massive gathering of artistes and unit hands,strenuous schedules with large units of artistes and trained animals,day and night shoots cannot be a simple affair, says the thespian.

The actor adds,We were acutely conscious of the hard work we would have to put in as well as the responsibility we would have to shoulder while evoking a historical period that shaped the cultural,political and social ethos of the years that followed.Its indeed wonderful to know that the film is being taken as seriously today as it was when it was first released.

His wife Saira Banu too has very evocative memories of the film but for different reasons.She says,I must tell you about a love story that was quietly unfolding while the love story of Salim and Anarkali was being filmed.For an entire week before the premiere of Mughal-e-Azam,I prepared myself for the event,draping my mothers saris,applying and reapplying nail varnish,wearing high heels and practising to walk confidently in them just to be noticed and acknowledged by Dilip sahab.

After all my preparation,when we arrived at the venue,we learnt from the hosts that Dilip sahab would not be gracing the occasion.I was so disappointed.Needless to say I sat through the film in a mood that was anything but bright.I did not know then that God had a splendid plan up his sleeve for me, she recalled.The two were married six years later in 1966.

The film is considered a benchmark for its screenplay,dialogue,acting and scale.

Times of India

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Iran president unhurt in alleged bomb attack

By ROBIN POMEROY

Aug 5, 2010

TEHRAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was unharmed when a homemade explosive went off near his motorcade during a visit to the western city of Hamadan on Wednesday, a source in his office said.

But state media said only a firecracker had been set off by a young man excited to see the president and a police chief called news of an attack a "big lie" spread by foreign media.

The source from Ahmadinejad's office said the president's convoy was targeted as he was traveling from Hamadan airport to give a speech in a sports arena. The president was unhurt but others were injured and one person was arrested, he said.

"There was an attack this morning. Nothing happened to the president's car," the presidential office source told Reuters. "Investigations continue ... to find out who was behind it."

Ahmadinejad, who has cracked down on opposition since a disputed June 2009 presidential election, appeared live on Iranian television at the sports stadium. He looked unperturbed and made no mention of any assault.

The populist, hard-line Ahmadinejad has accumulated enemies in both conservative and reformist circles in the country as well as abroad.

But state news agency IRNA said "an excited young man from Hamadan exploded a firecracker in order to express his happiness. It did not cause any disturbance among the crowd which was giving a warm welcome to the president".

The media was to blame, it said.

"Some foreign media tried to take advantage of this event, in line with their goals," IRNA said. "Some domestic media called this harmless firecracker a grenade explosion and some called it a hand-made grenade and this led to some ambiguity."

Iran's deputy police chief Ahmadreza Radan said foreign news media wanted to exploit the situation by publishing false news. "It's a big lie that some foreign media published and wanted to spread," the semi-official Fars news agency quoted him as saying.

During a speech to a conference of expatriate Iranians in Tehran on Monday, Ahmadinejad said he believed he was the target of an assassination plot by Israel. "The stupid Zionists have hired mercenaries to assassinate me," he said.

http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article95689.ece

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Gunmen kill 3 soldiers in south Yemen

6 August 2010

ADEN - Gunmen riding motorcycles attacked a checkpoint in southern Yemen on Thursday, killing three soldiers before fleeing, a security official said.

“They were able to get away after opening fire,” the official told Reuters from the southern city of Zinjibar. “We are not ruling out that the attackers may have been from al Qaeda.”

On Tuesday, a suspected al Qaeda suicide bomber sped on a motorcycle to an office of the security forces in the southern city of Dalea and blew himself up, injuring eight soldiers.

Al Qaeda’s Yemen-based regional wing previously focused high-impact strikes on foreign targets but has started to aim at the state in response to enhanced U.S.-Yemeni cooperation in a crackdown that has included air strikes and raids.

Four other assaults on state targets have been blamed on al Qaeda’s Yemen based regional arm since June, although the group has claimed responsibility for only two of the incidents. An attack by suspected al Qaeda militants killed six soldiers on July 25 in the oil province of Shabwa.

Yemen, which is also struggling with rebels in the north and a rising separatist movement in the south, is under international pressure to quell those two domestic conflicts and focus on the resurgent al Qaeda wing in the country.

Western powers and neighbouring top oil exporter Saudi Arabia fear the militant group is exploiting growing instability in Yemen to use it as a launch pad for attacks regionally and beyond. The impoverished Arabian Peninsula state surged to the forefront of Western security concerns when al Qaeda’s Yemen wing claimed responsibility for the botched bombing of a U.S.-bound plane in December.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2010/August/middleeast_August107.xml&section=middleeast

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Violent protests erupt in Kashmir after 2 killed

By AIJAZ HUSSAIN

6 August 2010

SRINAGAR: The death toll from civil unrest in Indian-controlled Kashmir rose to 48 Thursday after two more people were killed when paramilitary forces opened fire on demonstrators angry about decades of Indian rule over the Himalayan region.

Kashmir has been rocked by violent protests for nearly two months with demonstrators hurling rocks at paramilitary soldiers and setting government buildings and vehicles ablaze. In response, security forces have fired live rounds and tear gas into large crowds.

A 25-year-old man was killed and another critically wounded by gunfire in Srinagar late Wednesday, said Abdul Rashid, a local resident. The men were not involved in a protest at the time but shouted at passing paramilitary soldiers who opened fire, said a police officer on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorized to speak to the media.

A 50-year-old man, Ghulam Nabi Badyari, was seriously wounded when he was hit by a stray bullet inside his home in downtown Srinagar after soldiers fired at protesters who destroyed their post and threw rocks at them, said the officer. Badyari died in a hospital early Thursday.

Forty-eight people have been killed in the violence over the past two months.

The recent unrest in the Himalayan region is reminiscent of the late 1980s, when protests against New Delhi's rule sparked an armed conflict that has since claimed 68,000 lives, mostly civilians.

Residents ignored the "shoot on sight" order and thousands defied the curfew after the latest shootings to hold noisy protests, shouting "We want freedom" and "Go India! Go back."

As Badyari's body was brought to his neighborhood Thursday, hundreds of men and women came out of their homes to take part in his funeral procession. Police responded by firing warning shots and tear gas at the mourners.

Meanwhile, Prabhakar Tripathi, a spokesman for the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force, said 300 members of a Rapid Action Force, specially trained to control violent mobs, reached Srinagar and were deployed Thursday.

The federal government has also sent nearly 2,000 additional paramilitary troops to Kashmir, Tripathi said.

On Wednesday, India's Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram appealed for an end to the violence in Kashmir, and said the government was ready for dialogue with the Kashmiri people.

http://arabnews.com/world/article96012.ece

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Malaysian female Islamic court judges get full power

6 August 2010

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's first female Islamic court judges have been granted powers equal to their male counterparts after fears were raised that curbs would be imposed on their authority, an official said on Thursday.

The government appointed two women as shariah judges in May but activists have questioned whether the country was really ready to empower women after a panel of judges tasked with deciding their powers said they could be barred from ruling on marriage and divorce.

"A meeting of the judges has decided that the two female shariah judges will have equal powers to their male counterparts without any restrictions or limitations," said Mohamad Naim Mokhtar, an official at the Islamic judiciary department.

There are not many female shariah court judges in Muslim countries because of differing views on whether they are allowed.

Full report at:

http://arabnews.com/world/article96090.ece

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Pentagon demands that WikiLeaks give back leaked reports and not post others

By Craig Whitlock

August 6, 2010

Eleven days after the renegade Web site WikiLeaks publicly disclosed more than 70,000 classified U.S. field reports from the war in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said Thursday that it wants them back.

Press secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters that the Pentagon is formally demanding -- through the news media -- that WikiLeaks return the reports, as well as 15,000 additional records that the Web site says it might release soon.

"We are asking them to do the right thing and not further exacerbate the damage done to date," he said. "If doing the right thing is not good enough for them, we'll figure out what other alternatives we have." He declined to elaborate on whether the Defense Department is contemplating legal action, but noted that the FBI and the Justice Department are investigating how the documents were leaked.

Full report at:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/05/AR2010080504535.html?hpid=moreheadlines

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As Indonesians Go to Mecca, Many Eyes Follow Their Money

By NORIMITSU ONISHI

6 August 2010

JAKARTA, Indonesia — As the nation with the world’s largest number of Muslims, Indonesia every year sends the most pilgrims to Mecca by far. About one out of 10 believers who performed the hajj last year were Indonesian.

Some 1.2 million of the faithful are now on a government waiting list to go to Mecca, filling this country’s annual quota through the next six years. But if the rapidly lengthening list is a testament to Indonesia’s growing devotion, it has also become a source of one of its perennial problems: corruption.

Government officials and politicians misuse the money deposited by those on the waiting list — now totaling nearly $2.4 billion — according to government investigators and anti-corruption groups. With friendly travel agents and business allies, officials exploit the myriad requirements of the state-run hajj to fatten their own pockets, watchdog groups say. Corruption, they say, has contributed to consistent complaints about cramped accommodations for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and catering services that stop delivering food midway through the trip.

The national Parliament and officials at the Ministry of Religious Affairs recently settled on the price of this year’s hajj after unusually protracted negotiations and accusations, widely reported in the news media here, that some lawmakers and bureaucrats had agreed to share $2.8 million in bribes from the ministry. The annual negotiations are used by veteran bureaucrats and lawmakers to hammer out personal deals, according to anti-corruption groups and the news media, which have labeled them the “hajj mafia.”

Full report at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/06/world/asia/06hajj.html?ref=world

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U.S. Indicts 14 Accused of Supporting Terrorist Group in Somalia

By CHARLIE SAVAGE

6 August 2010

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department on Thursday announced the indictment of 14 people — many of them United States citizens — accused of funneling “money, personnel and services” to the Shabab, the Islamist terrorist group fighting an insurgency in Somalia.

The newly unsealed indictments included charges against two women arrested Thursday in Rochester, Minn., who are accused of raising money and sending it to the Shabab, as well as charges against Omar Hammami, an Alabama man who has appeared in videos promoting the group and is believed to have become a crucial Shabab figure.

“The indictments unsealed today shed further light on a deadly pipeline that has routed funding and fighters to the Al Shabab terror organization from cities across the United States,” Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. said. “These arrests and charges should serve as an unmistakable warning to others considering joining terrorist groups like Al Shabab — if you choose this route, you can expect to find yourself in a U.S. jail cell or a casualty on the battlefield in Somalia.”

Full report at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/06/us/06terror.html?ref=world

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Saddam Aide Says U.S. "Leaving Iraq to The Wolves"

6 August 2010

LONDON (Reuters) - Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's most prominent deputy Tareq Aziz has accused U.S. President Barack Obama of "leaving Iraq to the wolves" with his planned troop pullout, a British newspaper reported on Thursday.

The Guardian quoted Iraq's former deputy prime minister as saying the United States would cause the death of Iraq if it continued to withdraw its combat forces.

The newspaper said the interview, from his prison cell in Baghdad, was Aziz's first since he gave himself up to invading U.S. forces in April 2003. It did not say how it gained access to Aziz.

"I was encouraged when (Obama) was elected president, because I thought he was going to correct some of the mistakes of (former U.S. President George W.) Bush," Aziz was quoted as saying in an article on the Guardian's website.

Full report at:

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/08/05/world/international-uk-iraq-aziz.html

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Iran launches website to undermine Holocaust

6 August 2010

BERLIN: Iran has started a website with cartoons on the Holocaust aimed at undermining the historic dimensions of the mass murder of Jews during World War II, Fars news agency reported Thursday.

The site - http://holocartoons.com - is financed by a non-governmental cultural foundation and mainly based on a cartoon book on the Holocaust published in 2008 which contained satirical cartoons and texts aimed at questioning the Holocaust and how the issue was allegedly used by Israelis.

The website, which opens to the Pink Panther Theme by Henry Mancini, reportedly wants to continue challenging the issue and show that "the killing of 6 million Jews in the Second World War known as the Holocaust was a sheer lie."

"The site is dedicated to all those who have been killed under the pretext of the Holocaust," Fars reported, referring to Palestinians who, according to Iran, were killed under the Holocaust pretext.

Full report at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Iran-launches-website-to-undermine-Holocaust/articleshow/6262623.cms

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Kashmiris must be given 'self-determination' right: Pak panel

6 August 2010

Islamabad : A Pakistani Parliamentary panel on Thursday asked India to give Kashmiris "the right of self-determination."

The call was made by the Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir during a meeting chaired by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman.

The meeting discussed the "volatile situation" in Jammu and Kashmir and officials of the Foreign Office, led by Acting Foreign Secretary Muhammad Haroon Shaukat, briefed the panel.

The committee expressed "deep anguish" over what it described as the deteriorating situation in the Kashmir Valley.

It expressed full support on behalf of Pakistan to the Kashmiri people "for their right of self-determination."

Full report at:

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kashmiris-must-be-given-selfdetermination-right-pak-panel/656518/

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Authorities dismiss rumors on Zamzam

Aug 5, 2010

JEDDAH: The Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs dismissed reports on Wednesday that Zamzam water from the sacred well might not be clean or hygienic and maintained that its distribution was being monitored round the clock.

“Utmost care is given to the blessed Zamzam water. The pumping of water out of the well is being monitored regularly,” a presidency spokesman told Arab News.

He added random samples were constantly taken from the well and checked to make sure that the water was fit for human consumption. “We also take samples from the containers and check them,” it added.

The presidency asked citizens and foreigners to ensure that holy water was being hygienically stored, as leaving it in the sun could contaminate it.

The blessed water is pumped out of the historic well via stainless steel pipes and filtered using ultraviolet technology. It is then transported to the cooling stations before it is distributed.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article95615.ece

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Mumbai builder Rizvi clashes with Obama’s Islam envoy

August 5, 2010

What was supposed to be a goodwill gesture turned into an unexpected face-off between two men with distinct points of view about US policies and their historical consequences in the Muslim world.

Rashad Hussain, US president Barack Obama’s special envoy to the Organisation of Islamic Conference (IOC), the second largest international body, was on a day’s visit to the city to deliver a lecture titled ‘The Obama Administration’s Outreach to the Muslim World’.

Meeting with the press and students of Rizvi College of Architecture, Hussain was in his element as he listed the Obama administration’s efforts in the field of education, science and technology, entrepreneurship and health to reach out to the global Muslim community and bridge the gaps created by past US

governments.

Full report at:

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_mumbai-builder-rizvi-clashes-with-obama-s-islam-envoy_1418554

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Suicide blast kills six police in Afghan north

05 Aug, 2010

TAKHAR: A suicide bomber targeted a joint convoy of Afghan and Nato-led forces on Thursday in northern Afghanistan, killing at least six police, an official said.

Largely active in the south and east, the Taliban have stepped up their attacks in recent months in some areas of the north, which was regarded relatively safe.

One soldier from the Nato-led force and 11 Afghans were wounded in Thursday's attack in Kunduz province, near the border with Tajikistan, officials said.

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/world/04-suicide-blast-afg-police-qs-03

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28 Afghan civilians killed in US airstrike

August 05, 2010

KABUL: Dozens of civilians have been killed and several others injured in Afghanistan after US warplanes bombarded the country's east, according to witnesses.

The American forces launched two airstrikes in Nangarhar province on Thursday morning, witnesses said.

One of the attacks left at least 30 people dead and injured. The other strike, which hit a funeral procession in a separate area, killed 28 civilians including two children.

Thursday's incident came after another US airstrike killed at least 52 civilians, including several women and children, in the city of Sangin in southern Helmand province last month.

US-led forces in Afghanistan regularly launch attacks on alleged militant hideouts, but the strikes usually result in civilian casualties.

Full report at:

http://www.thenews.jang.com.pk/8-5-2010/69512.htm

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Death threats in burqa court case

AJA STYLES

August 5, 2010

The accused man at the centre of a legal debate over the right for a Muslim woman to wear a full-face veil while testifying in the witness box has received death threats over the case, a Perth court has heard.

Anwar Sayed stands accused of fraudulently gaining up to $752,000 in public funding while a director of the Muslim Ladies College of Australia in 2006.

His case has been overshadowed by a female witness's request to wear a traditional niqab headscarf, also commonly called a burqa, in the witness box, which would obscure her face from the judge and jury.

Mr Sayed has objected to the request, with his lawyers arguing that the witness, Tasneem - a tutor at the school whose last name has been suppressed for legal reasons - should be made to show her face in the courtroom.

Full report at:

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/death-threats-in-burqa-court-case-20100805-11g1f.html

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Malaysia state chief encourages teen marriages

By JULIA ZAPPEI

August 5, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — A prominent Malaysian official Thursday encouraged young Muslim teenagers to get married if they cannot resist having sex and promised money to help them start a family — a stance that drew criticism from women's rights activists.

Mohamad Ali Rustam, chief minister of southern Malacca state, said the moves could help reduce a growing problem of babies being abandoned by girls who have unwanted pregnancies.

Muslims are permitted to marry after reaching puberty in Malaysia, as long as they obtain consent from their parents and Islamic Shariah courts. Nearly two-thirds of Malaysia's 28 million people are Muslim.

For non-Muslim Malaysians, however, girls must be at least 16 and boys 18 to marry.

Underage marriages are not common, and authorities have voiced concern that unmarried teenagers are having sex, sometimes resulting in young mothers killing or abandoning their babies.

Full report at:

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Gaza girls turn to fishing due to rising poverty

05 Aug, 2010

GAZA CITY: Every morning the two girls wake up before dawn, row their wooden skiff out into Gaza's heavily-patrolled waters, and try to catch enough fish to feed their family.

They are perhaps the only women in the territory of 1.5 million people who make a living from fishing, and are a rare sight in Gaza's conservative society where women rarely venture into the sea even to swim.

But Madeleine Kulab, 16, and her sister Reem, 13, have had few other options since their father was struck with palsy 10 years ago, and like many women in Gaza have had to work for wages once earned by men.

For the last four years Israel and Egypt have largely sealed the borders of the Palestinian enclave, ruled by the Islamist Hamas movement since June 2007, pushing the local private sector to the brink of collapse.

Full report at:

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/world/35-gaza-girls-turn-to-fishing-due-to-rising-poverty-ak-03

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Survey finds 'most non-Muslim Britons equating Islam with terrorism'

August 5, 2010

Non-Muslims in Britain are by and large ignorant about Islam and equate the religion with terrorism, according to a Islamic Education And Research Academy (iERA) survey.

According to Sky News, the iERA, which works to improve people's understanding of the faith, conducted a study wherein they questioned 500 non-Muslims Britishers about their view on the religion and found that many Britishers knew very little about Islam.

"The survey exposed a lack of basic knowledge, many people would change their views if they simply learnt more about Islam," Hamza Tzortzis, a senior researcher at the iERA, said.

Sixty-three percent of those polled agreed with the statement "Muslims are terrorists."

A total of 94 percent thought that the religion "oppresses women" while 70 percent expressed that it preaches hatred.

Over a third did not know who the Prophet Mohammed was and over three quarters (76 percent) had never spoken to a Muslim about their religion.

"They have taken our country over, it's not England any more. We have to make changes to please them. If I had my way I'd kick them all out of here," a respondent said.

http://sify.com/news/survey-finds-most-non-muslim-britons-equating-islam-with-terrorism-news-international-kiel4cejafe.html

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Malaysian Indian woman wants her conversion to Islam invalidated

August 5, 2010

Aug 4 (IANS) An ethnic Indian housewife in Malaysia Wednesday said she would appeal against a civil court ruling that heard her plea questioning her conversion to Islam when she was seven years old.

Siti Hasnah Bangarama Abdullah, 28, was converted along with her four siblings in 1983 when her parents, both born Hindus, embraced Islam.

She sought a declaration from the court that her conversion to Islam was invalid, Star Online reported.

She has named as defendants the country's then prime minister Mahathir Mohamad in his capacity as president of the Muslim Welfare Organisation (Perkim) and other officials concerned with her conversion.

Full report at:

http://sify.com/news/malaysian-indian-woman-wants-her-conversion-to-islam-invalidated-news-international-kierabicgbe.html

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Blast kills 2 children

05 Aug, 2010

KOHAT, Aug 4: Two children were killed and three others seriously injured when a hand grenade they were playing with went off in Thall on Wednesday.

The incident took place in Adam Banda village of Thall tehsil of Hangu district when children playing in their house picked up a hand grenade and removed its pin. The children, Fazal Noor and Obaidullah, died on the spot. The injured children, Resham Bibi, Umer Naz Bibi and Abdus Samad were shifted to CMH, Thall.

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/national/blast-kills-2-children-580

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45 militants surrender

05 Aug, 2010

KHAR, Aug 4: As many as 45 militants, four important commanders among them, laid down arms and surrendered to the security forces in the Nawagai tehsil in Bajaur tribal region on Wednesday.

The security forces also launched a search operation in the area and recovered a huge cache of weapons.

Lt-Col Nadir produced the militants before a group of journalists in the Sarkari village in the Chaharmang valley of Nawagai. He said that the militants belonged to the Afghan commander Qari Ziaur Rehman group.

He said that the surrendered militants included commanders Abdur Rehman, Ayub Khan and Hashim Khan. He said that they were wanted to the security forces for involvement in terrorist activities.

Full report at:

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/national/45-militants-surrender-580

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Rs 42cr Games gains for Jamia: Practice venue ready

Aug 05th, 2010

The Rs 42-crore Jamia Sports Complex,which will be used as a practice venue for table tennis and rugby during the Commonwealth Games,was inaugurated by minister for youth affairs and sports Dr M S Gill on Wednesday.

Spread over an area of 2,000 square metres,the complex houses an indoor stadium and has rugby facilities.Gill said after the Games,the complex will be used by students of the university. I am happy that in the name of CWG we have given this facility to Jamia.I dont know how many tourists will come for the Games and how many facilities will be used,but I think its worth the money spent as the complex can be used later.The renovated hostel rooms will be in top condition for at least 10 years, said Gill.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by chief minister Sheila Dikshit,former India cricket captain M A K Pataudi,managing director of RITES V K Agarwal,secretary sports,government of India,S Khullar and vice-chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia Najeeb Jung.

Modelled after the rugby stadium of Melbourne CWG,the complex was dug up to 60 centimetres and then filled up with two special layers of sand.The grass was imported from the US.The earlier multi-purpose hall was refurbished and upgraded to a table tennis and badminton stadium.The renovation included changing the roof and flooring,reinforcing the walls,improving the facade,air-conditioning,lighting and acoustics etc to bring it up to international standards.

Theres also a combined services complex which has been merged with the existing multi-purpose hall.It has facilities such as changing rooms,a fitness centre,venue coordinators room,athletes waiting lounge,stores for playing equipment,meeting and briefing room,physiotherapy and massage rooms,medical room,cafeteria and ice bath.

Dug up roads,corruption charges and incomplete projects notwithstanding,Dikshit said the CWG infrastructure in the city was the best in the world.

All the stadiums have been built as per global standards.We have transformed Delhi into a world-class city.After the Games,the city will wear a completely different look.The development which would have otherwise taken half-a-decade has been condensed to just 2010,saving four unnecessary years, said Dikshit.

Times of India

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India not listening to people of J&K

Arati R Jerath & M Saleem Pandit

Aug 05th, 2010

Srinagar: Hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani,seen as the force behind the current agitation in Kashmir,said on Wednesday that peace would return to the state only after India withdrew its security forces and agreed to a plebiscite.

If India agrees then we will get Pakistan to withdraw its security forces from Azad Kashmir,Gilgit and Baltistan.The referendum should be for every citizen of united Jammu and Kashmir.This is the basic demand of the people and has been for the last 62 years.We will accept whatever the majority decides, he said in an exclusive interview to TOI,his first after being released from detention.

In an apparent reference to Sonia Gandhis recent talk of development as a panacea for the Kashmir problem,Geelani said their struggle was not a demand for flyovers and roads,or for jobs. We are fighting for the right to selfdetermination, he explained. India is not paying any heed to what the people of Jammu and Kashmir want.

Geelani said that any referendum should be in line with the 1948 United Nations Security Council resolutions calling for the people of J & K to choose between India and Pakistan.He maintained there was no room for a third option of independence unless a tripartite dialogue between India,Pakistan and the genuine leadership of the people of J & K agrees to put it on the table for popular vote.

Asked whether the India or Pakistan paradigm was still valid after 62 years,Geelani insisted it was. The time space doesnt matter.After all,you people fought against British rule for 100 years, he said.

According to him,an independent state of J & K would never be accepted by either Pakistan or India or for that matter,even China and Russia,whose geographic proximity makes them players in the region. They know that J & K will become a colony of the United States, he said. Until all four countries,and Afghanistan,give guarantees to safeguard our boundaries,until we can arrange for our defence,I dont think independence is a realistic option.

Geelani clearly sees himself as an interlocutor between India and Pakistan.While acknowledging that Pakistan at this juncture was caught up in troubles of its own,he said it was not a hindrance. Pakistan is committed to implementation of the UN resolutions.They will listen to us who have been fighting for the right to selfdetermination for 62 years.India is the problem, he said.

He blamed security forces for the current spiral of violence in the state. Our people are unarmed.The guns are with the security forces.If the security forces allow people to hold demonstrations,there will be no violence, he said.He dismissed stone-pelting as a form of violence. Its a compulsion for our youth.We are not for violence, he emphasized.

He blamed New Delhi for displaying arrogance of power and described J & K chief minister Omar Abdullah as a puppet of Delhi.As for Masarat Alam,who has recently emerged as a powerful voice with the agitators,Geelani pointed out that Alams party,Muslim League,is a constituent of the Hurriyat Conference (Geelani ). We are working together in every respect but we are not being allowed to move freely or hold shuras to discuss issues.

Alams party joined hands with Geelani in 2003 when the original Hurriyat Conference split into two factions,a hardline one led by Geelani and a more moderate faction led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

But our objectives are the same, Geelani maintained. We all want freedom from Indian security forces and we want a referendum.Nothing less will do,no soft borders,no internal autonomy,not even Musharraf s four-point formula.

Times of India

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Have faith in Omar govt, PC appeals to Kashmiris

Aug 05th, 2010

New Delhi: The government on Wednesday firmly pointed to the Omar Abdullah-led government as the first point of reference for people in the state saying they should repose faith in that government for a solution the problems to Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking in Parliament,home minister P Chidambaram held out a stern message for protestors indulging in violence in Kashmir saying mindless violence and destruction of public property will not lead to any solution.On the contrary,they will result in loss of lives and injuries to protestors,an outcome that is entirely avoidable.

Making to clear that the Centre would back all measures,even tough ones,to restore law and order,the home minister said,Once peace and order are restored,I am confidentthat we can explore the possibility of reactivating the political process that holds the key to solutions.

Having indicated that the belief of some sections in the Valley that violence could force the Centre hand was quite misplaced,Chidambaram said,On its part,the central government offers full support to the state government in restoring law and order,holding a dialogue,redressing genuine grievances,accelerating development and ensuring equity,justice and honour.

As has been evident over the past few days,the Centre sees the violence in the Valley to be strongly motivated by extremists in concert with elements based in Pakistan.Faced with an upsurge described as a Kashmiri intifada,its priority is to ensure stone throwing is controlled and the message goes out that the state and Centre were not going to be run over.

Udhampur MP Lal Singh led a delegation to Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi on the situation in the Valley.The situation in the state is very bad.The PDP and separatists were vitiating the peace.The state government needs to act strongly, said Singh.He said there were no factional demands as restoring peace was priority.

Official sources also said there was no question of any changes in Srinagar and such speculation was far removed from reality.Speaking to media persons,health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad refuted suggestions that he was keen on returning to J&K,saying such reports were incorrect.

Times of India

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1 death as shoot-at-sight enforces calm in Valley

M Saleem Pandit

Aug 05th, 2010

Srinagar: Even as something approaching normalcy returned to the Valley on Wednesday after weeks of protestskillings-protests cycle that left 28 people dead since Friday last,one youth,Mohammed Yaqub,was killed in Bemina on the outskirts here on Wednesday.The toll since June 11,when the violence escalated,mounted to 46,after a 17-year-old boy,Mohammed Iqbal Khan,died in a Srinagar hospital.Khan was injured in police firing last week.

A police statement said the situation in the Valley was largely peaceful,even as over 30,000 people defied shoot-atsight orders and marched to Khrew in southern Pulwama district to express solidarity with the families of at least nine people,including a 17-yearold girl,who were killed over the weekend in police firing and a blast triggered by fire at a police camp triggered by demonstrators.In an apparent attempt to avoid more fatalities,authorities removed security forces en route to Khrew.

Reports said the demonstrators,carrying black flags and shouting slogans against the killings,later dispersed peacefully after funeral prayers at Khrew Eidgah ground.There was no report of any stone pelting or clashes.

Stray violent incidents were reported from elsewhere in the Valley.Several people were injured when police tear gassed protesters trying to enter Ganderbal from surrounding villages.Police said the protesters dispersed later.A police vehicle was stoned in Pampore,while another was set on fire at Qamarwari in Srinagar.In Shopian,protesters set afire two Forest Protection Force buildings,while another vehicle was torched at Shirmal.Seven cops were injured when protesters stoned and torched their vehicle at Khurhama.

Protests were also reported from Jammus Kishtwar and Doda districts and a shutdown was observed at Kishtwar,Bhaderwah and Banihal.Two people were injured in clashes with security forces at Rawalpora and Bemina on Srinagar outskirts.Police fired in the air and tear gassed hundreds of people,who defied curfew at Bandipora to protest the spate of killing.Two people were injured in clashes at Sumbal and Sopore.Srinagars Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences deputy superintendent Dr Riyaz Ahmad said the injuries were minor.

Authorities deployed 21 CRPF additional companies in Srinagar on Wednesday. Twenty-one companies comprising nearly 2,000 CRPF men reached Srinagar out of 24 promised, said CRPF PRO Prabkhar Tripathi.He said three Rapid Action Force companies were on their way to Srinagar.Earlier,demonstrators set fire to a police station at Soibugh.

Times of India

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Violence harms our cause: Hurriyat leader

Aug 05th, 2010

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah reached out to hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Wednesday in a bid to stem the tide of largescale protests that have held much of the Valley to ransom over the last one-anda-half months.

In response,Geelani at a press conference issued an appeal to eschew violence but added that he and his people would continue their demonstrations until the Indian government withdrew all security forces from the state and conceded to the people of Jammu and Kashmir the right to self-determination.

Thats a long shot but for the short-term,Omar seems to be making a desperate attempt for calm with assurances of giving Geelani political space in the Valley.The separatist leader made a startling revelation that Omar had sent his political adviser,Devendra Singh Rana,to meet him in jail a few days ago.

He said Rana came with two messages.One was an offer for unhindered political activity provided he kept it peaceful.The other was a probing question on whether Geelani was seeking a change of government in Srinagar.The separatist leader said his fight was against the government of India. It makes no difference to me whether Omar Abdullah or a PDP-Congress or a Congress-led government rules in Srinagar.We are fighting for our rights and our freedom from Indian occupation forces, he declared.

Condemning the violence ravaging Kashmir since June,Geelani said it only harms the cause. People should hold peaceful demonstrations and if they are stopped by the police,they should sit down on the roads,raise their hands and ask the police to shoot them.It will be far more effective, he said.

36 civilians killed in J&K in 3 mths

As public unrest continues unabated in Jammu and Kashmir,the government on Wednesday said that a total of 36 civilians were killed and 1,266 security personnel injured in different violent incidents in the Valley in the last three months.Between June 11 and August 2,36 civilian deaths were reported.Total 1,266 were injured among security forces, minister of state for home affairs Ajay Maken informed the Rajya Sabha.

Times of India

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50 yrs on, Dilip Kumar remembers magnum opus Mughal-e-Azam

Meenakshi Sinha

Aug 05th, 2010

The film is considered a benchmark for its screenplay,dialogue,acting and scale.

Times of India

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Can’t stop JuD relief work : Pak Punjab minister

Sachin Parashar & Omer Farooq Khan

Aug 05th, 2010

New Delhi/Peshawar: The floods in Pakistan,which have left over 1,500 people dead,seem to have provided a new lease of life to Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and its latest avatar,Falah-e-Insaniyat,which has pitched in with relief work.The banned organisation has carried out relief work in southern Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with the authorities looking the other way.It had earlier carried out relief work during 2005 earthquake to galvanise support for jihad against India.

Pakistans Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah said they wouldnt prevent JuDs relief work as it may end up creating goodwill for it. Its a delicate situation and authorities would tread carefully, he told TOI from Lahore. It would be impossible to stop anybody,even if he was associated with a banned organisation in the past from humanitarian work, he said and added that JuD chief Hafiz Saeed was under surveillance.

JuD spokesman Yahya Mujahid said 2,000 JuD and Falah activists were involved in the relief work.They have provided relief material worth Rs 50 to the victims.After the UN ban on JuD,weeks after 26/11,JuD cadres were reported to have shifted to Falah,which claims to be a charity.

Sanaullah underlined the importance to differentiate between charity and militant arms of organisations like JuD. Although such organisations have a common leader,they have two separate wings with no connection whatsoever, claimed Sanaullah,who has been accused of being soft on terrorism.

JuD has established relief camps at Charsadda and Nowshera to collect funds and provide food and shelter to the affected people. JuD and Al-Khidmat have local setups and its much easier for us to mobilise workers, said JuD activist Jamal Asghar.JuDs Falah-e-Insaniyat wing is handling the relief activities in Charsadda and Nowshera,he said.

There would have be no need for us to help in rescue operations had the government done its job, said another JuD volunteer Maqbool Shah. When the military operations displaced people we had voluntarily helped them, he said.

A flood victim,Nabi,said JuD and Al-Khidmat were helping them. They provided us clothes and shelter.Weve not seen any help from the government, he said.

Foreign minister S M Krishna on Wednesday condoled the flood-related deaths.However,Punjab minister Sanaullahs argument isnt going down well with Indian officials,who know that such humanitarian work is only a means to their end of jihad against India.

Times of India

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Pak latest: Tell us by Friday if 26/11 case magistrate, cop are being sent

Pranab Dhal Samanta

Aug 05 2010

New Delhi : In a move that has New Delhi working overtime, Pakistan has asked India to provide a response latest by Friday on its request to let the magistrate and investigating officer who recorded 26/11 gunman Ajmal Amir Kasab’s statement depose before its anti-terror court.

Islamabad has told New Delhi that it has to inform court at the next hearing on Saturday.

It is learnt that the Home Ministry is working out a response in consultation with the Law Ministry as this could be the first case of sending an Indian magistrate and an investigating officer to Pakistan.

“We are examining the legalities involved and will have a response ready for Pakistan,” said a source.

Pakistan, sources said, has specifically asked for Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate R V Sawant Waghule and investigating officer Ramesh Mahale to be sent for deposition.

The issue on the Pakistan side is that the charges against Lashkaroperations commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi are based on Kasab’s confession statement. India provided copies of the statement that was recorded in Hindi and Marathi in the presence of Waghule. Pakistan got translator Naseema Khatoon to translate it into English and included the relevant portions in its chargesheet.

In his statement, Kasab named Lakhvi as the operations commander who masterminded the attack and Zarar Shah as in-charge of the media wing and the one who provided mobile phones. While Pakistani investigations have corroborated and strengthened the case against Shah and others named by Kasab, the charges against Lakhvi are centred on his statement.

Pakistani said its anti-terror court wants the Indian officials to depose as that could play a crucial role in Lakhvi’s indictment.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pak-latest-tell-us-by-friday-if-26-11-case-magistrate-cop-are-being-sent/656254/

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Sindh govt issues shoot-at-sight orders in Karachi

Aug 05th, 2010

Karachi : The Sindh government today issued shoot-at-sight orders in Pakistan's port city of Karachi to quell bloody riots that have claimed at least 63 lives and injured 155 following the murder of a prominent lawmaker two days ago.

Reza Haider, a senior member of Sindh Provincial Assembly, was gunned down along with his bodyguard and a party worker on Monday by unidentified assailants when he had gone to a mosque to attend the funeral of a relative.

The death of the legislator belonging to the Muthaida Qaumi Movement (MQM) sparked off a deadly outbreak of riots in the country's commercial capital.

Police and hospital officials said that 63 people have been killed and 155 people are being treated in hospitals as of now in the violence.

Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza said Rangers and police personnel have been ordered to shoot at miscreants indulging in violence.

Scores of shops, vehicles, houses and carts were burnt by unidentified miscreants despite heavy patrolling on roads and streets in the city.

The All Karachi Traders Association claimed that businessmen had suffered a loss of 10 billion Rupees because of the violence in two days.

Life remained at a standstill as all markets, schools, colleges, commercial areas, public and private transport were closed here on the second day of a three-day mourning period announced by the MQM for their slain leader.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sindh-govt-issues-shootatsight-orders-in-karachi/656038/

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US keeping close watch on A Q Khan's network

Aug 05th, 2010

Washington : The US is keeping a close watch on the network of disgraced Pakistani nuclear scientist A Q Khan as part of international efforts to stem sources of proliferation around the world.

"While A Q Khan himself is out of business, according to the Government of Pakistan, we watch his network very closely for signs that others within his realm are still in business," State Department spokesman P J Crowley told reporters.

He said that it was an ongoing focus of the US, "and because this is a part of our broad international effort to try to stem sources of proliferation around the world, so it is an area of ongoing concern."

"A Q Khan network is responsible for some of the most serious cases of proliferation in recent decades. We have worked intensively with Pakistan and other countries to shut down that network," he said.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/us-keeping-close-watch-on-a-q-khans-network/655892/

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LeT man interrogated

Aug 05th, 2010

A Kerala Police team on Wednesday questioned LeT fund-raiser Sarfaraz Nawaz, a key accused in the Bangalore bombings case, with regard to a book titled “Islam and Democracy”, which contained anti-national contents. He was questioned in the Parappana Agrahara prison in Bangalore by a team led by Aluva Police Sub-Inspector Ramesh Kumar. The book, translated into Malayalam by one Sarfaraz Nawaz, was seized during a raid on the house of a Popular Front of India leader. The police had got clear leads to believe that the LeT man himself was the book’s translator.

http://www.dailypioneer.com/273940/LeT-man-interrogated.html

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US blacklists 21 Iranian firms, military leaders

Aug 05th, 2010

Expanding its sanctions against Iran in a bid to step up pressure over its nuclear programme, the United States has blacklisted 21 firms that are being viewed here as front companies for the Iranian Government.

The US Treasury Department also announced sanctions against key leaders of its elite military unit, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Iranian foundations that are allegedly supporting militant groups in Lebanon, Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories.

“Iran is the primary funder of Hezbollah and has long been recognised as the most active state sponsor of terrorism,” a Treasury statement said. The 21 companies that have been designated include banks, insurance and investment firms and an assortment of engineering concerns.

It identified the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force as one of the main channels used by the Iranian Government for supporting terrorism ‘under the guise of providing reconstruction and economic development assistance or social services’.

The US Treasury’s executive order is said to aim at ‘freezing the assets of terrorists and their supporters, thereby isolating them from the US financial and commercial systems’.

Four senior officers of the military unit who have been designated are Hushang Allahdad, Hossein Musavi, Hasan Mortezavi and Mohammad Reza Zahedi.

Announcing the measures, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey said the US was working with allies to make sanctions against Iran as effective as possible.

http://www.dailypioneer.com/273879/US-blacklists-21-Iranian-firms-military-leaders.html

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Iraq releases former top Saddam loyalist

Aug 05th, 2010

The Iraqi Government has released a top Saddam Hussein loyalist from prison after he was found innocent of helping the former regime punish opponents by draining the country’s fabled marshlands, a judge said on Wednesday.

Khamis Sirhan al-Muhammad was No 54 out of 55 on a former US military list of most-wanted Saddam officials.

Iraqi High Tribunal spokesman Judge Mohammed Abdul-Sahib Yaseen said al-Muhammad was recently released from a prison just outside Baghdad after being cleared of the charges in the marshlands draining case. The trial ended this week.

Al-Muhammad was a Baath Party regional command chairman and military commander from Anbar Province.

http://www.dailypioneer.com/273878/Iraq-releases-former-top-Saddam-loyalist.html

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Kids join Valley mobs

Aug 05th, 2010

They are out on the streets defying curfew and setting vehicles afire

THIS is perhaps the most disturbing development in the Valley.

Defiance continued in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday despite the curfew. And among the men and women protesting on the streets were children — holding empty bullet shells and the logs they used to set government vehicles afire in Srinagar.

The protesting children prompted Union home minister P. Chidambaram to appeal to parents not to let the young ones be a part of violent protests.

People in different parts of the Valley lodged demonstrations, shouting profreedom slogans. Even though the police and the Central Reserve Police Force ( CRPF) resorted to aerial firing to quell protests at some places, the day passed without any death.

But Iqbal Ahmad, who was injured on Friday morning when securitymen opened fire on a group of teenagers in Chanpora, died in the Sher- i- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences. With this, the death toll since Friday reached 29.

“ The situation in the Kashmir Valley remained by and large peaceful,” a police spokesperson said on Wednesday. However, he said protesters set government vehicles ablaze in the Qamarwari area of Srinagar and at Pampore town in Pulwama.

In Shopian, two buildings of the Forest Protection Force and a gypsy were burnt down.

About 30,000 people defied the curfew in Pampore and adjacent areas and marched towards the Khrew village, where five persons died after an explosion at a police station on Saturday. The police and CRPF retreated and allowed people to march towards the deceased’s homes.

There were reports that security personnel had resorted to teargas shelling to disperse protesters in the Kangan area, who were headed to Gandberbal — the home constituency of chief minister Omar Abdullah.

Sources said protesters attacked SSP Budgam’s escort in Beerwah. The Police dispersed them by aerial firing and teargas shelling. No one was injured in the incident.

Hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani stepped in on Wednesday. “ This is a sacred movement and I appeal to the youth to show humility while protesting and resort to peaceful means. Burning offices, railway stations and vehicles damages the Kashmir cause,” he said while addressing a press conference at his Srinagar residence. But he hastily added that public anger was in reaction to the “ atrocities committed by Indian soldiers”.

FUEL CRISIS AHEAD

To make matters worse for strifetorn Kashmir, the Oil Tankers’ Association on Wednesday decided not to carry petrol, diesel and cooking gas from Jammu to the Valley, where drivers were being beaten and trucks were being damaged by mobs.

Anan Sharma, the president of the association, said operations would not be restored until the government provides adequate security to the truck drivers.

Mail Today

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L K Advani meets PM Manmohan Singh to discuss Kashmir situation

Aug 5, 2010

NEW DELHI: Senior BJP leader L K Advani along with a delegation of party MLAs from Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the prevailing situation in the Valley and demanded that the Centre should intervene to restore normalcy.

The delegation expressed its opposition to the proposed political package for the state which was discussed between the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

"It would be akin to rewarding the separatists and those creating trouble in the state," a BJP leader said.

The delegation included BJP MLAs from the state, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and her counterpart in Upper House Arun Jaitley.

The MLAs and the Central leaders of the party also emphasised the need for keeping up the morale of the security forces, including the paramilitary.

Full report at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/L-K-Advani-meets-PM-Manmohan-Singh-to-discuss-Kashmir-situation/articleshow/6261015.cms

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Saudi athletes taking part in Youth Olympic Games

By MOHAMMAD RASOOLDEEN

Aug 5, 2010

RIYADH: Around 15 Saudi athletes will participate in the first-ever Youth Olympic Games (YOG) to be held in Singapore from Aug. 14 to 26, the Singapore Embassy announced here Wednesday.

"The Saudi team will be led by Prince Nawaf Al-Saud, president of the Saudi Amateur Athletics Federation," Mark Seah, first secretary at the mission, told Arab News Wednesday. He added that the mission has already issued about 12 entry visas to the Saudi participants and the mission is expecting many more applicants including the support staff of the Saudi athletics team. Seah said that most of the Saudi athletes have registered for swimming and the rest will be participating in track and field events.

Speaking about the event, Seah said that this is the first new Olympics since the introduction of the Winter Olympics in 1924.

Full report at:

http://arabnews.com/sports/article95553.ece

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Hezbollah threatens to strike heart of Israel

05 Aug, 2010

BEIRUT, Aug 4: Hezbollah is ready to strike the heart of Israel in the event of new aggression on Lebanon, the party’s deputy chief said on Wednesday, a day after deadly clashes between Lebanese and Israeli troops.

“Israel must understand that any aggression on Lebanon, no matter how small, gives us the complete right to retaliate when and how we find appropriate and in line with Lebanon’s political interests,” Sheikh Naim Qassem said in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.

“Hezbollah chooses when to be patient and when to retaliate,” he added.

Hezbollah and its arch-foe Israel fought a 34-day war in the summer of 2006 that destroyed much of Lebanon’s infrastructure. More than 1,200 Lebanese, mainly civilians, and 160 Israelis, mainly soldiers, were killed.

Full report at:

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/international/hezbollah-threatens-to-strike-heart-of-israel-580

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Sitara-e-Shujaat announced for martyred FC chief Siffwat

August 05, 2010

PESHAWAR: Federal Home Minister Abdul Rehman Malik has announced Sitara-e-Shujaat award for martyred chief of FC Siffwat Ghayur, who was killed in a suicide attack in Peshawar yesterday, Geo News reported.

On the occasion, he said Siffwat Ghayur, through laying down his life in combating militancy, has given a new ray of courage to our forces.

Talking to newsmen here at Peshawar airport, Malik said terrorists have now shifted their agenda by targeting senior officers and prominent personalities in order to gain some respect in the eyes of people. “But we will continue taking on terrorists”, he vowed.

Terrorists are paid assassins who cannot demoralize our forces in eradicating their dogma from the face of our country, he maintained.

Full report at:

http://thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=109777

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500,000 stranded in Dera Ghazi Khan division

August 05, 2010

DERA GHAZI KHAN: While incessant rains and floods continued playing havoc in various parts of the country during the past 24 hours, the affected people facing life-threatening shortages scoured towns for belongings and food on Wednesday.

The Mitthan Kot dam was also broken down due to flash floods late Tuesday night. Over five lakh people migrated from cities of Jampur, Kot Addu, Kot Mitthan, Sinawan, Rujhan, Umar Kot and a number of other towns as flash floods in River Indus entered the region. Traffic on two important inter-provincial highways - Dera-Quetta, Karachi-Peshawar Indus Highway remained suspended and supply of petrol, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas from Parco mid-country refinery Qasba Gujrat, Dhodak oilfield and transportation of fruits, vegetables could not be made.

Full report at:

http://thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=30497

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Top Chechen leader denies plan to quit

August 05, 2010

MOSCOW: Chechen rebel Doku Umarov said in an Internet video on Wednesday he will not step down as leader of the Islamist insurgency in Russia’s North Caucasus, saying an earlier video in which he said he would quit was “fabricated”.

Both videos were shown on the unofficial Islamist websitewww.kavkazcenter.com, which initially reported on Sunday that Umarov was stepping down for health reasons and would hand over leadership of the insurgency to Aslambek Vadalov.

Analysts said the apparent U-turn by Umarov could signal a power struggle within the insurgency, formed in part from remnants of the Chechen separatist movement driven from power in Chechnya by Russian troops after two major wars in the 1990s.

“In connection with the situation shaping up in the Caucasus, I consider it impossible to step down as Emir of the Caucasus,” Umarov, dressed in a black skullcap, camouflage and abullet-proof vest, said in the newer statement.

Full report at:

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=254826

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Malik to make announcements regarding target killings

05 Aug, 2010

PESHAWAR: While paying a rich tribute to the services of Commandant of the Frontier Constabulary Sifwat Ghayyur, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik announced the conferring of the Sitara-i-Shujaat for Ghayyur, who was killed in a suicide attack in Peshawar on Wednesday.

Talking to media representatives in Peshawar, Malik said few people had the courage like Sifwat Ghayyur. He said that when wars are fought, sacrifices have to be made.

He told the media that the Rangers have been authorised to shoot at sight any miscreant in Karachi.

The interior minister said that he will make important announcements regarding the target killings when he will visit Karachi later today.

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/12-malik+to+make+announcements+regarding+target+killings--bi-06

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Unfazed by flood, Taliban claim responsibility: Constabulary loses chief in suicide attack

By Ali Hazrat Bacha

05 Aug, 2010

PESHAWAR, Aug 4: Safwat Ghayyur, Commandant of the Frontier Constabulary and one of the vanguards of war against terrorism, was killed in a suicide attack, along with three other people, at a busy intersection in the cantonment area here on Wednesday afternoon. Eleven people were injured.

Fifty-year-old Ghayyur was targeted when he came out of the FC Headquarters in his official car and pulled at a traffic signal.

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the killing. Its spokesman Azam Tariq told Dawn on telephone from an unspecified place that “we shall continue to target law-enforcement personnel and leaders of the ruling Awami National Party”. “They are on our hit-list,” he said.

The severed head of the suspected bomber, who appeared to be in his teens, was found some 20 feet from the gutted vehicle of Mr Ghayyur.

Full report at:

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/front-page/unfazed-by-flood,-taliban-claim-responsibility-constabulary-loses-chief-in-suicide-attack-580

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Petraeus issues new rules to avoid civilian casualties

05 Aug, 2010

KABUL, Aug 4: General David Petraeus has issued new rules to troops in Afghanistan telling them to ‘redouble’ efforts to avoid civilian deaths.

The head of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan told commanders he believed the counter-insurgency strategy was bearing fruit but warned that any civilian casualties risked losing the battle to win Afghan hearts and minds.

“We must continue – indeed, redouble – our efforts to reduce the loss of innocent civilian life to an absolute minimum. Every Afghan civilian death diminishes our cause,” he said in the directive released by Nato on Wednesday.

“If we use excessive force or operate contrary to our counter-insurgency principles, tactical victories may prove to be strategic setbacks,” he said in the directive, which replaces rules issued to troops in July 2009.

Full report at:

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/international/petraeus-issues-new-rules-to-avoid-civilian-casualties-580

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Sudanese youths flogged for wearing ‘women’s’ clothes

05 Aug, 2010

KHARTOUM: A Sudanese court had 19 Muslim youths flogged in public on Wednesday for wearing “women’s clothes.” The punishment was carried out immediately after the sentencing by the court in Omdurman, which lies across the Nile river from Khartoum.

Hundreds of people looked on as each young man received 30 lashes, a correspondent reported.They were convicted under laws that forbid “indecent clothing” or offend public morality. They must also pay fines ranging between 500 and 1,000 Sudanese pounds ($200 to 400). The Sudanese press described the men as “homosexuals” attending a same sex marriage.

Northern Sudan is governed by Islamic law, which forbids homosexuality.

The law forbidding “indecent clothing” was brought into the spotlight last year when a court sentenced a woman journalist to be flogged for wearing trousers. The sentence was commuted to a fine after a public outcry.

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/international/sudanese-youths-flogged-for-wearing-womens-clothes-580

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Bloodbath continues in Karachi, 27 more killed

By Faraz Khan

05 Aug, 2010

* City still tense as more shops and vehicles set ablaze

* Markets, educational institutes, petrol pumps, CNG stations remain closed

* Total death toll since MQM MPA’s killing reach 82

* Grenade hurled at mosque in North Nazimabad during evening prayers

KARACHI: As violence continues in Karachi, 27 more people were gunned down in the city on Wednesday and at least 200 more were injured.

The latest deaths bring the total death toll to 82 in clashes that erupted three days ago after the murder of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MPA Raza Haider.

Incidents of firing and arson continued for a third consecutive day on Wednesday and life in the metropolis remained at a standstill. Around 20 vehicles, five houses, a dozen teashops, several shops in Murshid bazaar and shops at the mobile phone market in Saddar were set ablaze by unidentified miscreants, as police and rangers appeared helpless in bringing the situation under control.

Full report at:

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\08\05\story_5-8-2010_pg1_1

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Turkey to provide $5 million

05 Aug, 2010

ISLAMABAD: The Turkish government will provide $5 million for flood-relief efforts, said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday. Erdogan conveyed condolence on behalf of the Turkish government and the people on the massive loss of life and property in the recent floods. He told Prime Minister Gilani that his government had already dispatched a planeload of foodstuff and other relief goods for the flood victims and has decided to extend further relief assistance of $5 million. Gilani visited the flood-affected areas of Mianwali and its surroundings on Wednesday. He landed at two places, first at the Jinnah Barrage and later at Rokhri near Mianwali. He was briefed by the army personnel at both the places on the impact of flood and heavy rains. The prime minister said that the government has evolved a comprehensive strategy to address the sufferings of the people of flood-affected areas in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\08\05\story_5-8-2010_pg7_16

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Sweden to help Pak in war on terror: envoy

05 Aug, 2010

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is fighting the war against terror for world peace and the Swedish government would leave no stone unturned to help it in this regard, said Swedish Ambassador to Pakistan Ulrika Sundburge on Wednesday.

Sundburge met the Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs Chairman Senator Saleem Saifullah at the senate committee office, where the two discussed important regional issues. Saifullah briefed the ambassador on the flood devastation. Appreciating its role in the war against terror, Sundburge said that Pakistan is fighting this war for world peace and the Swedish government would leave no stone unturned to help it in this regard.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\08\05\story_5-8-2010_pg7_26

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Stop settlements, Abbas tells Israel

By MAHMOUD AHMED

Aug 5, 2010

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah holds talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Jeddah on Wednesday. Abbas commended King Abdullah for his efforts to unify Arab ranks and mobilize support for the Palestinian cause. (SPA)

JEDDAH: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Wednesday that Israel should stop construction of new settlements and agree to the pre-1967 border for the success of upcoming direct negotiations.

“These are not our preconditions,” the president told reporters here after talks with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. “These two points have been mentioned in international resolutions.”

He said the United States has also urged Israel to halt settlements based on international resolutions. He also pointed out that the road map had called for Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 border.

Full report at:

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article95717.ece

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Kingdom's population surpasses 27 million

Aug 5, 2010

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia's total population reached 27,136,977 including 18,707,576 Saudis, according to preliminary results of a general census, which was conducted April 27, 2010.

Announcing the results on Wednesday, the General Statistics Department of the Ministry of Economy and Planning said the number of Saudi men has reached 9,527,173 (50.9 percent) and women 9,180,403.

"The number of expatriate workers in the Kingdom was 8,429,401,including 5,932,974 men (70.4 percent) and 2,496,427 women," the department said, quoting the census results.

The census also showed that there are 4,643,151 residential units in the Kingdom.

The details of the census would be announced later, the department said and thanked all those who contributed to its conduct.

Full report at:

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article95678.ece

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Big drop seen in Egyptian sea pilgrims

By GALAL FAKKAR

Aug 4, 2010

JEDDAH: The number of Egyptian pilgrims coming to Saudi Arabia for Umrah during Shaaban and Ramadan by sea has dropped by about 20 percent compared to last year, chairman of the Egyptian Red Sea Seaports Authority Maj. Gen. Mamdouh Diraz said on Wednesday.

“The travel and tourism agents preferred to use aircraft to take their customers to the Kingdom instead of ships after a number of shipping disasters in the Red Sea over the past few years,” he told Arab News.

Basil Al-Sisi, chairman of the economic committee at the Egyptian Chamber of Travel and Tourism Agencies, attributed the inclination toward air travel to the fact that the Saudi agents of the Egyptian Umrah companies were not in favor of welcoming sea pilgrims from Egypt due to the numerous problems involved. “And the vessels are not safe,” he said.

Full report at:

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article95602.ece

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Turkey summons US envoy over UN probe

Aug 5, 2010

ANKARA: Turkey summoned a top US diplomat to complain about what it saw as an attempt to define the mandate of a UN probe on Israel’s deadly raid on Gaza-bound aid ships, a Turkish diplomat said Wednesday.

Doug Silliman, the deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Ankara, was called to the Foreign Ministry Monday “for a reprimand,” after UN chief Ban Ki-moon announced the creation of a four-member panel to investigate the raid that killed nine Turks, the diplomat said on condition of anonymity. The reprimand was delivered over comments by US ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, in which she said the UN inquiry was “not a substitute” for national investigations being carried out by Israel and Turkey.

“The United States is viewing the commission from a narrow perspective. (Rice’s) statement was one that seemed to give the impression the US was determining the commission’s work,” the diplomat said.

Full report at:

http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article95720.ece

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Govt staff shun work in Valley

MUZAFFAR RAINA

Aug 5, 2010

Srinagar, Aug. 4: The embattled Omar Abdullah government has a fresh problem on hand: handling some public servants who are refusing to take up or report for sensitive postings.

Since violence flared in Kashmir in early June with the death of a teenager, several state government employees, barring police, have been staying away from work. It is not clear whether they have been joining separatists’ protests or are simply staying home.

Some employees, including officers, have begun refusing to take up field postings such as those of executive magistrates where they are tasked with maintaining law and order. This could be either because it makes them vulnerable to attacks or because they do not want to approve harsh measures against the protesters.

A government official said Mohammad Munawar Shah, a zonal education officer of Trehgam, was recently suspended for refusing to join magisterial duty assigned by the district magistrate. He has now been attached with the additional deputy commissioner.

Full report at:

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100805/jsp/nation/story_12774059.jsp

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India ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan, says Krishna

Aug 5, 2010

NEW DELHI: India is willing to discuss everything with Pakistan in a "step-by-step" approach to resolve differences with the neighbouring country, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said on Thursday.

"We have nothing to be afraid of....Let the nation understand India is willing to discuss everything," he said in the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour.

He said that India favours a graduated and step-by-step approach in resolving differences with Pakistan, but cross-border hostilities will have to cease.

Referring to the controversial statement of Home Secretary G K Pillai, around the time of Krishna's recent visit to Islamabad, the External Affairs Minister said it was a "reflection" of what LeT operative David Headley had revealed to the FBI.

Ahead of the recent Foreign Ministers' talks in Islamabad, Pillai had said Pakistan's ISI had a hand in the Mumbai blasts.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-ready-to-discuss-all-issues-with-Pakistan-says-Krishna/articleshow/6260335.cms

URL: http://www.newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamIslamicWorldNews_1.aspx?ArticleID=3244