| Islamic World News | |
| 21 Dec 2010, NewAgeIslam.Com |
Mumbai man beaten up by wives for planning fourth wedding
32% of British Muslim students support killing for Islam; 40% want Sharia Law
India doctor Haneef wins substantial compensation over bungled case
Harry Potter actress beaten by brother for dating man 'who was not a Muslim'
Russia wants Pak to punish those behind Mumbai attacks
UK varsity scraps Islamic Studies course
Terrorist plot to poison food in US restaurants over single weekend: Report
Fourth woman in Ahmadinejad Cabinet
Israel protests comparison of RSS with Nazis
Interfaith harmony stressed at annual Christmas dinner
Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi jailed for six years
Gang rape of young woman shakes Karachi, Governor orders probe
Seven dead, hundreds injured in Iran quake
More than 100 Canadians named on Al Qaeda-affiliated website
Azeri Hijab ban bars scores from school
Role of Women in the Husayni Revolution
UAE's First Institute for Islamic Economics and Ethics to be Created by ADIB
Sunni Muslims Commemorate Muharram Mourning Procession in Himachal
US seeking to expand raids into Pakistan
U.S. Catholic universities seeing influx of Muslim students
Swiss: Tariq Ramadan calls Muslims to join the political life in Europe
Suicide Attack and Stealth Jihad in Stockholm
Swedish Jihad Revelations
Sudan's president warns of tighter Islamic law
Graffiti art brightens war-torn Afghan capital
Danish camera enters the heart of Afghan combat
From finance to fiction in India and Pakistan
Senior Taliban leader killed in drone attack: report
India disseminating 26/11 information premature: U.S.
Repression, resolution can't go hand in hand: Mehbooba
Headley had “hatred” towards India: WikiLeaks
Israel’s rebuff: don’t compare to holocaust
I receive death threats from US soldiers: Assange
Assange a high-tech terrorist, says Biden
WikiLeaks hints at Israeli-Palestinian cooperation
10 go on trial over sex scandal on historic Turkish yacht
‘Friendly ties with Pak only if it acts against terror’
Dozen arrested in British anti-terror swoop
Hand over 'known terrorists', Ahmadinejad tells Zardari
4 die as SSB jawans open fire
HC judges visit 26/11 terror sites for 'first-hand feel'
Al-Qaida aims to 'bring down' Pakistan: Biden
Coalition Allies turn their back on Pak govt
‘Rajouri, Poonch people against division'
Four people killed in Balochistan
PESHAWAR: Sorry, the poor have to live with price hike and terrorism
Paintings depict terrorist attacks, bomb blasts in Pakistan
Fazl, Shujaat for in-house change
Two top Qaeda operatives arrested from Karachi
Sudan leader vows to bolster Islamic law in north
Roadside bomb, shooting kill seven in Somali capital
Khamenei: Any Hariri verdict 'null and void'
Shoura puts stress on e-governance
Thackeray warns Rahul of Hindu backlash
Compiled by New Age Isalm News Bureau
Photo: Ayub Shaikh (41) was beaten by his wife Saroja for planning fourth wedding
------------- Mecca Masjid blast accused also linked to Samjhauta train attack: NIA Rajinder Nagarkoti Dec 21, 2010 PANCHKULA: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has claimed that Hyderabad's Mecca Masjid blast accused, Swami Asimanand was also involved in the February 2007 Samjhauta train blasts that killed 68 people, mostly Pakistanis. The agency procured a warrant from a court here to produce the suspect for further questioning in the case. Sources said that NIA, in its application submitted to the additional district and sessions court (a special court for Samjhauta blasts case), stated that it had sufficient evidence against the Swami. Accepting their plea, Judge Ritu Garg granted a production warrant till January 3. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had arrested 59-year-old Swami on November 19 from Haridwar in connection with the blast at the historic Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad on May 18, 2007. Nine persons were killed in the explosion. Sources said, during his interrogation by CBI sleuths, the Swami had reportedly admitted his involvement in Samjhauta Express blasts. Sixty-eight people were killed when bombs were set off in two coaches of cross-country Samjhauta Express around midnight on February 18, 2007 at Diwana near Panipat. Only 38 victims could be identified and most of them were Pakistani nationals on their return journey to Lahore. Investigation into the blasts had found that six firebombs along with timers, which were kept inside six suitcases, were purchased from an outlet in Indore. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Mecca-Masjid-blast-accused-also-linked-to- ------------- Mumbai man beaten up by wives for planning fourth wedding December 21, 2010 Mumbai: The Mumbai police station was the site of a major family drama, as a 17-year-old boy registered a non-cognizable (NC) complaint against his mother for assaulting his father. According to police officers, Saroja, the second wife of RTO agent Ayub Shaikh (41), was upset when she heard that Shaikh was planning his fourth marriage. On Sunday, Saroja, accompanied by Shaikh's first wife, arrived at his house in Kurla, dragged him outside and began beating him. Shaikh and Saroja's son, Irfan, who lives with his father, witnessed the incident. The scene turned so violent that the police officers patrolling the area witnessed the act and had to intervene to save Shaikh. They took Saroja to the police station and let her off with a warning. But Saroja's son, Irfan, did not let his mother off before filing an NC against her. Saroja said that Shaikh married her a few years ago but left her to marry a third time. She had then filed a harassment complaint against her husband, following which the Kurla police had arrested Shaikh under Section 498 of the Indian Penal Code. Shaikh, who got bail last week, was about to get married a fourth time, when Saroja and his first wife got wind of the news and landed at his house to maul him. "Shaikh marries innocent girls and then abandons them only to find a new target. I do not regret anything I did. He deserves the same treatment from every woman he has married and ruined," said Saroja. Senior Police Inspector Vijay Waghve said, "We have taken down the complaint against Saroja and let her off with a warning." http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/mumbai-man-beaten-up-by-wives-for-planning-fourth- ------------- 32% of British Muslim students support killing for Islam; 40% want Sharia Law Marc Schenker December 21, 2010 32% of British Muslim students support killing for Islam; 40% want Sharia Law. If the way young Muslims in Britain are feeling is any indication for America’s own Muslim community, then America better beware. According to a new survey done at 30 universities in Britain, the young Muslim student body in that country is extremely radicalized. The poll asked 600 Muslim students and 800 of their non-Muslim peers about politically touchy subjects like killing in the name of Islam and Sharia Law—and the results were like night and day between the two demographics. While hardly anyone in the non-Muslim sample accepted killing in the name of religion, basically one-third of all Muslim students in Britain supported this. This frightening confirmation of the deadly and violent extremism in the young Muslims of Britain is also an indication of the utter failure of British society to both integrate as well as to better police their Muslim communities. The word "Londonistan" is often disparagingly used to symbolize the permissible Islamic extremism that goes down in Britain—with the once-proud but now impotent Brits basically turning a blind eye. In fact, because of this widespread radicalization problem in British universities among Muslims, said universities are actually becoming a training ground for terrorists like the Christmas bomber from last year. In an ironic twist, this survey and its shocking poll results were made available only through the Wikileaks leaking of Julian Assange. The poll was revealed as part of a secret, diplomatic cable that emerged from the US Embassy in London. Other results in the pro-Islamist survey results are also troublesome. For instance, more than half of all British Muslim students insist on being represented by a political party that is Islam-based. The clear-cut, overwhelming theme in this poll data from this leaked cable relates to the fact that many Muslims even in so-called civilized countries like Britain still want to relapse to the Middle Ages (or earlier, even) by making Islam central in all aspects of their true-believing lives. If this doesn’t either stun you or make you react with a shudder at the reality of this massive and widespread, Islamic radicalism, then this statistic will.Muslims in Britain are the biggest non-Christian demographic in that country, and their growth rate (having a lot of babies, yes, they are) is staggering. Additionally, they are also profiled to be largely destitute, unskilled and uneducated—a perfect recipe for radicalism and hate of the West. After more confirmation of the massive dilemma (putting it lightly) with Islam and Muslims in the world, I fail to see where all this propaganda of "the religion of peace" fits in! This survey data just shows what other troublesome (again, putting it lightly) results confirm about Islam. It is not a religion of peace; it is not only a few rotten apples, so to speak, among Muslims; and it is a clear and present danger that is not going away anytime soon. Copyright © 2010 by Marc Schenker Like Marc’s analysis? To subscribe to Marc's articles: Click on the "Subscribe" button above the headline. To send Marc questions, praise or criticism, you can email him at marc_schenker@telus.net http://www.examiner.com/american-politics-in-vancouver/32-of-british-muslim-students- ------------- India doctor Haneef wins substantial compensation over bungled case Dec 21, 2010 MELBOURNE: Indian doctor Mohammad Haneef has struck a deal with the Australian government for receiving a "substantial" compensation for his wrongful detention, three years after the traumatic experience which he said had a serious impact on his life and career. Haneef, who was detained after being wrongly accused of having links to the failed Glasglow bombing attempt in 2007, returned to Australia last week to settle his compensation claim. The 31-year-old doctor said the settlement would help him re-establish his career and reputation and stated that he would consider returning to the country. The lawyers of the doctor have refused to divulge details of the compensation which was confidential, but said the amount agreed upon is "substantial". Haneef and his lawyers completed two days of talks with the government in Brisbane today, and this will see legal action against former immigration minister Kevin Andrews dropped, AAP reported. "Part of the agreement is that the parties not discuss the details of the settlement," Haneef's lawyer Rod Hodgson told reporters as he left the meeting. "Although I can say that Dr Haneef will receive a substantial compensation," he was quoted as saying. The compensation claim had also sought damages for lost earnings, the interruption to his medical career, damage to his reputation and emotional stress. The claim has been described as unique in Australian legal history by his lawyers. Before the mediation talks started, lawyers had said the compensation could be up to 1 million dollars. "I'm very pleased and happy with the resolution of this matter," Haneef, who is accompanied by his wife Firdous and three-year-old daughter Haniyah, told reporters after the meeting. "My wrongful arrest and detention in 2007 was a very traumatic experience and today's settlement is a chance to end that part of my life and move on with my family," he said. He said he and his family still look forward to possibly returning to Australia one day, as he thanked his friends and supporters in this country and back in India who he said had been a "great source of strength". He said he would consider the prospect of reapplying for his original job on the Gold Coast. "It certainly will take some time to get on track to get out to Australia. I need to get my registration sorted and other things and I need to discuss this with my family," he said, adding it could take less than a year. On his return to the country, the first time since the episode, Haneef had said he hoped the resolution of his claims would give him a chance to move on, though he believed it was "too late" for an apology now. The doctor had said that Australia was "a very fair place" to live and work. The mediation process was held over two days and was chaired by former judge Tony Fitzgerald, the report said. Haneef, who now practises in the UAE, would finish a 10-day holiday in Australia before returning back. Hodgson said the decision recognised the injustice suffered by an innocent man, and closes the book on what was a "stain" on the country's reputation. Haneef is a cousin of Kafeel Ahmed and Sabeel Ahmed -- the two operatives who launched the failed attack on the Glasgow International Airport in the UK in 2007. He was taken into custody and charged with recklessly giving support to a terrorist organisation when his mobile phone SIM card, which he had left with his cousin before coming to Australia from the UK, was linked to the attack. His detention was the longest without charge in recent Australian history, and his case caused a lot of outrage in India as well as in Australia. He was finally set free when the charges against him were withdrawn as prosecutors admitted bungling the case and an independent inquiry cleared him. His passport was then returned and left for India voluntarily on July 29, 2007. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/indians-abroad/India-doctor-Haneef-wins- ------------- Harry Potter actress beaten by brother for dating man 'who was not a Muslim' December 21, 2010 A Harry Potter actress fled her home after her father and brother threatened to kill her for going out with a Hindu man, a court heard yesterday. Afshan Azad, 22, who appeared in the blockbuster movies as Padma Patil, was attacked and branded a ‘slag’ when Muslim relatives found out about her boyfriend. The actress was so scared that she escaped out of her bedroom window and later fled her home city. Police were called and her father, Abul Azad, 54, and brother, Ashraf, 28, were arrested and charged with making threats to kill her. The actress’s brother was also charged with assault. But Miss Azad refused to testify and yesterday failed to turn up at their trial at Manchester Crown Court. Instead Crown prosecutors decided to accept a guilty plea to assault by her brother while both men were formally found not guilty of making threats to kill. Full report at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1340222/Harry-Potter-actress-beaten-branded- ------------- Russia wants Pak to punish those behind Mumbai attacks Dec 21, 2010 NEW DELHI: Russia on Tuesday joined India in demanding from Pakistan expeditious punishment to all those involved in the Mumbai terror attacks with President Dmitry Medvedev asserting that a modern and civilised state cannot hide terrorists and should extradite them if it is interested in cooperating in the fight against terrorism. Medvedev held wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during which both sides "strongly condemned those who support terrorism noting that States that aid, abet or shelter terrorists are as guilty of acts of terrorism as their actual perpetrators," a joint statement said. "Terrorists are criminals ... they should be extradited to be punished. Those who hide terrorists conceal criminals," Medvedev said at a joint press conference with Singh when asked how Russia looked at safe havens of terror operations in the region and how it can expand cooperation with India in dealing with this menace. Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Russia-wants-Pak-to-punish-those-behind- ------------- UK varsity scraps Islamic Studies course Dec 21, 2010 LONDON: A UK university has scrapped its two-year course in Islamic Studies due to lack of students enrolling for the lectures, prompting a petition for the subject to continue. The Manchester Metropolitan University ran a two-year course on the religion and Middle-Eastern societies for the past two decades, but education managers now say that student numbers on the course are unsustainable. More than 400 lecturers and students have now signed a petition arguing for the course to keep going, reports from Manchester said. An MMU spokesman said there had been single-figure demand for the course for many years. "It is very disappointing that this course has not been more popular. We do offer Islamic studies elements as a part of other politics courses but the demand for a single subject qualification is extremely low," he said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/UK-varsity-scraps-Islamic-Studies- ------------- Terrorist plot to poison food in US restaurants over single weekend: Report Dec 21, 2010 WASHINGTON: US authorities have unearthed a terrorist plot to "poison" food in a number of restaurants and hotels over a single weekend, according to a media report. The latest terror threat to America involves possible use of poisons — simultaneous attacks targeting hotels and restaurants at many locations over a single weekend, CBS reported. A key Intelligence source has confirmed the threat as "credible," it said The US Department of Homeland Security officials, along with members of the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, have briefed a small group of corporate security officers from the hotel and restaurant industries about it, the news channel said, The plot was uncovered earlier this year, the report said, adding it is said to involve the use of two poisons - ricin and cyanide - slipped into salad bars and buffets. Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Terrorist-plot-to-poison-food-in-US- ------------- Fourth woman in Ahmadinejad Cabinet December 21, 2010 President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday sacked the head of Iran’s National Youth Organisation and appointed a woman to the Cabinet post, official media reported. Ahmadinejad removed Mehrdad Bazrpash and named Farahnaz Torkestani as the head of the National Youth Organisation, the official IRNA news agency said. As such, Torkestani also becomes one of Iran’s 12 Vice Presidents. She is the fourth woman to join the Government, which includes a woman Health Minister and two female Vice Presidents for Legal Affairs and Science and Technology. The report did not give a reason for the dismissal, the second in a week following the dismissal last Tuesday of Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki. Iran’s atomic chief Ali Akbar Salehi was sworn in as new Foreign Minister on Saturday. Unlike Cabinet Ministers, Vice Presidents are not subject to a parliamentary vote of confidence. Women joined the Iranian cabinet as vice presidents first under the reformist presidency of Mohammad Khatami, from 1997 to 2005, to widespread criticism from conservative clerics. http://www.dailypioneer.com/305227/Fourth-woman-in-Ahmadinejad-Cabinet.html ------------- Israel protests comparison of RSS with Nazis Dec 21, 2010 NEW DELHI: Israel has taken grave exception to Congress leader Digvijay Singh's comparison of RSS with the Nazis. Responding to questions, an Israel embassy spokesperson said, "Without entering the political debate, no comparison can be made with the Nazi Holocaust in which six million Jews were massacred solely because they were Jewish." Singh courted controversy on Sunday by training guns on the RSS yet again. Addressing the Congress plenary, Singh said RSS was targeting Muslims and brainwashing young minds to hate Muslims. "The RSS, in the garb of its nationalist ideology, is targetting Muslims the same way Nazis targeted Jews in the 1930s," Singh said. Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Israel-protests-comparison-of-RSS-with- ------------- Interfaith harmony stressed at annual Christmas dinner December 21, 2010 ISLAMABAD: With the spirit to spread interfaith harmony, peace, love and tolerance, Interfaith League Against Poverty (I-LAP) hosted its annual Interfaith Christmas Dinner the other night. Provincial Minister for Social Welfare Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Sitara Imran, Provincial Minister KP for Auqaf, Nimroz Khan, PML-N leader Saddique-ul-Farooq, Pakistan Minerals Development Corporation Managing Director Brig Khalid Khokhar, Islamabad Inspector General Police (IGP) Kalim Amam, Pakistan People’s Party London president Ch. Riaz, SSP, SPs, Hindu representative Shayam Babu, Bahai representative Mono Kamine, Sikh representative Garveed Singh, Buddhist representative Hania, Muslim representative Prof Tajuddin Al Azhari and senior members of media and other dignitaries attended the annual dinner. Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti was the chief guest. Addressing the event, Bhatti said it was a basic right of a human being to express his or her point of view and it should be respected in all aspects. “Peace has extreme importance for the national development and to make goodwill in the world,” Bhatti added. Full report at: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\12\21\story_21-12-2010_pg11_4 ------------- Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi jailed for six years Dec 21, 2010 LONDON: Noted Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has been sentenced for six years in jail and barred from directing and producing movies for the next 20-years, according to his lawyer. Panahi, known for his internationally acclaimed movies like 'The Circle', 'White Balloon' and 'The Mirror' on humanitarian struggles in the country, has been outspoken in his support of Iran's opposition movement, earning the wrath of the government. The filmmaker was convicted of colluding in gathering and making propaganda against the regime, lawyer Farideh Gheyrat told the Iranian state news agency, ISNA, the Guardian reported. "He is therefore sentenced to six years in prison and also he is banned for 20 years from making any films, writing any scripts, travelling abroad and also giving any interviews to the media including foreign and domestic news organisations," she said. Gheyrat said she would appeal against the conviction. The 49-year-old filmmaker is one of the most respected names in international cinema. He started his career by making several films for television and later went on to work with cinema legend Abbas Kiarostami in 'Through the Olive Trees'. Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Iranian-filmmaker-Jafar-Panahi- ------------- Gang rape of young woman shakes Karachi, Governor orders probe Dec 21, 2010 KARACHI: A young woman was pulled out of her car and raped by four to five men in an upmarket area of Karachi, in an incident that has shaken the city and prompted the governor of Sindh province to order a top-level inquiry. The Governor Ishrat-ul-Ibad ordered the Citizens Liason Police Cell to carry out an independent inquiry side by side with the police investigations after the rape was reported by Geo News and became a haunting news through the day. The incident occurred late in the night on Sunday in the upmarket area of Clifton and the girl was held by the assailants for six hours before they left her near the Seaview beach area. The episode also brought back haunting memories of a notorious rapist who used to prowl in the same area and was arrested last year, though mystery surrounds his whereabouts and fate now. Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Gang-rape-of-young-woman-shakes- ------------- Seven dead, hundreds injured in Iran quake Dec 21, 2010 TEHRAN: At least seven people have died and hundreds more were injured in a 6.5-magnitude earthquake which struck southeastern Iran, Mehr news agency reported on Tuesday. The late Monday quake, with epicentre near the town of Hosseinabad in Kerman province, was followed by 22 tremors, including one of 5.0 magnitude, the agency said quoting the geophysics department of Tehran university. "So far damages have been concentrated in villages in the areas of Sahraj and seven dead and hundreds of injured have been removed from the debris," Mehr quoted Kerman governor Esmail Najjar as saying. "Considering the damages the death toll is expected to rise," he said. The quake struck at 10:12 pm (18:42 GMT) Monday and was even felt in the bordering province of Sistan-Baluchestan. Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Seven-dead-hundreds-injured-in- ------------- More than 100 Canadians named on Al Qaeda-affiliated website December 21, 2010 More than 100 Canadian-Arab Christians are listed on an Al Qaeda-affiliated website, apparently targeted because of their alleged role in attempting to convert Wahhabi Muslims. (AhlulBayt News Agency) - Some of those named say concerned Canadian intelligence officials have contacted them. The Shumukh-al-Islam website, often considered to be Al Qaeda’s mouth piece, listed pictures, addresses and cellphone numbers of Coptic Christians, predominantly Egyptian-Canadians, who have been vocal about their opposition to Wahhabi Islam. In a forum on the website, one member named Son of a Sharp Sword, says “We are going to to Wahhabi Islam and all of the Mujahedeen (holy warriors) will cut off their heads.” Full report at: http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=217782 ------------- Azeri Hijab ban bars scores from school December 21, 2010 Hundreds of Azeri Muslim students have been deprived of education following a new policy which bans Hijab in the schools of the predominantly Muslim country. (AhlulBayt News Agency) - Under the pretext of imposing reintroduced Soviet-era uniforms to secondary school students this year, Azerbaijan has effectively barred hundreds of female students from going to school, sparking outrage in the predominantly Muslim country. This is while the country’s constitution does not impose any restrictions on wearing Hijab. Thousands of Azeri Muslims have held demonstrations to protest the new policy. According to the Azeri Turan news agency, demonstrators gathered in front of Azerbaijan’s Education Ministry on December 10, 2010, to voice their disapproval of Education Minister Misir Mardanov’s comments. The Minister had said that girls should comply with official rules on school uniforms, which forbid the wearing of the Hijab. Full report at: http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=217781 ------------- Role of Women in the Husayni Revolution December 21, 2010 It is a historically foregone conclusion that Imam Hussein (a.s.) was fully aware of the fact that his opposition to the Ummayyad policy and the strong stance he took against it would only lead to his martyrdom in the way of Allah, whether he remained in the city of Medina, Mecca or any other city. But he wanted his martyrdom to have an impact on the life of the ummah as wide and great as the personal reward, comfort and eternal pleasure of Allah which he won. That is why he planned to foil all attempts of assassination against him, hatched by the Ummayyad rulers. That kind of death has no reverberations, or at least its consequences are quite limited. No turmoil would follow it as big as desired, nor would there be a furor that would be potential in the life of the ummah. Thus, the key elements that would promote a historical shock in the body of the ummah, that would leave its marks on the present and future of the ummah, had to be ripened. Full report at: http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=217686 ------------- UAE's First Institute for Islamic Economics and Ethics to be Created by ADIB December 21, 2010 Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), a top-tier Islamic financial services group, and the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to create the region's first Institute of Islamic Economics and Ethics in the presence of and under the auspices of Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor, Higher Colleges of Technology (Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), a top-tier Islamic financial services group, and the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to create the region's first Institute of Islamic Economics and Ethics in the presence of and under the auspices of Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor, Higher Colleges of Technology. Full report at: http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=217714 ------------- Sunni Muslims Commemorate Muharram Mourning Procession in Himachal December 21, 2010 All Himachal Muslim welfare committee state Chief Naseem Mohammed Didan says the day is observed only by “Shiya community all over the world, but it’s really worth appreciable and adoring that in town, “Suni” Muslim observes Mohrram as a gesture towards the “Shiya’ Muslims. NAHAN, Himachal, India(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Muharram is observed by the “Shia” Muslim community across the world in commemoration of the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammed’s grandson, Imam Hussain (pbuh) along with his family and followers, who were martyred in the Battle of Karbala in AD 680 but in the town the day is observed by the “Sunni” community of Muslims which makes the day distinct with other parts of the country. All Himachal Muslim welfare committee state Chief Naseem Mohammed Didan says the day is observed only by “Shia community all over the world, but it’s really worth appreciable and adoring that in town, “Suni” Muslim observes Mohrram as a gesture towards the “Shia Muslims. Similar to previous time, it is remarkable that Muharram is still observed in the same manner even after years and years of Independence. Full report at: http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=217323 ------------- US seeking to expand raids into Pakistan December 21, 2010 WASHINGTON: Top US military commanders in Afghanistan are seeking to expand ground raids by Special Operations Forces across the border in Pakistan’s tribal areas, The New York Times reported Monday. Amid growing US frustration with Pakistan’s lackluster efforts at removing militants from strongholds there, the officials are proposing to escalate military activities in the nuclear-armed nation, the Times said in its online edition. US forces have been largely restricted to limited covert operations and unmanned drone strikes in Pakistan due to fears of retaliation from a population that often holds strong anti-American sentiment in a country rife with militants. Even these limited operations have provoked angry reactions from Pakistani officials. The drones are believed to be largely operated by the CIA. Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/2010/12/21/us-seeking-to-expand-raids-into-pakistan.html ------------- U.S. Catholic universities seeing influx of Muslim students By William Wan December 21, 2010 On a quick break between classes last week, Reef Al-Shabnan slipped into an empty room at Catholic University to start her daily prayers to Allah. In one corner was a life-size painting of Jesus carrying the cross. In another, the portrait of a late priest and theologian looked on. And high above the room hung a small wooden crucifix. This was not, Shabnan acknowledged, the ideal space for a Muslim to pray in. After her more than two years on campus, though, it has become routine and sacred in its own way. You can find Allah anywhere, the 19-year-old from Saudi Arabia said, even at the flagship university of the U.S. Catholic world. Full report at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp- ------------- Swiss: Tariq Ramadan calls Muslims to join the political life in Europe By Tamer Aboalenin December 21, 2010 The Swiss Islamic thinker Tariq Ramadan appealed to the Muslim youth in Switzerland and Europe to appear positively in their communities and to have clear contributions in different forms. He pointed in a speech before the Conference of Muslim youth in Switzerland last night in Zurich to "the importance of participation in sports and cultural activities to become an part of the society," emphasizing that Islam is a religion has a presence on the scene of Switzerland. He explained that this goal requires efforts and an act of young Muslims, "as it is not enough that young Muslims seeking to enroll in universities, but they must also continue to research and work in the academic fields." Ramadan also called on Muslims to get out of "the mantle of victims of racism and xenophobia and to confirm their attendance in the European societies of mutual respect and apply the teachings of the true Islam and to avoid of superiority over others." At the same time he criticized the right wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) as a "working against the values of the Swiss cultural of pluralism, which was among the reasons for the continuation of Switzerland". Full report at: http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/201012198406/World-Politics/swiss-tariq- ------------- Suicide Attack and Stealth Jihad in Stockholm Ned May December 21, 2010 Last weekend’s failed suicide attack in Stockholm was only the beginning. As more information flows in, it becomes clear that last Taimour Abdulwahab al-Abdaly was just the tip of a vast jihad iceberg in Sweden. The following news story from Norwegian TV features a brief interview with a Swedish politician — from the Green Party, no less — who infiltrated a radical mosque in Stockholm and discovered a hotbed of jihad recruitment there. Many thanks to the Counterjihad Collective for the translation, and to Vlad Tepes for the subtitling: …A Swedish politician, Daniel Arrospide Alata, from the environmental “Green” Party infiltrated one of the Stockholm mosques for 6 months. He did this in order to find out what is going on there behind the scenes of the “religion of peace”. What he found out was not what he expected, if relying on the words of the imams. He found what we all fear and what we experienced last Saturday in Stockholm. Full report at: http://bigpeace.com/nmay/2010/12/19/suicide-attack-and-stealth-jihad-in-stockholm/ ------------- Swedish Jihad Revelations Raymond Ibrahim December 21, 2010 Back in 2004, in one of his most recognized messages to America, Osama bin Laden, in response to then President George Bush Jr.'s position that Al Qaeda hates freedom, rhetorically asked, "If so [if Al Qaeda hates freedom], let him explain to us why we have not attacked Sweden, for example." Days ago, on December 11, an Al Qaeda affiliated suicide bomber attacked Sweden — the first terrorist attack in three decades of Swedish history, and its first ever suicide attack. The attempt largely failed (only the bomber died, two Swedes were injured). Even so, it could have been truly catastrophic. So much for Sweden epitomizing Al Qaeda's respect for freedom. Why the change in policy? According to an audio-recording issued by the terrorists minutes before the attack, the vitriol is such that "all Mujahadeen [jihadists] in Europe and Sweden" are to prepare for action: "Now is the time to strike, do not wait any longer." Full report at: http://www.hudson-ny.org/1737/swedish-jihad ------------- Sudan's president warns of tighter Islamic law By Isma'il Kamal Kushkush December 21, 2010 Khartoum, Sudan (CNN) -- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has warned that he will tighten the application of Islamic law, or sharia, in northern Sudan if southern Sudan votes for independence next month, the Sudan News Agency reported. "If the separation of the South unfortunately happens, the constitution will be amended and sharia will become the main source of legislation," al-Bashir said. Sharia already is the law of the land in northern Sudan, but the authorities have relaxed their enforcement of it since a 2005 peace treaty ended more than 20 years of civil war. The war pitted a northern government of Arab Muslims against blacks in southern Sudan who practice Christianity and animist religions. It killed 2 million people and displaced several million others, mainly from southern Sudan. The president's comments have stirred fear that the government will implement sharia for the hundreds of thousands of Southerners and other non-Muslims in northern Sudan, including many who fled fighting, disease and famine in the South. Full report at: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/12/20/sudan.islamic.law/ ------------- Graffiti art brightens war-torn Afghan capital December 21, 2010 KABUL: A group of women in burqas rises from the sea to symbolise cleanliness, while further down a factory wall a bus with no wheels and crammed with passengers is a stark comment on war-torn Kabul’s appalling public transport. A new Afghan art collective called Roshd, or “growth”, has brought street art and graffiti to the conservative Muslim nation’s capital, starting with a mural on a three metre (10 feet) high wall in an industrial park. Soon they hope to take their creativity and commentary to the dusty city centre, where blast walls, scrawled advertisements, political propaganda and armed guards are more usual sights. Using spray paint for the first time, Ommolbanin Shamsia Hassani, 22, who is due to start teaching at Kabul University’s fine art faculty, painted the burqa-clad group. Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/2010/12/21/graffiti-art-brightens-war-torn-afghan-capital-2.html ------------- Danish camera enters the heart of Afghan combat December 21, 2010 PARIS: Afghan war film “Armadillo” follows young Danish soldiers deploying against the Taliban for the first time, intimately recording their confrontation with a complicated conflict, the battles, the waiting, the emotions. It is a film that director Janus Metz said “very consciously tried to break with the sort of news footage realism of Afghanistan to get behind the scenes” of a war that this band of soldiers sees as their generation’s Vietnam. It blurs the boundaries of documentary and fiction, reaching beyond the small combat unit at forward operating base Armadillo in the deserts of Helmand to a “bigger image of man and war and what war is”. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, winning the Grand Prize of the Critics’ Week, and is doing the rounds of European cinemas, opening in France this week. It shocked Denmark, Metz told AFP in Paris. Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/2010/12/20/danish-camera-enters-the-heart-of-afghan-combat.html ------------- From finance to fiction in India and Pakistan December 21, 2010 NEW DELHI: Finance and fiction seem like an unlikely mix, but a number of Indian and Pakistani novelists are finding their stints as finance professionals may have helped ward off writer’s block. While there is no direct link between mastering the markets and writing novels, a career in finance does seem to have had its merits for former Wall Street banker Anish Trivedi. “I think once you’ve had to convince people to part with their money by giving them a cogent, compelling argument in as few words as possible, you learn to get your point across pretty rapidly on a page,” says Trivedi. Trivedi, who lives in Mumbai, gave up a seven-figure salary to pursue his writing dream. In “Call me Dan” he took a light-hearted look at arranged marriages and one-night stands in 21st-century India. Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/2010/12/17/from-finance-to-fiction-in-india-and-pakistan.html ------------- Senior Taliban leader killed in drone attack: report Anita Joshua December 21, 2010 ISLAMABAD: A senior Taliban leader who commanded one of Al-Qaeda's military units in north-western Pakistan is said to be among the 30 people killed in last week's drone attacks in the Khyber agency. Though there was no official confirmation, the Long War Journal — which has embedded reporters covering the war on terror in Afghanistan — reported the killing of Amin in detail on Monday. On Thursday and Friday, the U.S.-controlled Predators struck thrice in the Tirah Valley of the tribal agency and Amin was reportedly killed while he was meeting members of the Lashkar-e-Islam — a Taliban off-shoot with a footprint in Khyber. Amin was second-in-command to Mullah Fazlullah, who used to control the picturesque Swat area till the Army regained ground after a military operation. In 2009, the Army had announced a reward for his capture. Full report at: http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/21/stories/2010122165452100.htm ------------- India disseminating 26/11 information premature: U.S. Vinay Kumar December 21, 2010 NEW DELHI: The U.S. had reservations about India sharing information with all countries that had lost their citizens in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, saying it was “premature” and feared that it would undermine essential law enforcement efforts and forestall further India-Pakistan cooperation. “We believe it is premature for the Indians to be considering a broad dissemination of information on the attack until the investigation has been completed, In this regard, we note that the FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation] has just presented a long list of information it is still seeking from the Indians to advance its own investigation,” the then U.S. Ambassador in Islamabad, Anne W. Patterson, said in a secret cable sent early last year and made public by WikiLeaks. Ms. Patterson advised the State Department to urge India to delay the release of information about its investigation until intelligence and law enforcement-sharing with the U.S. and the government of Pakistan moved forward. Full report at: http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/21/stories/2010122164651700.htm ------------- Repression, resolution can't go hand in hand: Mehbooba Shujaat Bukhari December 21, 2010 JAMMU: The Opposition People's Democratic Party has told the interlocutors on Kashmir that a resolution effort would have to be invested with more credibility and seriousness, besides taking the separatists on board. “Repression and denial of rights on the ground cannot go together with resolution efforts.” This could not produce any positive result,” party president Mehbooba Mufti said during an interaction with Dileep Padgaonkar, Radha Kumar and M.M. Ansari in Jammu on Monday. Ms. Mehbooba told the interlocutors that the government, in its anxiety to“present a false picture” of its performance, had “unleashed the full might of the state to impose artificial normalcy on a people denied every right to a decent life,” a PDP statement said here. Draconian measures While in the wake of a disastrous summer it was expected that the government would relax its “brutal repression” to provide relief to a people who had lost their dear ones and suffered physical, economic and psychological trauma, it further strengthened and almost institutionalised the existing draconian measures, she said. Full report at: http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/21/stories/2010122163871100.htm ------------- Headley had “hatred” towards India: WikiLeaks December 21, 2010 New Delhi: American-born Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist David Headley, accused of plotting the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, had “hatred” towards India and warned that he would stop helping the probe if his admission of guilt was linked to cooperation with New Delhi. This was conveyed by Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Robert Mueller during his meeting with Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram in February this year, according to a secret U.S. embassy cable made public by WikiLeaks. “Noting that the process of Headley's proffer of evidence is nearing a critical stage, Mr. Mueller observed that Headley has expressed hatred towards India and may clam up if his guilty plea is tied in any way to cooperation with the Government of India,” said the leaked cable, categorised as “secret” by U.S. envoy to India Timothy Roemer. While the Minister had said India would not use the information provided by the U.S. in prosecution of the accused, including Ajmal Kasab, Mr. Chidambaram, however, made it clear to Mr. Mueller that Indian sleuths had collected information on their own by examining Headley's computer and emails. Full report at: http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/21/stories/2010122164581700.htm ------------- Israel’s rebuff: don’t compare to holocaust December 21, 2010 Israel on Monday said no comparison can be made with the Holocaust, in which six million Jews were killed before and during World War II. The statement comes a day after senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh asserted that just like Hitler’s Nazi party attacked the Jews, the RSS ideology was to capture power by targeting Muslims under the garb of furthering nationalism, Reacting to Singh’s remarks, the Israel Embassy noted, “In response to inquiries from the Press, the Embassy of Israel wishes to stress — without entering into political debate — that no comparison can be made with the Nazi Holocaust, in which six million Jews were massacred solely because they were Jewish.” http://www.dailypioneer.com/305240/Israel%E2%80%99s-rebuff-don%E2%80%99t- ------------- I receive death threats from US soldiers: Assange December 21, 2010 WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has claimed that he receives death threats from US soldiers regularly, a media report said Monday. He also said that a statement on the steps of the high court here last week after he was released on bail was cut short because police feared he would be assassinated, the Daily Telegraph reported. Australian-born Assange, 39, claimed his son Daniel, 20, and his lawyer have received similar chilling warnings. Speaking to a Spanish newspaper after being released on 275,000 pounds bail, he said: "I receive death threats all the time. My lawyer receives them, my son receives them. "Most of them seem to come from members of the United States armed forces." Daniel, who works for a software design company, is believed to be in hiding in Australia. The WikiLeaks founder gave the interview to Spain's El Pais newspaper from a 10-bedroom Norfolk mansion in England where he is awaiting extradition to Sweden to face rape allegations. Full report at: http://www.dailypioneer.com/305226/I-receive-death-threats-from-US-soldiers- ------------- Assange a high-tech terrorist, says Biden December 21, 2010 US Vice President Joe Biden has said that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was "closer to being a high-tech terrorist", and acknowledged the fact that the leak of classified US diplomatic cables have damaged foreign relations. In an interview with the NBC's "Meet the Press" programme, when Biden was asked if what Assange had done was criminal, the vice president said it would be considered criminal if it could be established that the WikiLeaks founder had encouraged or helped Bradley Manning, the US intelligence analyst suspected of being behind the leak. Biden said this was different from a journalist receiving leaked material, another media report said. "If he conspired to get these classified documents with a member of the US military, that's fundamentally different than if somebody drops on your lap here... you're a press person, 'Here is classified material'," Biden was quoted as saying. Full report at: http://www.dailypioneer.com/305061/Assange-a-high-tech-terrorist-says-Biden.html ------------- WikiLeaks hints at Israeli-Palestinian cooperation December 21, 2010 A cable released by WikiLeaks on Monday suggested close cooperation between Israel and forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas when rival Hamas militants overran the Gaza Strip three years ago. The disclosure could embarrass Abbas and his Fatah movement, which Hamas has accused of working with the Israelis. Abbas’ standing among Palestinians has already been weakened by his failure to make progress in peacemaking with Israel. The June 13, 2007, cable from the US Embassy in Tel Aviv, citing a conversation that took place during the civil war that ended with Hamas’ takeover of Gaza, cites Israeli Security Agency chief Yuval Diskin as saying Israel had “established a very good working relationship” with two branches of the Palestinian security service. Abbas’ internal security agency, he said, “shares with ISA almost all the intelligence that it collects.” Full report at: http://www.dailypioneer.com/305225/WikiLeaks-hints-at-Israeli-Palestinian- ------------- 10 go on trial over sex scandal on historic Turkish yacht December 21, 2010 A Kazakh businessman on Monday denied charges he financed a sex party on one of the world’s largest yacht, which was once used by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, according to a local news agency report. Tevfik Arif, the businessman, went on trial with nine other suspects in the Mediterranean city of Antalya. Other suspects face charges of human smuggling, encouraging prostitution and establishing a crime ring, the Anatolia news agency said. Turkey deported nine Russian and Ukrainian women, including two minors, after authorities said they busted a prostitution ring aboard the MV Savarona in late September. Authorities said the yacht, would be turned into a museum. The agency report said the indictment alleges that Arif bankrolled the party aboard the ship. “He is someone who paid for all fees for the women, the agencies and men in the middle and the transfer of foreigners involved,” the Anatolia quoted the indictment as saying. Full report at: http://www.dailypioneer.com/305224/10-go-on-trial-over-sex-scandal-on-historic-Turkish- ------------- ‘Friendly ties with Pak only if it acts against terror’ December 21, 2010 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday reiterated that friendly relations with Pakistan will be possible only if Islamabad did not allow its territory to be used for terrorist activities against New Delhi. Addressing the 83rd Congress Plenary, wherein the Resolution on Economic Affairs and Foreign Affairs were adopted by 15,000 delegates, the Prime Minister said, “We want friendly relations with Pakistan. But we know this will be possible only when our neighbour will see to it that its territory is not used for terrorist activities against us.” He also hoped to resolve the outstanding issues with China in an atmosphere of friendship. With Russian President Dimitry Medvedev arriving on a State visit on Tuesday, Singh hoped that the traditionally friendly and warm ties with Russia will continue to be excellent in future also. Full report at: http://www.dailypioneer.com/305184/%E2%80%98Friendly-ties-with-Pak-only-if-it-acts- ------------- Dozen arrested in British anti-terror swoop December 21, 2010 LONDON: Twelve men were arrested in Britain on Monday on suspicion of plotting a large-scale act of terrorism, police said following pre-dawn raids across the country. The men, aged between 17 and 28, were detained "on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism in the UK," said West Midlands Police, which serves the second city of Birmingham. "This is a large-scale, pre-planned and intelligence-led operation involving several forces," said Assistant Commissioner John Yates, the officer in charge of counterterrorism policing. "The operation is in its early stages so we are unable to go into detail at this time about the suspected offences. However, I believe it was necessary at this time to take action in order to ensure public safety." Four of the men were from Cardiff, four from Stoke-on-Trent, north of Birmingham, and three from London. Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/Dozen-arrested-in-British-anti-terror- ------------- Hand over 'known terrorists', Ahmadinejad tells Zardari December 21, 2010 TEHRAN: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday told his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari to arrest and hand over "known terrorists", the Iranian leader's office said on its website. In a telephone call, the Iranian president "asked Zardari to order his country's security forces to quickly arrest known terrorists and hand them over to the Islamic Republic of Iran," Ahmadinejad's office said in a statement posted on its website. The phone call followed a suicide attack last week in the southeastern Iranian city of Chabahar that killed 39 people during a Shiite mourning procession. The attack was claimed by Sunni militant group Jundallah (Army of God), which Iran claims receives support from the intelligence services of Pakistan, Britain and the United States. "The perpetrators of this act are not only non-Muslims, but belong to no religion," the website quoted Ahmadinejad as telling Zardari. Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Hand-over-known-terrorists- ------------- 4 die as SSB jawans open fire Bhuvaneshwar Prasad & L P Nayak December 21, 2010 ARARIA: Four persons, including a woman, were killed when Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) jawans opened fire to disperse a mob near their camp at Dhubri under Kursakatta police station in Bihar's Araria district on Bihar-Nepal border on Monday morning. The trouble began after an SSB jawan allegedly barged into one Akbar's house and misbehaved with his spouse, near the SSB camp. As the woman raised an alarm, villagers gathered at the spot and laid a siege to the SSB camp. Araria sub-divisional police officer Mohammad Qasim said the SSB jawans opened fire, killing four persons on the spot. The deceased were identified as Mohammad Shahnawaz, Qurban, Shubhan and Farzana. SSB commandant A K Singh, currently away from Araria on a tour, told TOI the angry villagers made two SSB jawans captive and snatched their firearms. Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/4-die-as-SSB-jawans-open- ------------- HC judges visit 26/11 terror sites for 'first-hand feel' December 21, 2010 MUMBAI: Bombay High Court judges hearing Pakistani gunman Amir Ajmal Kasab's death confirmation case paid a surprise visit to the 26/11 terror sites. A division bench of Justice Ranjana Desai and Justice R V More informed special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam that they had visited the places where Kasab had struck — Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Cama hospital and Marine Drive. The judges said they had bought platform tickets and went to CST without informing the authorities. Explaining the importance of the visit, Nikam said the purpose was to understand the evidence in the case. "It would give them a first hand experience of how the terror strikes happened and consider the rival contentions of the prosecution and the defence. Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/HC-judges-visit-26/11-terror-sites-for-first-hand- ------------- Al-Qaida aims to 'bring down' Pakistan: Biden December 21, 2010 WASHINGTON: Al-Qaida is trying to "bring down" nuclear-armed Pakistan, US Vice President Joe Biden warned Sunday, days after a war review tip-toed around Islamabad's role in fighting extremists. "Our overarching goal and our rationale for being there is to dismantle, ultimately defeat al-Qaida... to make sure that terrorists do not, in fact, bring down the Pakistani government, which is a nuclear power," Biden said. The vice-president, in an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" program, repeated threads of a one-year report on the US military surge in Afghanistan that pointed to progress but warned that more time was needed. Unveiling the policy assessment, President Barack Obama urged Islamabad to do more to rein in extremists holed up along the Afghan border but also renewed US commitment to major aid programs for Pakistan. Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Al-Qaida-aims-to-bring-down-Pakistan- ------------- Coalition Allies turn their back on Pak govt By Badar Alam December 21, 2010 THE PAKISTAN government is staring at a crisis after losing a coalition partner and struggling to keep another even as Opposition parties have begun hectic parleying among themselves. Shujaat Hussain, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League- Quaid who enjoys the support of at least 45 members of the National Assembly ( the lower house of parliament) and about 20 members of the Senate ( the upper house), hinted on Monday that he may join hands with the government’s estranged ally Maulana Fazlur Rehman. “ We are ready to join hands with Rehman’s Jamaiat Ulema- e- Islam ( which has seven members in the National Assembly) to bring about a change in the government,” Hussain said in a television talk show. Full report at: Mail Today ------------- ‘Rajouri, Poonch people against division' Shujaat Bukhari December 21, 2010 SRINAGAR: People in the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir are firmly against the trifurcation of the State and they are for devolution of powers at the regional, block and panchayat levels to put an end to “discrimination” in development. These were the views of a majority of delegations that met Centre's interlocutors — Dileep Padgaonkar, Radha Kumar and M.M. Ansari. The interlocutors concluded their two-day visit to the border area on Sunday evening. The people voiced their concern over the continued neglect of these areas. As many as 95 delegations called on the interlocutors and discussed a range of issues — from politics to economic development. The problems projected by them are stated to be “entirely different from Kashmir and Jammu.” Full report at: http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/21/stories/2010122163861100.htm ------------- Four people killed in Balochistan December 21, 2010 QUETTA: Four people were killed, including a father and his son, in two separate firing incidents in Dera Bugti and Awaran on Monday. Unidentified armed men entered a local hotel and opened fire, killing a father and his son on the spot in Dera Bugti, an official told Daily Times. The Sui police rushed to the spot after the incident and cordoned off the area. The deceased were identified as Ali Mohammad Bugti and his son Pir Baksh. Two people were killed in the Kushak area of Awaran on Monday. According to official sources, unidentified armed men riding a motorcycle opened fire on them. As a result, they were critically injured and died on the spot. Balochistan Levies personnel rushed to the spot after being informed about the incident and cordoned off the area. staff report http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\12\21\story_21-12-2010_pg7_11 ------------- PESHAWAR: Sorry, the poor have to live with price hike jinn By Iqbal Khattak December 21, 2010 PESHAWAR: At the end, what was said to wrap up the debate on public issue no 1 – continuous steep rise in food inflation – was that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was still fighting terrorists and in the given situation, life must be very difficult from all perspectives. It is difficult, no doubt. The poor are bearing the brunt of an unbridled price hike and terrorism. Public anger and frustration is increasing and it will not target the government, but perhaps the system, a parliamentarian was heard warning while taking part in the debate on the issue. The government did not oppose the adjournment motion from MPA Malik Qasim Khan to let the House take up the burning issue of the price hike. The mover began the debate, but appeared unprepared to come up with statistics on how the poor were living in the midst of inflation. Full report at: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\12\21\story_21-12-2010_pg7_21 ------------- Paintings depict terrorist attacks, bomb blasts in Pakistan December 21, 2010 LAHORE: Paintings of Saba Khan titled “When in Boston” were put on display at the Rohtas 2 Art Gallery on Monday. Saba Khan painted about terrorist attacks and bomb blasts in Pakistan when she was living in Boston. Talking to Daily Times, she said that when she was living in Boston, she regularly read about terrorist attacks and bomb blasts in Pakistan. She further said that she also watched pictures of the injured and those who died during these attacks, so she decided to paint on this subject. Commenting on the exhibition, a visitor said that Pakistani artists were producing a lot of “exciting work”, which was being appreciated world over. She said that Saba painted a serious picture in her paintings, as bomb blasts and terrorism were the current issue of our country. http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\12\21\story_21-12-2010_pg13_7 ------------- Fazl, Shujaat for in-house change December 21, 2010 ISLAMABAD – President of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said on Monday that his party was ready for in-house change in Balochistan and the same has been proposed to JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman, according to a local TV channel. In a talk show, the PML-Q chief said if the JUI-F decides in favour of the change “we would support the bid”. Chaudhry Shujaat also said that his party would not allow amendment in the blasphemy law. However, he underlined the need for formulating a new law to ensure ending misuse of the Act, suggesting strict punishment for those who wrongly blame and involve others in legal proceedings. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has stated that his party has submitted an application to sit on opposition benches in the parliament. Talking to mediamen outside the parliament, Fazlur Rehman asserted that JUI-F is firm on its stance to quit the government. Full report at: http://dailymailnews.com/1210/21/FrontPage/index.php?id=1 ------------- Two top Qaeda operatives arrested from Karachi By Ali K Chishti December 21, 2010 LAHORE: Daily Times can confirm that two al Qaeda operatives who were caught in Karachi in a joint raid by Pakistani and American special forces last month were Umar Misri, a top aide of al Qaeda’s number two Ayman al Zawahiri and Muhammad Muhammad, the operational manager of al Qaeda. The raids in Sohrab Goth areas last November resulted because of a call intercepted by a local FBI station in Karachi, which intercepted the communication and as per an agreement informed the Pakistani authorities. It should be noted that from the same, Sorab Goth area, an American al Qaeda member, Adam Gadanhn (Abu Azzam Amriki), was detained with another unnamed Arab individual connected to al Qaeda. Adam and an associate are reported to have been captured during a raid by Pakistani special forces at the Super Highway in Karachi. While the arrests had been kept secret, a top intelligence source told Daily Times that some al Qaeda members had been captured and moved to their headquarters in Islamabad, where “a joint investigation team of both Pakistanis and Americans are interrogating them”. Full report at: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\12\21\story_21-12-2010_pg7_3 ------------- Sudan leader vows to bolster Islamic law in north December 21, 2010 KHARTOUM, Sudan: Sudan’s president has vowed to more deeply entrench strict Islamic Sharia law in the northern half of his country if the predominantly animist and Christian south votes to secede in a Jan. 9 referendum. President Omar Al-Bashir’s comments on Sunday appear to reflect his anger at the strong likelihood that the south will vote overwhelmingly in favor of independence from the mainly Arab and Muslim north in the long-awaited referendum. The vote is a key provision agreed on in the 2005 peace accord that officially ended more than two decades of north-south civil war. Al-Bashir will meet the leaders of Sudan’s two most powerful neighbors — Egypt and Libya — in the capital Khartoum Tuesday to discuss the future of his country ahead of the referendum. Al-Bashir is wanted on an international indictment for war crimes in the western Sudanese region of Darfur. Full report at: http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article219691.ece ------------- Roadside bomb, shooting kill seven in Somali capital December 21, 2010 MOGADISHU: A roadside bomb planted at a checkpoint south of the capital Mogadishu killed six Somali government soldiers when they tried to remove it in a car and it exploded, a police officer said on Monday. A civilian was killed in error when soldiers thinking they were under attack opened fire, the officer said. Somalia has had no effective central government for 19 years and Western efforts to install one to stabilise the country have been greatly undermined by an insurgency by Al-Qaeda-linked al Shabaab insurgents and the Hizbul Islam group. It was not known who had planted the device at Ex-control, a government checkpoint south of Mogadishu where vehicles to and from the capital are inspected. Full report at: http://arabnews.com/world/article219686.ece ------------- Khamenei: Any Hariri verdict 'null and void' December 21, 2010 TEHRAN: Iran’s supreme leader has rejected any ruling by a UN-backed tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri even before the verdict has been issued. The tribunal based in the Netherlands is expected to imminently indict members of Lebanon’s Hezbollah — one of Iran’s major allies in the Middle East. The group controls a military force that is more powerful than Lebanon’s national army and it is also part of the country’s fragile governing coalition. “This tribunal is a rubber stamp court,” said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters in Iran. “Any verdict it may issue is null and void,” state television quoted him as saying on Monday. “I hope the influential parties involved in Lebanon will act based on wisdom and logic so that this issue doesn’t turn into a problem.” He spoke during a meeting with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani Monday, state television reported. Full report at: http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article219774.ece ------------- Shoura puts stress on e-governance December 21, 2010 RIYADH: The Shoura Council has urged the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance Monday to develop its electronic publications to promote its aims and objectives and allocate enough funds in its budget to perform such projects. Monday's session, which made several decisions, was chaired by Shoura Council Chairman Abdullah Al-Asheikh. Following the session, Muhammad Al-Ghamdi, secretary general of the Shoura Council, said the house made some recommendations when it went through the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance’s annual report. The members recommended that adequate funds must be allocated by the ministry to build its own headquarters and carry out e-governance in all its departments. The house also ratified the amended draft of the international convention for the simplification and harmonization of customs procedures, or the Kyoto Convention. Full report at: http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article219858.ece ------------- Thackeray warns Rahul of Hindu backlash December 21, 2010 MUMBAI: Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray launched a severe attack against Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi for his alleged comments that Hindu terrorists were more dangerous than the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). In an editorial in his mouthpiece Saamna, published on Sunday, Thackeray warned that Rahul would have to pay dearly for his alleged comments stating that the Hindu majority in the country would retaliate very strongly. “The Italian connection of Rahul is well known and his maternal grandfather was an admirer and close friend of Mussolini. Rahul’s family, right from his parental great grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru, worshipped those who divided the country,” Thackeray said when asked about Rahul’s credentials. In a turn around from his earlier anti-China stand, Thackeray lavished praised on the Chinese and stated that India should befriend China which could turn out to be a better friend than the United States, which he alleged was not keen to curb terrorism outside it border. Full report at: http://arabnews.com/world/article219994.ece URL: http://www.newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamIslamicWorldNews_1.aspx?ArticleID=3816 | |
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Moderate Islamist here
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