| Islamic World News | |
| 05 Jan 2011, NewAgeIslam.Com |
'Niqab,' Afghan Television Program, Allows Muslim Women To Speak Out Against Abuse, Rape
Pak police arrests man who offered Rs. 20 million for killing Taseer
Digvijaya Singh presents call records, demands apology
Christian convert in Afghanistan faces the death penalty for apostasy
Mossad Killing All Muslim Nuclear Scientists
The VC of AMU creates new controversy
There will not be any injustice in the Askari Masjid issue: District administration to Maulana Arshad Madani
Iran and the Aligarh Muslim University sign cultural agreement
Mehboob Anwar Khan conferred the Best Citizen of India Award 2010
5 Muslim students of Bihar qualify in the Math Olympiad
Mumbai riots: 10 Muslim youth acquitted after 18 years
Important instructions for Hajj Pilgrimage 2011
Top Sunni Mufti Stresses Stronger Muslim-Christian Ties
Converts to Islam double in Britain, says study
Muslim Halal Food Sales Supporting Terrorism?
Hyper-vigilance toward Muslims only serves to alienate them from the law
Youngest son of Shah of Iran commits suicide
Iran-Indonesia Muslim Women Festival to be Held
3 European countries to host festival celebrating Islamic Revolution anniversary
Focus on Urdu as HRD maps minority agenda
Malik tells BJP not to hoist flag at Lal Chowk
ZA Bhutto: the maker of history
Assassin linked with Dawat-i-Islami
Greece Plans to Build Controversial Wall on Border With Turkey
Belated UK honour likely for Tipu’s descendent for war valour
Sharon remains in coma, his legacy dying
Karzai to foreign powers: Stay away from internal affairs
Khaleda Zia’s younger son goes on trial for money laundering
Dozens feared drowned off Yemen
SC to mull over quota for Dalit Christians, Muslims
PC- Diggy in sync on saffron terror
After Taseer's death, bloggers campaign on
BJP banks on religious polarisation in Assam polls
Iran invites world for nuke site tour but keeps out US
From a swami to kingpin of HINDUTVA TERROR
Israel hails India's moves to tighten sanctions against Iran
10 Indians and a Pakistani jailed for murder in Dubai
Puri elected chairman of UNSC counter-terrorism committee
'Taseer's killing a warning to Pak's liberal politicians'
A colourful politician and a moderate voice
Most courageous voice after Benazir on minority rights
The killing fields of Pakistan politics
Forget UN,India & Pak must talk,says Hurriyat
Pak pushes China to invest in three dams in PoK
Assassinated Pak governor not afraid of 'surrounding fire'
Kyrgyzstan to name mountain peak after Putin
Israeli PM appeals to US to free convicted spy
OIC played vital role in bridging Shiite-Sunni gap: Ihsanoglu
These are my children and we are a family: Mohammed
Salman Taseer’s death to heighten ‘instability’
Compiled by New Age Isalm News Bureau
Photo: Sami Mahdi Afghan Muslim Women To Speak Out Against Abuse
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Turkish Women in Universities Regain Right to Wear Hijab
Jan 5, 2011
The ban ended when the government issued a statement in September saying it would support any female student expelled or disciplined for covering her head.
(AhlulBayt News Agency) - It is estimated that at least 60% of Turkish women cover their heads. The ban was implemented as part of an effort to secularize university spaces. Students were forced to wear wigs or large hats to avoid going bare-headed. Other women simply went abroad to study.
In 2007 Emine Erdogan, the wife of the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was blocked from entering a military hospital after refusing to remove her headscarf. The Prime Minister tried to overturn the ban in 2008, through a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to education. It passed through parliament, but was thrown out by the Constitutional Court. But this year, with the momentum behind him after winning the constitutional referendum in September the government ended the ban.
The main opposition party, the secular CHP - previously a strong supporter of the university ban - wanted to negotiate its end with the government, but was denied the chance. But the party has vowed to maintain the ban on civil servants wearing headscarves.
"The reason why we don't allow a headscarf for, say a judge, is that it is a symbol of religion. The state should be impartial to race, religion, everything," says Hursit Gunes, a deputy secretary-general of the party.
A Human Rights Watch report released in 2004 concluded that the headscarf ban ultimately stifled academic freedom, forcing the resignation of female professors and preventing some women from attending universities at all. "The Turkish authorities say they want to protect women who choose not to wear the headscarf," said Rachel Denber of the HRW. "But bullying women out of higher education because of the way they choose to dress is a poor way to protect women’s freedoms."
http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=219874
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'Niqab,' Afghan Television Program, Allows Muslim Women To Speak Out Against Abuse, Rape
January 5, 2011
A new Afghan television program is hoping to provide a forum for local women to speak out against widespread abuse, rape and other issues, CNN is reporting.
Simply titled Niqab or "The Mask," the revolutionary new show provides its female subjects with anonymity by covering their faces with a half-blue, half-white mask. The blue side is intended to blend in with the chaudari or burka, while the white half represents innocence.
"I was not very sure about the concept and the format, but I was very sure about the mask, you know," said Sami Mahdi, the show's 28-year-old creator. "I am not sure we can make a difference for the victims...but we can use the life of these individuals as an example to show the people, I am sure we can make some changes in the life of the women. And I am sure we can change in the minds of men in Afghanistan."
One of the program's first guests, Saraya, told audience members of her arranged marriage to a 58-year-old known criminal when she was just 15 years old. "I told my father I didn't want to marry him," she said, before describing brutal accounts of her husband raping multiple women in plain sight. "My father said, 'You are of an age to be married and this is my decision, not yours.'"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/04/niqab-afghan-television-p_n_803838.html
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Pak police arrests man who offered Rs. 20 million for killing Taseer
January 05, 2011
Lahore: Pakistani police have arrested a man who had announced a Rs. 20 million prize for anyone who killed Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer for opposing the country's controversial blasphemy law.
Sardar Ebaad Dogar of Khangarh near Multan was arrested yesterday shortly after Taseer was gunned down by a guard who claimed he was angered by the Governor's opposition
to the blasphemy law.
Taseer was shot dead yesterday at a market in Islamabad by one of his bodyguards who was opposed to his criticism of controversial blasphemy laws.
Police took Dogar to an undisclosed location for interrogation. Dogar had announced at a rally on Friday that he would pay Rs. 20 million to the person who killed Taseer.
The rally was organised by religious hardliners to oppose any move to repeal or amend the blasphemy law.
Talking to the media after the rally, Dogar had said he felt no embarrassment in offering the reward.
He said he would raise the bounty to Rs. 30 million if a resident of Khangarh killed Taseer.
Dogar had served as Khangarh district's nazim or mayor after being elected on the ticket of the opposition PML-Q.
He was accused of having links with the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba before joining the PML-Q.
Taseer had angered religious groups and clerics after he called for reforms in the blasphemy law introduced during the regime of former military ruler Zia-ul-Haq and backed a move to pardon Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death last year for insulting Prophet Mohammed.
http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/pak-police-arrests-man-who-offered-rs-20-million-for-killing-taseer-77214?cp
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Digvijaya Singh presents call records, demands apology
January 05, 2011
Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh Tuesday released records of his Nov 26, 2008 phone call to Mumbai's slain anti-terror squad chief Hemant Karkare, and demanded an apology from "those who called my claims false".
"I have given the call details. I had called him on the landline of the Maharashtra ATS office given on their web site. I hope those who called me a liar would apologise or atleast express regret," Digvijaya Singh said at a press conference here.
The Congress leader said that he spoke to Karkare Nov 26, 2008, hours before he was killed during the Mumbai terror attack. Karkare said he had been receiving threat calls from Hindu extremists.
"I never met Karkare, but I congratulated him when the Malegaon blast accused were held because they were the people I had known to be involved in such activities as Madhya Pradesh chief minister," Digvijaya Singh added.
Karkare was heading the probe into the Sept 29, 2008 Malegaon blast for which three members of a right-wing Hindu groups have been arrested.
Digvijaya Singh made it clear that he did not suggest that RSS cadres were involved in the 26/11 attack.
"I don't subscribe to the view that RSS or right-wing people are involved in 26/11. I see no such conspiracy in 26/11; only Pakistani terrorists were involved and this has been my stand all along," he insisted.
The Congress leader, however, accused the Madhya Pradesh Police of protecting right-wing "Hindu terrorists".
"MP police is trying to hide terrorist activities, this is my charge," he said.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/308208/Digvijaya-Singh-presents-call-records-demands-apology.html
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Christian convert in Afghanistan faces the death penalty for apostasy
By Lee Jay Walker
January 5, 2011
Despite the vast numbers of international military forces in Afghanistan and huge economic support from Western nations, it is still a crime to leave the religion of Islam in Afghanistan. Therefore, International Christian Concern (ICC) is trying to raise the awareness of this brutal reality and for Shoaib Assadullah he faces the threat of death or twenty years in prison within the following week.
It is abundantly clear that Afghanistan is not democratic and religious freedom and female emancipation is a million miles away. In fact, it sometimes appears that the Taliban is still in power because little is being done to stop Islamic barbarity and people clearly reside in fear.
Therefore, Afghanistan is a clear failure and Islamic clerics, political leaders, the judiciary, and ordinary Muslims, support Islamic Sharia law and killing apostates and other draconian laws. Given this, then what was all the Western aid spent on and how can you have a democratic and plural society when the rule of law is based on Islam?
Shoaib Assadullah is the reality of this failed policy because while Japan and Germany were forced to change after World War Two, it is clear that Islamic fascism is being given a free reign in Afghanistan. Therefore, tax-payers money in the West is being spent on supporting a judicial system which supports killing converts to Christianity or any other non-Muslim faith in Afghanistan.
Full report at:
http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/headlinenewsd.php?hnewsid=2534
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Mossad Killing All Muslim Nuclear Scientists
Jan 5, 2011
TEHRAN (FNA)- Israeli spy agency's (Mossad) direct involvement in the assassination of elites in the Middle-Eastern countries was recalled after new reports unveiled Mossad's direct role in the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Majid Shahriari.
According to a report posted on IranNuc.ir website on Wednesday, the Israeli spy agency has a long record in assassinating Arab and Muslim scientists in collaboration with its US and British counterparts (CIA and MI6).
The report revealed the names of several Arab scientists who were assassinated by Mossad, including Yahiya Amin al-Mashd and Samireh Mousa (Egyptian scientists), Samir Najib, Nabil al-Qolaini, Nabil Ahmad Folayfel, Mostafa Ali Moshrefah (known as the Arab World's Einstein), Jamal Hamdan, Saeed Sayyed Badir, Salvi Habib, Ramal Hassan Ramal (Lebanese physicist), Hassan Kamel Sabbah (Lebanese physicist known as the Arab World's Edison).
Full report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8910150633
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The VC of AMU creates new controversy
New Age Islam News Bureau
Jan 5, 2011
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader, former MP and member of Aligarh Muslim University Court Wasim Ahmad who has been a candidate for the presidentship of the executive council formed by the President of India has written a letter to the President of India complaining against the Vice-Chancellor of AMU Mr P K Abdul Aziz on behalf of the present members of the Council. It has been demanded that an inquiry should be ordered against the VC over financial irregularities and anomalies under Section 13(2) of Aligarh Muslim Act 1981. The centres in Mallapuram and Murshidabad approved by the President have landed into a new controversy. The University has sent only books to the Mallappuram centre without any consideration. The faculty and students suspect that the books sent to Mallappuram belong to the University. According to a statement released by the Public Relation Office of the University, the book that have been issued after purchase cost only Rs 9 lakh whereas the fund granted for the two centres the purpose is Rs 35 crore. The inquiry committee that has been formed forced resignation from the members nominated by Mr P K Abdul Aziz on the pretext of non-cooperation on their part and misused the offices of the VC under the leadership of P K Abdul Aziz. Mr Wasim Ahmad said that whenever the inquiry against the VC reaches important juncture, he raises the issue of the study centres. He has been misguiding the people of Aligarh and the members of the community for the last 3 years.
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There will not be any injustice in the Askari Masjid issue: District administration to Maulana Arshad Madani
New Age Islam News Bureau
Jan 5, 2011
Saharanpur: The district administration has assured the President of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Maulana Arshad Madani that no injustice would be allowed to the Muslims in the Askari Masjid issue. After the assurance Maulan Madani did not meet journalists though he was still in Saharanpur. A press conference had been called by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind at a local hotel today and Maulana Madani was supposed to speak to the press on the issue of the extension of Gurudwara and Askari Masjid. Maulana Madani arrived in Saharanpur and spoke to Maulana Talha but did not reach the press conference venue. Muharram Ali Pappu informed the Press that Maulana Syed Arshad Madani spoke to both central state government officials . He said that when Maulana Madani spoke to the district officials they assured him that no injustice would be done to Muslims and a solution would be reached amicably under the law. District officials have been given a week’s time. If a solution is not found within a week, a fight for justice will be fought under the leadership of Maulana Arshad Madani, Muharram Ali said.
The Emir of Wahdate Islami Ataur Rehman Wajdi said in the press conference that it is known to all that the Askari mosque existed with the boundary wall of the Gurudwara but it was demolished under a conspiracy. He added that the Muslims were hurt at the demolition of the mosque. They do not object to the extension of the Gurudwara but its extension should not be on the land of the mosque, he said.
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Iran and the Aligarh Muslim University sign cultural agreement
New Age Islam News Bureau
Jan 5, 2011
The Department of Persian and the Cultural Counsellor of Iran in India signed an agreement today. According to the agreement, the cultural relations between Muslim University and Iran will be promoted and also cooperation in the field of research and education related work will be enhanced. The agreement was signed by Dr Karim Najafi of Iran and the Registrar of of AMU Prof V K Abdul Jalil. According to the agreement, both the sides will cooperate in exchange of books and magazines as well as in holding seminars, workshops, conferences and training programmes. Moreover, a scholar of Iran will be invited to teach modern Persian in the Department of Persian and Post Graduate students and scholars will be invited in the universities of Iran. Apart from that, the research work for the promotion of Persian literature in India will be encouraged and there will be arrangement for short term visits to Iran. Presiding over the programme, the VC P K Abdul Aziz said that the Iranian Embassy in India has deep interest in the Aligarh Muslim University. He further said that the cultural relation between India and Iran were very old and secularism was India’s soul and the country had encouraged all the languages. He said that Iran was the most powerful country among the Arab countries and the gas pipeline agreement between India and Iran would strengthen the friendship between the two countries. The Cultural Counsellor of Iran in India Dr Karim Najafi said that the relations between India and Iran were very old, a fact mentioned by Jawahar Lal Nehru in his autobiography He added that Iranina artists had also taken part in the Ajanta paintings and the famous Sanskrit book Panchtantra was translated into Persian to make Iranian people aware of the Indian culture
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Mehboob Anwar Khan conferred the Best Citizen of India Award 2010
New Age Islam News Bureau
Jan 5, 2011
Aligarh: The Reader in the Department of Civil Engineering in the Z H College for Engineering & Technology of Aligarh Muslim University, Mehboob Anwar Khan has been conferred the Best Citizen Award 2010. Dr Mehboob Anwar Khan has been given the award by International Publishing House New Delhi for his noteworthy contributions in the field of Civil Engineering. Dr Khan is an expert in Civil Structure Interaction, Geotechnical Engineering and Wind Engineering. He has supervised 18 M Tech dissertations. He is a member of Institution of Engineers and Indian Geotechnical Society. He has also represented the AMU in various important national and international conferences.
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5 Muslim students of Bihar qualify in the Math Olympiad
New Age Islam News Bureau
Jan 5, 2011
Once again the the free coaching institute of Bihar Rehmani 30 that runs training for IIT entrance tests has added another feather in its cap as the students of this institute have made it to the Math Olympiad. A total of 32 students from Bihar have passed the test out of which five are Muslims. Out of these five, four are students of Rehmani 30. All the successful students will have to take another test on February 6 and six successful students will be eligible to participate in the World Mathematical Olympiad to be held in Holland. A total of 800 students had partipated in the test. The four students of Rehmani 30 who have qualified in the prelimanary test are Md Faisal Karim, Misbahul Haque,Md Ashraf and Yazid Bashmakh. The head of Rehmani 30 Wali Rehmani and its supervisor educationist Mr Abhyanand ji has expressed their satisfaction.
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Mumbai riots: 10 Muslim youth acquitted after 18 years
New Age Islam News Bureau
Jan 5, 2011
Mumbai: The Mumbai Sessions Court today acquitted ten Muslim youth accused of involvement in the 1992-93 riots in Mumbai after 18 years on the basis of insufficient evidences. Sessions judge J Markade said in his judgement that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations against the accused and the two witnesses who had identified the accused were associated with the police department. Moreover, there statements are contradictory. Therefore, the accused were being acquitted. The police had arrested the Muslim youth from Kurla Nagrik Sahkari Bank and Pipe Road area in the suburbs of Mumbai on the night of 29 and morning of 30the December. There were accused of stone pelting and also of arson in the Hindu majority area. According to prosecution a man called Pandey had reportedly tried to drive them away but in vain and then called the police who arrested them red-handed. The police had produced tube lights, bottles and other articles as evidence.
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Important instructions for Hajj Pilgrimage 2011
New Age Islam News Bureau
Jan 5, 2011
New Delhi: It has been decided in the meeting of the Hajj Committee of India held on December 22 that only persons with valid passport will be eligible to apply for Hajj in 2011 who have valid international passport. Therefore, people planning to go on Hajj in 2011 should get their passports before the announcement for the Hajj 2011 as only people with valid passports will be given preference in the lots of draw.
Previously, the Hajj applicants had to fill in two forms – one for inclusion in the lottery and the second one after winning the lots. From this year on, this process is being changed. Now they have to fill in only one form that will serve the purpose for the both.
All the cover head that is the group leaders will have to give their two mobile numbers that are active till the beginning of the Hajj journey so that the Hajj Committee of India can cascade all the information to the applicant through SMS.
The Cover Head or Group Leader should cancel their cheque and attach its photocopy with the form so that in case of cancellation the refund can be made as soon as possible. The photocopy of the cancelled cheque is being sought so that refund amount can be deposited into the applicants account instead of sending the cheque to him.
All the NGOs are requested to help people planning to go on Hajj in 2011 to get their passports.
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Top Sunni Mufti Stresses Stronger Muslim-Christian Ties
Jan 5, 2011
Egyptian grand Mufti proposes the launch of Egyptian Family Home Commission in a move to handle the common issues of the Muslim and Christians.
(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Egyptian grand Mufti proposes the launch of Egyptian Family Home Commission in a move to handle the common issues of the Muslim and Christians.
Ahmad al-Tayyeb, Egyptian Mufti announced that a group of Islamic and Christian clerics are to gather to form a committee aiming at verifying and solving the concerns of the Muslims and Christians and also handling the differences between the followers of the religions.
Calling the commission a joint voice of Al-azhar and Church, Ahmad al-Tayyeb said that the group's aim is to focus on tolerance of Islam and Christianity.
The measure follows a suicide bombing outside a church in Alexandria that killed 21 people injuring nearly 100.
The bombing of Al-Qiddissein (Two saints) church was slammed by Muslim and Christian leaders and people of different religions around the world.
http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=219708
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Converts to Islam double in Britain, says study
January 05, 2011
LONDON: The number of Britons choosing to become Muslims has nearly doubled in the past decade, according to a study by an inter-faith think tank.
The study by think tank Faith Matters attempts to estimate how many people have embraced Islam.
Despite the "often negative" portrayal of Islam, thousands of Britons are adopting the religion every year, The Independent reported.
Estimating the number of converts living in Britain has always been difficult because census data does not differentiate between whether a religious person has adopted a new faith or was born into it.
Previous estimates placed the number of Muslim converts at between 14,000 and 25,000.
But the new study by Faith Matters suggests the real figure could be as high as 100,000, with as many as 5,000 new conversions nationwide each year.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/Converts-to-Islam-double-in-Britain-says-
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Muslim Halal Food Sales Supporting Terrorism?
By Dale Hurd
January 5, 2011
PARIS -- Halal food, food prepared according to Islamic sharia law, is becoming an increasing part of the Western diet and has become a multi-billion dollar global industry.
But CBN News has discovered that some of that money is funneled to fund terrorist activities.
Muslim halal food is creeping into the food chain not only in France, but worldwide, including the United States.
CBN News visited a butcher shop in a Muslim area of Paris. But it was no ordinary butcher shop. Our camera operator was warned to stop taping.
Why would a butcher shop care if it was being photographed? One reason, according to an Islamic expert we consulted, may have been that our camera operator, who is not a Muslim, was unclean and this was a halal butcher shop.
Full report at:
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2011/January/Muslim-Halal-Food-Sales-Supporting-
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Hyper-vigilance toward Muslims only serves to alienate them from the law
By Hani Hamdan
January 5, 2011
Some time ago, a friend told me a story about his workplace. A Sudanese client came in for a visit. One of my friend's colleagues met the client, and afterward described him as "a very smart guy." He said it as though it were a cause for concern.
My friend understood where his colleague's concern was coming from. "He's not Muslim," said my friend. "He's a Christian Sudani." Relieved, his coworker said: "Oh, good, because I was thinking of reporting him."
My friend and I had a laugh about the story, and after that I didn't think much about it. At that time, I had heard of a few cases where anonymous callers would report their Muslim acquaintances for bogus charges and how that would wreck the lives of these Muslims. But I never thought that such an occurrence might be widespread.
Full report at:
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/01/04/hamdan/
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Youngest son of Shah of Iran commits suicide
Jan 5, 2011
WASHINGTON: The 44-year-old younger son of the late Shah of Iran committed suicide by shooting himself at his home in Boston, his family said triggering an outpour of mourning from Iranians emigres worldover.
Prince Ali-Reza Pahlavi was found dead inside his home in Boston, according to the city police and posting on his website by his elder brother and former crown prince Reza Pahlavi.
"His Royal Highness Prince Ali Reza Pahlavi of Iran, son of the late Shah of Iran and Her Majesty Farah Pahlavi, passed away in the early hours of January 4th, in Boston. He is survived by his mother, Her Majesty Farah Pahlavi, his older brother Reza, his sister Farahnaz, and his half-sister Shahnaz," said the message posted on the website.
"Like millions of young Iranians, he too was deeply disturbed by all the ills fallen upon his beloved homeland, as well as carrying the burden of losing a father and a sister in his young life," Reza Pahlavi wrote.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Youngest-son-of-Shah-of-Iran-commits-
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Iran-Indonesia Muslim Women Festival to be Held
Jan 5, 2011
Iran Cultural Center in Jakarta plans to hold a cultural-art festival of Iran and Indonesia Muslim Women concurrent with the anniversary of Islamic revolution’s victory from February 9 for one week
(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Iran Cultural Center in Jakarta plans to hold a cultural-art festival of Iran and Indonesia Muslim Women concurrent with the anniversary of Islamic revolution’s victory from February 9 for one week.
In a meeting with Tuti Alawiyah, president of Al-Shafi’iyah Islamic University and head of the International Union of Muslim Women, Mohammad Ali Rabbani, Iran cultural attaché in Indonesia discussed the organization of various cultural programs on the occasion.
Full report at:
http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=219887
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3 European countries to host festival celebrating Islamic Revolution anniversary
Jan 5, 2011
Three European countries, Italy, Austria and the Netherlands, will be playing host to Iran’s third edition of the Fajr Visual Arts Festival in February.
(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Three European countries, Italy, Austria and the Netherlands, will be playing host to Iran’s third edition of the Fajr Visual Arts Festival in February.
In a press conference held here on Monday, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMCA) director Mahmud Shaluii said that concurrent with Iran, the three European countries as well as Lebanon and Syria will be hosting the event.
This year the festival covers the different categories of painting, calligraphy, pottery and ceramic, miniature, photography, poster and cartoon opening on February one, the Persian service of MNA reported on Monday.
Full report at:
http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=219725
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Focus on Urdu as HRD maps minority agenda
NUBHUTI VISHNOI
January 05, 2011
This roadmap will focus particularly on bringing in vocational education and opening the doors to technical education for Urdu speakers
ON HRD Minister Kapil Sibal’s agenda for 2011 is a special roadmap for minorities, and work on developing it is set to start on Wednesday. Experts will help the ministry chart out a ‘Minority Agenda’ that will look at ways to ensure the revival of the Urdu language, to help create sustainable employment opportunities for Urdu speakers besides preservation of art and craft forms associated with the language and to bring Urdu within the three-language formula popular in CBSE schools.
Full report at: Indian Express
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Malik tells BJP not to hoist flag at Lal Chowk
By Naseer Ganai
January 05, 2011
JAMMU and Kashmir Liberation Front ( JKLF) chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik on Tuesday cautioned the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha ( BJYM), the youth wing of BJP, against unfurling the Tricolour at Lal Chowk on January 26.
Malik said if the BJYM went ahead with its plan, “ some other ( flag) will be hoisted in Lal Chowk” in its place.
The BJYM had “ decided to challenge the separatists by hoisting the tricolour at Lal Chowk ” as “ the national flag is not hoisted in many parts of Kashmir”. Malik termed the move as a grave provocation and asked the party to desist from such an act.
The JKLF chief was speaking at a seminar organised by the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference.
Full report at: Mail Today
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ZA Bhutto: the maker of history
January 05, 2011
Few leaders have shaped events of the contemporary age to their own vision and policy more surely than Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The way he coped with most difficult circumstances and insurmountable difficulties and solved the trying problems of his country, made him a legend even in his lifetime not only in his own country but also in the international world. He changed the course of history in South Asia in the sense that his courageous actions and overwhelming influence saved his country from further disintegration and united it with the binding force of Islamic Socialism and wide ranging social, political, economic, industrial, labour, educational, administrative and land reforms.
The great apostle of Islamic Socialism was the sworn enemy of feudalism which, no doubt, was the canker in the body politic of Pakistan. He was the high priest of the exploitation-free society and had succeeded, to a great extent, in the eradication of the parasitic exploiters of his country. He did for the progress and prosperity of his country what Lenin had done for the Soviet Union and Chairman Mao had done for the People’s Republic of China. West Pakistan was in the grip of political chaos and economic slump after the dismemberment. Frustration and uncertainty loomed large over the horizon. Nobody knew what was in store for the defeated country.
Full report at:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\01\05\story_5-1-2011_pg7_37
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Assassin linked with Dawat-i-Islami
January 05, 2011
LONDON: The United States, Britain, France and the United Nations on Tuesday condemned the assassination of the governor of Pakistan’s Punjab province in the capital city.
British Foreign Minister William Hague said he was shocked by the assassination of Salman Taseer, adding that it was loss to the leadership of the country.
Taseer was shot dead at an Islamabad market by a bodyguard who was opposed to the politician’s criticism of blasphemy laws, officials said.
“I am shocked to hear of the assassination of Salman Taseer,” Hague said in a statement.
“His death will be a loss to the leadership of Pakistan. On behalf of the British government I send my condolences to Mr Taseer’s family, friends and colleagues.”
The United States termed the assassination a “great loss” because Taseer was trying to stabilise his country.
Full report at:
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Greece Plans to Build Controversial Wall on Border With Turkey
January 05, 2011
The Greek government says it plans to build a fence along part of its border with Turkey to try to stop illegal immigrants from crossing into the country.
Greek authorities say more than 100,000 illegal immigrants arrived in the country last year. Most crossed the Evros River that separates Greece and Turkey - and the European Union from the outside world.
The Greek government says those numbers can no longer be tolerated and has announced plans to construct an eight-mile long fence along the most vulnerable part of the border.
But the announcement was met with a warning from European Union Commission spokesperson Michele Cercone. She says fences and walls have proven in the past to be really short-term measures that do not really help in addressing and managing the migratory challenges in a more consolidated and structural way.'
Full report at:
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/europe/Greece-Plans-to-Build-Controversial-Wall-
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Belated UK honour likely for Tipu’s descendent for war valour
January 05, 2011
A campaign has been launched to recognise the valour of the great great great grand-daughter of the Tiger of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, who risked her life to serve as a British agent in occupied France during the Second World War.
She is Noor-un-Niza Inayat Khan, the daughter of Hazrat Inayat Khan, a Sufi preacher and musician. During the war she was code named Madeleine and was the first female radio operator to be sent to France as an agent of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) — the famous sabotage force set up by the war-time British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill.
The Nazis eventually captured her after a betrayal, tortured her and finally executed her at the infamous concentration camp of Dachau in 1944, but failed to learn any of her secrets. Her last act was to shout “liberte”, as she was shot.
She has been immortalised in war history, but unlike in France, where there are two memorials and a ceremony held each year to mark her death, she has been forgotten in the UK.
Full report at:
http://www.dailypioneer.com/308301/Belated-UK-honour-likely-for-Tipu%E2%80%99s-
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Sharon remains in coma, his legacy dying
January 05, 2011
Israel’s former Premier Ariel Sharon, in a coma following a stroke, seems to be a forgotten man within Kadima, the party he once founded, as some of his allies want the Government to strip him of the medical benefits on the fifth anniversary of his hospitalisation.
Revered by many in Israel as the “security man” and reviled in equal measure in the Arab world as “the butcher of Sabra and Shattila”, Sharon, now 82, slipped into a coma on January 4, 2006 following a massive stroke from which he has never recovered.
No official events marked the anniversary as the long-time leader of the right-wing nationalist camp in Israeli politics remains in hospital. Even his party, did not mention his name at the Kadima faction’s meeting on Monday.
Full report at:
http://www.dailypioneer.com/308290/Sharon-remains-in-coma-his-legacy-dying.html
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Karzai to foreign powers: Stay away from internal affairs
January 05, 2011
Afghanistan’s President told foreign powers on Tuesday to stop meddling in the country’s internal affairs — apparently taking aim at a broad range of critics who say the Government’s failure to stem rampant corruption undermines rebuilding the war-ravaged nation.
President Hamid Karzai did not elaborate, but this is not the first time he has complained of international interference in Afghanistan’s political affairs. Karzai was careful not to single out any specific issue.
But fraud-marred elections have been a recent target of international criticism. And the United States in particular has pressed Karzai to crack down on corruption in his Government, at times threatening to withhold millions of dollars in aid.
Full report at:
http://www.dailypioneer.com/308286/Karzai-to-foreign-powers-Stay-away-from-internal-
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Khaleda Zia’s younger son goes on trial for money laundering
January 05, 2011
Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, went on trial on Tuesday in a graft case for allegedly laundering Taka 23 crore. The trial of Koko, who is in Bangkok for medical treatment since July 2008, and Ismail Hossain Saimon, son of former Shipping Minister Akbar Hossain, began on Tuesday for alleged money laundering Taka 23 crore, the Star online reported.
Koko and Saimon were indicted for money laundering on November 30 last year.
Justice Mohammad Mozammel Hossain of Special Judge’s Court-3 recorded the statement of complainant Abu Sayeed, Deputy Director of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the report said.
Hossain had framed the charges against the duo in their absence and said the trial would continue in their absence. The anti-graft body has accused them of siphoning off money from China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd and Siemens for helping them win Government contracts.
Full report at:
http://www.dailypioneer.com/308281/Khaleda-Zia%E2%80%99s-younger-son-goes-on-
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Dozens feared drowned off Yemen
January 05, 2011
Yemeni coast guards have retrieved the bodies of three of dozens of African migrants feared drowned off south Yemen, a Red Crescent official told AFP on Tuesday.
“Three bodies were found on Tuesday morning in the coastal region of Zubab” in Yemen’s southern province of Taez, said Abdul Wahab al-Gharbani, secretary general of the Red Crescent in Taez.
Gharbani, who said he was “surprised” at the number of victims the Ministry of Interior announced on Monday, insisted that 46 people, mostly Ethiopians, were on board the boat which capsized near Bab al-Mandab strait that links the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Five migrants who survived have been giving accounts of the accident to security officials at Bab al-Mandab, he said. Yemen’s Interior Ministry said on Monday that “80 Africans, mostly Ethiopian, drowned after their two boats were capsized.”
Full report at:
http://www.dailypioneer.com/308280/Dozens-feared-drowned-off-Yemen.html
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SC to mull over quota for Dalit Christians, Muslims
January 05, 2011
The Supreme Court on Tuesday made it clear that it would test the demand for extending reservation benefits to Dalit Christians and Muslims within the limits of constitutional framework without being influenced by recommendations of either the Justice Ranganath Misra Commission on Linguistic Minorities and National Commission for Scheduled Castes, which favoured the suggestion.
The petition is currently pending in the Supreme Court since 2004 in a PIL filed by the Centre. The petition challenged the constitutional provision which provided for only Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs to claim benefits under SC quota, while a SC who converts to Christianity or Islam is deprived of the same. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, who appeared for CPIL, wondered how a Dalit could be discriminated on grounds of religion, when his “socio-economic disabilities” still remain the same.
Full report at:
http://www.dailypioneer.com/308429/SC-to-mull-over-quota-for-Dalit-Christians-
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P. Chidambaram - Digvijaya Singh in sync on saffron terror
By Aman Sharma
January 05, 2011
THE UPA government is now going full steam in exposing the terror network of the RSS. In sync with the party line, Union home minister P. Chidambaram and Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday emerged on the same page on the issue of Hindutva terror.
Chidambaram confirmed to MAIL TODAY on Tuesday that “ progress had been made” by the National Investigation Agency ( NIA) in the probe of the February 2007 Samjhauta Express blasts that left 68 persons, mostly Pakistanis, dead.
The home minister did not disclose any more details, but sources in the NIA say Chidambaram is keeping a keen eye on the probe, in which Hindu rightwing leader Swami Aseemanand is being grilled by the NIA for the past two weeks.
The connection of radical Hindu groups in the train blasts is getting stronger, with the NIA now suspecting Aseemanand to be a key plotter, sources say.
Full report at: Mail Today
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After Taseer's death, bloggers campaign on
Anita Joshua
January 05, 2011
ISLAMABAD: When bloggers expressed concern about the security of politician Sherry Rehman after she incurred the wrath of the ‘religious' right wing for advocating a change in the blasphemy laws, no one expected another voice of reason and moderation to be silenced so soon.
Now, after the assassination of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer [by his gunman Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri] for his opposition to the blasphemy laws, the blogging and tweeting community are trying their best to keep the morale of civil society from flagging in the face of the rampant use of violence by the ‘religious' right wing.
“Salman Taseer is gone. But there's a Qadri [name of the assailant] on every street and in every newsroom. Pakistan has a malignant cancer,” tweeted writer Mosharraf Zaidi within an hour of the assassination; demanding that cases be registered against every single person who called for his death. “There is blood on those hands.”
Full report at:
http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/05/stories/2011010564571900.htm
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BJP banks on religious polarisation in Assam polls
By Poornima Joshi
January 05, 2011
THE BJP looks set to turn the antiimmigrant feeling in Assam into a Hinduversus- Muslim conflict for harvesting electoral dividends of a resulting communal polarisation in the upcoming assembly polls.
Party general secretary Vijay Goel, who is in- charge of Assam, submitted a memorandum to the chief election commissioner ( CEC) on Monday saying India had a “ moral obligation” to give citizenship rights to Bangladeshi immigrants who are Hindus.
However, Muslims from across the border should be immediately stripped off their ration cards, voter ID cards and all other documents legalising their status in Assam, he said.
To drive home the point, Goel was accompanied by BJP’s Assam election in- charge Varun Gandhi, whose only ‘ achievement’ in his political career so far is the venomous outpourings against Muslims during the last Lok Sabha elections.
Full report at: Mail Today
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Iran invites world for nuke site tour but keeps out US
January 05, 2011
TEHRAN has invited world powers and its allies in the Arab countries and the developing world to tour Iranian nuclear sites.
The tour comes before Iran’s high- profile meeting with six world powers in late January on its disputed nuclear programme.
Foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast confirmed on Tuesday the invitation went to “ the EU, the nonaligned movement and representatives from 5+ 1 countries.” The “ 5+ 1” countries are the six world powers negotiating with Iran over its nuclear programme: the five permanent UN Security Council members – the US, Britain, France, Russia and China – plus Germany.
News agencies have cited Iran’s envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA), Ali Asgar Soltanieh as saying the visit is scheduled for January 15 and 16. A diplomat familiar with the invitation said the US – the greatest critic of Iran’s nuclear ambitions – was not invited.
Full report at:Mail Today
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From a swami to kingpin of HINDUTVA TERROR
Yagnesh Mehta
January 05, 2011
Swami Aseemanand is the latest big name in the Hindutva terror web blamed for a series of blasts;starting with Samjhauta Express in 2007 to the ones at shrines in Hyderabad,Ajmer and Malegaon.
The 58-year-old,whose real name is Jatin Chatterjee,is best known for reconverting tribals in the remote Dangs area of Gujarat from Christianity to Hinduism.
But as the anti-terrorist squad and then the National Investigation Agency (NIA) dug deeper,they found that Aseemanand was more than just a preacher.
Investigators believe that the bomb-for-bomb'' policy of the extremist Hindu groups was formulated at Shabridham in the Dangs during the Shabri Kumbh held from February 11 to 13,2006.The Shabri Kumbh,a mela was the brainchild of Aseemanand who came to the Dangs in 1995.In fact,the success of the fair helped BJP win the Dangs assembly seat for the first time in 2007.Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur,Sunil Joshi,Ramji Kalsangra,Lokesh Sharma and Sandeep Dange were some at the saffron activists who participated in the 2006 Shabri Kumbh.
Full report at:Times of India
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Israel hails India's moves to tighten sanctions against Iran
January 05, 2011
Jerusalem : Israel described as a "positive trend" India's moves to tighten sanctions against Iran and stop illicit business with the country and said this signaled an evolving attitude of New Delhi towards the Islamic Republic.
Attributing the change in trend to US President Barack Obama's trip to India in November last year, The Jerusalem Post reported that this change in India's relations with Iran was seeing evolving even before Obama's visit, which had helped the trend.
The daily claimed Teheran had refused to sell oil to India because of new rules instituted by New Delhi to prevent Indian businesses from doing illegal trade with Iranian companies.
Officials from the central banks of both countries are expected to meet Friday to discuss the new regulations.
Full report at:
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/israel-hails-indias-moves-to-tighten-sanctions-
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10 Indians and a Pakistani jailed for murder in Dubai
Jan 5, 2011
DUBAI: Ten Indians and one Pakistani bootleggers have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 10 years to life after being convicted here for beating up a man to death and burying his body in a shallow sandy grave.
Two Indians, 24-year-old MS who is accused of being the ringleader of a bootlegging gang, and 26-year-old HS, who is his deputy, were both sentenced to life at Dubai's Criminal Court of First Instance for killing a rival bootlegger identified only as "number 36", the National paper reported on Wednesday.
They attacked the victim with swords, machetes, pipes and wooden blocks in November 2008 behind the Samsung office in Jebel Ali area and beat him up to death.
Eight other Indians were sentenced to 15 years in prison for offences related to the murder, while a Pakistani driver was sentenced to 10 years, the paper said.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/indians-abroad/10-Indians-and-a-Pakistani-jailed-
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Puri elected chairman of UNSC counter-terrorism committee
Jan 5, 2011
WASHINGTON: Indian Ambassador to the United Nations Hardeep Singh Puri has been elected Chairman of the all important Security Council Committee on counter-terrorism and two other key committees of this 15-membered body.
A formal announcement in this regard will be made today, sources told PTI after the conclusion of silent procedure during which there was no challenge to India being elected as Chairman of these three important UNSC committees.
Elected for a two-year term, Puri would chair the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee.
He replaces Ertugrul Apakan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Turkey, whose term expired on December 31, 2010.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Puri-elected-chairman-of-UNSC-counter-
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'Taseer's killing a warning to Pak's liberal politicians'
Indrani Bagchi
January 05, 2011
NEW DELHI: The brutal assassination of Salman Taseer, the governor of Pakistan's Punjab, may not have an impact on the already tottering government of Asif Zardari. But it sends a more disturbing signal to all Pakistan watchers -- the insidious spread of radical Islamist sentiment, infiltrating even the elite security services in Islamabad. "It's a warning to all Pakistani politicians who are deemed liberal and pro-western," said G Parthasarathy, former high commissioner to Pakistan.
The death was received with shock in India. Conveying condolences to the family, the MEA spokesperson, Vishnu Prakash said, "we are shocked to learn about the assassination of Salman Taseer, governor of Pakistan's Punjab."
But just as the death of Indira Gandhi by her bodyguard in 1984 was a political killing, in the same way, the killing of Taseer is a strike by the radical Islamists who have been agitating on Pakistan's blasphemy law in the past days. Taseer was one of the law's highest profile critics. Preliminary reports from Pakistan said the assassin was a last-minute change in Taseer's entourage.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Taseers-killing-a-warning-to-Paks-liberal-
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A colourful politician and a moderate voice
Sameer Arshad & Omer Farooq Khan
January 05, 2011
Salman Taseer (66),who personified Pakistans liberal elite often criticized for their disconnect with the masses,was president Asif Ali Zardaris close ally and among the leading voices of moderation in the country.He was a vocal critic of the Taliban and had recently led calls for the revocation of Pakistans draconian blasphemy law.
Days before his assassination,he visited a Christian woman convicted of blasphemy in jail and promised all possible help and presidential pardon.He had been accusing opposition parties of failing to stand up to terror groups.
Taseer started his political career as a student and joined Pakistan Peoples Party under the influence of its charismatic founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in the late 1960s.He played an active role in a campaign to secure release of his mentor,who was hanged in a politically motivated murder case in 1 979.He also wrote Bhuttos biography.
Full report at: Times of India
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Most courageous voice after Benazir on minority rights
January 05, 2011
Taseers stance earned him threats from religious forces,who observed a strike last Friday against proposed changes to the law.He was the most courageous voice after Benazir Bhutto on the rights of women and religious minorities, said Farahnaz Ispahani,an aide to President Asif Ali Zardari.
While no terrorist group or hardline Islamic party was named as a suspect in Taseers murder,authorities werent ruling out the terror angle.We will see whether it was an individual act or someone had asked him to do it, said interior minister Rehman Malik.He confessed that he killed the governor himself because he had called the blasphemy law a black law.
Full report at: Times of India
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The killing fields of Pakistan politics
January 05, 2011
New Delhi: A high-profile Indian VVIP does not stand the chance of assassination by his own security guards because of the robust selection processes followed for enrolling personnel for agencies such as the SPG and the NSG.But police forces in states,which protect several state level VIPs,should draw lessons from the assassination of Pakistans Punjab province governor Salman Taseer by his own security guard,say security experts.
Both NSG and SPG personnel are selected through a very stringent selection process that includes a very credible intelligence clearance.I am fully convinced that none from the two agencies would go astray.It doesnt mean that we need not constantly improve our processes, says a former NSG officer who has been involved in VVIP protection for years.
The officer said that the state police forces,however,have lessons to draw from the assassination.Hundreds of political leaders,officials and others are protected by state polices.They need to adopt far more scientific methods of selecting those who do close proximity VIP duties, he said.
Full report at: Times of India
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Forget UN,India & Pak must talk,says Hurriyat
January 05, 2011
Srinagar: Terming UN as a failed body,the moderate Hurriyat faction led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq on Tuesday said they expected little from it on the Kashmir issue and pressed for talks involving India,Pakistan and Kashmiris under international monitoring to resolve the imbroglio.
We cannot expect much from a body which has failed to implement its own resolutions.India and Pakistan have to talk to Kashmiris under international monitoring for resolving the Kashmir issue, the Mirwaiz said addressing a seminar organized by the amalgam on the 61st anniversary of UNSC resolutions on Kashmir.
The Hurriyat has so far been pressing for implementation of the UN resolutions on Kashmir.The Mirwaiz said such a dialogue process has to be time bound as bilaterialism between the two countries has failed to make any progress.
The Hurriyat chairman said that the aspirations of people of J&K should be supreme while finding a solution to Kashmir issue.
We have to impress upon India and Pakistan that whether the UN resolutions are implemented or not,Kashmiris to continue their struggle, he said.
Times of India
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Pak pushes China to invest in three dams in PoK
Saibal Dasgupta
January 05, 2011
BEIJING: Masood Khan, Pakistan's ambassador in Beijing, has requested China to assist in the building of three hydro-electricity dam projects in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir during 2011, when the two countries are celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
China has not betrayed any signs of interest in the proposals and premier Wen Jiabao stayed away from discussing any proposal relating to PoK during his visit to Pakistan in mid-December. Khan's statement shows Pakistan will continue to push for the proposals in order to make China a stake-holder in PoK and further complicating the Kashmir dispute.
The Chinese foreign ministry said on Tuesday that it valued the relationship with Pakistan from a "strategic perspective".
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/Pak-pushes-China-to-invest-in-three-dams-
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Assassinated Pak governor not afraid of 'surrounding fire'
January 05, 2011
Islamabad : Hours before he was assassinated because of his opposition to Pakistan's controversial blasphemy law, Punjab Governor Salman Taseer tweeted that his determination was so strong that he was not afraid of the "surrounding fire".
Taseer, who was popular on micro-blogging website Twitter, posted: "Mera azm itna bulund hae/Parae sholon se dar nahin/Mujhe dar hae tu atish-e-gul se hae/Ye kahin chaman ko jala na dein.
(My determination is so strong that I'm not afraid of the surrounding fire/What I'm afraid of is that the fiery beauty of the flower does not burn my garden).
The slain Governor, his wife Amna and their daughters Sarah and Shehrbano are all active on Twitter.
Amna, who celebrated her birthday on January 2, was hoping and "praying for a peaceful New Year."
Full report at:
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/assassinated-pak-governor-not-afraid-of-surrounding-
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Kyrgyzstan to name mountain peak after Putin
January 05, 2011
New Delhi : Russian strongman Vladimir Putin will now also stand tall in Kyrgyzstan -- well almost at 4500 metres.
The Prime Minister of the Central Asian republic has ordered that a peak in the Tian-Shan mountains be named after his Russian counterpart.
Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev has issued orders to name a 4500 meter high mountain "Vladimir Putin Peak", ITAR-TASS reported.
So far, the mountain peak in the basin of Ak-Suu river of Chui District was unnamed.
However, Prime Minister Atambayev's decree is yet to be ratified by the Kyrgyz Parliament.
Earlier, Kyrgyzstan had renamed one of the peaks after post-Soviet Russia's first president Boris Yeltsin near the picturesque Issyk-Kul Lake in Tian-Shan Mountains.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kyrgyzstan-to-name-mountain-peak-after-
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Israeli PM appeals to US to free convicted spy
January 05, 2011
JERUSALEM: Israel’s prime minister made a public appeal Tuesday for the freedom of an American who spied for Israel, asking in a letter to President Barack Obama for clemency after the spy has spent 25 years behind bars.
The case of Jonathan Pollard “unites us all,” Benjamin Netanyahu told his Parliament, before reading the letter.
The request comes at a low point in Israel-US relations over stalemated Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. A deal that would have given Israel advanced warplanes and political backing in exchange for an extension of a slowdown in settlement construction to restart peace talks, but it fell through.
There was no immediate response from Washington. With relations with the US strained over the lack of progress in peace efforts, it appeared unlikely the request would be approved. Previous Israeli appeals have been met coolly.
Full report at:
http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article229371.ece
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OIC played vital role in bridging Shiite-Sunni gap: Ihsanoglu
January 05, 2011
JEDDAH: The 57-member Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has become the voice of the Ummah and an instrument for strengthening cooperation among Muslim countries, according to its Secretary-General professor Ekmeledin Ihsanoglu.
Speaking to Arab News, the OIC chief emphasized his organization’s plan to foster a strategic relationship with China. He underscored the OIC’s efforts to bring together the Sunni and Shiite leaders of Iraq to end sectarian violence there.
Ihsanoglu said the extraordinary Islamic summit, held in Makkah in 2005 under the initiative of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, was a turning point in the organization’s history. The summit adopted a 10-year program of action covering specific areas to boost the development of the Muslim world. He said the OIC is emerging as a key player in global politics.
Full report at:
http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article229431.ece
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These are my children and we are a family: Mohammed
5 January 2011
DUBAI — It has been said that never is a man standing so tall than when he stoops to speak to a child. His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, took that adage to a whole new level when he met and spent quality time with a group of Emirati orphans as part of the celebrations of the fifth anniversary of his accession as Ruler of Dubai.
Welcoming the excited 30 boys and girls at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort, Shaikh Mohammed disarmed them completely by saying, “I came to this desert to meet you as my children.” It was heartwarming and so gracious that the leader and his ‘family’ reflected that glow of warmth and togetherness.
Full report at:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2011/January/theuae
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Salman Taseer’s death to heighten ‘instability’
Faryal Leghari
January 05, 2011
The lunch Salman Taseer, governor of Pakistan’s largest province Punjab had at Table Talk, the hip eatery in Islamabad’s Kohsar Market in sector F-6, one of the oldest elitist residential areas, was his last.
According to the postmortem report he was hit by 26 bullets in his chest, head and arms.
The Governor apparently died on the spot. Shot at by a security guard Mumtaz Qadri, of the Rawalpindi Elite Force when getting into his car, Taseer’s death is likely to create further instability in the country.
It is too early to lay the blame on anyone but Taseer, known for being President Asif Ali Zardari’s right hand man had enemies.
Taseer’s strong-arm tactics in Punjab had created a lot of bad blood with the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) provincial government especially Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Full report at:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/international/2011/January/
URL: http://www.newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamIslamicWorldNews_1.aspx?ArticleID=3881
12:55 AM
Moderate Islamist here
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