| Islamic World News | |
| 16 Feb 2011, NewAgeIslam.Com |
| Mubarak dead? In coma? Egypt papers abuzz with conflicting news | ||
Muslims complain of anomalies in census: Use of pencils and Hindi as language already filled Defence of motherland a religious duty: Arab Islamic scholar Al Qarni Pak minister thanks Chidambaram for Rahat Fateh Ali's release US diplomat Davis formally charged with murder Obama proposes $3.1 bn aid for Pakistan in 2012 Multi-week offensive kills 120 terrorists Afghan war costs $300 million a day: Pentagon Protests no longer need permission in Jordan Thousands of protesters march in Bahrain capital Tunisia extends state of emergency, lifts curfew Saleh to talk with people; no letup in anti-govt rallies Iranian lawmakers demand death for opposition leaders Iraq protesters demand jobs in countrywide rallies Thousands recreate Tahrir in Bahrain Protests in Iran claim one life Egypt forms panel to rewrite Constitution; fires 2 officials Yemenis trying to oust leader protest for 5th day Yemen Prez fans, opposition clash Stability in Egypt fails to bring down prices Egypt army seeks 6-month handover Egypt junta names panel to reform constitution Is the Egyptian uprising running out of steam? Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) a source of spiritual strength for humanity Muslims should get equal opportunities: Bengal CM Pak warns Lakhvi will walk free Kerry heads to Pak to calm diplomatic tension Obama joins pressure team, wants Davis treated as diplomat Militants blow up gas pipeline in Dera Murad Jamali Pak-Afghan transit trade pact delayed by 4 months 800 buildings in Jeddah on verge of collapse Indonesian media blamed for halt in hiring of workers Protests no longer need permission in Jordan Israel arrests 11 Palestinians Iraq diverts $900 mln from F-16 jets to food Ahmadinejad wanted direct talks with US: ElBaradei Compile by New Age Islam News Bureau Photo: Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak | ||
------- Mubarak dead? In coma? Egypt papers abuzz with news on ousted ruler's health Feb 15, 2011 CAIRO: The health of former Egyptian ruler Hosni Mubarak is deteriorating and he has refused to travel abroad for treatment, the Saudi-owned daily Asharq al-Awsat said on Tuesday. Egyptian daily 'Al-Masry Al-Youm' reported that soon after moving to the resort, the 82-year-old Mubarak who ruled Egypt for 30 years was gravely ill and slipped into a coma. A military source told Reuters Mubarak was "breathing" but would not give details about his status. Another Egyptian source with links to the family said he was not well but did not eleborate. "What is certain is that his state of health is declining drastically, in addition there is information that he is refusing to receive the required medical treatment," Asharq al-Awsat said in its online edition, quoting a former security official affiliated to the Egyptian military high command. The Higher Military Council took over the country after Mubarak resigned on Friday following over two weeks of massive protests against his 30-year rule. The Asharq al-Awsat report said Mubarak, 82, had refused advice to travel to Germany for treatment. He underwent gallbladder surgery there last year, and since then rumours about his health have frequently surfaced. "Mubarak is refusing this (travel abroad)," the paper said, quoting its source. "He has asked those around him to allow him to die in his country, and I believe this is just a matter of time." Mubarak had said in his final speeches to the nation, while still hanging on to office, that he would die in Egypt. Speculation has swirled about Mubarak's health, including some talk that he may have already died. Arab diplomats, including one Egyptian, said on Tuesday they had not heard any news that Mubarak had died. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Mubarak-dead-In-coma-Egypt-papers-abuzz-with-news-on-ousted-rulers-health/articleshow/7503560.cms ------- Muslims complain of anomalies in census: Use of pencils and Hindi as language already filled New Age Islam News Bureau New Delhi: The third phase of census that started a few days ago has come under the shadow of suspicion as Muslims in New Delhi and UP have complained of highhandedness of census officials. In the beginning it was detected that the form had ‘Muslim’ instead of Islam in the religion column. Now the Muslims in Delhi have complained that census officials were filling the forms with pencils instead of black ball pens. They fear that the information might be changed by the officials. Another complaint from the Muslims in Baghpat is that the census officials are all non-Muslims and come with the language column already filled by them mentioning Hindi as the mother language. When informed of these anomalies, the Joint Director (UP) Pradeep Kumar said that he had received such complaints and action was to be taken soon. He admitted that use of pencils while filling in the form was wrong. He said that the census workers had been given black ball pens and had been instructed to use only them while filling the forms. Many citizens have complained that their information was filled with a pencil. The census workers said that they were using pencils only to avoid mistakes and they would correct when they sit comfortably in the office. Most surprising is the fact that some Muslim school teachers working as census workers are making the same mistakes. The Vice-Chairman of Urdu Academy Prof Akhtarul Wassey said that it was the responsibility of the members of the local organisations to accompany them and help in the filling in of the forms correctly. ------- Defence of motherland a religious duty: Arab Islamic scholar Al Qarni New Age Islam News Bureau New Delhi: Islam is a religion that believes in moderate and middle path and it is the duty of the Muslims to follow the moderate path. They should strive for the survival and protection of Islam unitedly by shunning extremism and sectarian disputes. Muslims should take part in religious and political activities as breaking relations with the worldly affairs, wealth and property and adopting the life of priesthood was a negation of the teachings of Islam. These were the views of the Arab Islamic scholar Dr Aizal Qarni, the head of the delegation of the Arab ulema at a reception given to them at central office of the Jamiat Ulema Hind. He further said that Muslim should follow in the footsteps of the religious elders to present a true picture of Islam before the countrymen. Before his speech, the President of Jamiat, Maulana Usman Mansurpuri presented a memento greeting the guests. The memento gave the details of the services of the Jamiat before and after freedom. The former head of the Department of Belief of Madina University, Dr Yahya bin Muhammad al Haneedi praised the contributions of Indian madrasas and the Muslims towards the spread of Islam and said that Muslims should continue their services unitedly. Abdul Rehman Qahtani emphasised the importance of religious education saying that even the fish in the seas pray for those seeking religious knowledge. The teacher of Masjid Nabwi Sheikh Bashir Ahmad Siddique recited the Quran in his distinct style. The meeting ended with the prayer conducted by Sheikh Al Qarni. ------- Pak minister thanks Chidambaram for Rahat Fateh Ali's release Feb 15, 2011 Pak minister Rahman Malik thanked Home minister P Chidambaram for the release of singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who was detained by DRI authorities. NEW DELHI: Pakistan Interior Minister Rahman Malik today thanked Home Minister P Chidambaram for the release of noted singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who was detained by revenue enforcement authorities at the Delhi airport for allegedly carrying $1.24 lakh on Sunday. Sources said Malik telephoned Chidambaram and thanked him for the release of the singer, who was freed from detention yesterday evening after questioning by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence officials. Rahat, whose passport has been seized, has been asked to report to the DRI officials again on Thursday for further questioning. Officials claimed to have seized USD 1.24 lakh in cash and two demand drafts for over USD 18,600, from Rahat and some of the members of his troupe on Sunday when they were planning to catch a flight to Dubai for onward journey to Karachi. Carrying enormous amounts of money without declaration is an offence under customs rules and could attract charges under Foreign Exchange Management Act. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Pak-minister-thanks-Chidambaram-for-Rahat-Fateh-Alis-release/articleshow/7501851.cms ------- US diplomat Davis formally charged with murder February 16, 2011 The tussle between the US and Pakistan over the fate of jailed diplomat intensified as Raymond Davis was formally charged with murder in the chargesheet submitted to the trial court and Washington said it would place before the jury a statement that the official had diplomatic immunity. Rejecting Davis’ claim that he shot two men in self-defence, the prosecution filed a challan or chargesheet in the court of a district and sessions judge, formally charging him of murder. Officials told the media that the chargesheet was based on forensic reports, the statement of Davis and the investigation conducted by police. They said the charges were based on witnesses who had stated that the American pursued the two men and fired at them. The next hearing in Davis’ case is scheduled for February 25. The new turn in the case comes as a top official has said that US will submit a petition on Thursday to the Lahore court, certifying that Davis has diplomatic immunity and he should be released. Full report at: http://www.dailypioneer.com/318012/US-diplomat-Davis-formally-charged-with-murder.html ------- Obama proposes $3.1 bn aid for Pakistan in 2012 February 16, 2011 No matter the fierce stand-off with Islamabad over the arrest of American official Raymond Davis on charges of double murder, the Obama administration has proposed a hefty $3.1 billion aid package for Pakistan during fiscal 2012 (beginning October 1 this year). The package includes $1.5 billion in economic aid under the Kerry-Lugar-Berman Bill, $1.1 billion for counter-insurgency operations and $350 million under the US’s Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme, a State Department official explained. In addition, a sum of $45 million will support infrastructure to maintain US civilian and diplomatic presence, and educational and cultural exchange programmes to build bridges with civil society. Full report at: http://www.dailypioneer.com/318009/Obama-proposes-$31-bn-aid-for-Pakistan-in-2012.html ------- Obama admin proposes $3.1 billion for Pakistan Feb 15, 2011 WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has proposed to Congress a $3.1 billion in financial assistance to Pakistan for the year 2012. This is part of the administration's ongoing effort towards its continued funding for operations and assistance in key regions of the world -- Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Of this as many as $1.9 billion in assistance has been proposed to promote a secure, stable, democratic and prosperous Pakistan with a focus on energy, economic growth, agriculture, the delivery of health and education services, and strengthening the Government of Pakistan's capacity to govern effectively and accountably. $1.5 billion of this is part of the Kerry-Lugar-Berman Bill. Another $45 million has been proposed in operations to support infrastructure for maintaining the US government civilian and diplomatic presence and to support educational and cultural exchange programs to build bridges with civil society. "We have $350 million in that part of the budget for FMF (Foreign Military Financing) programs, which is part of the five-year agreement that we have made with the government of Pakistan," a State Department official told reporters. Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Obama-admin-proposes-31-billion-for-Pakistan/articleshow/7499640.cm ------- Multi-week offensive kills 120 terrorists Feb 16, 2011 GHALANI: An official said security forces have cleared terrorists from 90 percent of targeted Tribal Areas near the Afghan border in a nearly three-week offensive. Mohmand Agency official, Amjad Ali Khan, said on Tuesday that 120 terrorists have been killed in the fighting, including seven local Taliban commanders. Four soldiers were also killed, he added. The offensive began on January 27 that included aerial bombing, artillery and ground assaults in five tribal regions. Khan said government forces would continue with the operation until they routed the terrorists. Officials said about 22,000 people were displaced by the fighting. Khan said 20 families have been repatriated and they hope to bring others home next month. ap http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\02\16\story_16-2-2011_pg7_8 ------- Afghan war costs $300 million a day: Pentagon Feb 15, 2011, WASHINGTON: The withdrawal of American troops from Iraq will allow for a reduced US defense budget in 2012 but the war in Afghanistan still costs the United States close to 300 million dollars a day. Under the Pentagon's proposed budget, the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will drop to USD 117.8 billion for fiscal year 2012, a reduction of 41.5 billion from the previous year. As the US war effort winds down in Iraq, the budget sets aside USD 10.6 billion for "Operation New Dawn," with the remaining 50,000 US troops there due to withdraw by the end of 2011. Spending for the Afghan mission calls for USD 107.3 billion, down slightly from the last budget, which requested USD 113.5 billion. President Barack Obama has vowed to start a withdrawal in July of the roughly 97,000 troops now in Afghanistan. Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Afghan-war-costs-300-million-a-day-Pentagon/articleshow/7499099.cms ------- Protests no longer need permission in Jordan By JAMAL HALABY Feb 16, 2011 AMMAN: Protest marches in Jordan will no longer need government permission, Jordan’s interior minister said Tuesday, bowing to growing pressure to allow wider freedoms. In street protests in the past five weeks, opposition groups, their leftist allies and independent rights activists demanded that the government remove restrictions on free speech and assembly. Jordan’s King Abdallah responded by promising changes to pertinent laws, including a controversial election law which critics say allows the king’s loyalists to dominate the legislature, the only elected national decision-making body. Srour said Tuesday that protesters would still have to inform authorities of any gathering two days in advance to “ensure public safety” and that they would have to observe public order. However, he stressed that the government would no longer interfere in such matters. Opposition leader Hamza Mansour said the change was a step in the right direction. Full report at: http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article264283.ece ------- Thousands of protesters march in Bahrain capital Feb 16, 2011 MANAMA: Thousands of Bahrainis demonstrated in the capital Manama on Tuesday demanding regime change in the Gulf kingdom like that in Egypt and Tunisia after two protesters were killed in clashes with police. “This is your only and last chance to change the regime,” read a banner carried by protesters who descended on Manama’s Pearl Roundabout, shortly after the funeral of one of the two Shia demonstrators. The banners and slogans of the Bahraini protesters echoed those of the demonstrators in Cairo’s Tahrir Square. Cyber activists outraged by the killing of the two protesters had called for the Manama demonstration on Facebook. MPs from Bahrain’s main Shia opposition bloc walked out of parliament. Full report at: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\02\16\story_16-2-2011_pg7_5 ------- Tunisia extends state of emergency, lifts curfew By BOUAZZA BEN BOUAZZA Feb 16, 2011 TUNIS, Tunisia: Tunisia extended a state of emergency that has been in place since the country’s long time autocratic president was overthrown during an uprising last month, while it ended the curfew imposed during the deadly protests, the Interior Ministry said Tuesday. The curfew was in place since Jan. 13, the day before President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia in the wake of clashes between police and protesters angry about unemployment, corruption and repression. A United Nations mission has said at least 219 people were killed in the unrest — including dozens in prison fires — while 510 were injured. The curfew’s hours had gradually been reduced in ensuing weeks. Most recently, it prevented people from walking outside or driving from midnight until 4 a.m. The state of emergency, declared Jan. 14, forbids any public street gathering of three people or more, though that rule has rarely been enforced. It also authorizes police and security forces to use their weapons against suspects who do not turn themselves in when ordered to do so, and against fleeing suspects who cannot be apprehended. Life in Tunisia has largely returned to normal as a caretaker government tries to stabilize the largely Muslim country ahead of elections, supposed to take place later in 2011. Full report at: http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article264586.ece ------- Saleh to talk with people; no letup in anti-govt rallies By SAEED AL-BATATI Feb 16, 2011 SANAA: In an apparent attempt to appease the growing pressure of street demonstrators, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has announced that he is to open his office in the presidential palace for all Yemeni people to voice their problems, the government-run Saba News Agency reported on Tuesday. However, despite Saleh's successive concessions, the demonstrations continued unabated on Tuesday — the fifth day of protests. Approximately 2,000 protesters armed with rocks and batons fought government loyalists in the capital before the police stepped in and took control of the situation. Riot police blocked the protesters marching down a street leading to the presidential palace. As they dispersed into side streets, they were confronted by hundreds of government backers and both groups hurled rocks at each other. Some loyalists beat a Parliament member who had joined anti-government protesters. Ahmed Seif Hashid told Reuters that he believed the ruling party had hired men for support, with some of them carrying daggers. “Most of them were not members of the ruling party, they were hired thugs,” he said. “Some of them tried to stab me in the back. The attacks here keep happening, they want to occupy the places used for protests.” Full report at: http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article264585.ece ------- Iranian lawmakers demand death for opposition leaders By PARISA HAFEZI Feb 16, 2011 TEHRAN: Iranian lawmakers called for the death penalty on Tuesday for opposition leaders they accused of fomenting unrest after a rally in which a least one person was killed and dozens were wounded, state media said. Clashes broke out on Monday between security forces and protesters when thousands rallied in sympathy for popular uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia on Monday. They revived mass protests that shook Iran after a presidential vote in 2009. “(Opposition leaders) Mehdi Karroubi and Mirhossein Mousavi are corrupts on earth and should be tried,” the official IRNA news agency quoted members of parliament as saying in a statement. The statement was signed by 222 lawmakers out of 290. Being “corrupt on earth” is a charge which has been leveled at political dissidents in the past. It is a capital offense. A spokesman for the Islamic republic’s judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, said: “Those who created public disorder on Monday will be confronted firmly and immediately.” One member of Parliament, Kazem Jalali, was quoted by the student news agency ISNA as saying two people died in Monday’s events, one of whom was shot dead. A group of hard-line Iranians, including students and clerics, planned to stage a sit-in outside a Tehran judiciary complex on Tuesday, demanding “immediate trial of Karroubi and Mousavi,” the semi-official Fars news agency reported. It also said hard-line students protested against Mousavi and Karroubi in various universities in Tehran. Iranian authorities have repeatedly accused opposition leaders of being part of a Western plot to overthrow the system. Full report at: http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article264285.ece ------- Iraq protesters demand jobs in countrywide rallies 16 February 2011 FALLUJA, Iraq - Iraqis protested against corruption and joblessness across the war-ravaged country on Tuesday as anti-government rallies echoed in the Arab world. Iraqis have long protested against poor basic services and food shortages, but on Tuesday they made direct references to the turmoil that has shaken other parts of the region. In the mainly Sunni town of Falluja in western Iraq, about 1,000 protesters gathered near the mayor’s office to demand officials improve services and do more to fight corruption. In the northern oil-rich city of Kirkuk, about 100 people demonstrated near a provincial council building. About 200 protesters rallied in the southern oil-hub of Basra. In Falluja, one man tried to set himself on fire, mimicking protesters in Tunisia and Egypt where popular uprisings have unseated long-ruling authoritarian leaders. He was stopped by other demonstrators. “The destiny of our corrupted rulers will be the same as that of (Egypt’s Hosni) Mubarak and (Tunisia’s) Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali,” said 21-year-old university student Jamal Abdullah, another protester in Falluja. “This is the time for the youth, we will not be silent against violations and corruption.” Iraq has been slow in improving services almost eight years after the US-led invasion. Infrastructure is old, electricity shortages are persistent and people’s frustration is growing. Full report at: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2011/February/middleeast_February544.xml§ion=middleeast ------- Thousands recreate Tahrir in Bahrain Feb 16 2011, Protesters gather at the Pearl Monument on a main square in Manama, Bahrain, More than 10,000 people streamed into the capital’s central Pearl Square on Tuesday in the largest political protest to hit this Persian Gulf kingdom in recent memory. Galvanised by the death of a demonstrator in clashes with the police on Monday, protesters waved flags and chanted “peaceful” under the square’s towering monument as a police helicopter hovered overhead. Hundreds of protesters also massed on a nearby bridge overpass. Protesters chanted, “We’re not Sunni. We’re not Shia. We just want to be free.” While festive, the atmosphere among protesters, who passed out sandwiches and talked about creating their own version of Egypt’s Tahrir Square, was cut through with a sense of foreboding as dozens of police cars could be seen gathering nearby. “We advise citizens to stay away from Pearl roundabout area to avoid traffic jams,” the Ministry of Information said in a statement posted on Twitter, even as protesters unfurled large canvas tents on the lawn in the center of the square’s traffic circle saying they planned to spend the night. Full report at: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/thousands-recreate-tahrir-in-bahrain/750603/ ------- Protests in Iran claim one life February 16th, 2011 Tehran: Lawmakers on Tuesday demanded that the Opposition leaders, who they say are backed by Iran’s arch-foes, be hanged following the violent anti-government protests in Tehran, which left one person killed. The MPs singled out Mr Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mr Mehdi Karroubi, who had called for protests in Tehran on Monday, in support of Arab uprisings that quickly turned into anti-government demonstrations and ended in clashes with police. Mr Mohammad Khatami, former reformist president, also came under fire from the nation’s conservatives following his open backing of the Opposition movement since disputed June 2009 presidential elections. Full report at: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/international/protests-iran-claim-one-life-180 ------- Egypt forms panel to rewrite Constitution; fires 2 officials February 16, 2011 The Egyptian military on Tuesday constituted a panel of legal experts, including a member of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, to suggest amendments to the Mubarak-era constitution while firing two top security officials for their handling of the anti-regime protests. The eight-member committee that has been entrusted with the task of studying the constitutional reform would be headed by Tareq al-Bishry, a retired judge known for his independent views and support for a free judiciary during the reign of Hosni Mubarak. “I have been chosen by the Higher Military Council to head the committee for constitutional amendments,” al-Bishry said. The Supreme Military Council has vowed to rewrite the Constitution within 10-days and submit it to a public referendum within two months time. The Council said in a statement on television that the panel “must finish its work in a period of no longer than 10 days after the date of this decision”. Full report at: http://www.dailypioneer.com/318023/Egypt-forms-panel-to-rewrite-Constitution;-fires-2-officials.html ------- Yemenis trying to oust leader protest for 5th day February 16, 2011 Thousands of people marching for the ouster of Yemen’s US-allied President clashed on Tuesday with police and Government supporters, and at least three demonstrators were injured in a fifth straight day of Egypt-inspired protests. Police tried to disperse the demonstrators using tear gas, batons and stun guns, but about 3,000 protesters defiantly continued their march from Sanaa University toward the city centre, chanting slogans against President Ali Abdullah Saleh, including “Down with the President’s thugs!” The procession gained momentum with hundreds of students, rights activists joining along the way. The unrest comes as ties between the US and Saleh have been growing recently over rising alarm in Washington about the activities of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula. http://www.dailypioneer.com/318014/Yemenis-trying-to-oust-leader-protest-for-5th-day.html ------- Yemen Prez fans, opposition clash February 16th, 2011 Sanaa: Pro-regime supporters on Tuesday, waded into an anti-government protest in Sanaa with batons, sparking violent clashes in which three people were hurt, a reporter said. The loyalists were joined by plainclothes police wielding electric tasers, who sent the crowd of around 3,000 protesters, mostly students, fleeing, witnesses said. Inspired by uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, the protesters had earlier poured out of Sanaa University for the fourth day, to demand the ouster of the President, Mr Ali Abdullah Saleh. “The people want to oust the regime” the protesters chanted, repeating the slogan used by protesters in Egypt who forced the President, Mr Hosni Mubarak, to step down on the 18th day of mass protests. As they advanced on Saleh’s palace, supporters of his General People’s Congress (GPC) party, armed with batons and stones, confronted the demonstrators, who responded by hurling stones. At least three protesters were wounded. Demonstrators said “police with tasers” had joined the pro-Saleh supporters in dispersing the crowd. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/international/yemen-prez-fans-opposition-clash-181 ------- Stability in Egypt fails to bring down prices Feb 16, 2011 RIYADH: Even though Egypt is now stable and the situation in the country has become normal, the prices of fruit and vegetables imported from the country still remain very high. Five days after the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak’s regime, there is only a slight drop in the price of edibles from Egypt. A box of Egyptian navel oranges now costs SR30 after rising to SR40 last week when the crisis was at its peak. The price of a box of navel oranges prior to the popular uprising was around SR20, Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper said. The case is similar with other fruit and vegetables. The price of a box of strawberries, which had soared more than three times to SR50 during the Egyptian protests, has now reached SR30, almost double the actual price. Full report at: http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article264452.ece ------- Egypt army seeks 6-month handover Feb 16, 2011 CAIRO: Egypt’s new military rulers said on Tuesday they hoped to hand power over to an elected civilian leadership within six months and insisted they had no desire to keep control following the overthrow of president Hosni Mubarak. The remarks carried on the state agency were the clearest indication since Mubarak was forced to leave Cairo on Friday that the high command had a concrete timeframe for meeting the demand of pro-democracy protesters for a complete new beginning. Some secular leaders have raised concerns, however, that having presidential and parliamentary elections so quickly in a country where Mubarak had suppressed all opposition activity for 30 years may hand an advantage to the Muslim Brotherhood, the extremist movement seen as the best organised political force. “The Higher Military Council expressed its hope to hand over power within six months to a civilian authority and a president elected in a peaceful and free manner that expresses the views of the people,” a statement on the state news agency MENA said. “The council affirmed that it does not seek power, that the current situation was imposed on the armed forces and that they have the confidence of the people,” it said. MENA said the military also decreed that a committee headed by a respected independent judge, Tareq al-Bishry, should finish its work within 10 days on drafting amendments to the constitution. The plan is to then put these to a referendum. Full report at: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\02\16\story_16-2-2011_pg7_6 ------- Egypt junta names panel to reform constitution Feb 16, 2011 CAIRO: Egypt’s military rulers warned on Tuesday that a wave of strikes sweeping the country was “disastrous,” as it gave a panel of civilian experts 10 days to revise the constitution. Against a backdrop of persistent nationwide walkouts and street protests, the junta promised to rapidly restore constitutional rule following the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak’s regime. US President Barack Obama said the transition in Egypt was a model for autocratic Middle Eastern allies, and encouraged the Iranian people to press their quest for democracy after protests on Monday in which two people died. US network CBS meanwhile said top foreign correspondent Lara Logan was recovering in hospital after suffering a “brutal and sustained” sexual assault and beating from a mob in Egypt while covering Mubarak’s downfall Friday. A group of women and soldiers had eventually rescued her, CBS said in a statement. Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces instructed an eight-strong panel of jurists and scholars to “amend all articles as it sees fit to guarantee democracy and the integrity of presidential and parliamentary elections.” The panel “must finish its work in a period of no longer than 10 days after the date of this decision,” and must strike down the articles giving presidents unlimited terms in office and the right to refer cases to military courts. Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/2011/02/16/egypt-junta-names-panel-to-reform-constitution.html ------- Is the Egyptian uprising running out of steam? Atul Aneja CAIRO: With dictator Hosni Mubarak out of the way, the Egyptian uprising is witnessing a cut-throat clash of interests and is struggling to define its future course. As rivals grapple for political space, the faint outlines of at least two alternatives have become visible. With the conservative old guard minus Mr. Mubarak still in charge of steering the transition, Egypt could become a nominal democracy with a significant authoritarian overhang. Alternatively, if the pro-democracy movement persists and runs its course, it could still get root and branch, a fully representative system, liberated from the suffocating shadow of its military, which has manoeuvred Egypt's destiny since Gemal Abdel Nasser's Free Officers Revolution of 1952. Mr. Mubarak's unceremonious exit has generated a fierce debate about the still uncharted road that the “revolution” should pursue. Some influential voices are even calling for an end to the uprising, trusting the Supreme Council of Armed Forces — now running the show — including its top boss Field Marshall Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, a long serving Mubarak-loyalist, to take Egypt forward. Pro-military stand Full report at: http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/16/stories/2011021653401700.htm ------- Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) a source of spiritual strength for humanity New Age Islam News Bureau New Delhi: The President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil, the Prime Minister Dr Manmoan Singh and the Vice President Hamid Ansari have conveyed their greetings to the nation on the eve of the Eid Miladun Nabi (PBUH). Expressing her good wishes on the occasion, Mrs Patil wished that we might get inspiration from the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH) to follow the path of peace and harmony and we might help the poor and the destitute. The Vice President Hamid Ansari said that this day reminded us all of the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the messages of friendship, harmony and peace gave us spiritual strength even today. Dr Manmohan Singh wished that the day spread the message of peace and harmony among the people of the country. ------- Muslims should get equal opportunities: Bengal CM New Age Islam News Bureau Kolkata: In order to woo Muslim voters ahead of the Assembly elections in West Bengal, the Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said that his government was working on a priority basis to ensure equal opportunities for the Muslims in the state. He said that much before the Sachar Committee report, his government had emphasised the need for the equal opportunities of the Muslims and so it had recommended reservations for them. He was addressing a gathering on the occasion of transfer of land to Al Ameen Mission in Rajarhat. He further said that if a particular section of a society did not get its share in the development process, the development remained incomplete. “If we want all round development of the state, we should also work for the development of the backward communities including Muslims,” he said. ------- Pak warns Lakhvi will walk free Feb 16 2011 In a veiled rebuff to India on the 26/11 trial, Pakistan is learnt to have said that Islamabad should not be held responsible if prime accused Lashkar-e-Toiba’s Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi gets relief from the courts because a judicial commission failed to visit India and verify Ajmal Amir Kasab’s confessional statement. According to the latest communication from Pakistan earlier this month, Pak authorities claimed that legal action against Lakhvi is based only on Kasab’s statement and it may be difficult for the prosecution to sustain the arguments without a firm decision from India on the commission. Sources said Delhi is expected to agree to give the go-ahead to the Pakistan judicial commission while at the same time obtain an order from the trial court here to send a similar commission to Pakistan. Full report at: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pak-warns-lakhvi-will-walk-free/750678/ ------- Kerry heads to Pak to calm diplomatic tension February 16, 2011 In a new bid to defuse the crisis, the US has sent Senator John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to Islamabad. Kerry, who is well respected in Pakistan after he authored the $7.5 billion aid package and steered it through the Senate along with Republican Senator Richard Lugar, will meet Government officials to reassure them of long-term US commitment to Pakistan. With the Lahore police authorities having submitted documents to the court in support of its contention that Davis should be charged with murder, Kerry is set to hold high-level consultations to find a way out. However, by all accounts, Kerry has his task cut out with hundreds of Pakistanis holding demonstrations every day to demand that Davis be hanged for the double murder, and the death of a third Pakistani man who was run over and killed by a US consulate vehicle in a mission to rescue Davis. http://www.dailypioneer.com/318011/Kerry-heads-to-Pak-to-calm-diplomatic-tension.html ------- Obama joins pressure team, wants Davis treated as diplomat By Anwar Iqbal WASHINGTON: Hours after police in Lahore submitted a preliminary investigation report in a court accusing American national Raymond Davis of killing two Pakistanis on a street in Lahore on Jan 27, US President Barack Obama urged Pakistan to abide by the Vienna Convention, treat Davis as a diplomat and release him. President Obama, while insisting that Pakistan must not prosecute Mr Davis, said he also was concerned about the loss of Pakistani lives in the incident. “Obviously we’re concerned about the loss of life,” Mr Obama said at a Washington press conference. Still, he said, Mr Davis should be treated as a diplomat. “There’s a broader principle at stake that I think we have to uphold.” In his first public remarks on a case that has strained US relations with Pakistan, Mr Obama noted that the Vienna Convention for diplomatic immunity granted Mr Davis some right. Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/2011/02/16/obama-joins-pressure-team-wants-davis-treated-as-diplomat.html ------- Militants blow up gas pipeline in Dera Murad Jamali People look at the fire flaring up from the main gas pipeline after a bomb blast by suspected militants in Balochistan. — File Photo by AFP DERA MURAD JAMALI: Militants on Wednesday blew up a gas pipeline in Balochistan’s Dera Murad Jamali area, leaving tens of thousands of consumers without gas, reports said. The pipeline was attacked near the district’s Pat Feeder area. The explosion and ensuing fire kicked up a blanket of smoke that hovered over the area and could be seen from several kilometres. Officials said teams had been dispatched to repair the attacked pipeline. However, it may take two to three days to resume supplies to the affected consumers, they said. http://www.dawn.com/2011/02/16/militants-blow-up-gas-pipeline-in-dera-murad-jamali.html ------- Pak-Afghan transit trade pact delayed by 4 months ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan have delayed the implementation of a long-awaited transit trade deal signed last year due to differences over the issue of bank guarantees for Afghan goods, a senior official said on Tuesday. The US -sponsored trade agreement signed on October 28 was to come in force on February 12, and would have also allowed Afghan trucks to transport exports to India via Pakistan through the sensitive Wagah land route. The new accord is to replace the 1965 bilateral trade agreement that has governed the transit of goods to landlocked Afghanistan through Pakistan. Pakistani and Afghan officials met in Islamabad last week to review arrangements for implementing the accord, but failed to agree on the issue of guarantees for goods landing in Karachi for onward transport to Afghanistan. Islamabad is seeking bank guarantees from Afghan importers, encashable in Pakistan on transit goods, to ensure the consignments reach Afghanistan and not smuggled back to Pakistan. Full report at: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\02\16\story_16-2-2011_pg1_7 ------- 800 buildings in Jeddah on verge of collapse By MUHAMMAD HUMAIDAN Feb 16, 2011 JEDDAH: There are about 8,000 buildings in Jeddah on the verge of collapse, according to informed sources. This opens the door wide to accusations of our historic legacy being neglected, they say. Jeddah lost two more historic buildings in the downtown Balad area when they were burned down Saturday night, bringing the total number of ancient buildings lost to fires to 200. Suspicions that the fires in the two historic buildings might be deliberate are also not a distant possibility," an informed source at the municipality said. According to the sources, the fire that burned down the two houses did not reach the historical Bait Naseef. They said eight fire brigades were able to fight the blaze, preventing it from reaching other houses in the historic area. According to the Civil Defense, the fire started at an apartment in the second floor of one of the two historic buildings before it extended to the third floor and then to the other building. Full report at: http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article263842.ece ------- Indonesian media blamed for halt in hiring of workers By SARAH ABDULLAH Feb 16, 2011 JEDDAH: A Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) official has claimed that a decision to ban Indonesian workers from coming to the Kingdom followed a smear campaign in the Indonesian media against Saudi Arabia. Chairman of the JCCI’s recruitment committee Yahya Maqbool also claimed that the Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s ban was not official, suggesting that Indonesian workers were simply put off coming to the Kingdom because of the alleged media negativity in Indonesia. “There is currently no official ban on workers, but we have told our recruitment agents not to accept new applications for Indonesian workers due to the small number of applications from them,” Maqbool told Arab News. He added that most Indonesians are reluctant to work in Saudi Arabia due to media reports and television shows depicting Saudi sponsors as abusive of their housemaids and drivers. Full report at: http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article264448.ece ------- Israel arrests 11 Palestinians By MOHAMMED MAR'I Feb 16, 2011 RAMALLAH: The Israeli forces operating in West Bank arrested 10 Palestinians on Tuesday, sources said. The sources said that the other 10 Palestinians were arrested in the West Bank governorates of Ramallah, Jenin, Jericho, Salfeet, Bethlehem and Hebron. The sources said that the ten were arrested after the Israeli security forces carried a thorough search in their houses. The sources said that the Israeli soldier manning the Beit Hanoun crossing (Erez crossing), on the northern border between Gaza Strip and Israel, arrested a Palestinian resident. The sources said that the forces arrested Mohammed Za'rab while accompanying his brother for treatment from cancer in the Israeli hospital of Beilinson. The development came days after Hamas said that it canceled a meeting to discuss the release of Shalit in exchange with hundreds of Palestinian prisoners due to the situation in Egypt. Full report at: http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article264312.ece ------- Pakistan: Multi-week offensive kills 120 militants Feb 15, 2011 22:07 GHALANI, Pakistan: A Pakistani official says security forces have cleared insurgents from 90 percent of targeted tribal areas near the Afghan border in a nearly three-week offensive. Mohmand tribal region official Amjad Ali Khan says Tuesday that 120 militants have been killed in the fighting, including seven local Taleban commanders. Four Pakistani soldiers were killed. The offensive began Jan. 27 and has included aerial bombing, artillery and ground assaults in five tribal regions. Khan says government forces will continue with the operation until they have routed the insurgents. Officials have said about 22,000 people were displaced by the fighting. Khan says 20 families have been repatriated and they hope to bring others home next month. http://arabnews.com/world/article264395.ece ------- Iraq diverts $900 mln from F-16 jets to food 15 February 2011 BAGHDAD - Iraq has delayed the purchase of F-16 fighter jets for its air force to put $900 million of allocated funds into its national food ration programme instead, a government official said on Tuesday. Iraq had hoped to have the first of the Lockheed Martin Corp combat aircraft in operation by 2013 to help shape its air force after years of war. But a growing number of demonstrations over food and electricity shortages have worried the government after popular uprisings have toppled the leaders of Tunisia and Egypt. “The (F-16) contract was postponed and the 900 million dollars that was allocated to it was transferred to support the (food) ration card (programme),” said Tahseen al-Sheikhli, adviser to government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh. The F-16 is seen as a symbol of military and political cooperation between Iraq and the United States. “We realise that they are making tough budget decisions that progress not only their security, but also the economy and the general wellbeing of all Iraqis,” said Colonel Barry Johnson, a U.S. military spokesman in Iraq. Full report at: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2011/February/middleeast_February539.xml§ion=middleeast ------- Ahmadinejad wanted direct talks with US: ElBaradei 16 February 2011 UNITED NATIONS - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent a message to Barack Obama in 2009 via Mohamed ElBaradei that he wanted direct talks with the United States, the former UN nuclear chief wrote in his memoirs. Not long after taking office in January 2009, President Obama announced that he was willing to engage with Iran but that Tehran would have to cooperate to resolve its standoff with major Western powers and their allies over Iran’s nuclear program, which the West suspects is aimed at weapons. Tehran reacted coolly to the outstretched hand of Obama, who had distanced himself from the policies of his predecessor George W. Bush, whose administration sought to isolate and punish Iran for not halting its uranium enrichment program. In September 2009, Obama’s office told ElBaradei, who was in the final months of his 12-year stint as head of the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), that the US president would soon be calling him. ElBaradei alerted the Iranians and asked them if they had a message for Obama. “A message had come back from Ahmadinejad saying that he was ‘ready to engage in bilateral negotiations, without conditions and on the basis of mutual respect,’” ElBaradei wrote in his memoirs, which will reach bookstores in April. A copy was obtained by Reuters. Full report at: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/international/2011/February/international_February503.xml§ion=international URL: http://www.newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamIslamicWorldNews_1.aspx?ArticleID=4131 |
11:28 PM
Moderate Islamist here
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