Egypt Strikes Islamic Texts from Schools, Angering Salafists
Some of the Imams from Aghanistan with their certificates after their Graduation ceremony at Ritz Carlton Hotel Abu Dhabi on Thursday
Arab World
Egypt Strikes Islamic Texts from Schools, Angering Salafists
UAE Committed To Promote Moderate Islam, Defeat Extremism
11 ISIL Terrorists Killed in Anbar
Military Kills 3 Suspected Militants
ISIL Retreats from Lebanon's Arsal to Raqqa in Syria
Conscription Call by Grand Mufti Finds Strong Support from Intellectuals
Assad says Turkish support "main factor" in Idlib takeover
Now Islamic State militants are WIPING OUT the ancient language of Jesus Christ
Pakistan
Islamic State Leaflets Found At Shooting Site of 'US National' In Karachi
10 Militants Killed In Kurram Air Strikes
Tirah Valley: IS Pakistan Chief Killed In IED Explosion
Two militants killed in ‘encounter’ in Karachi
‘People waving Pak flag in Srinagar shows love for Pakistanis’: F. O spokesperson
Pakistan SC orders govt to get KP temple restored
New curriculum to encourage religious freedom, says Sindh Minister
Special cells to be set up to counter terror attacks: Balochistan HM
SC’s suspension of death sentences exposes flaws in judicial system: Amnesty International
Mideast
Thinking about another Woman While Having Sex with Your Partner Will Make Your Children Gay, Declares Iranian Cleric
Al-Qaida Captures Major Airport, Oil Terminal in South Yemen
Yemeni defector says 4000 soldiers joined Hadi govt
Hamas official calls to abduct Israelis, swap for Palestinians
Israel tells African refugees to get out or go to jail
Saudi Airstrikes Targeting Yemeni Children
Iranian DM: Yemen Entrapped in Criminal Assaults of US, Saudi Arabia, Israel
Israeli Forces Open Fire at Farmers in Gaza
North America
Muslim Cop Makes L.A. Mosques His Beat in Bid to Fight Extremism
Iraq’s Baiji refinery not at ‘risk’ from ISIS: U.S.
Malaysia must do more to prosecute human traffickers, says top US diplomat
US for free, fair, non-violent city polls in Bangladesh
Kerry conveys to Sharif US concern over Lakhvi’s release
Sending troops to Yemen Pakistan's internal matter: US
Middle East a major challenge for Hillary Clinton
India
Pakistan Flag Row: Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Geelani under House Arrest
Zero Tolerance towards Militancy in J&K: Union Minister of State
South Asia
Youth of Weak Faith More Susceptible To Terrorist Ideas: Singapore HM
Interpol Issues Red Notice Against War Criminal Jabbar
Nasheed denied access to international lawyers
Ghani seeks Pakistan’s help for talks with Taliban
Buet teacher sued for criticising Kamaruzzaman’s execution
UNESCO lauds Bangladesh's success in education
Europe
Dutch Families of Those Who Joined ISIL to Sue Gov't
U.N Chief Urges Yemen Ceasefire By ‘All Parties’
Outrage after picture of Muslims praying at Liverpool football ground labelled a 'disgrace'
U.N.: Graphic briefing on suspected Syria chlorine attacks
U.N. launches near-$275 million appeal for Yemen
Southeast Asia
Friday Sermons to Cover Jihad Themes Regularly: Malaysian Minister
Indonesia Regrets Beheading of another Domestic Worker in Saudi Arabia
Muslims should be exempted from GST, says FT mufti
Africa
Tanzania to Ban Clerics, NGOs, For Political Views
Kenyan Shabaab fighters divided over amnesty offer
Sudan denies using cluster bombs in Sth Kordofan
No need for UN military enforcement to battle Boko Haram, says Jonathan
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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Arab World
Egypt strikes Islamic texts from schools, angering Salafists
17 April, 2015
CAIRO — The decision of Egypt’s Ministry of Education to remove some content from primary and secondary school curricula has sparked wide controversy in the country.
While the state views the decision — which will omit some religious texts and passages on historical Islamic figures — as a way to counter radical ideologies and fight extremism, the Salafist movements have deemed it a war on Islam.
Egypt’s Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab announced the decision in a press statement following a meeting he headed with the Curriculum Development Committee on April 11. He said, “We will not allow any academic textbooks that would instill myths and superstition in the minds of students.”
The Curriculum Development Committee was formed March 4 to review curricula and remove any outdated texts that incite violence.
On March 18, Egypt’s Minister of Education Moheb al-Rafei issued a decision to remove some courses in accordance with the recommendations of the Curriculum Development Center following the review of Arabic textbooks from the first grade to the third secondary grade. The move called for revising and amending topics that could incite violence or extremism or refer to political or religious inclinations or any other concepts that could be dangerously exploited.
Lessons on Saladin and chapters of the story of Gen. Uqba Ibn Nafi were among the first to be removed from Arabic-language classes, for addressing historical Islamic figures, causing much controversy. Some Quranic and religious provisions were also removed from the Islamic curriculum.
This decision was not limited to general educational material, extending to include Al-Azhar's curricula, which primarily focuses on jurisprudence and Sharia. Many courses have been omitted, including a fatwa on “eating prisoners’ flesh,” as well as parts of the hadith that could be misinterpreted such as the Prophet Muhammad’s saying, “I was ordered to fight people until they testify that there is no god but Allah.” The ministerial decision also called for new educational material on terrorism, atheism and coups d’état.
The Salafist Dawa party (the Salafist Call) and Nour Party rejected and condemned the ministry’s decision to remove the stories of Uqba Ibn Nafi and Saladin. Nour leader Younis Makhioun said in a March 21 statement, “Omitting these two stories is an assault on our history, an alteration of our identity and a surrender to our enemies.”
The uproar has reignited the conflict between Salafists and the government, which had previously decided in October to add a secondary school course describing the Nour and other religious parties as unconstitutional.
In a March 30 statement, Yasser al-Borhamy, the deputy head of the Salafist Call, called upon President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Egypt’s prime minister to intervene to restore what had been omitted, especially Saladin’s story. He said, “The ministry does not have the right to alter the nation’s history and the biography of the prophet just because it has illusions about them and under the pretext that these stories incite violence and killing. How do they have the audacity to delete the words of the Quran?”
Nivine Shehata, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, told Al-Monitor, “The decision to remove some of the schools’ courses was not the ministry’s sole decision, but was made based on the directives of a governmental committee that included representatives of Al-Azhar to review the schools’ textbooks.” She added, “The main goal was to shift the educational curriculum's focus on the values of tolerance in Islam and Christianity, calling for love and rejecting violence and extremism.”
In response to the Salafists' concern for the topics of Saladin and Uqba Ibn Nafi, Shehata said, “The decision did not provide for omitting the entire stories, only the parts inciting or glorifying hatred and violence and upholding radical ideologies and extremism.” She went on, “Under former President Mohammed Morsi, a number of courses were added to the curriculum reflecting the Muslim Brotherhood’s ideas and values, which necessitated a comprehensive review and amendment of all the educational curricula.”
The Ministry of Education is not only set to remove all textbooks inciting violence and extremism, but “will also review the different curricula through inspection campaigns in private schools that were run by the Muslim Brotherhood so as to follow up on teachers’ performance and on the courses that are being taught to make sure that politics are separated from the educational process,” Shehata added.
On the other hand, some educators believe that the decision to remove parts of textbooks was not made on a scientific basis, but rather to satisfy the general political mood, especially considering that the state is the main supervisor of the educational process. They argue that the government could have focused on a comprehensive amendment and reform of the curricula to reflect a serious educational and scientific message.
“The process of removing some courses necessitated a set of well-defined standards and principles instead of randomly omitting certain phrases or educational subjects,” professor Kamal Mughith told Al-Monitor, adding, “Educational curricula should not be lightly dealt with this way, by omitting a few sentences without focusing on the overall content and meaning.”
Mughith said, “The state ought to develop curricula focusing on the concepts of nationalism that are not in conflict with globalization and the concepts of peace and human rights. I believe the state has dealt incautiously with this matter in the framework of the fierce war Egypt is waging on terrorism.”
He said developing the education system and curriculum ought to be the task of a national council for education in Egypt: “Such a council would have well-defined standards and not change with the political regime so as to set forth unbiased curricula that are not affected by any political ideas or inclinations.”
The Egyptian state is still working on multiple fronts to track down anything that could promote radical and terrorist ideas, including any expression that remotely hints of violence in the school curricula. However, the challenge remains significant in light of Egypt’s poor education system in general and the wide variation in the religious discourse.
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/04/egypt-ministry-education-remove-islamic-texts-violence.html#ixzz3XYTuwa7v
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UAE Committed To Promote Moderate Islam, Defeat Extremism
17 April, 2015
The UAE is committed to promote moderate Islam and counter and defeat extremism, focusing on invalidating extremist misinterpretations of Islam, said Mohammad Matar Al Kaabi, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments on Thursday. ?
Al Kaabi reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to joining forces with other countries to fight extremism in all forms and reiterated the UAE’s role as a model of moderate Islam in the region.
He was speaking at the graduation ceremony of 32 Afghan mosque imams who received a fortnight-long training course at the Zayed House for Islamic Culture in Al Ain.
Al Kaabi said the religious training aims to instil the values of UAE’s open, moderate form of Islam in the next generation of Muslim religious leaders (imams) and preachers from across the region and the world.
“The religious training is a key element in UAE’s ongoing efforts to promote religious moderation and tolerance as a shield against extremism in the region,” Al Kaabi said.
The UAE first began its innovative programme to train imams as part of a comprehensive counter-radicalisation strategy, which also included launching the Muslim Council of Elders — an independent international body that aims to promote peace in Muslim societies, the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies and Hedayah Centre which was established to serve as the premier international institution for training, dialogue, collaboration, and research to counter violent extremism.
Faidh Mohammad Othmani, Afghanistan’s Minister of Haj and Islamic Affairs, praised the UAE for its leadership role in the region, noting that the UAE plays a very important role in combating extremism.
“The UAE’s human-centred approach to promote moderate Islam, counterterrorism and promote security is a model for all Muslim countries. The UAE is offering religious training for more than 17,000 Afghan mosque imams, including women preachers and preachers for the police and army, which contribute to promoting tenets of moderate Islam and security across Afghanistan,” Othmani said.
Afghan imams stressed that the UAE’s multidimensional approach to fighting extremism and focusing on human development can be a model for other countries.
“The UAE is a model in promoting its politically moderate and tolerant interpretation of Islam that’s open to change and [is] reform-minded,” said Hamdullah Mustaqeem, a graduate of Islamic Sharia from Kabul University.
Obaidullah Afghani, 40, an Afghani imam, said given the widespread phenomenon of mosques and special religious sermons (Khutbas) being misused for vested interests and political ends, this initiative should have long been taken in all parts of the Muslim world to prevent tarnishing of the image of Islam.
“We can successfully combat the menace of extremism if we engage imams in preaching sermons backing law and order of the country speak out against radicals and their nefarious ends and focus on societal reforms in their sermons by urging the worshippers to avoid ideological extremism and uphold moderate interpretation of Islam,” Afghani said.
Hafeezullah Salam Mohammad, a graduate of Al Azhar University in Egypt, said imams should be educating the worshippers about the essential Islamic teachings and moral virtues; they should be addressing issues of moderation and extremism, national unity, social integrity, women’s rights, education system, youth issues, the rights of non-Muslims or even atheists and non-believers in an attempt to guide them on a right and moderate path.
“Training will help our imams, especially the moderate-minded, tackle current and vital issues of national and global concern,” Mohammad said.
http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/culture/uae-committed-to-promote-moderate-islam-defeat-extremism-1.1493306
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11 ISIL Terrorists Killed in Anbar
17 April, 2015
Iraqi security forces killed 11 terrorists of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group in Western Anbar province.
The Iraqi security forces backed by Albu Nimr tribe killed 11 ISIL terrorist in al-Khasfa area in Haditha city in Western Anbar on Wednesday night.
The ISIL Takfiri terrorists currently control shrinking swathes of Syria and Iraq. They have threatened all communities, including Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians, Ezadi Kurds and others, as they continue their atrocities in Iraq.
Senior Iraqi officials have blamed Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and some Persian Gulf Arab states for the growing terrorism in their country.
The ISIL has links with Saudi intelligence and is believed to be indirectly supported by the Israeli regime.
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940127000581
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Military kills 3 suspected militants
17 April, 2015
Armed forces targeted “terrorist elements” and killed three alleged militants in the North Sinai town of Sheikh Zuweid on Thursday, the military spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that soldiers were also able to destroy the suspected militants’ car in a chase.
The chase took place after a bomb explosion in the North Sinai town of Sheikh Zuweid killed one security personnel and injured others more Thursday morning, state-owned media had reported.
Furthermore, in a Wednesday statement, the military spokesperson had stated that an improvised explosive device killed two military students outside a military academy in Sheikh Zuweid.
Full report at:
http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2015/04/16/north-sinai-bomb-kills-1-policeman-injures-others/
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ISIL Retreats from Lebanon's Arsal to Raqqa in Syria
17 April, 2015
Militants of the ISIL Takfiri terrorist group reportedly withdrew from the Northeastern Lebanese border town of Arsal.
According to a report by Asharq al-Awsat daily published on Thursday, the Takfiri group has cut the number of its militants in the area to 200 and the rest have been moved to the Eastern Syrian city of Raqqa.
Abou Balqis, a leader of the Takfiri group, has reportedly been appointed as the head of the 200 militants in Lebanon, press tv reported.
Eight other leaders of the Takfiri group are among the militants who have retreated to the Syrian city. There has been no report on the reasons behind the move by the terrorist group.
Terrorists with the al-Nusra front and ISIL overran the Eastern Lebanese town of Arsal, situated 124 kilometers (77 miles) Northeast of the capital, Beirut, last August, killing and capturing more than three dozen soldiers and security forces.
Lebanon has been suffering from terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda-affiliated militants as well as random rocket attacks, which are viewed as a spillover of the conflict in Syria.
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940127000640
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Conscription Call by Grand Mufti Finds Strong Support from Intellectuals
17 April, 2015
Prominent Saudi intellectuals have backed the call of Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh to impose mandatory military training on Saudi youth, saying it was essential to defend the Kingdom and make them more responsible individuals. “The Kingdom’s vast territory demands conscription,” one expert said.
Anwar Ishqi, head of the Middle East Center for Strategic and Legal Studies, said conscription was essential, especially after Saudi Arabia’s pioneering endeavours to protect Arab national security.
The Saudi armed forces had proposed conscription several times before and in the past, but religious scholars had expressed their reservations, saying it was not required as the Kingdom was not facing any threats. “Now things have changed,” sabq.org quoted Ishqi as saying.
Ishqi said conscription would make young Saudi men more disciplined to take responsibilities. “The Kingdom’s growing role in defending Arab national security demands the formation of a stronger army.”
Full report at:
http://www.arabnews.com/featured/news/733766
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Assad says Turkish support "main factor" in Idlib takeover
17 April, 2015
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Turkish military and logistical support was the main factor that helped insurgents to seize the northwestern city of Idlib from government control last month.
Idlib, a short drive from the Turkish border, is only the second provincial capital to fall to insurgents in the four-year-long civil war. It was captured by an alliance of Islamist groups including al Qaeda's Syrian arm, the Nusra Front.
"Any war weakens any army, not matter how strong, no matter how modern," Assad said in an interview with Swedish newspaper Expressen, published on April 17.
In the fall of Idlib, "the main factor was the huge support that came through Turkey; logistic support, and military support, and of course financial support that came through Saudi Arabia and Qatar."
Full report at:
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/assad-says-turkish-support-main-factor-in-idlib-takeover.aspx?pageID=238&nID=81183&NewsCatID=352
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Now Islamic State militants are WIPING OUT the ancient language of Jesus Christ
17 April, 2015
ISLAMIC STATE (IS) militants are WIPING OUT the ancient language of Jesus Christ with fears it could be lost forever, a Middle East historian has warned.
Thousands of people from an ancient community of Christians, known as Assyrians, have been forced to flee villages in Syria because of attacks by the extremist terror group - during which they destroyed churches and kidnapped around 250 people, including women and children.
They are just the latest wave of Christians to flee Syria and Iraq due to persecution, but the last attacks have sparked fears that the Assyrians could now disappear from the region altogether - along with the language of Jesus Christ.
Assyrians remain one of the last groups of people in the world to speak Aramaic, but it is less likely the language will be maintained if they move outside the Middle East, said Eden Naby, a historian and expert on Assyrian culture.
Full report at:
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/570865/Islamic-State-wiping-out-language-Jesus-Christ
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Pakistan
Islamic State leaflets found at shooting site of 'US national' in Karachi
17 April, 2015
A woman identified by police as a US national was shot and wounded in Karachi Thursday, officials said, with leaflets found at the scene claiming the attack on behalf of the Islamic State group.
The victim, in a stable condition after being shot once in the head and once in the arm, was identified by police as Debra Lobo, a member of faculty at the city’s Jinnah Medical and Dental College.
“Lobo was on her way to the college when her car came under attack by two armed assailants riding on a motorbike on Shaheed-e-Millat Road in the eastern part of the city,” a police official told AFP requesting anonymity.
The incident was confirmed by senior police official Pir Mohammad Shah, who said she was a US national. According to the website of the college, Lobo is an Associate Professor of Community Health Science.
Full report at:
http://tribune.com.pk/story/870894/us-national-injured-after-being-shot-twice-in-the-head-in-karachi/
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10 militants killed in Kurram air strikes
17 April, 2015
KALAYA: Ten suspected militants were killed in air strikes and six others arrested when security forces backed by helicopter gunships and military planes continued a search operation in different areas of central Orakzai for the fourth day on Thursday.
Three suspected militants died in a bomb blast in Tirah valley of Khyber agency and a militant leader was killed and nine of his accomplices were arrested in North Waziristan.
Troops conducted the search operation while helicopter gunships pounded militant hideouts in Shiekhan area of central Orakzai. Twelve hideouts were destroyed, 10 `militants’ killed and six others arrested.
The operation was launched after a recent attack on a convoy of security forces in Wad Mela area, which left four soldiers dead and six others injured.
More than 27 suspected militants have been killed in the operation in Ashgar Tangi, Wad Mela and Shiekhan areas over the past three days.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1176478/10-militants-killed-in-kurram-air-strikes
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Tirah valley: IS Pakistan chief killed in IED explosion
17 April, 2015
KHAR / HANGU / BARA: The Islamic State’s commander-designate for Pakistan, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, was killed with two others in a bomb explosion in the Toor Dara area of Tirah Valley on Thursday.
Khyber Agency officials said the militants were planting or manufacturing an improvised explosive device (IED) when it went off, killing the three men on the spot.
While the security forces claimed one of them was IS commander Hafiz Saeed, there was no confirmation from the militant group.
Saeed hailed from the Aurakzai Agency and was among five leading Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan commanders who announced their disassociation from the banned outfit last October. Later, they swore allegiance to IS under the leadership of Shahidullah Shahid.
The IS high-command through a message circulated by Shahid had declared Saeed as the IS chief for Pakistan. However, Shahid is believed to be the real chief with Saeed serving as his dummy.
Full report at:
http://tribune.com.pk/story/871240/tirah-valley-is-pakistan-chief-killed-in-ied-explosion/
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Two militants killed in ‘encounter’ in Karachi
17 April, 2015
KARACHI: Two suspected militants allegedly involved in a recent terrorist attack on Preedy police were shot dead in an `encounter’ on outskirts of the city on Thursday night, police said.
A police team on a tip-off about presence of militants raided a place on Northern Bypass near Raees Goth where they came under attack, said SSP Fida Hussain. The police remained unhurt as the vehicle was bullet-proof and in ‘retaliatory firing,’ two `militants’ were killed.
The officer said the raid had been conducted on information that the suspects involved in the terrorist attack on Preedy police last month were present there.
http://www.dawn.com/news/1176460/two-militants-killed-in-encounter
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‘People waving Pak flag in Srinagar shows love for Pakistanis’: F. O spokesperson
17 April, 2015
Pakistan said people waving its national flag on the streets of Srinagar are the “manifestation of deep and lasting emotional bonds” between the Kashmiris and the Pakistanis. Reacting to pro-Pakistan slogans and flags being waved at a rally addressed by hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani against whom an FIR was registered for “unlawful” activity, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said it was a regrettable move.
“What we witnessed yesterday on the streets of Srinagar is the manifestation of the deep and lasting emotional bonds between the people of Kashmir and the people of Pakistan,” she said in response to a question. Aslam asserted that India chose to use excessive force against peaceful demonstrators exercising their right to peaceful assembly.
“We believe that the charges against the Kashmiri leadership are bogus and illegal as India does not have any legal right to demand allegiance to India by the people of Kashmir who belong to a disputed territory and whose final settlement according to UN Security Council resolutions is yet to happen,” she said.
Full report at:
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/neighbours/people-waving-pak-flag-in-srinagar-shows-love-for-pakistanis-pakistan/
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Pakistan SC orders govt to get KP temple restored
17 April, 2015
Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ordered the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to get a temple restored and reconstructed after it was ‘dismantled’ in 1997 and later occupied by a cleric.
Lawmaker Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, patron of the Pakistan Hindu Council, had asked the court to intervene into the frequent desecration of temples, including occupation of Shri Paramhans Ji Maharaj’s Samadhi in Teri village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Karak district by a cleric.
Dr. Vankwani said the provincial chief secretary, the inspector-general of police and the local commissioner informed him that the Hindu notable in whose name the temple was built had converted to Islam.
Full report at:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pakistan-sc-orders-govt-to-get-temple-restored/article7112944.ece
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New curriculum to encourage religious freedom, says Sindh Minister
17 April, 2015
LARKANA: The Aug 11, 1947 speech of Quaed-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, in which he spelled out rights of minorities and called for an end to faith-based discrimination, is being incorporated in the curriculum on the directives of Pakistan People’s Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
This was stated by senior Sindh Minister for Education and Literacy Nisar Ahmed Khuhro while speaking at a seminar on “Religious freedom and rights of minorities” held at a local hotel on Thursday. The event was organised by the Civil Society Support Programme (CSSP) in collaboration with Right of Expression, Assembly, Association and Thought (REAT) Network.
He said that the Quaed-i-Azam in his speech focused on religious freedom and protection of minorities’ rights and clearly outlined the rights and privileges every member of society should have as regards to religion.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1176385/new-curriculum-to-encourage-religious-freedom-says-khuhro
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Special cells to be set up to counter terror attacks: Balochistan HM
17 April, 2015
QUETTA: Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti said on Thursday that the provincial government had decided to establish special cells of security forces, including Frontier Corps, police, Levies and intelligence agencies, at the divisional level to ensure they worked in close coordination in countering terrorist attacks.
Addressing a press conference after a meeting on the law and order situation, the minister said that the group called the ‘fusion cells’ had already been working at the provincial level successfully in 40 per cent of areas of Balochistan where the law and order situation had improved.
The cells would be set up at the district level later, he added.
Mr Bugti said the meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, took a number of decisions for improving law and order in the province and establishing the writ of the government.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1176472/special-cells-to-be-set-up-to-counter-terror-attacks-minister
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SC’s suspension of death sentences exposes flaws in judicial system: Amnesty International
17 April, 2015
The Supreme Court’s decision to suspend death sentences passed by military courts is an important recognition of serious questions about the lawfulness of the country’s new military tribunal system, Amnesty International said. The Supreme Court today suspended death sentences imposed by military courts, after the Supreme Court Bar Association challenged a constitutional amendment passed in January that sped up the prosecution of terror cases and moved them from civilian to military courts. There are more than 8,000 prisoners on death row in Pakistan. Since a moratorium on the execution of civilians was lifted in December, at least 76 people have been executed. “This is a welcome ruling by the Supreme Court, which points to something being very wrong in the government’s relentless rush to execute death row prisoners since December,” said David Griffiths, Amnesty International’s Deputy Asia Pacific Director. “There are serious flaws in the Pakistani judicial system on every level. Torture is frequently used to extract ‘confessions’ and defendants often lack access to legal counsel. The use of military tribunals in capital cases is particularly troubling, as rights could be violated in the rush to ensure speedy terrorism convictions.”
Full report at:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/17-Apr-2015/sc-s-suspension-of-death-sentences-exposes-flaws-in-judicial-system-ai
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Mideast
Thinking about another Woman While Having Sex with Your Partner Will Make Your Children Gay, Declares Iranian Cleric
17 April, 2015
An Iranian cleric is teaching his followers that thinking about another woman while having sex with your wife will make your children gay.
Ayatollah Hossein Dehnavi, a celebrity preacher in Iran, made the speech to a packed auditorium of men and women in his home country.
It is the latest controversial teaching put forward by Dehnavi, who also warned that if women did not wear the Hijab - the veil covering the hair and chest - properly, they could inadvertently cause some men to become homosexual.
On past occasions He has preached that women must provide sex to their husbands at all times - and said women who are better educated or are financially independent 'harm men's authority'.
'One of the other duties of women in regard to their men is to take care of their men’s instinctive needs [sexual drive]', the cleric said in a report by The Clarion Project, an organisation against extremism.
'Do not break their pride and [you must] be more sensitive toward them'
During another speech, the ayatollah explain that it is not a sin for a man to think about another woman while he is having sex with his partner, but if she becomes pregnant as a result the child will be gay.
Full report at:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3041701/Thinking-woman-having-sex-partner-make-children-gay-declares-Iranian-cleric.html#ixzz3XYT1wH3C
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Al-Qaida captures major airport, oil terminal in south Yemen
17 April, 2015
Military officials and residents say al-Qaida has taken control of a major airport, a sea port and an oil terminal in southern Yemen after brief clashes with troops.
The officials said al-Qaida fighters clashed Thursday with members of one of Yemen’s largest infantry brigades outside Mukalla, a city the militants overran earlier this month.
The officials, speaking from Sanaa on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the press, said the leaders of the brigade fled.
The brigade is in charge of securing the coast of Mukalla, the provincial capital of Yemen’s largest province, Hadramawt. After seizing the airport, the militants easily captured the sea port and oil terminal.
Al-Qaida’s Yemeni branch has long been seen as the network’s most lethal franchise.
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/middle-east-africa/al-qaida-captures-major-airport-oil-terminal-in-south-yemen/
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Yemeni defector says 4000 soldiers joined Hadi govt
17 April 2015
Approximately 4,000 soldiers have joined the “legitimate” government of Yemeni President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi, head of Brigade 135 in the coastal city of Hadhramaut, said, Al Arabiya News’ sister channel Al Hadath reported Thursday.
Lieutenant Yahya Abu Oja, who heads the brigade in Hadhramaut, 794 kilometers away from the capital Sanaa, said he expects other military units to join Hadi’s government and announce defection from former President Ali “Saleh’s militias.”
The head of Brigade 123 in the eastern Al-Mahrah province also announced his allegiance to Hadi and his support for the Saudi-led Operation Decisive Storm, a statement published Thursday by Hadarem Net reported.
Full report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/04/17/Yemeni-defector-says-4000-soldiers-joined-Hadi-govt.html
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Hamas official calls to abduct Israelis, swap for Palestinians
17 April 2015
A senior Hamas official in the Gaza Strip called on Thursday for the abduction of Israelis, who would be swapped for Palestinians held by the Jewish state.
“We tell the Zionist enemy: you are all a target for us and the resistance, we will fight you until we finally get rid of you and take as many captives as possible to free our heroes,” said Khalil al-Haya, whose Islamist movement de facto rules the Palestinian enclave.
“Our men, our women, our children all envision kidnapping your soldiers and settlers, wherever they are,” he said on the eve of Prisoners Day which Palestinians mark April 17.
“And it is our right because we have no other way to free our heroes, and it is the Zionist enemy responsible for this state of affairs,” Haya told hundreds of Palestinians.
Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip rally each year on April 17 in solidarity with the nearly 6,000 prisoners held by Israeli.
Full report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/04/17/Hamas-official-calls-to-abduct-Israelis-swap-for-Palestinians-.html
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Israel tells African refugees to get out or go to jail
World Bulletin / News Desk
17 April, 2015
The southern most part of Tel Aviv's neighbourhood of Levinsky Park and surrounding neighborhoods are home to Eritrean and Sudanese refugees who fled their homelands to escape poverty and conflict, with the hope of finding a new place to call home.
They wait at Tel Aviv's main bus station, awaiting their fate, as Israeli Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein, last week, approved the deportation of Eritrean and Sudanese asylum seekers to Uganda and Rwanda, despite objections from human rights organizations.
Mahmoud, a 50-year-old Sudanese refugee who did not want his real name used for security concerns, said he was arrested just after he arrived to Israel 10 years ago.
Mahmoud said he was jailed for two years and was always being talked into signing "a document that proved his consent to go back to his homeland." He was later released along with 50 others from Sudan.
Full report at:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/157970/israel-tells-african-refugees-to-get-out-or-go-to-jail
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Saudi Airstrikes Targeting Yemeni Children
17 April, 2015
TEHRAN (FNA)- A large number of civilians, many of them children, were killed or left badly injured when Saudi-led airstrikes targeted Sadaa city in Yemen.
http://english.farsnews.com/player.aspx?nn=13940127000847
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Iranian DM: Yemen Entrapped in Criminal Assaults of US, Saudi Arabia, Israel
17 April, 2015
Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan underlined that Washington and Tel Aviv are the main supporters of the Saudi-led aggression against Yemen.
"Yemen is under the criminal assaults of Saudi Arabia, the US and Israel …," Brigadier General Dehqan said, addressing the Fourth International Security Meeting in Moscow on Thursday.
He noted that the US and Israel trying to compensate for their political and military defeats by waging proxy wars in the region.
Yet, the Iranian defense minister said that the US and "the Zionist regime" as well as their regional allies have failed to achieve their
"We are witnessing the spread of the ISIL to Afghanistan and Pakistan to join the Taliban and the Al-Qaeda that have been in those countries since many years ago," Brigadier General Dehqan warned, demanding collective action to stop the spread and growth of terrorism in the region.
Full report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940127000831
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Israeli Forces Open Fire at Farmers in Gaza
17 April, 2015
Israeli forces stationed at the Eastern borders of Gaza city opened fire on Palestinian farmers.
A field monitor told Quds Press that the Israeli forces opened fire on farmers who were working in their farms in the Johor Addik neighborhood, in Eastern Gaza City, on Wednesday.
They continued to shoot at the farmers forcing them to seek shelter, the observer said. No casualties were reported.
This is one in a long series of Israeli violations of the ceasefire reached on 26 August, 2014, that ended the 51-day long Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip.
Observers counted more than 400 Israeli breaches, including shooting at the farmers on the Eastern borders of Gaza and targeting fishermen on the Western side of the Strip.
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940127000657
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North America
Muslim Cop Makes L.A. Mosques His Beat in Bid to Fight Extremism
17 April, 2015
Los Angeles police officer Shawn Alexander combats violent extremism with two tools not often associated with counterterrorism tactics: a smile and prayer.
After wrapping up a meeting at a popular downtown mosque one recent Friday, Alexander strode into the lobby and stood grinning amid a stream of curious worshippers. He then removed his shoes, found a spot on the crowded carpet and knelt.
Alexander, a 36-year-old African-American with the build of a college football tight end, is no typical law enforcement officer. He’s on the front lines of the fight against extremists, working to strengthen ties with a wary Muslim population on a community relations team in the LAPD’s counterterrorism bureau. He’s also a convert to Islam -- one of only several dozen Muslims on the 9,000-member police force.
“Some Muslims are suspicious of me,” said Alexander, whose partner -- a Jewish cop -- keeps careful watch on him while he prays to ensure that nobody grabs his gun. “I mean, I pray in uniform, and I can tell they look at me and wonder if I’m being sincere or not. They wonder if I’m really a Muslim.”
Full report at:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-16/muslim-cop-makes-l-a-mosques-his-beat-in-bid-to-fight-extremism
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Iraq’s Baiji refinery not at ‘risk’ from ISIS: U.S.
17 April 2015
Iraq’s largest refinery in Baiji is not “at risk” despite an offensive by the Islamic State group that has breached parts of the facility, the U.S. military’s top general said Thursday.
ISIS militants have “penetrated the outer perimeter” of the vast oil refinery and the U.S.-coalition was concentrating bombing raids and surveillance flights over the area, General Martin Dempsey told reporters.
“The refinery itself is at no risk right now, but ... we’re focusing a lot of our ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and air support there,” the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
The U.S. and coalition aircraft had carried out eight air strikes near Baiji on Wednesday and Thursday, according to a statement from the military command overseeing the air campaign.
Iraqi officials acknowledged on Wednesday that ISIS had seized some roads and buildings at the refinery, and that the militants were hiding among fuel tanks, complicating counter-attacks by Iraqi forces.
Full report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/04/17/Iraq-s-largest-refinery-not-at-risk-from-ISIS-U-S-.html
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Malaysia must do more to prosecute human traffickers, says top US diplomat
17 April, 2015
The Malaysian government needs to show greater political will in prosecuting human traffickers and protecting their victims if the country hopes to improve on its currently lowest ranking in the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (TiP) report, US ambassador to Malaysia Joseph Yun said today.
The Tier 3 rank, which relegates the Southeast Asian nation to the same category as Zimbabwe, North Korea and Saudi Arabia, indicates that the country has failed to comply with basic international requirements to prevent trafficking and protect victims within its borders.
Yun, who was speaking at a youth conference against human trafficking in Petaling Jaya, said that the tier system took into consideration the ability of a country to enforce laws against trafficking.
Full report at:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/malaysia-must-do-more-to-prosecute-human-traffickers-says-top-us-diplomat#sthash.fNSsUNOl.dpuf
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US for free, fair, non-violent city polls in Bangladesh
17 April, 2015
The US Department of State has called on the authorities concerned to uphold their responsibility for ensuring free, fair, and non-violent city corporations polls.
Acting Spokesperson of the US Department of State, Marie Harf, made the call during a regular press briefing at Washington, DC on April 16.
Replying to a query, she said: “So we welcome the announcement of municipal elections. We have called on those who are administering them and participating in the elections to uphold their responsibility to ensure they are free, fair, and non-violent.”
“We have encouraged the Government of Bangladesh and the elections commission to protect citizens’ rights to free expression and association during the campaign, again, to ensure free, fair election on polling day.”
Full report at:
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/apr/17/us-free-fair-non-violent-city-polls-bangladesh#sthash.KdOSuaDm.dpuf
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Kerry conveys to Sharif US concern over Lakhvi’s release
17 April, 2015
WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State John Kerry conveyed the Obama administration’s concern on Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi’s release when he spoke with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif earlier this week, the US State Department said on Thursday.
At a news briefing, the department’s spokesperson Marie Harf said the conversation focused on Lakhvi’s release and the situation in Yemen.
The statement she read out, however, placed more emphasis on Lakhvi’s release than on the situation in Yemen.
Read: FO blames India for Lakhvi’s release
Secretary Kerry “expressed concern that the perpetrators of the 2008 terrorist attacks be brought to justice”, she said. Secretary Kerry also noted that 160 innocent people, including US citizens were killed in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, she said.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1176477/kerry-conveys-to-sharif-us-concern-over-lakhvis-release
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Sending troops to Yemen Pakistan's internal matter: US
17 April, 2015
WASHINGTON – The United States condemned on Thursday's assassination attempt on its citizen in Karachi and said its consulate general in Karachi is in close contact with Pakistani authorities in this connection.
The US officials in Karachi are working to obtain more information regarding the serious assault on Debra Lobo, 55 in Pakistan's largest city, US State Department spokesperson Marie Harf said while briefing the journalists in Washington on Thursday. Expressing grief over the incident, she said that the local police authorities in Pakistan are handling the investigation.
To a query regarding the telephonic conversation between US Secretary John Kerry and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the spokesperson said that the two leaders brought an array of issues including Yemen situation under discussion.
Full report at:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/17-Apr-2015/sending-troops-to-yemen-pakistan-s-internal-matter-us
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Middle East a major challenge for Hillary Clinton
17 April 2015
Hillary Clinton has begun her bid for the U.S. presidency. Despite the advantage of being internationally known, she is viewed as a polarizing figure. In her 2014 book “Hard Choices,” Clinton distanced herself from how the Obama administration handled the Arab Spring.
She has been politically engaged with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for around 25 years, including her time as first lady. She is said to have close ties with some of the region’s ruling families.
“She was criticized for being seen with Suha Arafat, wife of Palestinian former President Yasser Arafat,” said Joyce Karam, Washington bureau editor for Al-Hayat newspaper and a regular columnist for Al Arabiya News. However, her regional relations “could offer a point of strength in leveraging U.S. influence and mediating conflicts.”
Full report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/analysis/2015/04/17/Middle-East-a-major-challenge-for-Hillary-Clinton.html
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India
Pakistan Flag row: Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Geelani under house arrest
17 April, 2015
On the eve of his visit to Tral, where he was scheduled to hold a rally in protest of the killing of Khalid Muzaffar in an Army encounter, Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani has been placed under house arrest.
“Syed Ali Geelani has once again been house arrested, preventing him from visiting Tral tomorrow (Friday) where he was scheduled to address the people,” Hurriyat said in a statement. “A huge deployment of police has been made around his residence and a police vehicle stands blocking the main entrance gate,” it added.
The J&K Police has also decided not to allow anyone to move towards Tral on Friday. IGP, Kashmir, Javaid Mujtaba Gillani told The Indian Express: “We will take necessary measures.”
The move comes after the BJP told the PDP, its alliance partner in J&K, that the government should not allow the hardliner separatist to hold the rally in the South Kashmir town.
On Wednesday, when Geelani addressed a rally on his arrival in Srinagar from Delhi, his supporters waved Pakistani flags and shouted slogans of “azadi”. Soon after, the rally ended, police filed a case against Geelani and other separatist leaders, including Masarat Alam who was released recently.
Full report at:
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/masrat-alam-geelani-put-under-house-arrest-after-pakistan-flag-show/
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Zero Tolerance towards Militancy In J&K: Union Minister Of State
17 April, 2015
As separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat was arrested in Jammu and Kashmir, Centre on Friday said it was keeping a “close watch” on the situation in the state and there would be “zero tolerance” militancy and separatism.
Holding that the BJP-PDP alliance in the state was done “purely” for the sake of governance despite “quite divergent ideologies”, Union Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh said there would be no compromise on its principles.
The remarks by the Minister came after the arrest of Alam in connection with the raising of Pakistani flags during a rally in the state on Wednesday.
“The central government is keeping a close watch on situation in J&K. Union Home Ministry is keeping itself abreast with all the sequence of the events from time to time.
Full report at:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/separatist-leader-masarat-alam-bhat-arrest-zero-tolerance-towards-militancy-in-jk-says-jitendra-singh/article7113100.ece
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South Asia
Youth of Weak Faith More Susceptible To Terrorist Ideas: Singapore HM
17 April, 2015
SINGAPORE: Singapore Home Affairs Minister, Teo Chee Hean, speaking on Thursday in Singapore at the “East Asia Summit Symposium on Religious Rehabilitation and Social Integration”, disclosed that religious scholars and teachers in the republic have initiated counselling programmes to debunk radical ideas.
The programmes, which apparently began after the first arrests in Singapore of alleged Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) members, was based on the conclusion that “weak religious grounding” was a common thread running through radicalised individuals.
“There’s a need for a holistic approach to counter the threat of terrorism,” added Teo. “We have investigated.”
“Weak religious grounding makes vulnerable individuals more susceptible to believing wholesale the radical exhortations that distort religious concepts, to give their message of violence an aura of divine sanction.”
Full report at:
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/04/17/youth-of-weak-faith-more-susceptible-to-terrorist-ideas/
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Interpol issues Red Notice against war criminal Jabbar
17 April, 2015
The Interpol has issued a “red notice” for the arrest of war crimes convict Abdul Jabbar.
On February 24, the former Jatiya Party lawmaker, now fugitive, was sentenced to imprisonment unto death for murders, loot, arson and deportation as crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.
While delivering the verdict against Jabbar, the International Crimes Tribunal ordered the inspector general of police to arrest Jabbar with the help of International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol).
Of the eight types of notices of Interpol, the red notice seeks the location and arrest of a person wanted by a judicial jurisdiction or an international tribunal with a view to his/her extradition. Red notice is the “closest instrument to an international arrest warrant in use today.”
Full report at:
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/apr/17/interpol-issues-red-notice-against-war-criminal-jabbar#sthash.yfpeZmRs.dpuf
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Nasheed denied access to international lawyers
17 April, 2015
The police have denied jailed former President Mohamed Nasheed’s requests to contact his international legal team, stating they must first register with the attorney general’s office.
The opposition leader was sentenced to 13 years in jail last month on terrorism charges in a trial heavily criticised by foreign governments, the UN and Amnesty International for its apparent lack of due process.
Nasheed’s international legal team is made of heavyweight human rights lawyers including Amal Clooney, who has advised the UN and is the wife of Hollywood actor George Clooney, Jared Genser, the founder of renowned campaign group for political prisoners Freedom Now and Ben Emmerson QC, a former UN rights chief on counter terrorism.
Minivan News understands the three are planning a visit to see the jailed opposition leader.
The international team is to push for Nasheed’s “freedom from arbitrary detention” through international lobbying mechanisms such as the UN working group on arbitrary detention, the opposition leader’s domestic legal team has said.
Full report at:
http://minivannews.com/politics/nasheed-denied-access-to-international-lawyers-96494#sthash.1wurVvSt.dpuf
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Ghani seeks Pakistan’s help for talks with Taliban
17 April, 2015
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has sought Pakistan’s help in bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table for the peaceful settlement of over a decade old conflict in Afghanistan for the sake of peace and security in the region.
President Ghani was talking to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak during a one-to-one meeting at the Presidential Palace.
Mr Khattak’s two-day official visit to the Afghan capital saw him meeting Chief Executive Officer Dr Abdullah Abdullah, former president Hamid Karzai, Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, Minister for Commerce & Industry Anwarul Haq Ahadi, Minister for Refugees Said Hussain Alimi Balkhi and Speaker of the National Parliament, Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1176452/ghani-seeks-pakistans-help-for-talks-with-taliban
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Buet teacher sued for criticising Kamaruzzaman’s execution
17 April, 2015
A sedition case was filed yesterday against Buet teacher Jahangir Alam for making “provocative” comments regarding the execution of war criminal Muhammad Kamaruzzaman on Facebook.
Siyam Hossain, a student of Dr MM Rashid Hall, filed the case with Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court against Jahangir, an associate professor of civil engineering department of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet).
After recording statements of the complainant, Metropolitan Magistrate Shariar Mahmud Adnan directed the Shahbagh police to register the case as an FIR after taking government approval.
Full report at:
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/apr/17/buet-teacher-sued-criticising-kamaruzzamans-execution#sthash.PYijra4Q.dpuf
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UNESCO lauds Bangladesh's success in education
17 April, 2015
The countries lagging behind in achieving the Education for All (EFA) goal can take the experiences of this setting example of Bangladesh, UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova has said.
The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) director general lauded Bangladesh’s success in education sector in 196th session of its executive board on Tuesday in Paris, reports BSS.
Irina was replying to a question from Bangladesh Representative to the UNESCO Executive Board and Senior Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury.
Full report at:
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/apr/16/unesco-lauds-bangladeshs-success-education#sthash.753uqx8Y.dpuf
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Europe
Dutch Families of Those Who Joined ISIL to Sue Gov't
17 April, 2015
The families of individuals that ran away to join ISIL are preparing to file a lawsuit against the Dutch government, reports said.
According to Dutch media, families gathered together in order to plan to sue the Dutch government for not making the necessary efforts to prevent their children from traveling to Syria to join the Takfiri ISIL terrorist group, World Bulletin reported.
Mohammad Nidalha, a resident of the Southern city of Leiden whose son reportedly traveled to Syria to join ISIL, leads the initiative.
Nidalha claimed that he had informed the police as soon as he found out that his 20-year-old son had traveled to Syria to join ISIL. Yet, he said, the police did not do anything.
Nidalha, who says he has spoken with nine families so far, said he started the initiative to prevent other families from suffering like him.
"The lawsuit will not bring back my son back but I am doing this to prevent other families to go through the same problems," he said.
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940127000553
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U.N chief urges Yemen ceasefire by ‘all parties’
17 April 2015
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called for an immediate halt to the fighting in Yemen, the first time he has made such an appeal since Saudi-led airstrikes against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels began three weeks ago.
Ban said the poorest country in the Middle East was already in a crisis before the recent outbreak of hostilities, with levels of food insecurity that were higher than in the poorest parts of Africa. He said the recent fighting had only exacerbated those problems.
“That is why I am calling for an immediate ceasefire in Yemen by all the parties,” Ban said in a speech to the National Press Club in Washington. “The Saudis have assured me that they understand that there must be a political process. I call on all Yemenis to participate in good faith.”
“The United Nations-supported diplomatic process remains the best way out of a drawn-out war with terrifying implications for regional stability,” he said in the speech, which was broadcast on C-SPAN radio.
Ban on Friday is also expected to nominate the head of the U.N. Ebola mission as the new special envoy to Yemen, the country’s U.N. ambassador said Thursday.
Full report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/04/17/U-N-chief-urges-Yemen-ceasefire-by-all-parties-.html
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Outrage after picture of Muslims praying at Liverpool football ground labelled a 'disgrace'
17 April, 2015
Liverpool FC has assured to take action against a supporter who posted a picture of two Muslim men praying at a Premier League stadium, which he termed a “disgrace”.
The picture, tweeted by Stephen Dodd, shows Asif Bodi and Abubakar Bhula praying in a stairwell of Liverpool’s Anfield ground. It was tweeted with the caption: “Muslims praying at half-time at the match yesterday #DISGRACE.”
In a statement, Liverpool said discrimination would not be tolerated at the club and it would “take appropriate action against the individual involved”.
Dodd’s post, which was shared on social media after Liverpool took on Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup last month, was met with widespread condemnation with users referring to him as a ‘bigot’ and a ‘disgrace to humanity’.
The tweet was also reported to the police, who investigated but decided that no criminal offence had taken place. They referred the matter back to the club.
It is not known if Dodd is a season ticket holder, but he could have this membership revoked or be banned from future matches.
Full report at:
http://tribune.com.pk/story/870874/outrage-after-picture-of-muslims-praying-at-liverpool-football-ground-labelled-a-disgrace/
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U.N.: Graphic briefing on suspected Syria chlorine attacks
17 April 2015
U.N. Security Council members have been moved to tears by a graphic eyewitness account of the latest suspected chlorine attacks on civilians in Syria.
A Syrian doctor who treated victims from a half-dozen attacks over the past month gave the council its first briefing on the attacks Thursday and later spoke to reporters.
He will meet Friday with Russia's U.N. delegation as attempts continue to persuade the Syrian government's top ally to stop using its veto power against proposed action on the four-year conflict.
Another doctor at the briefing said every country in the 15-member council brought up the need for accountability in the sometimes deadly attacks, except for Russia and allies China and Venezuela.
The council last month approved a resolution condemning the use of toxic chemicals in Syria.
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/04/17/U-N-Graphic-briefing-on-suspected-Syria-chlorine-attacks.html
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U.N. launches near-$275 million appeal for Yemen
17 April 2015
The United Nations launched an appeal on Friday for almost $275 million to aid 7.5 million people in Yemen over the next three months, as fighting intensifies in the south and air strikes pound 18 of Yemen’s 22 provinces.
About 150,000 people have been displaced, 50 percent more than the previous U.N. estimate, the U.N. humanitarian agency OCHA said, citing local sources. The agency said health facilities had reported 767 deaths from March 19 to April 13, almost certainly an underestimate.
“Thousands of families have now fled their homes as a result of the fighting and air strikes,” the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, Johannes Van Der Klaauw, said in a statement. “Ordinary families are struggling to access health care, water, food and fuel - basic requirements for their survival.”
The fighting had destroyed, damaged or disrupted at least five hospitals, 15 schools, Yemen’s three main airports, two bridges, two factories and four mosques, as well as markets, power stations and water and sanitation facilities, OCHA said.
Full report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/04/17/U-N-launches-near-275-million-appeal-for-Yemen.html
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Southeast Asia
Friday Sermons to Cover Jihad Themes Regularly: Malaysian Minister
17 April, 2015
KUALA LUMPUR: The jihad theme will be used at least once a month in Friday sermons to explain the true concept of jihad in Islam.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Jamil Khir Baharom said the effort was put in place to curb radicalism and extremism towards preventing individuals from joining militant groups like the Islamic State (IS) in Syria.
“We had touched on jihad (in Friday sermons) before but not regularly. However, from now on, we will touch on it more often because when the concept of jihad in Islam is repeatedly explained, it would be more easily absorbed by Muslims,” he said.
Jamil Khir was speaking to reporters after opening a seminar on ‘National Sustainability’ at the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN), here, yesterday.
He said explaining jihad through Friday sermons could also help correct the misconception about jihad among many Muslims in this country.
The minister said jihad was not just about going to war in an extreme manner as the IS had been doing, as its context was very wide, such as fighting lust, enhancing the position and image of Islam, and developing the nation.
Full report at:
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/04/17/friday-sermons-to-cover-jihad-themes-regularly/
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Indonesia Regrets Beheading of Another Domestic Worker in Saudi Arabia
17 April, 2015
Jakarta. The Indonesian government has expressed regret at Saudi Arabia’s decision to execute another Indonesian domestic worker on death row in the kingdom, on Thursday.
“We have done our best to ensure the judicial process was correct and that she received her rights but the victim’s family could not forgive what she did,” Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said on Friday.
Karni Binti Medi Tarsim’s execution came only two days after the execution of another Indonesian migrant worker, Siti Zaenab, who was sentenced to death in 2001 after the 1999 murder of her employer.
Full report at:
http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/indonesia-regrets-beheading-another-domestic-worker-saudi-arabia/
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Muslims should be exempted from GST, says FT mufti
17 April, 2015
Federal Territories mufti Datuk Zulkifli Mohamad has urged Putrajaya to exempt Muslims from paying the goods and services tax (GST) if they have fulfilled the zakat based on Islamic laws.
Zulkifli's proposal, which was made through a Facebook post on the Federal Territories mufti page last night, also called on the federal government to reduce the tax from the current rate of 6%.
"The 6% rate should be decreased according to reason and the ability of the rakyat in the current situation.
"Muslims who are already paying the zakat should not be imposed with the GST, or a special mechanism should be set so that they will not be forced to pay twice until it burdens them," he said.
Full report at:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/muslims-should-be-exempted-from-gst-says-ft-mufti#sthash.jEeoTGg7.dpuf
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Africa
Tanzania to ban clerics, NGOs? for political views
World Bulletin / News Desk
17 April, 2015
The Tanzanian government has threatened to ban all religious institutions and NGOs whose leaders are found "meddling in politics."
"From April 20, the government will conduct a thorough vetting to know the religious institutions and NGOs [that are] meddling in politics," Home Affairs Minister Mathias Chikawe told The Anadolu Agency.
Tanzanian Christian and Muslim leaders have declared their intention to campaign for a "No" vote in an upcoming constitutional referendum.
In a strongly-worded statement issued in March, the heads of Tanzania's three main Christian churches attributed their collective position to the fact that the proposed constitution had been drafted in a way, which, they said, had lacked integrity.
Many Muslim leaders, for their part, have advised the faithful to vote against the draft charter unless the government introduces amendments to allow the use of Islamic courts for Muslims.
Full report at:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/157999/tanzania-to-ban-clerics-ngos-for-political-views
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Kenyan Shabaab fighters divided over amnesty offer
World Bulletin / News Desk
17 April, 2015
Kenyans fighting with Somalia's Al-Shabaab have had mixed reactions to a recent amnesty offered by the Kenyan government if they lay down their arms.
"I have heard of the amnesty offer by the government," said a Kenyan Al-Shabaab member based in Somalia's Lower Shabelle region who agreed to talk to The Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity, using only his nickname, Abu Mussa.
On Tuesday, Kenya announced its willingness to rehabilitate – and pardon – repentant young people who had been radicalized by Al-Shabaab.
"The government hereby calls upon all individuals who had gone to Somalia for training and who wish to disassociate themselves with terrorism to report to national government offices within the next ten days," Cabinet Secretary for the Interior Joseph Nkaissery declared in a statement.
Full report at:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/158002/kenyan-shabaab-fighters-divided-over-amnesty-offer
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Sudan denies using cluster bombs in Sth Kordofan
World Bulletin / News Desk
17 April, 2015
The Sudanese army has denied reports about using cluster bombs against civilians in South Kordofan State, where its forces have been fighting rebels.
"This is a totally fabricated and baseless report," army spokesman Col. Alswarmy Khalid told The Anadolu Agency on Friday.
"We never used this kind of weapons in war areas in Sudan," he added.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) group has accused the Sudanese army of dropping cluster bombs in civilian areas in South Kordofan in February and March.
The New York-based group said in a report on Thursday that its researchers had visited Southern Kordofan this month and found evidence of six cluster bombs, including remnants of the weapons such as dud explosive sub-munitions, apparently dropped by government aircraft on villages in Delami and Um Durein counties.
Full report at:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/sudan-denies-using-cluster-bombs-in-sth-kordofan/158004/sudan-denies-using-cluster-bombs-in-sth-kordofan
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No need for UN military enforcement to battle Boko Haram, says Jonathan
17 April, 2015
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has told the United Nations his country would not need the help of an international force in the fight against Boko Haram.
The outgoing leader on Thursday said in a statement he wanted the UN to focus instead on helping to rebuild communities and assist those affected by the six-year Islamist insurgency.
Jonathan made the remarks after meeting with the special representatives of the UN secretary-general for west and central Africa, Mohammed Ibn Chambas and Abdoulaye Bathily, the statement said.
Full report at:
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/middle-east-africa/no-need-for-un-military-enforcement-to-battle-boko-haram-says-jonathan/
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9:55 AM
Moderate Islamist here
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