Rethinking Islam with Sultan Shahin: Malaysian Govt, Muslim Clerics Split Over Abortion in Zika Cases

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Malaysian Govt, Muslim Clerics Split Over Abortion in Zika Cases

Photo shows Sunni Muslim scholars attending a gathering in the city of Grozny, Chechnya.

Manchester Imam's Alleged Killer Tells Court ISIS Ideology Is 'Absolutely Wrong'

In A Heart-Warming Gesture, Eight Muslim Youths Perform Last Rites of a Hindu Man

Azhar Cleric Excludes Salafists from Sunnis, Irks Saudis

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Southeast Asia

Malaysian Govt, Muslim Clerics Split Over Abortion in Zika Cases

Hundreds protest Kofi Annan-led panel on Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar

Uighur terrorists sent funds to Indonesia

Police on alert over threats from Indonesian IS group

South Asia

Manchester Imam's Alleged Killer Tells Court ISIS Ideology Is 'Absolutely Wrong'

30 Killed, Over 90 Wounded In Twin Explosions in Kabul

Afghanistan: Pamlarena siege ends in Kabul

Prominent Bangladesh Editor Released From Jail

Bangladesh's counter-terrorism measures effective, claims Awami League leader Dipu Moni

India

In A Heart-Warming Gesture, Eight Muslim Youths Perform Last Rites of a Hindu Man

Government Orders Probe into Zakir Naik’s FCRA License Issue

Supreme Court of India Goes Without a Single Muslim Judge

India ‘Substantially Free’ From Homegrown Terrorism: President Mukherjee

War against Communal Elements Essential for Maintenance of Peace and Humanity – Acharya Pramod Krishnam

Humanity Still Alive: Pakistani Air Force Pilot Helped IAF Pilot Nachiketa Escape Torture

In death, a Kashmir rebel becomes what India has long feared

Arab World

Azhar Cleric Excludes Salafists from Sunnis, Irks Saudis

Over 60 Miles of Turkish-Syrian Border Retaken From ISIL

New ISIL Military Commander to Bring Unpleasant Consequences for Central Asia

ISIL Withdraws from Entire Heights Surrounding Energy-Rich Region in Homs

Syrian Army Wins One More Battle against Jeish Al-Islam in Eastern Damascus

Iran, France Discuss Regional Crises, Campaign against Terrorism

Iran, Portugal Opt for Expanding Parliamentary Ties

Syrian Army, Air Force Smash Terrorist Centers across Homs

Syrian, Russian Fighter Jets Bomb Terrorists' Positions Heavily in Aleppo Province

Mideast

Turkish Border with Syria Cleared Of ISIL Militants

Erdoğan Reiterates Call for ‘Safe Zone’ In Syria

Israeli Military Bombs Multiple Locations in Gaza

Footage reveals further evidence in Dink probe against arrested gendarmerie officers

Turkish Air Force changes name of main base in Ankara used in coup attempt

All released in ‘insulting president’ cases after Erdoğan pulled back complaints

Turkey to join UK-led meeting on Syria’s future

Turkey ‘offers possibility of gas supplies through Turkish Stream to border with Greece’

EU on diplomatic push to get migrant deal with Turkey into gear

Expert report proves police report wrong in killing of Gezi protester

Africa

Islamic Movement in Nigeria Not Established On Sectarianism - Says Member of the Islamic Movement

Boko Haram ‘Largely Responsible’ for Polio Resurgence in Nigeria

Clearing Sirte of Islamic State weapons

Pakistan

Three Held over Banners Threatening ‘Traitors’ To Altaf

Denial of justice only presages revolution: Imran

Pakistan developing maritime doctrine

Flaws in antiterrorism laws being removed to enforce NAP: AGP

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL: http://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/new-age-islam-news-bureau/malaysian-govt,-muslim-clerics-split-over-abortion-in-zika-cases/d/108484

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Malaysian Govt, Muslim Clerics Split Over Abortion in Zika Cases

September 6, 2016

A NEW debate is raging on in Muslim-dominated Malaysia over the legality of abortion in cases where pregnant mothers are infected with the Zika virus, which puts the unborn baby in danger of being born with microcephaly.

On Tuesday, the religious head or “mufti” for the Federal Territories said in his official website that in such a case, mothers are allowed to abort the child.

The mufti, Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri, reportedly cited a 1990 decision by the Islamic Judicial Council of the Muslim World League, a Mecca-based international Islamic organization, noting it had approved abortion in cases of thalassemia, a blood disorder, even 16 weeks into the pregnancy.

“We are inclined towards the decision by the Islamic Juridical Council regarding thalassemia that can be referred to for the Zika virus issue, if studies from trusted medical experts show that foetuses infected with the Zika virus may have various disabilities that could affect the family’s life and that of the baby itself.

“In such circumstances, consent from both parents who have obtained clear understanding about the issue can be taken into account to abort the foetus,” he was quoted as saying in a Malay Mail Online report.

Full report at: asiancorrespondent.com/2016/09/malaysia-govt-muslim-clerics-split-abortion-zika-cases/

Manchester Imam's Alleged Killer Tells Court ISIS Ideology Is 'Absolutely Wrong'

Monday 5 September 2016

The alleged killer of a respected former imam has denied he was inspired by Islamic State, describing the jihadi group’s ideology as “absolutely wrong”.

Mohammed Hussain Syeedy, 21, denies helping to murder Jalal Uddin, 71, because the elderly community leader believed in a form of Islamic healing called Taweez.

The prosecution alleges Syeedy and his co-accused, Mohammed Abdul Kadir, 24, were Isis supporters who killed Uddin out of “hatred and intolerance”.

Giving evidence on Monday, Syeedy told jurors at Manchester crown court: “I certainly do not sympathise with Isis and I don’t support any of their ideologies or their ways or actions.

“I think what they’re doing is absolutely wrong. I don’t believe [in] innocent people dying. I don’t agree with what Isis are doing around the world and I certainly don’t sympathise with them.”

Syeedy, a former part-time Manchester United steward from Rochdale, knew Uddin as the “Qari Saab” – a respected member of the Muslim community – and would “give him the Islamic hello”.

He said he did not agree with Uddin’s use of Taweez – a form of Islamic healing using amulets that contain a verse from the Qur’an – because it was “dangerous” to meddle with the “supernatural world”.

But Syeedy said he was shocked when he found out Uddin was murdered, telling jurors it was “nothing to do with me”.

Full report at: theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/sep/05/alleged-killer-imam-court-islamic-state-rochdale

In A Heart-Warming Gesture, Eight Muslim Youths Perform Last Rites of a Hindu Man

By: Express Web Desk | Kolkatad:September 6, 2016

With no one around to take care of the last rites of 65-year-old Waman Kadam except his wife, a group of eight youths took the charge and arranged for his funeral. (Source: Jitendra Awhad/ Facebook)

Recently, the painful picture of an Orissa man carrying the body of his dead wife on his shoulders for nearly 12km went viral. The heart-wrenching image drew flak and criticism from all quarters as he had no money for a hearse van and the district hospital authorities allegedly refused to arrange one. Few days later, a similar incident occurred in Kanpur, when a small child died on his father’s shoulder on his way to the hospital. While the scene of death is always painful, something turned this sad moment beautiful.

A group of Muslim youths from Mumbra in Maharashtra earned plaudits for carrying out the funeral rites of a Hindu man who passed away in the dead of the night in Kausa.

With no one around to take care of the last rites of 65-year-old Waman Kadam except his wife, a group of eight youths took the charge and arranged for his funeral.

According to reports, they purchased all necessary ritualistic items like bamboo, rope, earthen pots, incense sticks as well as cloth and a thatched mat. The youths then carried his body to the crematorium at around 3am and performed the last rites.

Acknowledging their kind gesture, Mumbra-Kalwa MLA Jitendra Awhad applauded them in a Facebook post. They were also praised by residents of Muslim dominated Mumbra. The MLA shared two pictures accompanying his post and wrote: “This happens now also …hatred does not work …it’s a everyday story in Mumbra all about #brotherhood”.

The youths have been identified as Khalil Pawne, Fahad Dabir, Nawaz Dabir, Rahil Dabir, Shaban Khan, Maqsood Khan, Farooque Khan, Mohammad Kasam Shaikh.

Full report at: indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-in-india/muslim-youths-perform-hindu-man-last-rites-in-mumbai-3016552/

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Azhar Cleric Excludes Salafists from Sunnis, Irks Saudis

Sep 5, 2016

Saudi clerics have reacted angrily to recent remarks by Egyptian Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, who excluded Salafists from Sunnis during a religious conference in Chechnya, Russia.

During a conference in Grozny, Chechnya, Sheikh Tayeb said that Salafists were not Sunnists, while he was defining what is meant by Sunnism.

The online Arabic-language Ray al-Youm website said in a report on Monday that the remarks caused a storm of anger among pro-government clerics in Saudi Arabia.

They said the rhetoric used by the Egyptian cleric during the conference was more in line with a policy to weaken Wahhabism practiced in Saudi Arabia and establish a new, dominant Sunni leadership under the auspices of al-Azhar in Egypt.

According to the report, several Saudi clerics said the conference, attended by thinkers from Egypt and other Sunni-dominated countries, was an attempt by the Russian government to deepen the gap between Saudi Arabia and Egypt -- two leading Sunni Muslim nations of the world.

The Russian initiative was meant to sow discord in the Islamic world, they claimed, saying the conference targets the Kingdom.

The report comes just one day after the General Secretariat of the Council of Senior Scholars in Riyadh warned against what it called inciting and stoking sedition among Muslims belonging to different schools of thought.

“It is not prudent to ignite crises and trigger misadventures of political nature, as well as intellectual affiliations and sloganeering, to demonize the Muslims and thereby widening divisions,” the council said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.

More than 100 Muslim clerics from various countries, including Russia, Syria, Turkey, India, Britain, Lebanon, Egypt, South Africa and Jordan, attended the Grozny conference on August 25-17 to disassociate themselves and Sunnism from the Takfiri terrorist groups that have been wreaking havoc in the Middle East and other places.

The scholar attendees, most of them well-known in the Muslim world, said the groups like Daesh, which fight under the banner of Wahhabism, have no links to Sunnism altogether.

The Saudi government, along with its allies, has been among the main sponsors of Takfiri militants.

According to reports, the Riyadh regime has recently stepped up its support for Takfiri militants in the face of the Iraqi army's upcoming liberation of Mosul and the Syrian army's advances in Aleppo and elsewhere.

Source: presstv.ir/Detail/2016/09/05/483295/Saudi-clerics-Grozny-Russia-Wahhabism-Takfiri

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Southeast Asia

Malaysian Govt, Muslim Clerics Split Over Abortion in Zika Cases

September 6, 2016

On Tuesday, the religious head or “mufti” for the Federal Territories said in his official website that in such a case, mothers are allowed to abort the child.

Malaysian civil law, however, forbids abortion, except in cases where the continuance of the pregnancy would put the mother’s life at risk. Section 312 of the Malaysian Penal Code on “causing miscarriage” stipulates that illegal abortion is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and a fine.

Today, Malaysia’s Health Minister Dr S. Subramaniam disagreed with the cleric’s opinion on abortion, citing the law.

He said that while he welcomed the mufti’s views, the law clearly states that abortion is illegal unless the mother’s life is at risk. The mufti’s stance on the matter, he added, must be accepted by all other religious heads of state.

“That is what is allowed in our system which had taken into consideration the religious stand. If the Federal Territories Mufti had said this (abortion allowed), this must be accepted by other Muftis.

“If they come out with a statement, then it is easier for us to advise the patient,” he was quoted as saying in The Star.

The minister also suggested that the National Fatwa Council debate the matter and come up with decision that the government could use to prepare a guideline.

Dr Subramaniam pointed out that only between 1 and 5 percent of those with a Zika infection may end up delivering babies with disabilities.

“That means more than 90 percent will be all right. That is why it is important to follow the doctor’s advice,” he was quoted saying.

Last Thursday, Malaysia announced its first imported case of Zika in a 58-year-old woman who had visited Singapore, where the official number of Zika infections reached 242 yesterday.

Among those in Singapore who have been infected are 11 Malaysians who are living and/or working in the city-state.

A Zika infection can have serious consequences on pregnant women and their unborn children. If infected, the virus can lead to microcephaly, a congenital condition that causes incomplete brain development. Babies with the infection are typically born with abnormally small heads.

Source: asiancorrespondent.com/2016/09/malaysia-govt-muslim-clerics-split-abortion-zika-cases/

Hundreds protest Kofi Annan-led panel on Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar

September 6, 2016

Demonstrators in Myanmar have rallied against leader Suu Kyi's proposed international panel on minority rights, led by former UN chief Kofi Annan. The opposition says foreigners cannot understand the country's history.

Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan was greeted by crowds of people jeering and shouting slogans against "biased intervention" by foreigners as he landed in Sittwe, the capital of Myanmar's Rakhine state on Tuesday.

Addressing members and leaders of the Buddhist community in Rakhine, Annan said his panel was "here to help provide ideas and service." "We are also aware of resistance, fears and doubts that have prevailed again and again," he added. Annan also said his panel would listen to arguments from al sides with "rigorous impartiality" and foster dialog between warring groups.

Annan is leading a nine-member committee, including six Myanmar citizens and three foreigners, to discuss options for peace with Rakhine's minority communities. In its initial two-day visit, the panel will visit camps for Rohingya Muslims and publish its findings in the next months.

The Kofi Annan-led commission will have six Myanmar nationals and three international experts

Politicians in Myanmar's lower house of parliament expressed misgivings about foreign members in the panel, but there was little scope for change. "This country has its own sovereignty, so we will not accept foreign interference in local affairs," Aung Than Wai of the Arakan National Party (ANP), which called Tuesday's protests, told Reuters news agency.

Little hope ahead

The panel was formed last month by Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace laureate and Myanmar's foreign minister, but rights groups accuse the leader of failing to address the problem of Rohingya Muslims in a bid to assuage Buddhist nationalist sentiments.

More than 100 people were killed in Rakhine when local Buddhist groups clashed with Rohingya Muslims in 2012. Around 125,000 are still displaced, with many living in squalid conditions in government shelters. Hundreds of thousands have fled the country by sea. The minority group has no citizenship rights in Myanmar and is considered to have emigrated from Bangladesh. Locally, the Rohingya are known as "Bengalis."

At a peace conference in Naypitaw last week, UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon demanded that Myanmar grant citizenship to the minority Muslim group, but the issue remains the focus of debate for Buddhist hardliners in the country.

Source: dw.com/en/hundreds-protest-kofi-annan-led-panel-on-rohingya-muslims-in-myanmar/a-19529044

Uighur terrorists sent funds to Indonesia

September 6, 2016

The Indonesian terrorism cell that plotted to launch a rocket attack on Singapore has been receiving funds from a Muslim separatist group in China, authorities said yesterday.

The revelation came after counter-terrorism officials arrested a man named Leonardo Hutajulu, 24, on Saturday at an internet cafe on the Indonesian island of Batam, a short ferry ride away from Singapore.

Officials suspected that the unemployed man was a member of the terrorism cell Kitabah Gonggong Rebus, which police said had been helping Indonesians travel to Syria to join Islamic State as well as plotting to attack Singapore’s Marina Bay area using a rocket from the Indonesian industrial island.

Police believe Mr Hutajulu has smuggled and sheltered people from China’s Uighur Muslim ethnic group who wished to receive terrorism training in Indonesia, including Abu Nash’ab, who was reportedly groomed to be a suicide bomber before he was arrested in Jakarta in December.

National Police spokesman Agus Rianto said KGR had received funds from the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, a Muslim separatist group founded by militant Uighurs in China’s northesterm Xinjiang province.

“We are still investigating how much money has been given to the group (KGR) and how many Uighurs the group has been smuggling and sheltering,” Brigadier General Rianto told The Australian.

It was unclear when the group started receiving funds from the Uighur separatist group and whether the ETIM — listed since 2002 as a terrorist group by the US Treasury Department — has also funnelled money to other cells in Indonesia.

Counter-terrorism officials arrested KGR’s leader Gigih Rahmat Dewa and four of his followers in August.

Police said the 31-year-old factory worker has been receiving directions from Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian Islamic State fighter believed to be in Syria, to launch an attack on Singapore.

Edy Hartono, chief of the police’s elite counter-terrorism unit Densus 88, told Indonesian news portal Berita Satu that Mr Hutajulu “played a number of important roles” inside the KGR.

Mr Hutajulu was among the people hatching a plot to attack Singapore using a rocket launched from Batam, just 20km away, General Hartono said.

Although police have seized weapons such as a bow and arrow and an air gun — used in weapons’ training and for recreational purpose — in subsequent raids no rocket was found.

General Rianto said that Mr Hutajulu had also helped organised drills and training sessions for Indonesians looking to go to Syria.

The plot targeting Singapore’s Marina Bay was one of several terror plots thwarted by counter-terrorism officials in recent months.

In January, Islamic State claimed responsibility for a terror attack in Jakarta which killed four civilians.

In July, a suicide bomber with links to the KGR and Bahrun attacked a police station in Solo, Central Java.

Source: theaustralian.com.au/news/world/uighur-terrorists-sent-funds-to-indonesia/news-story/fdb18749645e672850635fd4bbcaad20

Police on alert over threats from Indonesian IS group

September 6, 2016

The Royal Malaysian Police are on alert over threats from the Indonesian Islamic State (IS) militant group who had been active in giving instructions to launch attacks in the region, including Malaysia.

Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division principal assistant director Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay disclosed that the group leader, Bahrum Shah, possessed considerable funds that could allow large-scale attacks to be carried out.

“Previously, during the time of the al-Qaeda, a lot of funds came from Afghanistan and they were used for the Bali, Indonesia bombing.

“If the funds came from Syria, then we have to prevent it as it can trigger large-scale attacks... this is what is worrying us,” he told reporters at the International Association for Counter-Terrorism and Security Professionals Asean Security Symposium and Awards in Kuala Lumpur today.

Earlier, Ayob Khan in his speech said besides Bahrum, two others from the Indonesia IS militant group, Bahrun Nain and Abu Jandal were also active in giving out instructions to their followers to launch attacks.

He said, so far the police had foiled 13 attack plots from the IS group in the country, of which seven were already on the second phase when the police found bombs, bullets and chemicals.

“A majority of the targets for the attacks were entertainment outlets and government offices,” he said.

So far this year, Ayob Khan said a total of 239 individuals in the country had been nabbed since 2013, believed to be involved in the IS activities.

On Aug 31, inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said that the police had foiled another attack attempt planned during the eve of National Day with the arrest of three locals, believed to be members of IS.

The three suspects aged between 20 and 27 years old were picked up in the federal capital, Selangor and Pahang through the operation carried out by the Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division, Khalid added.

Source: malaysiakini.com/news/354891

South Asia

Manchester Imam's Alleged Killer Tells Court ISIS Ideology Is 'Absolutely Wrong'

Monday 5 September 2016

The alleged killer of a respected former imam has denied he was inspired by Islamic State, describing the jihadi group’s ideology as “absolutely wrong”.

Mohammed Hussain Syeedy, 21, denies helping to murder Jalal Uddin, 71, because the elderly community leader believed in a form of Islamic healing called Taweez.

The prosecution alleges Syeedy and his co-accused, Mohammed Abdul Kadir, 24, were Isis supporters who killed Uddin out of “hatred and intolerance”.

Giving evidence on Monday, Syeedy told jurors at Manchester crown court: “I certainly do not sympathise with Isis and I don’t support any of their ideologies or their ways or actions.

Syeedy, a former part-time Manchester United steward from Rochdale, knew Uddin as the “Qari Saab” – a respected member of the Muslim community – and would “give him the Islamic hello”.

Full report at: theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/sep/05/alleged-killer-imam-court-islamic-state-rochdale

30 killed, over 90 wounded in twin explosions in Kabul

Mon Sep 05 2016

At least 30 people were killed and over 90 others were wounded in twin explosions in capital Kabul this afternoon, the security officials said.

Officials in the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) earlier said at least 24 people were killed and at least 91 others were wounded in the attack.

The incident took place near the Ministry of Defense (MoD) compound around 2:30 pm local time after a remote-controlled Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was detonated.

The officials further added that a second explosion took place shortly after the first blast with reports suggesting the second blast was triggered by a suicide attack.

According to the officials, the suicide bomber detonated his explosives as the security forces and rescue team had gathered in the area to assist the victims of the first blast.

The police chief of the second police district of Kabul city Sayed Zaman was also among those killed in the attack, the officials added.

The Taliban militants group claimed responsibility behind the incident and said several security personnel including police chief of police district 3 were killed in the attack.

Source: khaama.com/20-killed-over-40-wounded-in-twin-explosions-in-kabul-01842

Afghanistan: Pamlarena siege ends in Kabul

Tue Sep 06 2016

Afghan security forces have ended hours-long siege at the offices of an international aid group in Kabul and killed all three attackers, according to the interior ministry.

The attackers had taken hostages during Tuesday's siege of the Pamlarena group's compound, which lasted 11 hours.

"The police special forces operation has ended, the terrorists who attacked Pamlarena, Care International last night have been killed," Sediq Sediqqi, spokesperson for the interior ministry, announced on Twitter.

The attackers barricaded themselves inside the Pamlarena building in the centre of Kabul after staging a suicide bombing in front of it late on Monday.

Double bombing kills dozens in Afghanistan's Kabul

Just hours earlier, a Taliban suicide double bombing near the defence ministry building in Kabul killed at least 24 people, including a number of senior Afghan security officials.

Security officials evacuated civilians from their offices and homes near the explosion site.

An interior ministry official said initial reports indicated one person was dead and six wounded as a result of the attack on Pamlarena's offices.

Another 31 people had to be rescued from the area.

Double bombing

Monday's double bombing in Kabul, which killed 24 people and wounded 91 others, targeted an afternoon crowd near the defence ministry.

The Taliban later claimed responsibility for that attack.

An army general and two senior police commanders were among the dead, a defence ministry official said.Another official said the deputy head of President Ashraf Ghani's personal protection force was among those killed.

The Taliban's ability to conduct coordinated deadly attacks in Kabul has mounted pressure on Ghani's government, which has struggled to reassure the population that it can guarantee security.

Two weeks ago, fighters attacked the American University in Kabul, killing 13 people.

At least 80 people were killed by a suicide bomber who targeted a demonstration on July 23 in an attack claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group.

Outside Kabul, the fighters have stepped up their military campaign, threatening Lashkar Gah, capital of the strategic southern province of Helmand, as well as Kunduz, the northern city they briefly took last year.

Source: aljazeera.com/news/2016/09/afghanistan-gun-battle-bombings-kabul-160906034756859.html

Prominent Bangladesh Editor Released From Jail

September 06, 2016

DHAKA, BANGLADESH: A prominent Bangladeshi magazine editor was released from jail Tuesday nearly five months after his arrest on charges of plotting to kill the premier's son, a case that sparked fears of a press crackdown.

Shafik Rehman, 81, who is also a British citizen and a former speechwriter for the main opposition leader and the premier's arch rival, was released days after the Supreme Court granted him bail.

"He is very weak. He has been suffering from heart and other ailments," his wife, Taleya Rehman, said after his release from Kashimpur prison outside Dhaka.

"We are taking him to Birdem hospital in Dhaka where he will be treated," she told AFP.

Police arrested Rehman from his home in April on conspiracy charges of plotting to murder Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who lives in the United States.

Police said they had found evidence linking the editor to the plot, claims his family and supporters reject.

Rehman was the third pro-opposition editor to have been arrested by authorities including on charges of sedition, triggering repeated calls from rights groups for their release.

Journalists have also been detained under provisions of a controversial defamation law which critics say gives the government free reign to quash dissent.

Concerns over freedom of speech are also rising in Muslim-majority Bangladesh following a spate of gruesome killings of secular bloggers and liberal activists by Islamic extremists.

Rehman was a long-time editor of Jai Jai Din, a mass-circulation Bengali daily. He now edits a popular Bengali monthly magazine called Mouchake Dhil.

More recently, he became the convenor of the international affairs committee of opposition leader Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and headed a pro-opposition think-tank named G-9.

The government launched a major crackdown last year against activists from the BNP and its Islamist allies following a transport blockade that left scores dead in a failed bid to force Hasina to resign.

The Supreme Court last Thursday granted Rehman bail for three months or until police submitted a charge sheet against him, his lawyer, M Asaduzzaman, said.

"We're hoping the bail will be extended," Asaduzzaman told AFP, adding that Rehman's passport had been seized.

Authorities last week arrested an award-winning editor of a specialist education website for allegedly defaming an influential ex-schools chief.

Source:ndtv.com/world-news/prominent-bangladesh-editor-released-from-jail-1455111

Bangladesh's counter-terrorism measures effective, claims Awami League leader Dipu Moni

September 06, 2016

Bangladesh's counter-terrorism measures are working in a world afflicted by rising terrorism, claims Awami League leader Dipu Moni.

"Our counter-terrorism response draws support from the people. In a world afflicted by terrorism, our counter-measures seem to be working better than in most countries," she told an event at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Tuesday.

The Awami League joint secretary general said Muslim-predominant Bangladesh is a secular nation rooted in a liberal tradition that is centuries old.

"Some vested interests are trying to take our young people on the wrong path by misinterpreting Islam. They are the ones who are undermining the spirit of Islam."

Speaking at the launching ceremony of an online portal, she said domestic and foreign elements opposing a secular and liberal-democratic Bangladesh were responsible for terrorism in the country.

"Many within Bangladesh and outside the country are unable to come to terms with our phenomenal progress despite being a Muslim-predominant country.

Our economic progress and our success in boosting human development indicators have been superb. That is why these anti-national elements are trying to ruin the progress of Bangladesh," said the former foreign minister.

Source:bdnews24.com/politics/2016/09/06/bangladesh-s-counter-terrorism-measures-effective-claims-awami-league-leader-dipu-moni

India

In A Heart-Warming Gesture, Eight Muslim Youths Perform Last Rites of a Hindu Man

By: Express Web Desk | Kolkatad:September 6, 2016

With no one around to take care of the last rites of 65-year-old Waman Kadam except his wife, a group of eight youths took the charge and arranged for his funeral. (Source: Jitendra Awhad/ Facebook)

A group of Muslim youths from Mumbra in Maharashtra earned plaudits for carrying out the funeral rites of a Hindu man who passed away in the dead of the night in Kausa.

With no one around to take care of the last rites of 65-year-old Waman Kadam except his wife, a group of eight youths took the charge and arranged for his funeral.

The youths have been identified as Khalil Pawne, Fahad Dabir, Nawaz Dabir, Rahil Dabir, Shaban Khan, Maqsood Khan, Farooque Khan, Mohammad Kasam Shaikh.

Source:indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-in-india/muslim-youths-perform-hindu-man-last-rites-in-mumbai-3016552/

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Government orders probe into Zakir Naik’s FCRA license issue

September 6, 2016

New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry has ordered a departmental inquiry into the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence controversy vis-a-vis Islamic tele preacher Zakir Naik’s NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), an official source said.

Senior official Susheel Kumar has been directed to conduct the probe over the episode as “flip flop” by officials had resulted in the IRF getting the FCRA license, the source told IANS here.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh was displeased after the mandatory FCRA licence of NGO IRF was renewed by the Foreigners cell of the Home ministry.

Sources said the online route for issuance of licences was utilised by the NGO on August 19 even as a probe was on against Naik. Four officials of the Home Ministry were suspended on September 1 for their “lapses” in renewing the FCRA licence of the NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) run by Zakir Naik.

Naik’s Peace TV and his speeches have come under the scanner of the central security agencies for allegedly propagating radical views, especially in the aftermath of the July 1 Dhaka terror siege that left 22 people dead. According to security agencies, Zakir Naik through Peace TV had reportedly promoted radical Islamist views.

While the probe by the Home Ministry and security agencies was on, the Law Ministry has meanwhile favoured registering a case against Naik and IRF for pursuing divisive agenda and communalism.

However, a group of Home Ministry officials have resented the suspension of a senior IAS officer G K Dwivedi, who was heading Foreigners Cell in the Home ministry. They said suspension of the joint secretary was uncalled and “demoralising” as the alleged lapses were committed by his juniors only.

Source: siasat.com/news/government-orders-probe-zakir-naiks-fcra-license-issue-1013523/

Supreme Court of India Goes Without a Single Muslim Judge

September 6, 2016

New Delhi: Supreme Court of India is functioning without a single Muslim judge for the first time in a span of 11 years. It happened twice in last 30 years that the top court has no Muslim representation among its judges.

According to a report published in the Indian Express, the two Muslim judges Justice M Y Eqbal and Justice Fakkir Mohamed Ibrahim Kalifulla appointed to the SC bench in 2012 have retired on February 2 and July 22 respectively in 2016. After their retirement, the top Court is left with no Muslim judge.

Former Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan expressed his concern over the issue and said that the Supreme Court needs proper representation of all religions, castes and regions.

“Hope it gets a Muslim judge soon. It’s not a question of their rights being denied, it’s a question of proper representation of all religions, castes and regions at the apex court. In many countries, special provisions are made to ensure the proper representation of all regions, religions and communities at the national court,” Justice K G Balakrishnan told The Indian Express.

The reports further points out at Bihar and Himachal High Courts which have Muslim chief justices. A resident of Assam, Chief Justice of Bihar Iqbal Ahmed Ansari retires in October 2017, while Himachal’s Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir, a resident of J&K, will retire in April 2017.

The Supreme Court has a maximum strength of 31 judges but is presently functioning with 28 judges only.

Source: siasat.com/news/order-order-supreme-court-goes-without-single-muslim-judge-1013688/

India ‘substantially free’ from homegrown terrorism: President Mukherjee

September 6, 2016

New Delhi :President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday today said India is “substantially free” from the globally witnessed menace of homegrown terrorism as citizens possess “ethnicity in mind and have faith in pluralism”.

Talking for about 50 minutes to the students on the subject of ‘Politics in India since Independence’, he recounted the evolution of the democratic process in India post-Independence, the building up of the electoral process and participation of Indians in the constitutional democracy.

He even supported PM Narendra Modi’s One Vote One Nation policy as to conduct the state and centre elections simultaneously.

Mukherjee, while teaching students in the school inside the President’s Estate as part of the second edition of his ‘Pranab Sir’s class’, also spoke about the worrisome development of “political assassinations” in India and its neighbourhood adding that despite these instances “we have had a stable political regime”.

The special session was held to observe ‘Teachers Day’ with students of Class XI of the Delhi government-run Dr Rajendra Prasad Sarvodaya Vidyalaya during which Mukherjee said “secularism is part of the life” for Indians.

India has suffered the brunt of terrorism, including that of the cross-border variety, he said.

The President said it was the credit and success of India’s policy and acumen of the administration that incidents of homegrown terrorism, the biggest menace to international peace and community, has kept India “substantially free” from its tentacles.

“It is we who are attacked and we are the victims of cross-border attacks… But not so much of homegrown terror,” he said, adding this was because of the “ethinicity of mind, belief and faith in pluralism, huge diversity in language, religion, food… Almost in everything.”

We all belong to the same system, the President said, adding that this quality was “unique”.

The President, who has worked as a teacher before he took the political plunge, also taught the students about the formation of political parties including the creation of the BJP from Jansangh and the advent of coalition politics in the country.

He remembered the “formation” of states by the State Reorganisation of Commission as an “important development” in India’s history.

Source: siasat.com/news/india-substantially-free-homegrown-terrorism-president-mukherjee-1013535/

War against communal elements essential for maintenance of peace and humanity – Acharya Pramod Krishnam

September 6, 2016

Jaipur: Prominent Hindu leader, Aharya Pramod Krishnnma told that wherever a war is waged against the communal elements, they are labeled as traitors of the county. He addressing “Peace and Humanity conference” organized by Jamat-e-Islami at Jaipur yesterday. He further told that our country is tied with the string of love and affection. Divisive forces will never be successful. It is our responsibility that we should not allow this string of love to become weak. The day this string is broken, this country would be shattered.

He stressed the need for Hindu-Muslim unity. He further told that if there is any attack on Islam, Hindus come to defend and if thee any attack on Hindu religion, Muslims should come forward to defend them. It would be the best exam off communal harmony. India would prosper only when the Hindus follow their Aastha and the Muslims act up on their belief. He was surprised that a religion which does not allow killing an ant, how can it permit to kill Akhlaq Ahmed? He attacked the so-called religious leaders. He termed Islam as the religion of peace. Islam is the name of feeding the hungry, it is also the name of helping the destitute, how can it preach terrorism.

He mentioned that Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) had not come only for the Muslims, he had come for the entire world. Narrating the incidence of sacrifices made by the Muslims, he said that those who sacrificed their lives include Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Ashfaqullah Khan. When Chandrasekhar Azad shed his life, Hawaldar Abdul Hameed also sacrificed his life for the sake of country.

Source: siasat.com/news/war-communal-elements-essential-maintenance-peace-humanity-acharya-pramod-krishnam-1013373/

Humanity still alive: Pakistani Air Force pilot helped IAF pilot Nachiketa escape torture

September 6, 2016

New Delhi: There were very few incidents wherein India and Pakistan exchanged cordial relations but there some exceptions too. In a strange incident, Air Commodore (Retd.), Kaiser Tufail of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) during the Kargil war saved Group Captain K. Nachiketa, IAF pilot’s MiG 27 had crashed in POK near Skardu in July 1999.

Pakistani soldier had captured him and they were trying to manhandle him because he belonged to their enemy country and he had fired their locations from air. Perhaps they wanted to kill him. Captain K. Nachiketa realized the situation that he has become captive of Pakistan Air Force. Luckily, a senior officer of PAF, Air Commodore (Retd.), Kaiser Tufail came to his rescue and prevented Pakistan airmen from torturing Nachiketa.

After many years, Nachiketa told narrated this incident to media persons after he returned to Indian territory. During his captivity in Pakistan, Tufail discussed about his personal problems. Tufail provide vegetarian food for him.

In a press statement published in Indian Express in 2009, Tufail described Nachiketa a gentleman. Nachiketa said that he was amazed to find that there are so many issues in common.

Eight days after he was taken as prisoner by Pakistani troops, Indian officials started making efforts to get him released. Nachiketa further told it would not have been possible if Tufail had not saved him from the tortures of Pakistani airmen.

Source: siasat.com/news/humanity-still-alive-pakistani-air-force-pilot-helped-iaf-pilot-nachiketa-escape-torture-1013334/

In death, a Kashmir rebel becomes what India has long feared

September 06, 2016

SHAAR-I-BALLI, India – Go to the villages of south Kashmir and they'll tell you stories about Burhan Wani, the militant commander shot by security forces as he tried to escape through the back door of an isolated hideout.

They say Wani would slip out of the forests sometimes just to visit, a 22-year-old with an AK-47 and an easy way of talking that made him so different from earlier generations of Kashmir's insurgents. They say he'd play cricket with village boys, and visit orphanages. They say he'd pay for the weddings of poor young women.

In the weeks since Wani was killed on July 8, the stories have grown into such a mythology — the polite teenager who left home to become a Himalayan Robin Hood, the powerful insurgent commander who remained a man of peace — that it's no longer clear how many are true.

But in death, Wani has become something that India has long feared: a homegrown militant openly lionized across the embattled region, a powerful symbol against Indian rule who has united Kashmir's many factions. Today, rock-throwing high school students paint his name on shuttered storefronts — "BURHAN OUR HERO" — while everyone from fearsome insurgents to moderate politicians mourn him.

Wani had already rejuvenated Hizbul Mujahideen, the largest of Kashmir's militant groups, attracting dozens of new recruits with postings on Facebook and other social media sites. Young, handsome and charismatic, he looked more like a college student than a gunman. He sometimes posted photos of himself in the forests, a smile on his face and an assault rifle in his hands. If he was more a saavy recruiter than a menacing fighter, that only made him more popular.

Full report at:foxnews.com/world/2016/09/06/in-death-kashmir-rebel-becomes-what-india-has-long-feared.html

Arab World

Azhar Cleric Excludes Salafists from Sunnis, Irks Saudis

Sep 5, 2016

Saudi clerics have reacted angrily to recent remarks by Egyptian Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, who excluded Salafists from Sunnis during a religious conference in Chechnya, Russia.

During a conference in Grozny, Chechnya, Sheikh Tayeb said that Salafists were not Sunnists, while he was defining what is meant by Sunnism.

The online Arabic-language Ray al-Youm website said in a report on Monday that the remarks caused a storm of anger among pro-government clerics in Saudi Arabia.

The Russian initiative was meant to sow discord in the Islamic world, they claimed, saying the conference targets the Kingdom.

The scholar attendees, most of them well-known in the Muslim world, said the groups like Daesh, which fight under the banner of Wahhabism, have no links to Sunnism altogether.

The Saudi government, along with its allies, has been among the main sponsors of Takfiri militants.

Source: presstv.ir/Detail/2016/09/05/483295/Saudi-clerics-Grozny-Russia-Wahhabism-Takfiri

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Over 60 Miles of Turkish-Syrian Border Retaken From ISIL

September 6, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- ISIL terrorist group was forced out from territory along 98 kilometers (some 61 miles) of the Turkish-Syrian border, Turkish government confirmed.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim confirmed that the ISIL terrorist group had been forced out from territory along 98 kilometers (some 61 miles) of the Turkish-Syrian border between the Northern towns of Jarabulus and A'zaz, Sputnik reported.

Last month, units of the Free Syrian Army militant group routed their rival terrorists from 10 Syrian villages to the South of Jarabulus, and a total of 400 kilometers in Northern Syria have been retaken since the start of the Turkish military operation.

"Ninety-eight kilometers of the border with Syria from A'zaz to Jarabulus were taken under control. All terrorist groups were pushed from there," Yildirim said during his address in the country's Diyarbakir province.

On August 24, Turkish forces, backed by US-led coalition aircraft, began a military operation dubbed Euphrates Shield to clear Jarabulus and the surrounding area of ISIL, outlawed in Russia and many other countries worldwide.

Source: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950616000766

New ISIL Military Commander to Bring Unpleasant Consequences for Central Asia

September 6, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- Former Head of the Russian Veterans’ Association of Antiterrorism Division "Alpha" Sergei Goncharov warned that appointment of fugitive Tajik Colonel Gulmurod Halimov as the new ISIL war minister will have dire consequences for the Central Asia.

"Appointment of Halimov will lead to the recruitment of more Central Asian nationals by the ISIL," Goncharov said on Tuesday.

He said that the new ISIL war minister was trained in the USSR, studying the tactics of the Soviet Special Forces, and then passed a much training in the USA, adding that this means that he has the ability to use any of these tactics against his opponents.

Halimov was a commander of the Tajik Riot, and then was accused of treason. He became the war minister after the death of Tarkhan Batirashvili, nom de duerre Abu Umar al-Shishani, who previously held this position.

Shishani, known as "the Chechen" was killed in July during the fight in the Iraqi city of Shirqat although Washington initially boasted that they killed the former ISIL commander in Iraq with a targeted drone strike, a claim that turned out to be incorrect.

The placement of Halimov to lead the terror organization’s Iraqi forces is a bit unusual for ISIL who normally maintain only "second and third ranking commanders who lead militants in Nineveh province," according to a source.

These ISIL militants tend to keep a low-profile to prevent being "detected and destroyed" by US forces who remain in a support function in Iraq, explained the source.

Source: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950616000414

ISIL Withdraws from Entire Heights Surrounding Energy-Rich Region in Homs

September 6, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- Syrian army soldiers drove ISIL terrorists back from the entire heights and hills near Maher gas field in Northeastern Homs.

Syrian army men and National Defense forces struck ISIL's gatherings and positions in Maher gas field, and pushes back Takfiri terrorists form Tal al-Sawaneh and the whole key heights near the field.

ISIL suffered a heavy death toll and retreated from the battlefield.

Also on Monday, Syrian military forces stormed ISIL's concentration centers in gas-rich regions in Northeastern Homs and pushed the terrorists back from a number of heights after several hours of fierce clashes.

The Syrian army launched a fresh round of attacks on ISIL's positions near Maher gas fields and captured several key heights in the region.

Syrian fighter jets, for their part, bombed ISIL's site near al-Sha'er oilfield, ended in destruction of the group's armored vehicles and machinegun-equipped vehicles.

Six members of Fatah al-Sham (the newly-formed al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group previously known as the al-Nusra Front) and Ahrar al-Sham in clashes with Syrian soldiers in Talbiseh and al-Rastan in Northern Homs.

Source: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950616000727

Syrian Army Wins One More Battle against Jeish Al-Islam in Eastern Damascus

September 6, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- Syrian military forces engaged in fierce clashes with Jeish al-Islam terrorists in Eastern Ghouta and drove them out of a key region, inflicting a heavy death toll on the militants.

Jeish al-Islam suffered tens of casualties and pulled the remaining pockets of its forces from the Southwestern side of Rahbat al-Ishareh.

The Syrian army men also advanced towards town of Ma'arateh in Southern side of al-Moshrifeh and took control over arms depots there.

At least 40 militants were killed and many more were wounded in the army attacks.

Syrian fighter jet, for their part, pounded Jeish al-Islam's supply routes in Eastern Ghouta.

Meantime, a number of Takfiri terrorists were killed in Syrian missile units' shelling in al-Afi well region.

Also on Monday, Syrian military forces continued to drive Jeish al-Islam terrorists out of more lands in Eastern Ghouta after hours of tough battle.

Syrian soldiers inflicted major losses and casualties on Jeish al-Islam and pushed them back from Hawsh Nasri and most of the farms in al-Reihan region near the town of Douma.

The Syrian army men also captured most of lands in Tal al-Sawan region, mainly in graveyard direction.

In the meantime, several tunnels of terrorists in Madhaya towards al-Zabadani plain were discovered and destroyed by the Syrian soldiers and Hezbollah fighters.

Source: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950616000805

Iran, France Discuss Regional Crises, Campaign against Terrorism

September 6, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani and his French counterpart Claude Bartolone in a meeting in Tehran on Tuesday conferred on the latest developments in the regional states as well as campaign against terrorism.

"We discussed and exchanged views on the regional crises and terrorism and of course, there were some common points in this regard," Larijani told reporters after the meeting.

"We also took a look at the solutions and the regional problems, including the problems related to Iraq and Lebanon," he added.

Elsewhere, Larijani underlined the good relations between the Iranian and French parliaments, and said, "During my talks with Mr. Bartelone, we also discussed the grounds to develop economic relations between the two countries and removing obstacles."

In a relevant development in June, Bartolone underscored that Iran plays an important role in securing the regional stability.

"France sees no durable stability in the region without Iran's help," Bartolone said in a phone conversation with Larijani at the time.

He, meantime, expressed hope for enhancement of mutual ties, specially in the parliamentary field.

The Iranian parliament speaker, for his part, thanked his French counterpart, adding that consultations between the two countries' lawmakers can facilitate expansion of all-out ties between Tehran and France, specially in the field of economy.

"Mutual cooperation and enhancement of economic relations, which entered a new phase after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's visit to Paris, is another topic that can be discussed between the Iranian and French lawmakers," Larijani added.

Source: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950616000557

Iran, Portugal Opt for Expanding Parliamentary Ties

September 6, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- Senior Advisor to the Iranian Parliament Speaker Hossein Amir Abdollahian and Portuguese Ambassador to Tehran Mario Damas Nunes in a meeting in Tehran underlined the need for the broadening of parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting in the Iranian capital on Sunday night, Amir Abdollahian and Nunes explored avenues for the bolstering and reinvigorating parliamentary ties, specially in the parliamentary field.

Amir Abdollahian, meantime, welcomed formation of Tehran-Lisbon Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Portuguese parliament.

Nunes, for his part, said that Lisbon is eager to enhance ties with Tehran in all fields , including tourism and academic exchange programs.

In mid-May, Tehran and Lisbon agreed to boost their mutual cooperation in the air aviation industry and transportation by establishing direct flights between the two capitals.

The issue was raised in a meeting between Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Qashqavi and Portuguese State Minister for International Affairs in Lisbon.

Qashqavi said that in their meeting, the two sides exchanged views on implementation of agreements and starting direct flights between Tehran and Lisbon.

The Iranian deputy foreign minister said that Iran and Portugal will begin exchanging visits by high-ranking officials soon.

In January 2015, Iran and Portugal agreed to boost their mutual cooperation air transportation.

"The heads of the civil aviation organizations of Iran and Portugal have conferred on mutual cooperation in air transportation and establishing direct flights between Tehran and Lisbon," Deputy Head of the Civil Aviation Organization of Iran Mohammad Khodakarami said.

He noted that in their meeting, the two sides exchanged views on implementation of agreements and starting direct flights between Tehran and Lisbon.

According to an air transportation agreement signed by Iran and Portugal in November the two sides agreed to increase the number of their weekly flights to 7.

"A 25-article air transportation agreement has been signed between Iran and Portugal," Head of the Civil Aviation Organization of Iran Alireza Jahangirian said at the time.

The MoU which was an effort to remove the obstacles standing in the way of air transportation between the two countries was endorsed by the two countries' aviation chiefs.

"Iran Air, the national flag carrier, and Portugal's Euro Atlantic have been mentioned as designated airlines in the MoU," Jahangirian added.

Source: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950616000870

Syrian Army, Air Force Smash Terrorist Centers across Homs

September 6, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Army troops, backed up by the country's fighter jets, inflicted a heavy death toll on the terrorist groups in the Eastern and Northern territories of Homs province.

Syrian warplanes targeted terrorist groups' concentration centers in Deir Foul and Talbiseh in Northern Homs, while ISIL's positions in al-Sha'er oilfield and Eastern side of the ancient city of Palmyra (Tadmur) came under massive bombardments of Syrian jets.

Syrian soldiers for their part engaged in heavy fighting with ISIL near wheat silos in Eastern side of Tadmur.

Syrian fighter jets also pounded ISIL's positions in al-Sukhnah region and Satih mountain in Eastern Homs.

Reports said earlier today that Syrian army soldiers drove ISIL terrorists back from the entire heights and hills near Maher gas field in Northeastern Homs.

Syrian army men and National Defense forces struck ISIL's gatherings and positions in Maher gas field, and pushes back Takfiri terrorists form Tal al-Sawaneh and the whole key heights near the field.

ISIL suffered a heavy death toll and retreated from the battlefield.

Source: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950616000841

Syrian, Russian Fighter Jets Bomb Terrorists' Positions Heavily in Aleppo Province

September 6, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- Syrian and Russian warplanes launched fresh rounds of combat sorties over Jeish al-Fatah's strongholds along the strategic Aleppo-Damascus highway, inflicting major losses on the terrorists.

Syrian and Russian warplanes' bombardments inflicted major casualties on the terrorists of Jeish al-Fatah and did not allow them to advance near Aleppo-Damascus highway.

The Russian and Syrian bombers also struck Takfiri terrorists’ positions at Khan Touman and Saraqib, destroying several military vehicles as well as killing a number of militants.

Reports said earlier today that Syrian government forces continued to advance against Jeish al-Fatah terrorists in the military academy buildings and took back a large depot of arms and ammunition and two more industrial sites.

Syrian soldiers and popular forces stormed Jeish al-Fatah's strongholds and pushed the militants back from munition depot, refrigerator-manufacturing factory and fuel storage facilities.

Scores of terrorists were killed and their equipment was damaged in the attacks.

Source: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950616000676

Mideast

Turkish border with Syria cleared of ISIL militants

September 6, 2016

The Turkish border with Syria was cleared of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants on Sept. 4, after the Turkish-supported Free Syrian Army (FSA) took control of all regions from Azaz to the west to Jarablus to the east.

The news came 12 days after the Turkish army launched Operation Euphrates Shield, aimed at improving border security, supporting coalition forces and eliminating the threat posed by terrorist organizations, especially ISIL.

The FSA liberated new villages on Sept. 4, a day after the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) entered Syria’s al-Rai district from the Elbeyli district in the Turkish border province of Kilis.

Syrian opposition forces removed ISIL militants from the villages of Tuwayran, Khaliliye, Bab Lemon, Hajj Wali and others in the al-Rai region.

With the new FSA-controlled belt extending three to five kilometers inside Syrian territory, ISIL’s physical contact with the Turkish border has been totally eliminated.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said late on Sept. 4 that Turkey’s border was totally freed of “terrorists.”

“From Azaz to Jarabulus, 91-km of our border has been completely secured. All terrorist organizations have been repulsed and they have gone,” Yıldırım said during a televised speech while visiting the southeastern province of Diyarbakır.

Ankara-backed FSA forces have started moving south to capture al-Bab from ISIL, Doğan News Agency reported Sept. 5.

Full report at: hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-border-with-syria-cleared-of-isil-militants.aspx?pageID=238&nID=103569&NewsCatID=352

Erdoğan reiterates call for ‘safe zone’ in Syria

September 6, 2016

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reiterated his previous call for the formation of a “safe zone” inside Syria to help solve the migrant problem, while also calling for the creation of a “no-fly zone” in order to secure the region’s security.

Stating that despite his previous calls for a no-fly zone being formed inside Syria with the aim at helping solve the migrant crisis not receiving any return, Erdoğan said he once again brought the issue up with the leaders of the world’s top 20 economies who attended the G-20 Summit on Sept. 4-5.

“We raised the issue of the formation of a safe zone in Syria to all our friends at the summit,” Erdoğan said, during a televised press conference on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in China’s Hangzhou on Sept. 5.

Erdoğan said that works were ongoing about not only a safe zone inside Syria but also the housing of Syrian migrants in various Turkish provinces.

Erdoğan said that even though no country had objected the safe-zone idea, no concrete steps had been taken.

“On the contrary, the Syrian crisis has become inextricable with new countries setting foot on the ground,” Erdoğan said.

Turkey hosts around 3 million refugees, around 2.7 million of whom are Syrians who fled the more-than-five-year-old civil war.

Erdoğan also said that a no-fly zone in northern Syria needed to be established in order to secure the region’s security, adding that he had proposed this option to both U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin during his meetings with the leaders over the weekend on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in China.

“We are in the endeavor to take this step,” Erdoğan said.

Source: hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-reiterates-call-for-safe-zone-in-syria.aspx?pageID=238&nID=103608&NewsCatID=352

Israeli Military Bombs Multiple Locations in Gaza

September 6, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Israeli military targeted with artillery shells early Tuesday multiple locations across the Gaza Strip, according to local sources.

Tanks patrolling near Nahal Oz military outpost along the border East of Gaza bombed nearby agricultural lands with three artillery shells, causing damages and a state of fear among schoolchildren. There were no reports of casualties, WAFA reported.

The Israeli military also targeted with five artillery shells multiple agricultural locations near the town of Beit Lahiya, North of Gaza, also causing damages but no reports of injuries.

The Israeli military claimed the bombing came after a projectile fired from Gaza landed at an Israeli military outpost along Gaza-Israel border.

Earlier at night, Israeli troops opened machine gunfire towards Palestinian homes and agricultural land adjacent to the border East of Deir el-Balah in Central Gaza Strip. There were no reports of injuries.

Israeli army and navy routinely open fire at Palestinian fishermen and farmlands along the Gaza border in a blatant violation of a ceasefire deal reached between Israel and the Palestinian factions in Gaza on August 26, 2014 following 51 days of a military onslaught against the Gaza Strip that left more than 2000 Palestinians dead most of them civilians including women and children.

Source: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950616000835

Footage reveals further evidence in Dink probe against arrested gendarmerie officers

September 6, 2016

Footage published by a Turkish broadcaster appears to show that six former gendarmerie intelligence officers who are currently being tried over links to the Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ) were complicit in the 2007 assassination of journalist Hrant Dink. In the images published by A Haber, they can be seen near the scene at the time of the murder of the Armenian-origin Turkish journalist in 2007.

In the footage, unearthed as part of a probe trying former gendarmerie officials suspected of having links to FETÖ and being involved in the July 15 coup attempt, investigators observed that six gendarmerie intelligence officers currently under arrest were present close to the scene when Dink’s murder took place on the afternoon of Jan. 19, 2007, strengthening the suspicion that they were in close contact with the assailant of the murder, Ogün Samast.

The prosecutor in the case has accused the Fetullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ) of staging the assassination.

In his demand for the arrest of the suspects, Dink probe prosecutor Gökalp Kökçü said it would be “far from a legal definition” to identify the acts of the suspects as mere membership or leadership in an armed terrorist organization in light of the failed July 15 coup attempt, which has been blamed on FETÖ. Kökçü claimed that the Dink murder was the “first bullet fired” on the road to the coup.

Dink, 52, was shot dead with two bullets to the head in broad daylight outside the offices of Agos in central Istanbul.

Samast, then a 17-year-old jobless high-school dropout, confessed to the murder and was sentenced to almost 23 years in jail in 2011.

But the case grew into a wider scandal after it emerged that security forces had been aware of a plot to kill Dink but failed to act.

Relatives and followers of the case have long claimed government officials, police, military personnel and members of Turkey’s National Intelligence Agency (MİT) played a role in Dink’s murder by neglecting their duty to protect the journalist.

Turkey’s top court in July 2014 ruled that the investigation into the killing had been flawed, paving the way for the trial of the police officials.

In January 2016, Supreme Court of Appeals ruled to tie the main case into Dink’s murder and prosecution into the public officers’ negligence to prevent the killing of Dink. Indictments for 26 people are now included in the merged case.

Source: hurriyetdailynews.com/footage-reveals-further-evidence-in-dink-probe-against-arrested-gendarmerie-officers-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=103618&NewsCatID=509

Turkish Air Force changes name of main base in Ankara used in coup attempt

September 6, 2016

The Turkish Air Force has changed the name of the Akıncı Air Base in Ankara, which was used as the headquarters of the July 15 failed coup attempt, Doğan News Agency has reported.

The air base was renamed to its original name, Mürted, which was used until 1995, referring to apostates from the Ottoman forces during the Battle of Ankara which took place between the Ottoman Empire and the Timurid Empire in 1402.

The Air Force also degraded the base’s status from brigade command to base command. According to the organizational structure of the Air Force, the commander of a base command holds the rank of colonel. In addition, base commands do not host fleets but are only used by other fleets during deployments.

Three F-16 fleets at the base were also shut down according to a decree law under the state of emergency. Around 60 F-16s belonging to the 141st, 142nd and 143rd fleet were sent to air bases in Merzifon and the neighboring provinces of Eskişehir and Konya.

The Akıncı Air Base was used as the center of the failed coup attempt on the night of July 15, which was blamed on the Fetullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ). Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar and force commanders were taken to the base and held captive by pro-coup soldiers. However, they were all later freed in a special forces operation in the early hours of July 16. Its runways were also bombed to prevent F-16s used by the coup plotters from taking off.

Opened in 1960, Akıncı was constructed on the Mürted Lowland in the west of Ankara to provide defense to the capital.

The base currently hosts facilities of the Turkish Aerospace Industries, but its future uses remain unclear in the aftermath of the coup attempt.

Defense Minister Fikri Işık had earlier said the Akıncı Air Base would be opened to the public as a “democracy park” as a part of the government’s move to relocate a number of troops in Istanbul and Ankara by mid-September.

Meanwhile, the Ankara Chamber of Industry (ASO) said part of the base should be affiliated with the air and aviation industries center in the region, while the remaining part of the base could become a “democracy park.”

Source: hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-air-force-changes-name-of-main-base-in-ankara-used-in-coup-attempt.aspx?pageID=238&nID=103615&NewsCatID=341

All released in ‘insulting president’ cases after Erdoğan pulled back complaints

September 6, 2016

All people probed for insulting the president have been released following President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s decision to withdraw such cases, his lawyer Hüseyin Aydın has said.

Aydın said more than 10 people had been released as a result of a statement by Erdoğan on July 27 that he would withdraw the insult cases he had launched.

Thousands of cases were opened for insulting the president after Erdoğan took over the presidency. Some of them are compensation cases – all of them against politicians and journalists – which have been opened by Erdoğan’s lawyers.

Others are public cases opened by the state prosecutors.

“For us, the milestone is July 29. We have taken action for the cases that took place before July 29. So to my knowledge there is no one left in prison for insulting the president,” Aydın told the Hürriyet Daily News.

There are nearly 4,000 public cases of insult against the president, said Aydın. “We filed a petition for all of them that we are withdrawing our complaints. We also asked that those under arrest be released.”

The public cases are not automatically dropped, even if the injured party withdraws the complaint. However, Erdoğan’s decision might work in favor of the suspects, said Aydın.

Erdoğan decided to withdraw all court cases he previously opened against the chairs of opposition parties, with the exception of the Peoples’ Democracy Party (HDP), as a sign of solidarity after the July 15 coup attempt.

Sixteen cases against Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), and one case against Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), have been dropped, according to Aydın.

In addition, 15 dossiers against Kılıçdaroğlu, and seven against Bahçeli that were sent to parliament in preparation for trial have been withdrawn, said Aydın.

In May, parliament passed regulations that would strip parliamentarians of their immunity, allowing them to stand trial.

Erdoğan’s move also covers cases that were made before his announcement.

Source:hurriyetdailynews.com/all-released-in-insulting-president-cases-after-erdogan-pulled-back-complaints-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=103614&NewsCatID=341

Turkey to join UK-led meeting on Syria’s future

September 6, 2016

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu is to attend a meeting in London, in which the future of Syria will be discussed amid an ongoing operation into its southern neighbor to push jihadists off the Turkish border.

“Our minister will attend the meeting on Syria under British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Sept. 7,” read a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on Sept. 6.

Riyad Hijab, the General Coordinator of the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) and the representative of Syrian opposition forces, will make a presentation about his vision on the political transition process in Syria, the statement added.

The meeting will bring together France, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Jordan, Italy and the European Union along with Turkey and the host country, the United Kingdom.

The meeting comes after the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) cleared Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) elements from the Turkey-Syria border and started to advance toward the southern town of al-Bab, still under jihadist control.

Source: hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-to-join-uk-led-meeting-on-syrias-future-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=103619&NewsCatID=510

Turkey ‘offers possibility of gas supplies through Turkish Stream to border with Greece’

September 6, 2016

The Turkish side has suggested the possibility of supplying natural gas through the Turkish Stream pipeline to Turkey’s border with Greece, Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller told reporters on Sept. 5, the TASS news agency has reported.

Answering a question on whether the fact that Turkish state bodies would in the near future re-issue permits that had once been issued for the South Stream project and that the work could be continued in the project’s previous configuration - with a pipeline to Bulgaria - Miller said: “No, we are talking exclusively about the re-registration of all previously issued permits for the Turkish Stream, a sea pipeline from Russia to Turkey.”

Speaking about whether gas through the Turkish Stream pipeline would be delivered to Europe, the Gazprom head also said “the Turkish side offers such a possibility to the border of Turkey and Greece.”

Discussing specific details

Russia and Turkey have also reportedly switched to discussing specific details of Turkish Stream pipeline construction, Russian Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said after the meeting the presidents of Russia and Turkey Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the G-20 Leaders’ Summit in China over the weekend.

“As for the Turkish Stream, it is also in progress. They are discussing specific details. For example, the exact place where the pipe will enter the Turkish coast and the allocation of a land plot for it. Very practical issues,” Ulyukayev said, as quoted by TASS.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak previously said that Moscow was planning to negotiate and sign the draft intergovernmental agreement in October this year, as well as beginning construction of the first leg of the Turkish Stream pipeline after receiving all the necessary permits for the construction and exploration in Turkey’s territorial waters.

Turkish Energy Minister Berat Albayrak and a senior delegation from Russia’s Gazprom headed by Miller discussed the upcoming moves to accelerate the Turkish Stream gas pipeline project in a meeting in Istanbul late on Aug. 31, said the ministry in a written statement.

“It was agreed to finalize the required permissions to realize the Turkish Stream project as soon as possible,” said the Energy Ministry statement.

Turkish President Erdoğan said the Turkish Stream project with Russia would be realized swiftly following a thorough review, during a critical meeting Putin in August.

Source: hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-offers-possibility-of-gas-supplies-through-turkish-stream-to-border-with-greece.aspx?pageID=238&nID=103620&NewsCatID=348

EU on diplomatic push to get migrant deal with Turkey into gear

September 6, 2016

EU officials have begun to visit the Turkish capital of Ankara with increased frequency in an effort repair the recent damage in ties, which became strained after the July 15 failed coup attempt and the process of visa liberalization for Turkish citizens to the bloc stalled.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini is set to travel to Turkey on Sept. 9, as the EU pushes to keep its migrant deal with Ankara back on track. Mogherini and Johannes Hahn, the European commissioner for enlargement, will attend a High-Level Political Dialogue meeting between the EU and Turkey in Ankara.

The EU’s stance following the July 15 failed coup attempt, visa liberalization, negotiations between the union and Turkey for the latter’s EU membership and Cyprus talks will be on the agenda of the meeting, according to sources.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently warned that Turkey’s migration agreement with the EU may collapse if the union did not keep its side of the deal on visa waivers.

“If our demands are not satisfied, then readmissions [of migrants] will no longer be possible,” Erdoğan said.

In a March deal, Ankara agreed to stop migrants from crossing into Greece in exchange for financial aid for migrants, the promise of visa-free travel to much of the EU and accelerated membership talks.

However, the reciprocal visa-free access has been delayed due to a dispute over Turkey’s strict anti-terrorism laws, which the EU said must be eased before any agreement can be made.

But after meeting with European Parliament President Martin Schulz last week, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım made it clear that Ankara would make no change to the laws, further putting the migrant deal into question.

Yet, Brussels and Ankara are in talks to prevent putting the migrant deal in jeopardy, EU sources told Hürriyet Daily News.

Turkey reportedly accepted delaying the visa liberalization to the end of the year, instead of the previously announced Oct. 1.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu will pay a visit to Strasbourg on Sept. 7 for the meeting of ministers’ deputies aiming to hold an exchange of views.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will visit Ankara on Sept. 9.

In the meantime, Erdoğan held a quartet meeting with French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi on the sidelines of G-20 Summit in China.

Source:hurriyetdailynews.com/eu-on-diplomatic-push-to-get-migrant-deal-with-turkey-into-gear.aspx?pageID=238&nID=103597&NewsCatID=351

Expert report proves police report wrong in killing of Gezi protester

September 6, 2016

An expert report prepared into the killing of a man during the 2013 Gezi Park protests by a police officer has proved a police report wrong.

The expert report disproved the defense of the police officer, Ahmet Şahbaz, who shot dead protester Ethem Sarısülük on June 1, 2013, daily Cumhuriyet reported on Sept. 6.

In his defense, Şahbaz said a rock thrown by protesters “may have changed the way he fired his weapon.”

“Due to the rock that hit my wrist, the position of the barrel might have changed and been directed toward Sarısülük’s head,” Şahbaz had said in his defense, which was refuted by the expert report saying no stones hit Şahbaz’s wrist that could have changed the position of his weapon.

Şahbaz was sentenced to seven years and nine months in prison by the Ankara Sixth Court of Serious Crimes on charges of first-degree murder, rejecting the defense’s claim that the policeman fired his gun in legitimate defense on Sept. 3, 2014. The 6th Court of Serious Crimes in Ankara ordered the discharge of Şahbaz a year later.

The 17-page report stated that Şahbaz kicked the head of a protester, prompting the people in the vicinity to throw rocks at him.

“The police officer fires his initial shot into the air. It is seen that Sarısülük lifts his hand up to throw a rock in the meantime. The police officer then fires the second shot. It is seen that Sarısülük throws the rock at Şahbaz, who then fires the third shot while his right hand is up. Sarısülük falls to the ground and Şahbaz turns around and walks away from the scene,” the report also said.

Şahbaz shot Sarısülük as police were moving in on protesters in Ankara’s central Kızılay Square. Sarısülük died after being hospitalized for more than two weeks, becoming the third protester to be killed during the Gezi Park protests.

Source: hurriyetdailynews.com/expert-report-proves-police-report-wrong-in-killing-of-gezi-protester-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=103623&NewsCatID=509

Africa

Islamic Movement In Nigeria Not Established On Sectarianism - Says Member Of The Islamic Movement

September 6, 2016

The member of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Yaqoub Yahaya Katsina, made the statement on Sunday, 4th of September, 2016, at the 19th annual seminar organized by Youth Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria under the leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky.

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - The member of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Yaqoub Yahaya Katsina, made the statement on Sunday, 4th of September, 2016, at the 19th annual seminar organized by Youth Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria under the leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky.

This year's event took place in Kano zone of the Movement with multitude of youths, brothers and sisters in attendance. It last for 3 days and was wrapped on Sunday, 4/9/2016.

Sheikh Yaqoub Yahaya was the guest speaker to deliver closing remarks. In part of his speeches, he explained that, Islamic Movement was not established on sectarianism. He added that, the Movement was established based on Islamic righteous leadership, knowledge, moral ethics and conceptual understanding.

Full report at: en.abna24.com/service/africa/archive/2016/09/06/777163/story.html

Boko Haram ‘Largely Responsible’ for Polio Resurgence in Nigeria

5 Sep 2016

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari may have declared that the war against Boko Haram was “over” in December, but the nation continues to struggle against the Islamic State affiliate’s influence in the region. In addition to experiencing waves of terror attacks and abductions, northern Nigeria is seeing a growing number of polio cases this year.

The Associated Press (AP) confirms, citing the World Health Organization (WHO), that Nigeria has documented its third case of polio this year in northeastern Borno state, the operating headquarters of Boko Haram. AP

AP notes that the third case joins two confirmed in August, “Nigeria’s first reported polio cases in more than two years.” Nigeria had only recently been declared officially polio-free, though the WHO has clarified that the discovery of these cases suggests that the virus “has been circulating for five years” in the region, during the beginning of Boko Haram’s reign of terror.

In a report from the ground in Nigeria, AP notes that Boko Haram’s presence in the region is a driving factor in the resurgence of the disease, which affects children and causes severe paralysis. Before Boko Haram, Muslim leaders were responsible for a polio resurgence after imams began preaching to their mosques that Western polio vaccines were part of a secret plot to sterilize Muslims.

Full report at: breitbart.com/national-security/2016/09/05/boko-haram-conquests-lead-spread-polio-nigeria/

Clearing Sirte of Islamic State weapons

September 6, 2016

As Libyan forces allied to the U.N.-backed unity government continue with their campaign to oust the Islamic State out of Sirte, a cleaning up exercise began Monday.

It entailed discarding weapons used by the Islamist militants in the recently captured areas of the embattled city.

The weapons left behind include explosive devices, land mines, explosive belts and missiles, all found with the help of bomb squads.

“With the participation of forces assigned with the liberation of Sirte, we removed land mines and explosives from their path. We were able, by the grace of God, to remove all explosive devices planted by the enemy,” said Aly Abu-Garoud, member of the bomb squad.

Libyan forces said they had advanced against some of Islamic State’s last holdouts in Sirte on Saturday as fighting resumed after several days of relative calm.

Source: africanews.com/2016/09/06/clearing-sirte-of-islamic-state-weapons/

Pakistan

Three held over banners threatening ‘traitors’ to Altaf

September 6, 2016

KARACHI: Banners inscribed with a threatening slogan against “traitor” to Altaf Hussain were put up outside the highly-guarded Sindh High Court building on Monday, causing a stir in political circles amid the crisis and criticism the Muttahida Qaumi Movement has been facing.

Police said the banners hanging on a grill just outside the SHC building area that is known for traffic congestion due to narrow lanes read ‘Jo Quaid-i-Tehrik Ka Ghaddar Hay, Wo Maut Ka Haqdar Hay — Jansheen-i-Altaf Hussain’ (Death to the Traitor to the Leader of the Movement: Loyalists to Altaf Hussain)’.

The police along with the local administration moved to remove the banners only after some TV channels broke the news. The police also detained three suspects present on the site. “There were three men in the car which was parked along the grill though it was not a regularised parking,” said SSP-South Saqib Ismail Memon.

“We are investigating the matter and it would be a little early to arrive at any conclusion. We are questioning them to know their identity and what they were doing despite knowing the presence of such banners,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sindh IG police A.D. Khwaja called the city police chief and other officers concerned asking them to immediately trace and arrest those “miscreants” who were trying to destabilise city peace.

“Such acts are an attempt not only to destabilise peace of the city but also the entire province,” a statement issued by the Central Police Office quoted the police chief as saying. “Area police should move fast and immediately remove all such banners and chalking from areas wherever they are found. Strong action against miscreants and anti-peace forces should be ensured.”

Full report at: dawn.com/news/1282323/three-held-over-banners-threatening-traitors-to-altaf

Denial of justice only presages revolution: Imran

September 6, 2016

KARACHI: Hurdles being put by accountability institutions siding with the oppressors in the way of justice and a peaceful change will only presage a bloody revolution, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan warned the PML-N government on Monday.

When government institutions were siding with the oppressors and the powerful, where else should people go to seek justice but to take to the streets, added Mr Khan while talking to the media soon after landing at the Karachi airport.

For the sake of hiding his corruption, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was destroying the institutions, he said. Referring to the decisions of the National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq to reject the reference against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and to accept the one against himself, Mr Khan said the double standards exposed the bias of the speaker and even made the parliament controversial.

The PTI chief said the name of prime minister was mentioned in Panama papers along with eight world leaders. There was property worth billions of rupees in the name of his children — Hussain Nawaz, Hasan Nawaz and Meryem Nawaz — abroad, yet the Federal Bureau of Revenue and National Accountability Bureau were not ready to take action against those who plundered the country’s wealth, he said.

“Ishaq Dar too had assets abroad,” he added.

Full report at: dawn.com/news/1282320/denial-of-justice-only-presages-revolution-imran

Pakistan developing maritime doctrine

September 6, 2016

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is developing its maritime doctrine in response to ‘disturbing developments’ in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to protect its maritime interests and respond to conventional and sub-conventional threats emerging there.

The draft doctrine is being reviewed at different levels in the navy and government ahead of adoption.

Senior Research Fellow of Pakistan Navy War College and author of the doctrine retired Commander Muhammad Azam Khan, speaking at the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS), said the doctrine aimed at developing coherence and uniformity of thought and action within Pakistan Navy and promoting cooperation with Army, Air Force, allied navies and coalition partners.

He said the doctrine would further give contextual clarity to all stakeholders and observers of maritime developments in Pakistan.

Cdr Khan gave an overview of the doctrine and said its formulation had been necessitated by the evolving threat matrix and maritime environment in the IOR.

“With the regional environment of IOR being marred by uncertainty and political instability, Pakistan has to maintain its maritime security, be cognisant of its security interests and put forth its doctrinal assumptions based on concepts governing application of maritime forces, the command and control structures and a carefully crafted role for its naval forces,” he said.

Full report at: dawn.com/news/1282336/pakistan-developing-maritime-doctrine

Flaws in antiterrorism laws being removed to enforce NAP: AGP

September 6, 2016

LAHORE: Attorney General for Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf said on Monday that flaws in the existing antiterrorism laws would be removed for effective enforcement of the National Action Plan (NAP).

The AGP was talking to media personnel after heading a high-level meeting on the implementation of NAP in Punjab.

Advocate General for Punjab Shakilur Rehman, Prosecutor General Ehtesham Qadir Shah, Law Secretary Abul Hassan Najmi, Prosecution Secretary Ali Murtaza, Home Secretary Azam Suleman Khan, Inspector General of Punjab Police Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera and others attended the meeting.

The meeting reviewed the performance of prosecution, conviction and disposal of cases registered under the antiterrorism laws, especially after the issuance of NAP.

Mr Ausaf said that measures would be taken to establish a better understanding between the centre and the provinces to ensure effectual implementation of NAP. He added that NAP was not a plan for one day or a year; it was an organised journey that would continue till elimination of terrorism from the country.

Full report at: dawn.com/news/1282341/flaws-in-antiterrorism-laws-being-removed-to-enforce-nap-agp

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