Azerbaijan to host series of international exhibitions this year

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Tuesday 01 Sep 2015 - 08:09 Makkah mean time-17-11-1436 Baku, (IINA) - Azerbaijan will host a series of international exhibitions and conferences during the year 2015, the Iteca Caspian, the event organizers, said. There will be 11 international exhibitions till the end of the year, according to AzerTac news agency.  All exhibitions of season in their themes will reflect the non-oil sectors of Azerbaijan's economy. The exhibition autumn calendar included Azerbaijan International Healthcare Exhibition BIHE, Stomatology - Stomatology Azerbaijan, beauty and aesthetic medicine, Beauty Azerbaijan, Education, Career, construction BakuBuild, "Heating, ventilation and air conditioning" AquaTherm Baku, security CIPS Caspian, ecology CTE and telecommunications BakuTel. New themes for the country will open the 1st Azerbaijan Conference on sustainable development and corporate social responsibility Baku CSR Conference 2015 which will take place on October 15 in hotel Fairmont Baku. BIHE exhibition for over 20 years is a traditional meeting place for industry professionals, highlighting the achievements of the market for medical goods and services. There are more than 120 companies from 15 countries in the list of participants. Pharmaceutical companies of Russia for the first time will attend a joint stand with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. Turkish companies specializing in medical tourism will take part for the first time in a separate joint national stand. Tourism companies engaged in sending people abroad for treatment will also participate in the exhibition. SM/IINA

Kuwaiti relief campaign launches for Rohingya Refugees in Malaysia

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Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 23:37 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436 (Image from Arakan News Agency) Kuwait, (IINA) - Kuwaiti Rohingya Relief Campaign began its works in Malaysia on Sunday, aiming at providing food aid to 1,500 Rohingya refugee families, Arakan News Agency reported. Campaign organizers said that 250 food baskets were distributed among Rohingya refugees in Langkawi island, they also added that the campaign scheduled to distribute 1000 more baskets for refugees in coming days. Jinan Al-Anizy, Campaign Chief, stated that the campaign will also hand 100 bags to children that containing games and items for educational purposes in order to bring happiness and joy to them. Al-Anizy is the head of the Kuwaiti Commission of Rohingya Rights Society for Human Rights. AG/IINA

Humans will colonize Mars by 2039, U.S. astronaut

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Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 16:03 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436 Buzz Aldrin (Google image) Florida (IINA) – Buzz Aldrin, the Apollo 11 U.S. astronaut and second man on the Moon after Neil Armstrong, is working with the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) to develop what he calls “a master plan” to colonize Mars in just 25 years. While speaking on Friday at a signing ceremony to establish the Buzz Aldrin Space Institute at FIT in Melbourne, Florida, Aldrin, 85, revealed a new plan to colonize Mars, and wants humans to be living there by 2039 – the 70th anniversary of Apollo 11, according to Russia Today (RT) website. Aldrin’s proposal is called Cycling Pathways to Occupy Mars. It involves using the Moon, asteroids and the Martian moon Phobos as stepping stones to getting to the surface. He envisaged that crews would rotate between Mars and Earth every 10 years. But he stressed that it wouldn't be “one-way trips;” rather, people would be able to come and go. Apollo 11 was the spaceflight that landed the first humans on the Moon, Americans Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, in July 1969. Armstrong spent about two and a half hours outside the spacecraft, while Aldrin spent slightly less than an hour and a half. AB/IINA

Abu Dhabi to host the 5th meeting of UAE-New Zealand joint economic committee

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Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 15:55 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436 (Abu Dhabi file image) Abu Dhabi, (IINA) - UAE Minister of Economy Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, and Tim Groser, Minister of Trade in the New Zealand government, will co-chair the fifth meeting of the UAE-New Zealand Joint Economic Committee (JEC), which will be held in Abu Dhabi in September, WAM reported. The JEC meeting, on September 6th and 7th, will focus on deepening and strengthening bilateral cooperation between the UAE and New Zealand across a range of important economic sectors. "Discussions will emphasize cooperation in tourism, education, healthcare, industry, SMEs, renewable energy, aviation, agriculture, technology, and innovation," according to the ministry of economy. The meeting will bring together representatives from federal and local government organizations, businesses and private sectors from the two countries. Sultan stressed the UAE’s keenness to strengthen its ties with New Zealand at all levels, pointing out that bilateral relations between the two countries are on an upward trajectory. Al Mansouri noted that the JEC will work on sustaining the momentum in improving economic and trade relations and highlighting investment opportunities for both partners. The meeting will also focus on strengthening relations between business communities in the two countries. SM/IINA

Arab league emphasizes the importance of the Saudi-US summit

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Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 15:46 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436 Cairo, (IINA) - Arab League Secretary General, Dr. Nabil El-Araby, on Sunday, stressed out the importance of the coming Saudi-USA summit in solving current regional issues as the conference scheduled to be in Washington next Friday. Pointing out that the two countries have a significant impact, El-Araby expressed his hopes for the summit to achieve anticipated results. He continued, consultation and agreement is desired about several regional issues, particularly the Palestinian and the Syrian crises. Finally, El-Araby commented on United Arab Emirates President’s humanitarian initiative in Yemen and said that the Arab League welcomes any humanitarian efforts towards Yemen, which is struggling with the current Houthi conflict. AG/IINA

Jordanian King, Abbas discuss efforts to jumpstart Mideast peace process

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Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 15:44 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436 (Image from Petra) Amman, (IINA) - Jordanian King Abdullah met here on Sunday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss efforts to kickstart the stalled Palestinian-Israeli peace process and pledged to pursue Jordan's role towards that end, Petra reported. During the Royal Court meeting, which attended by senior Jordanian and Palestinian officials, Abdullah pledged that Jordan will continue in its endeavours, in coordination with the regional and international parties concerned, to remove hurdles blocking the resumption of peace talks based on the two-state solution. In addition, The King assured the Palestinian leader that Jordan will stand with all its capabilities and resources beside the Palestinian people "in a manner to boost their cohesion and national unity". The King reiterated Jordan's full rejection of unilateral Israeli actions and recurrent assaults against holy shrines in Jerusalem, stressing that the Kingdom, as a custodian of the sacred places in the city, will continue the role of protecting Islamic and Christian holy shrines and safeguarding the occupied city's Arab identity. From his side, Abbas briefed the King on his recent meetings with various leaders in the region and the world in his bid to push for reviving peace talks "in a way to fulfill the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people". He thanked the King for Jordan's support of the Palestinian cause in international forums. Abbas told Petra after the meeting that talks with the King were part of the joint coordination with Jordan, and had tackled the ongoing Israeli measures in Jerusalem and the dangers they posed to the city as well as the King's role to defend the holy places. "The meeting with the King is within the framework of the continuing communication and joint coordination between the two leaderships towards different Arab, regional and international issues, particularly after the King recent visit to Moscow, and before an upcoming visit to the United Nations, in addition to the internal Palestinian situation, and in a way to enhance the two countries' vision vis-a-vis these issues", Abbas said. SM/IINA

Bahrain to host Global Employers’ Summit

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Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 14:20 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436 Manama, (IINA) - Vice Chairman of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Othman Al-Rayes, recently stated that 500 participants from Bahrain, the Gulf Region and the international community are expected to participate in the 7 panel sessions of the first Annual Global Employers’ Summit, BNA reported. The 2-day summit will be hosted in Bahrain on October 6th, under the patronage of Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa.  Al-Rayes said that "The 1st session will discuss doing business in the Gulf region; the 2nd is about the role of the financial sector; the 3rd about facilitating the free movement of workers; the 4th on the global youth unemployment rates; the 5th on trade, jobs and growth; the 6th on promoting inclusion and diversity; and, the 7th on business and human rights" .  "At their core, the sessions will emphasize collaboration among employers and employees and aim to promote investment opportunities in Bahrain, liaison between the private sector’s institutions, probing means of achieving sustainable development and enhancing the competitiveness of Bahrain", he added. Also, Al-Rayes called business owners and all interested sides to participate in this major event and to convey the experience of the private sector, he pointed out that this is also an opportunity to interact with other business owners and build business relations.  AG/IINA

Turkey appoints first ever hijab-wearing female minister

Turkey

Hijab

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu

Turkish Minister Ayse Gurcan

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

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Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 13:52 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436 Turkish Minister Ayse Gurcan (Image from internet) Istanbul, (IINA) - For the first time in the history of Turkey, a woman who wears an Islamic headscarf has been named minister, according to media reports. The 52-year-old Ayse Gurcan, an academic, has become Turkey’s first ever hijab-wearing female minister. She was appointed by Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as one of the members of the interim Cabinet announced on Friday, August 30, and will serve as the minister of family and social policy. The mother of three is also a member of the board of the Foundation for Youth and Education (TURGEV), of which Bilal Erdogan, son of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is an executive. Gurcan is seen as the mastermind behind the ‘three child plan’ repeatedly mentioned by Erdogan. According to this plan, each Turkish family needs to have a minimum of three children. The interim government announced on Friday includes members of the AKP, the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and other independent ministers. Its main task is to run government affairs until November 1st, the date set for new elections. SM/IINA

Regular exercises can reduce the risk of heart attack by half: Study

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Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 13:49 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436 (Image from google) Saarbrücken, Germany (IINA) - A new research study has found that regular exercise can reduce the risk of dying from a heart attack by half, The Mail Online health news reported. Also, scientists claimed that taking a brisk 25-minute walk a day can add seven years to your life. Even people who do not start exercising until they are in their 70s can still improve their health, the academics behind the study say. The research was carried out by a team at Saarland University in Germany, who introduced a group of non-exercising but otherwise healthy and non-smoking people to a programme of exercise. Sanjay Sharma, professor of cardiac diseases at St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in London, said gentle exercise can reduce the risk of dying from a heart attack in the average person's 50s and 60s by half. 'This study is very relevant. It suggests that when people exercise regularly they may be able to retard the process of ageing,' he said. 'We may never avoid becoming completely old, but we may delay the time we become old. We may look younger when we're 70 and may live into our 90s. “Exercise buys you three to seven additional years of life. It is an anti-depressant, it improves cognitive function and there is now evidence that it may retard the onset of dementia.” He said everyone should be doing at least between 20 and 25 minutes of walking a day, involving brisk walking or slow jogging. 'If you know that something is 20 minutes away, try and walk it if you've got time and not take the bus,' he added. 'People with a heart condition shouldn't run but walk to a point where they can still speak. He noted that exercise will bring benefits whatever age or condition. People who start exercising at the age of 70 are less likely to go on to develop atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm condition that affects about 10 percent of people over 80. SM/IINA

WAMY opens mosque in Chad

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Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 13:08 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436 Republic of Chad, (IINA) - The office of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) in Chad has opened Al-Rahma Mosque in  the village of Sheikh Hosseini in the country, SPA reported. WAMY stated that the mosque has the capacity to accommodate 200 worshipers, and that the project was implemented within the framework of the projects that have been approved for the office of Chad by the wing of social programs management at WAMY. Assistant Secretary General of WAMY Dr. Mohammad bin Umar Badahdah said that village of Sheikh Hosseini, which lies east of the capital, N'Djamena, was selected for the construction of the mosque due to the significant shortage of places of worship in that region. AG/IINA

OIC chief condemns terrorist bombing in Bahrain

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Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 13:01 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436 Jeddah, (IINA) - Iyad Madani, secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), strongly condemned the terrorist bombing in Karanah, north of Manama, in Bahrain on Thursday in which a security official was killed and 17 persons, including a child, were injured. In a statement issued by the OIC secretariat, the secretary general reiterated the support of the OIC for the unity of Bahrain, the safety of its citizens, for Kingdom’s territorial integrity, and for all the measures taken to enthrone security and stability in the Kingdom. The OIC chief recalled the principled position of the OIC, which condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and emphasized the need for concerted efforts by the international community to defeat terror and terrorists. SM/IINA

Islamic finance assets expected to reach $3.24 trillion by 2020

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Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 12:59 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436 Dubai, (IINA) - The value of assets in the Islamic finance sector is expected to increase by 80 percent over the next five years, reaching $3.24 trillion in value by 2020, according to initial findings garnered from the upcoming State of the Global Islamic Economy (SGIE) report. The report, which is commissioned and supported by Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre (DIEDC) in partnership with Thomson Reuters, and in collaboration with DinarStandard, will be published ahead of the second Global Islamic Economy Summit (GIES), which will take place in Dubai this October, Arab News reported on Monday. Islamic Finance is considered the most developed sector within the various pillars of the Islamic economy. The growth in the global Shariah-compliant economy is broadly measured by the value of Islamic finance assets. In 2014, Islamic finance assets had an estimated value of $1.8 trillion, with Islamic banking representing 74 percent of total Shariah-compliant assets, followed by 16 percent in outstanding sukuk based on ICD Thomson Reuters Islamic Finance Development Indicator (IFDI 2015). According to Thomson Reuters’ projections, Islamic finance is expected to grow to reach $3.2 trillion by 2020, with Islamic banking constituting $2.6 trillion of this figure. The total number of Islamic financial institutions (IFI)  operating globally has reached 1,143, divided between 436 Islamic banks or windows, 308 takaful institutions and 399 other IFI, such as financing and investment companies. Most of these IFI are located in the GCC countries and Southeast Asia, while the others are distributed between other MENA countries, South Asia and other regions. Most Islamic finance assets are held by Saudi Arabia, Iran, Malaysia and the UAE. It is noteworthy that as global acceptance of Islamic finance continues to grow, more corporates and non-Muslim sovereigns are announcing Islamic finance initiatives such as ethical or Shariah-compliant regulations, as well as products such as sukuk issuances. This increased appetite demonstrates that the market is attracted to the benefits surrounding the ethical principles of Islamic finance, linking finance to physical assets, productive fiscal activities and real economic growth. SM/IINA

Saudi National Campaign in Lebanon joins hands with UNHCR in supporting Syrian refugees

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Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 12:58 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436 (Picture from Al-Riyadh newspaper) Beirut, (IINA) - The Saudi National Campaign to Support Brothers in Syria recently signed an agreement with the High Commissioner for Refugees in Lebanon (UNHCR) in order to use the Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services Program (RAIS), SPA reported. RAIS program helps to enter data and information for what has been provided accurately on the ground in terms of aid to the Syrian people in all areas of the campaign. The program works to highlight the works and activities of the Saudi National Campaign as well as the value of projects being implemented by it in Lebanon. AG/IINA

Oman’s Islamic banking could achieve 17% of total banking assets in 5 years

Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 12:49 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436

Bank Nizwa (Image from Times of Oman)

Muscat, Oman (IINA) - Islamic banking in Oman could achieve around 15 to 17 percent of the total banking assets within the next five years in normal market conditions with recovery and stability in the oil market, Times of Oman reported citing an official banker.
Speaking to the Times of Oman, Dr Jamil El Jaroudi, chief executive officer of Bank Nizwa, said, “It is difficult to estimate the share of Oman’s Islamic banking operations at this juncture due to the volatility in oil prices, which is affecting the country’s growth.”
According to the Central Bank of Oman, the combined assets of Islamic banks and window operations surged ahead by 64.08 percent to OMR1,832.6 million by end-June 2015, from OMR1,116.9 million for the same period last year, while conventional banks’ total assets moved up by 11.22 percent to OMR27,391.9 million, over the same period of 2014.
“This is an important variable that would determine the nature of the competition for the banking sector going forward,” El Jaroudi noted.
However, assuming a normal market condition and recovery with some stability in the oil price, it is fair to assume that Islamic banking could achieve a level of around 15 to 17 percent of the total banking asset within the next five years, he added.
“This level would be similar to the other markets in the region including the UAE and Bahrain,” said the CEO of Bank Nizwa.
Commenting on the performance of Islamic banking in Oman, El Jaroudi said, “If you look at the industry reports, both fully-fledged Islamic banks in Oman and Islamic windows combined saw an average growth rate of over 40 percent year-on-year, in terms of total assets.”
The average growth for conventional banks on the other hand was around nine per cent for the same period, he added.
“In terms of financing portfolio growth, it is even more remarkable, as we have grown by more than 300 percent on an average during the same period, compared to the conventional banks’ average of approximately 15 percent,” the official noted.
He added that these figures are in line with the other countries in the region, which are experiencing the same challenges in growing their Islamic banking industries.
SM/IINA
 

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500 year-old manuscripts to be displayed at an exhibition in Madinah

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Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 12:48 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436 (Picture from SPA) Riyadh, (IINA) - King Abdul Aziz Foundation for Research and Archives will display next week a 500-year-old miniature manuscript, which is considered one of the oldest documents owned by the foundation, Arab News reported.  The miniature, a decorative painting on a manuscript, will be displayed at an exhibition in Madinah with the theme of “The Exhibition of Al-Madinah Manuscripts”, along with many other local, Ottoman and foreign documents about the holy city. The exhibition is organized by the foundation in association with the Al-Madinah Development Authority and it is to open on September 6.  The exhibition will have a number of rare documents of historical significance about Madinah, they will be displayed for the first time for researchers as well as visitors. Twelve libraries from different countries will participate in the exhibition with the support of Saudi Aramco. At the event, the foundation will highlight Madinah’s development over centuries as well as focus on the rich libraries of Al-Saud era. The exhibition will also focus on manuscripts of early Islam, verses of the Holy Qur’an on various items such as leaves, stones and bones. It will also highlight the Holy Qur’an’s final compilation during the time of Caliph Othman bin Affan. Furthermore, a collection of the sayings and traditions of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) will enrich visitors’ experience. AG/IINA

Russia to help Iran build own satellite observation system

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Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 12:40 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436 Moscow (IINA) - Two Russian space companies have signed recently a cooperation agreement with an Iranian corporation, clearing the way for the creation of an Iranian satellite observation system, RT reported. According to the signed agreement, Russian companies will help Iran to create its own remote-sensing system, which is used for gathering information about the Earth's surface, atmosphere and oceans. Russian company NPK BARL will be responsible for building and adapting the system’s ground infrastructure, while another Russian company, VNIIEM, is tasked with building and launching the satellites. Iran’s Bonyan Danesh Shargh will be the operating company. “The pre-contractual arrangement covers the development of an earth remote-sensing system based on an upgraded version of the Kanopus-V1 (Canopus-B) observation satellite,” Russia’s VNIIEM Corporation CEO Leonid Makridenko said, as cited by the RIA Novosti news agency. "The launch on a Russian Soyuz carrier rocket is tentatively scheduled for 2018," he added. The agreement was signed in the presence of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and Roscosmos General Director Igor Komarov, according to the Roscosmos statement. That is not the first example of scientific cooperation between Russia and Iran. For example, Russia's ministry for atomic Energy signed a cooperation agreement with Iran on the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran. The Bushehr nuclear power station became the first one in the Middle East. The Iranian space program is developing rapidly. The first Iranian satellite Sina-1 was launched in 2005 from the Russian spaceport Plesetsk on October 28, 2005. Four years later the Islamic republic launched its second satellite, but this time from an Iranian spaceport. In 2010, Iran claimed to have launched a rocket with creatures such as mice, tortoises and worms. Two years ago, the country claimed to have sent two monkeys into space which returned safely. SM/IINA

Self-learning artificial neuron created by Kazakhstan scientists

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Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 12:30 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436 Astana, (IINA) - Scientists in Kazakhstan have created an Artificial Neural Network (ANNs) capable of self-learning, a Tengrinews correspondent reports citing the Director of the Developer Company Adil Augaliyev. The system called iSam consists of 250 million neural connections. The artificial neural network is arranged following the principle of biological networks of nerve cells of living organisms, tengrinews news agency reported. This system is capable of recognizing objects in high-definition images, learning the patters of the objects and then recognizing them elsewhere. The project is similar to those attempted by Google and Microsoft. The software developed in Kazakhstan can serve as a platform for a universal technology that can be integrated into transport security systems, accounting and storage management. In addition, it can be used to study marketing potential. For example, in large stores, the neural network is capable of tracking the eye lines of customers and identifying the areas that attract the most attention. It can also identify the age and gender of the customers. Creators say the program is 80 percent ready. They are already testing it. In the final version, it can be used in the safe city project to integrate all the video surveillance systems into a single network. The artificial intelligence will be able to analyze not only routine events like traffic jams, but will also be capable of identifying potentially dangerous situations. The developers have already presented their technology to the traffic police of Almaty and the latter expressed interest in the project. SM/IINA

Obama invites Pakistan PM for U.S visit in October

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Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 10:07 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436 Washington, (IINA) -  The United States President Barack Obama has invited Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for a meeting at the White House on October 22, Reuters reported. The invitation came during the visit of US National Security Council (NSC) adviser Susan Rice to Islamabad on Saturday and Sunday to meet Sharif and senior officials, the NSC said in a statement. NSC noted "Ambassador Rice commended Pakistan’s support for recent talks between the Afghani government and the Taliban, underscored the U.S. commitment to an Afghani-led peace process, and urged Pakistan to intensify its efforts to counter terrorist sanctuaries inside its borders in order to promote regional peace and stability". A senior U.S. official said on Saturday that the meeting was intended to "advance our mutual interests and address areas of concern, particularly terrorist and militant attacks emanating from Pakistani soil." Rice also met with civil society leaders and commended their work in support of human rights, development, and civil liberties in Pakistan and affirmed continued strong U.S. support for their invaluable efforts, the NSC statement said. AG/IINA

Germans welcome refugees, reject neo-Nazis protests

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Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 10:00 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436 (File image) Dresden, Germany (IINA) - Rejecting neo-Nazis protests, thousands of Germans took to the streets of Dresden, deemed a stronghold for anti-immigration group, to send an out-loud message against xenophobia, news agencies reported. Organized by Anti-Nazi Alliance, the protest drew some 5000 people, though this figure has been contested by police forces who said that only 1000 people took part in the protest. Holding a huge banner that reads “Prevent the pogroms of tomorrow today”, the crowds marched peacefully through the eastern city under the watch of police in riot gear, AFP reported on Saturday. “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here,” they chanted. Dresden is the stronghold of the anti-Islam Pegida movement. Recently Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned of the damage that Pegida's "xenophobic and racist slogans and placards" were having on Germany's image abroad.  The anti-Islam protests have been condemned by Ulrich Grillo, the president of the German federation of industry, for undermining the country’s interests and values. Offering support for the Muslim community, German Chancellor Angela Merkel attended a vigil for tolerance in Berlin two weeks ago, in a clear message against rising anti-Islam, far-right group Pegida. Late in December, 2014, Merkel urged people in her New Year's speech to help refugees fleeing conflicts, telling them to turn their backs to the “racist”, “full of hatred” anti-Muslim movement. The protest followed an arson attack last week in which a planned refugee center near Berlin was set in flames, reflecting increasing xenophobia as the country braces to host a record 800,000 asylum seekers. SM/IINA

Boko Haram militants can’t read even Qur’an: Nigerian army official

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Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 09:56 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436 Nigerian senior military official Abuja, (IINA) - Blasting Boko Haram militants, a Nigerian senior military official has claimed that insurgents don’t know how to read the Holy Qur’an and don’t practice the religion that they claim committing atrocities in its name, OnIslam reported quoting news agencies. "Most of the Boko Haram terrorists captured by Nigerian Military cannot read the Holy Qur'an, some of them cannot even recite the first chapter- Suratuh Al-Fatiha, yet they claimed they want to establish an 'Islamic State',” Acting director Army Public Relations (Ag DAPR) Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman wrote on Facebook.  Considering the acts of extremist group as “ironically shameful”, the senior military official revealed that “when the Nigerian Military captured their bases and training camps, they never found Qur'an, Hadith or other Islamic literature.” Usman’s Facebook post was shared hundreds of times by his followers who asserted that the terrorist group tarnishes the image of Islam. On his part, Stephen Andow, former military officer, said that the insurgents were never Muslims from the onset. “We must face it. This problem affects the whole of Nigeria and not just the North. We must all arise with one voice to condemn these evil men.” For the last five years, Nigeria has battled a fierce Boko Haram insurgency that has ravaged the country's volatile northeastern region and claimed thousands of lives. Last month, President Muhammadu Buhari accused the US of aiding the Boko Haram militant group by denying his country weapons under a sustaining arms ban. SM/IINA

Egyptians to vote for parliament in October

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Sunday 30 Aug 2015 - 23:40 Makkah mean time-15-11-1436 Cairo (IINA) - Egypt’s legislative elections, the first since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi took office, are to be contested in phases between October 17 and December 2, the electoral commission announced on Sunday. The polls had initially been scheduled for early 2014 but were repeatedly delayed on legal grounds amid charges from rights groups of repressive measures by Sisi’s regime which has cracked down on the Islamist opposition. In a complex electoral system for the 568-member parliament, a sector of the electorate living abroad will vote on October 17, followed on the following two days by voters in 14 of the country’s 27 provinces. Runoffs in the same constituencies will be held on October 26, 27 and 28. Remaining voters abroad and inside the Arab world’s most populous country will take part in a first round on November 21, 22 and 23, followed by runoffs on November 30, December 1 and 2. The polls are to start more than two years after the military under Sisi, who was then army chief and won a presidential election last year, toppled Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, whose now-banned Muslim Brotherhood had swept Egypt’s last legislative vote in late 2011. The constitutional court had ruled in March that part of the electoral law was unconstitutional, prompting the latest delay before the electoral commission started work on setting new dates. Lawyers who appealed against the law said it did not divide districts in a way that would adequately represent voters. After Morsi’s ouster, Sisi announced plans for a new constitution, to be followed by presidential and parliamentary elections. A new charter was adopted in January 2014 and Sisi was elected president in May of last year. HA/IINA

11 people killed in fire at Saudi Aramco compound

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Sunday 30 Aug 2015 - 23:39 Makkah mean time-15-11-1436 Dammam (IINA) - At least 11 people were killed and more than 200 injured in Saudi Arabia Sunday when a fire broke out at a residential complex housing employees of oil giant Saudi Aramco, authorities said. The fire started in the basement of a tower in the eastern city of Khobar, the Kingdom's civil defense and the national oil company said on Twitter. A statement from Aramco, on its official Twitter's account, read: "At 05:45 today a fire was reported in the basement of the Radium residential compound in Al Khobar which is leased by Saudi Aramco for its employees." It said that civil defense and Saudi Aramco fire brigades were evacuating residents. Colonel Ali Al-Qahtani, Eastern Province Civil Defense spokesman said evacuation efforts continue to save people from rooftops. Residents said helicopters were seen flying in the area. According to Aramco's website, the Radium Residential Complex consists of eight six storey buildings and comprises 486 units. HA/IINA

Malaysian PM Razak: Protest organizers are haram

Sunday 30 Aug 2015 - 23:38 Makkah mean time-15-11-1436

Kuala Lumpur (IINA) - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has condemned the organizers of demonstrations in Kuala Lumpur calling for his resignation as "haram," during his annual address on the eve of Independence Day.
Tens of thousands of protesters have called for Najib to stand down, after leaked documents in July showed he received about $700m in his private accounts from entities linked to an indebted state fund. Najib said the protests mirrored "the shallowness of patriotism" and reminded protesters that the mufti of the state of Kelantan had called the protest organizers -  the electoral reform pressure group Bersih - "haram". "Before I make a further statement, I appeal to all, especially those here, either sitting here or standing, that without wasting time, let's focus our attention to silence and ponder and close our eyes," Najib said. "The fact that we are gathered here peacefully is a testament to the leadership of the country as well as those defending the safety of the country. That is why we are against any demonstrations."
The thousands of yellow-clad protesters, who slept on the streets near the city's Independence Square, had woken on Sunday to mass exercises and a resumption of the previous day's peaceful demonstration. They still wore yellow, despite Bersih's official t-shirts and logo being banned by police. Initial crowds appeared smaller than Saturday, when police said 29,000 had gathered, while Bersih said 200,000 had turned out. Authorities have blocked the organizer's website and banned yellow attire and the group's logo in a bid to deter the rallies, which were also held in other Malaysian cities.
The rally is scheduled to last until midnight on Sunday to usher in Malaysia's 58th National Day. "This is a watershed moment. Malaysians are united in their anger at the mismanagement of this country," said protester Azrul Khalib, who slept on the street with his friends. "We are saying loudly that there should be a change in the leadership." 
He said he was aware that the rally would not bring change overnight, but he wanted to be "part of efforts to build a new Malaysia". Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who has been spearheading calls for Najib's resignation, added momentum to the rally when he made a surprise brief appearance late on Saturday with his wife to loud cheers from the crowd, telling protesters to "carry on". Najib has been fighting for political survival after leaked documents in July showed hundreds of millions linked to indebted state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad had been deposited into his private accounts.
He later said the money was a donation from the Middle East, and fired his critical deputy and four other cabinet members as well as the attorney general investigating him. The prime minister earlier slammed the protests for tarnishing Malaysia's image. "Those who wear this yellow attire ... they want to discredit our good name, scribble black coal on Malaysia's face to the outside world," Najib was quoted as saying by national news agency Bernama.
Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi, who is also home minister in charge of domestic security, warned organisers faced possible charges under assembly, sedition and other laws. "What is important is that I am empowering the police to take action," he was quoted as saying by Malaysian media. Support for Najib's National Front has eroded in the last two general elections. It won in 2013, but lost the popular vote for the first time to an opposition alliance.
HA/IINA

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Bahraini official receives U.S. delegation

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Sunday 30 Aug 2015 - 17:09 Makkah mean time-15-11-1436 Manama, (IINA) - Bahraini Deputy Ombudsman Osama Ahmed Al-Asfoor on Sunday met a delegation comprising several U.S. Congress staff currently visiting the Kingdom, BNA reported. During the meeting, Deputy Ombudsman familiarized the U.S. delegation about the Ombudsman's duties of receiving complaints, monitoring detention and reformatory centers to boost the values of human rights and humane treatment on the part of Interior Ministry personnel to the public. Ghada Hameed Habib, director of International Cooperation Directorate, held talks with the delegation focused on international cooperation activities of the Ombudsman Office under various themes including training and exchange of expertise as well as international participation in addition to relations with the relevant international institutions and organisations in what serves their legal mission and function in the community. AG/IINA

1800 Palestinian prisoners face slow death in Israeli jails

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Sunday 30 Aug 2015 - 17:07 Makkah mean time-15-11-1436 Jerusalem (IINA) - Palestinian Minister of Prisoners' Affairs Issa Qaraqe said that nearly 1800 sick Palestinian prisoners inside Israeli jails are subjected to slow death as a result of medical negligence, while the international community stands by and watches in silence. Qaraqe asked the international community to pressure Israel to abide by the international and humanitarian laws in order to oblige the Israeli Occupation Authority (IOA) to provide captives with the required treatment. Qaraqe pointed out that the number of sick prisoners has reached 1800, including 85 cases who suffer from serious chronic diseases, including cancer, paralysis, disability, and psychological and neurological diseases. “Sick prisoners in Israeli jails are facing slow death which points to the importance of probing the health condition of prisoners in Israeli lock-ups and studying treatment mechanisms”, Qaraqe stated. He also said that the lack of natural sunlight and moisture in the prisons, along with the poor, imbalanced diet and restrictions on using the prison yard for exercise, can lead to health problems such as skin diseases, extreme fatigue, anemia and weakness, kidney problems, rheumatism, dental problems and ulcers. It is noteworthy that human rights organizations estimate that, since the beginning of the Second Intifada in 2000 until 2008, 17 Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli prisons and detention centers as a result of medical negligence. AG/IINA

Morocco's tourism revenues soared 16%

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Sunday 30 Aug 2015 - 16:47 Makkah mean time-15-11-1436 (File image) Rabat, (IINA) - After recording a drop in Morocco's tourism revenues in the first quarter of 2015, there has been a rebound, with revenues up by 16 percent last month, according to the latest figures from the ministry of tourism. Despite a fall of 1.1 percent in the first five months of the year, the number of tourists who visited Morocco increased by 15 percent in July, Morocco World News reported citing the ministry's report. The report noted that nearly 6.025 million foreigners visited Morocco during the the first seven months of the year, marking a slight increase of 1.5 percent in the same period last year. The Ministry pointed out that the highest number of arrivals recorded in July was from Germany, the United Kingdom, and North America. In addition, the ministry noted that the above average numbers of German (19.8 percent increase), British (6.2 percent increase), and North American tourists (10.5 percent increase) reduced the severity of the downturn in tourism earlier in the year. In July, the city of Agadir received 83,308 tourists of different nationalities while “domestic tourists topped the list of arrivals, with a total of 32,057 tourists,” according to a report of the Regional Tourism Council of Souss-Massa-Draa. In its efforts to boost tourism, the government is trying to attract more visitors from different countries, namely Russia, China, and Japan. As the second largest sector of Morocco’s economy, tourism accounts for around eight percent of GDP, employing some 500,000 people. SM/IINA

Jordan condemns terrorist blast in Bahrain

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Sunday 30 Aug 2015 - 14:24 Makkah mean time-15-11-1436 Amman, (IINA) - Jordanian government on Saturday condemned the terrorist blast in Bahrain that left a police officer dead and wounded seven other people.  Jordan voiced its solidarity with the Gulf Arab Kingdom in countering "this plague", Petra reported. ‏State Minister for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani said he strongly denounced the bombing in the Karanah village west of the capital, Manama. He reiterated Jordan's firm and unwavering stance in rejecting all acts of violence and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. "The ugly nature, methods and devilish designs of terrorism required the adoption of a global humanitarian effort to take the responsibility to stand up against this plague that threatens international peace and security", he added. Momani, who is also the government spokesperson, extended Jordan's condolences to the government and people of Bahrain as well as the victim's family, and wished the injured speedy recovery. SM/IINA

Blood test can predict relapse in cancer patients: Study

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Sunday 30 Aug 2015 - 14:22 Makkah mean time-15-11-1436 (picture from Wikipedia) London, (IINA) - A blood test that detects DNA mutations in the bloodstream can also predict cancer relapses in patients even before tumors are detectable in scans or symptoms are felt, UPI reported citing a University of London study. This new method of "liquid biopsies" is one of several meant to easily tailor treatments to patients and their cancer, rather than applying random treatments and hope it applies to the type of cancer they have. Researchers of Institute for Cancer Research in the University of London took tumor and blood samples from 55 women with early-stage breast cancer who had been treated with chemotherapy and surgery, blood tests were taken every six month to continue monitoring patients. During the study, 15 women tested positive for potential relapse and 12 of which are now actually experiencing one, their relapse was predicted an average of 7.9 months before visible signs of the disease could be detected. Researchers noted that more work must be done for the test to be developed into something widely usable, however the hope is that not only can it be used for all breast cancer patients, but to predict relapses of other cancer types and contribute to treating patients far earlier than they can be treated now. AG/IINA

Antibiotics could increase the risk of type 2 diabetes: Study

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Sunday 30 Aug 2015 - 14:19 Makkah mean time-15-11-1436 (Image from Mail Online) Copenhagen (IINA) - Taking too many antibiotics could raise the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, experts have warned recently, Mail Online health news reported. People who receive more than four courses of the drugs over 15 years are 53 percent more likely to get the disease, according to the findings of an extensive study.  The study of 1.4 million Danish patients shows a clear link between antibiotics and diabetes, the researchers said. Antibiotics are designed to kill the bacteria that causes infections. But the drugs also kill off some of the ‘good’ bacteria in the gut, which are known to influence digestion and metabolism. The researchers, whose findings are published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, tracked 1.3 million people without diabetes and 170,404 with the disease. The study found that people with type 2 diabetes filled out 0.8 prescriptions for antibiotics per year on average. In comparison, non-diabetic individuals filled out 0.5 prescriptions per year. People who received five or more antibiotic prescriptions over a period of up to 15 years was associated with a 53 percent increase in risk, compared with being given antibiotics just once, or never. Study author Dr Kristian Mikkelsen, from Gentofte Hospital in Hellerup, Denmark, said: ‘In our research, we found people who have type 2 diabetes used significantly more antibiotics up to 15 years prior to diagnosis compared to healthy controls. Although we cannot infer causality from this study, the findings raise the possibility that antibiotics could raise the risk of type 2 diabetes." Another equally compelling explanation may be that people develop type 2 diabetes over the course of years and face a greater risk of infection during that time. Type 2 diabetes is one of the greatest health problems facing the UK and other countries in the Western world. British experts on Wednesday welcomed the new research, but warned that it did not prove that antibiotics cause diabetes. From her side, Professor Jodi Lindsay of St George’s University of London said, “This paper adds to the growing evidence that antibiotic usage is linked to type 2 diabetes. Professor Mark Wilcox of Leeds General Infirmary, added: ‘Whether antibiotic exposure can truly affect the risk of diabetes remains unknown. “This latest study only shows a possible link between the two, rather that proving that antibiotics could cause diabetes.” SM/IINA

235 tons of Saudi aid reaches Yemen

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Sunday 30 Aug 2015 - 12:24 Makkah mean time-15-11-1436 (Picture from AFP) Sana’a, Yemen (IINA) - The King Salman Centre for Relief and Humanitarian Work has stated on Saturday that 18 relief trucks loaded with more than 225 tons of food arrived in Hadhramaut, Maarib and Shabwa governoratesofYemen, news agencies reported. Furthermore, the 10th Saudi relief plane arrived on Friday at Aden International Airport carrying around 10 tons of medical equipment and supplies. The statement noted that the humanitarian initiative, under the supervision of the center, is expected to benefit around 37,350 Yemenis, while the medical aid is to be distributed to Yemeni hospitals and medical centers. AG/IINA

Ghana to have first Islamic bank this year

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Sunday 30 Aug 2015 - 12:19 Makkah mean time-15-11-1436 (Image from pulse.com.gh) Accra, Ghana (IINA) - The Bank of Ghana has revealed recently that Ghana could see launching operation of the first Islamic bank this year, Ghana's online news agency Pulse.com.gh reported. The central bank earlier had to ask for an extension of launching till November because of challenges in meeting all key banking requirements. Islamic finance may be viewed as a form of ethical investing, or ethical lending where no loans are possible unless they are interest-free. Among the ethical restrictions is the prohibition on alcohol, gambling and consumption of pork. Islamic funds would never knowingly invest in companies involved in gambling, alcoholic beverages, or porcine food products. Its practitioners and clients need not be Muslims, but they must accept the ethical restrictions underscored by Islamic values. Head of Banking Supervision at the Bank of Ghana Franklyn Belyne said the regulator is waiting for some final requirements to be met by the yet-to-be-named bank before it can start operations. SM/IINA

Kenya goverment to issue sovereign sukuk

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Sunday 30 Aug 2015 - 12:10 Makkah mean time-15-11-1436 Nairobi (IINA) - The  Kenyan government has plans to issue sovereign sukuk (Islamic bond), IslamicFinance news reported quoting Lamin Manjang, CEO of Standard Chartered Kenya (SCK). In an interview with the African Leadership Network, he noted that SCK is leveraging off the banks international experience in issuing sukuk to assist the ministry of finance, Manjang further stated that Islamic finance is the fastest growing area in global finance. "It should be viewed as a value proposition open to all customers irrespective of whether the customer is Muslim or not," he added. SM/IINA

Djiboutian PM launches village project funded by Qatar charity

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Sunday 30 Aug 2015 - 12:01 Makkah mean time-15-11-1436 (IINA picture) Arta, Djibouti (IINA) - Djiboutian Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed laid the foundation stone for a village in Arta region. The village, funded by a Qatari charity group, would consist of 100 housing units as well as a health center, primary school, mosque, a tailoring center, drinking water network and other infrastructure facilities. It is noteworthy that the African Relief Committee (ARC) has taken the responsibility of building the village, which will be the fourth of its kind in Djibouti, and the period of implementation is one year.  AG/IINA

Bangladesh's historic mosque on the verge of ruin

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Sunday 30 Aug 2015 - 11:43 Makkah mean time-15-11-1436 (Image from internet) Dhaka, (IINA) - A historical mosque in Bangladesh is on the verge of ruin after suffering from neglect by the authorities, despite archaeologists' repeated warning of losing the historical site, according to The Daily Star news. The 406-year old Atia mosque was built on the bank of the Louhajang River in Tangail's Delduar upazila in 1609 as a gift by the Mughal emperor Jahangir. “It's our heritage,” Mohammad Babuluzzaman, current chairman of Atia union parishad, told the Daily Star on Friday. “Local people, together with the local administration, have taken steps on several occasions to protect the site. But the department of Archaeology always discourages us.” Located adjacent to the shrine of Hazrat Shahan Shah who came from Kashmir to Atia in about 1508 along with 49 followers to preach Islam in the region, the archaeological site has a national significance. Reflecting the beauty of the Bengali art, the nine-foot walls of the mosque is decorated with terracotta plaques. Nowadays, most of the colorful plaques are fading and losing their paints, while others are damaged. “Many plaques are worn,” says the current Imam of the Mosque, Farid Ahmed. “Parts of its unique decoration are falling off and water is leaking on the top of the structure.” Over the past centuries, Atia mosque was restored many times. Partially repaired in 2000 and 2009, the mosques need urgent repairs, according to the mosque's caretaker Monirul Haque.  “After sending reports, senior Department of Archaeology officials visited the mosque about six months ago to examine the structure,” Haque said. “And they assured us repair work would begin by this year.” Yet there is no sign of activity. With a population of 144 million, Bangladesh is the world's fourth-largest Muslim-majority nation. SM/IINA

Dushanbe hosts Tajikistan’s first international tourism conference

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Sunday 30 Aug 2015 - 11:33 Makkah mean time-15-11-1436 Dushanbe, Tajikistan (IINA) - Tajikistan’s first international tourism conference with the theme of “Tourism of Tajikistan: opportunities and new possibilities for cooperation” was held in Dushanbe on August 29-30. The first day of the conference discussed topics such as the prospect of opening new horizons in the tourist sector, faster implementation of plans and activities, the role of associations in the field of tourism development, as well as other issues pertaining to this vital sector. The event was attended by delegates representing various government departments and agencies, international organizations and diplomatic corps. AG/IINA

US residents in southern Wisconsin welcome Janesville's first mosque

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Sunday 30 Aug 2015 - 11:27 Makkah mean time-15-11-1436 (Image from gazettextra) Janesville, US (IINA) - Breaking barriers in the community, Muslims on Friday have opened the doors of the first mosque in Janesville, in southern Wisconsin, in order to introduce true Islam to visitors, according to Gazettextra news. “People are worried that Muslims are some type of a threat,” mosque's official Salih Erschen said. “If they don't know about the faith and the practice and the ideas and what Muslims are focused on in life, then that causes a bit a fear, so I always encourage Muslims to open their doors and invite people in and talk about what our faith is and share. Erschen's open-door policy worked. Several residents experienced Islamic culture firsthand as Erschen shared a short message about social injustice and Allah's role in the world. Erschen's son-in-law Ibraham Jitmoud read from the Qur’an in Arabic and ended the evening by leading Muslims in prayer. Those gathered included Christians from nearby churches who were curious about the mosque. First Congregational United Church of Christ member Jim Hay has also visited the mosque.  “We are an open and affirming church, where all people are welcome regardless of your sexual orientation, and we want to build upon that for the future,” Hay said. “I think it's great because we are a diverse culture, diverse area, and we can't ignore, we can't leave out, we can't pick and choose who we want, who we don't want,” Hay said, referring to the opening of the city's first mosque, OnIslam reported.  “And even if we might disagree, we need to find what it Islam is all about and at least respect it.” SM/IINA

Berlin Mosque opens its doors to public

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Sunday 30 Aug 2015 - 11:12 Makkah mean time-15-11-1436 Members of the community listen as Mark Minor speaks of his Islamic journey during the Berlin Mosque's open house. ( Image from The Berlin Citizen) Berlin, (IINA) - The mosque of the Islamic Association of Greater Hartford in Berlin opened its doors to the public. Visitors at the town mosque were welcomed with the Islamic greeting, (meaning “the peace of Allah be upon you”), during the open house organized earlier this month, Meriden Record-Journal reported. “One of the things I often say is that, as Muslims, we have to spend less time talking about what we’re not and more time talking about what we are about,” said Imam Refai Arefin, one of the presenters of the event. The program began with a tour of the mosque, located at 1781 Wilbur Cross Highway, followed by a brief overview of the articles of faith and Five Pillars of Islam: Shahada (faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (alms), Sawm (fasting) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah). Attendants also witnessed a recitation of the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam, as well as presentations from members of the mosque on different topics in Islam that have become misconstrued in modern society. “I think I was getting really sick and tired of the media putting down some beliefs and kind of bashing them,” said Candi Gilbert, a member of the Berlin community who visited the mosque. “And I’d read The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns (written by Khaled Hosseini, a Muslim author) and thought ‘the Islamic religion is really quite beautiful, quite lovely.” “I feel very comfortable. I want to learn the Qur’an by myself. I’m going to start classes once a week at the mosque, and just spread the word,” Gilbert said. “I came here on my own; no one told me to come here, I chose to come. It was welcoming, it was warm, it was friendly, and it was gracious.” SM/IINA

Islam is a religion of peace, cleanliness: Egypt's minister

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Sunday 30 Aug 2015 - 10:46 Makkah mean time-15-11-1436 Egypt's Awqaf Minister Mohammad Mokhtar Gomaa Cairo, (IINA) - Egypt's Minister of Religious Endowments Mohammad Mokhtar Gomaa underlined that Islam is the religion of civilization and cleanliness, Egypt State Information Service reported. In his Friday sermon, Gomaa emphasized that Islam bans polluting the environment and calls for cleanliness. He also noted that Islam is a religion of peace and security, stressing that terrorist groups that claim to act under the cloak of Islam have tarnished the image of religion in front of the world.  SM/IINA

Over 50,000 take to streets demanding resignation of Malaysian PM

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Saturday 29 Aug 2015 - 14:45 Makkah mean time-14-11-1436 Kuala Lumpur (IINA) - More than 50,000 people are protesting in Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak, who has weathered public outrage over a multi-million-dollar payment made to a bank account under his name. The protesters gathered at five designated areas in the Malaysian capital on Saturday ahead of a planned march towards the city's Independence Square, which has already been blocked for national celebrations on Monday. Kuala Lumpur authorities banned the two-day rally organized by the pro-democracy group Bersih, setting the stage for a possible showdown with security forces. The activist group has also called for rallies in the cities of Kota Kinabalu and Kuching on the Malaysian side of Borneo. On Thursday, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said in a post on its Facebook page that it would block websites that "promote, spread information and encourage people to participate" in the protest organized by the civil society group Bersih. The director of independent pollster Merdeka Center, Ibrahim Suffian, said discontent with Najib, who took office in 2009, is concentrated in urban areas and a national survey this month showed a slight majority were opposed to the rally. The 62-year-old leader ran into trouble in July when it was reported that investigators looking into alleged mismanagement at debt-laden state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) had traced a payment of more than $600 million to an account under his name. Malaysia's anti-graft agency has since verified the funds were a donation from the Middle East, which came just before a 2013 election. On August 3, it said it would ask Najib to explain why the donation was deposited into his private account. The prime minister's fiercest critic, former leader Mahathir Mohamad, this week said he did not believe the money was a donation. He also called for Najib to go. Najib, who has denied wrongdoing and says he did not take any money for personal gain, has not only ridden out the storm, he has tightened his grip on power through a series of deft steps to sideline would-be dissenters. He sacked his deputy and other ministers who had publicly questioned him, and the attorney general who was investigating 1MDB was replaced. Authorities suspended two newspapers and blocked access to a website that had reported on 1MDB.  Najib retains significant support from the long-ruling Barisan Nasional coalition and from within his party, United Malays National Organization. The Eurasia Group consultancy said this week the movement would not topple the government and was unlikely to inspire broad public support because it lacked strong leadership from a credible opposition figure. HA/IINA

Police officer killed in Bahrain blast

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Saturday 29 Aug 2015 - 14:44 Makkah mean time-14-11-1436 Manama (IINA) - An explosion in Bahrain has killed one police officer and wounded seven other people, among them a child, according to the country's interior ministry. The attack occurred west of the capital, Manama, in a predominantly Shia village called Karanah, the ministry said late on Friday. The explosion, described by the ministry as a "terrorist blast", wounded four policemen as well as a married couple and their child. One of the officers was injured seriously, Isa Abdulrahman al-Hammadi, Bahrain's information minister, told AFP news agency.In July, a bombing killed two police officers in Sitra, south of Manama. Police investigators later said five suspects were arrested for that Sitra attack, with Major-General Tariq al-Hasan, the police chief, saying the men were connected to Iran's Revolutionary Guard as well as the Lebanese Shia Hezbollah group. Also in July, Bahraini authorities declared they had foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons from Iran. Hammadi, the information minister, said the explosives used in Friday's attack in Karanah were "very similar" to that seized by authorities last month which "came from Iran." Bahrain faced unrest during the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, when a large number of Shias and some Sunnis demanded political and economic reforms in the country. Since then, there have been recurrent protests among the country's Shia majority demanding greater political rights from the Sunni-led monarchy.The unrest has been accompanied by a growing number of bomb attacks.The Arab Gulf state accuses Iran's government of encouraging violence against security forces in the country. Bahrain hosts the US navy's Fifth Fleet. HA/IINA

Four held over grisly deaths of 71 migrants

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Saturday 29 Aug 2015 - 14:42 Makkah mean time-14-11-1436 Vienna (IINA) - Hungary said Friday it has arrested four people over the discovery of 71 decomposing bodies in an abandoned truck in Austria, another grim tragedy involving migrants desperately seeking refuge in Europe. In the horrific incident — a rare occurrence on land in a prosperous country when so many migrants have died at sea — Austrian police said the dead were likely Syrians and included a toddler and three young boys. “Among these 71 people, there were 59 men, eight women and four children including a young girl one or two years old and three boys aged eight, nine or 10,” police spokesman Hans Peter Doskozil told a news conference. He said the time and cause of death still had to be determined but there was a “certain probability” they had suffocated in the truck, found Thursday on a motorway near the Hungarian border. Meanwhile, Libyan rescue workers recovered 76 bodies from yet another capsized boat crammed with people fleeing across the Mediterranean from conflict in the Middle East and Africa. The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, said as many as 200 people on two boats were feared dead near the western port of Zuwara. Hungarian police said they had arrested three Bulgarians and an Afghan and had raided several addresses and confiscated items over the Austria truck discovery. A spokesman for Hungary’s chief prosecutor told AFP a court would decide on Saturday whether they would be detained beyond an initial 72-hour period. Austria will likely seek to have the suspects extradited, possibly even on murder charges, the country’s public prosecutor Johann Fuchs said. Doskozil said those arrested included the owner of the vehicle and two drivers, and were likely “low-ranking members... of a Bulgarian-Hungarian human-trafficking gang.” Austrian motorway maintenance workers alerted police after noticing “decomposing body fluids” dripping from the vehicle, Doskozil said. Police were then confronted by an overpowering stench and a mass of tangled limbs and forensics experts worked all night to clear out the vehicle. The state of the corpses suggested that those inside had been dead for some time. Television images showed flies buzzing around the back of the vehicle in the baking sun. Austrian newspaper Kurier carried a black front page with the headline: “Who will stop this madness?” German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in Austria Thursday for a summit with Balkan leaders on the migrant crisis, said those present were “shaken” by the “horrible” news. “This is a warning to us to tackle this migrants issue quickly and in a European spirit, which means in a spirit of solidarity, and to find solutions,” she said. European Union leaders have struggled to get to grips with a crisis that has seen nearly 340,000 migrants cross the bloc’s borders this year — not counting August — and many have come from hotspots like Iraq and Syria. Millions of other refugees have sought refuge in places like Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan. Merkel said Friday that EU leaders could hold a special summit on the crisis, but that such a gathering “must be able to take certain decisions.” European interior and transport ministers gathering in Paris Saturday to discuss security measures following the thwarted train attack in France will also touch on the migration issue. “If the stink from our car parks gets stronger perhaps we will finally understand, not just in Austria... that it is time to create safe routes to Europe, fast registration and a swift and a fair sharing out (of migrants),” said Amnesty International’s Austrian chief Heinz Patzelt. HA/IINA

66,000 Nigerians to perform Haj

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Saturday 29 Aug 2015 - 12:27 Makkah mean time-14-11-1436 Jeddah (IINA) - A total of 66,000 Nigerians will perform Haj this year, according to the National Haj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The first group of 300 pilgrims arrived last Sunday, sources at the Nigerian embassy said. “The first flight that took off from the Kaduna international airport carried pilgrims from the Jemaa and Kajuru areas,” sources said. All the Nigerian pilgrims will be in the country by Sept. 17, said AbdullahiMuktar Muhammad, the NAHCON chairman. “There will be six airlines carrying the 66,000 Nigerian pilgrims to the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah on 13 aircraft.” He said there would be no VIP tents and all the NAHCON officials would stay with the pilgrims. The Nigerian mission in the Kingdom, in cooperation with the NAHCON, have made comprehensive arrangements to ensure that their pilgrims experience a hassle-free Haj this year. The NAHCON has closed its Jeddah office, with all officials now in Makkah and Madinah to ensure a smooth Haj for their nationals. The Nigerian government has set up a coordinating committee to supervise this year’s pilgrimage. The committee is funded by the service charge paid by pilgrims to the NAHCON. Earlier, preparing for Haj 2015, the Nigerian Haj commission made medical screening mandatory for their pilgrims. The Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board made arrangements for the screening, which included tests for Ebola and other infectious diseases that have surfaced in the West African country in recent times. HA/IINA

​‘Cradle of Islam’ launched at Melbourne Islamic museum

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Saturday 29 Aug 2015 - 12:26 Makkah mean time-14-11-1436 Melbourne (IINA) - A Saudi Arabian pavilion named “the Cradle of Islam” was launched on Wednesday at the Islamic museum in the Australian city of Melbourne.  Nabeel Al-Saleh, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, opened the pavilion in the presence of several prominent Arab and Australian dignitaries. Speaking on the occasion, Al-Saleh said the Kingdom’s support to the museum reflects the Saudi government's keenness, in its capacity as the birthplace of the divine religion as well as the land of the two holy cities, in introducing the Islamic culture to the outside world. Saudi Arabia had earlier granted $1 million to finance the activities of the museum, the Saudi Press Agency reported. HA/IINA

Russia keen to tie up with Malaysia in halal food, Islamic finance

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Friday 28 Aug 2015 - 17:00 Makkah mean time-13-11-1436 (Image from google) Moscow, (IINA) - Russia is working actively with Malaysia to facilitate and develop its halal industry and Islamic banking, says Regions-Russia Association President Linar Yakupov. According to Malaysian Daily Express, Yakupov noted that the Malaysian companies, involved in the halal industry, could enter into joint ventures to set up production and distribution centres in the Russian market, which has a Muslim population of more than 20 million people. “Russia is really pushing towards its agenda on import substitution. We grow a lot of agricultural raw materials, which need to be processed.” "We know our shortcomings. I think we are gaining momentum as there are Malaysian companies which are matured enough to go into the Russian market," he told reporters after attending the 4th AEM-Russia Consultations, chaired by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohammad. The consultations were held on the sidelines of the four-day 47th Asean Economic Ministers' Meeting (AEM) and related meetings, which ends Tuesday. The Russian delegation to the AEM is headed by its Economic Development Minister Alexey Ulyukaev. Touching on Islamic banking, Yakupov said a feasibility study was being undertaken by Malaysian experts to establish either Islamic banking or Islamic banking window in Russia. The minister pointed out that Russia had reached a level where it could provide good industrial technologies to the Asean market. In 2014, Russia was Malaysia's 22nd largest trading partner, with total trade amounting to US$2.8 billion, up 55.2 per cent, from US$1.81 billion recorded in 2013. Last year, Malaysia imported US$2.07 billion worth of goods from Russia, up 77 per cent, from US$1.17 billion imported in 2013. SM/IINA

Muslim community in Derby UK to turn pub into Muslim community center

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Friday 28 Aug 2015 - 16:57 Makkah mean time-13-11-1436 London, (IINA) - A pub (establishment licensed to serve alcoholic drinks) in Derby city in south Britain was purchased by Muslims after it was offered for sale by its owner, as community leaders promised to turn the building into a community center for Muslim families, according to  Derby Telegraph news. "We've only bought it because it was for sale. We've not precipitated anything," Secretary of Normanton's Jamia Mosque Nazir Hussain, told Derby Telegraph on Thursday. Hussain stressed that the mosque officials had no plans to demolish the building, promising to turn it into a "community building." The pub is not the first of its kind to be purchased by UK Muslims, as in May 2012, British Muslims welcomed the official approval to their plans to turn a former pub in west Norfolk into an Islamic community center, saying it will help Muslims extend bridges in the community. According to a 2011 census, the United Kingdom is home to a Muslim community of nearly 2.8 million, or 4.4 percent of the total population. OnIslam, reported.  SM/IINA