Jeddah (IINA) – The ministers of agriculture in the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will announce on Thursday their future plans for food security and agricultural development in the Islamic world during the meetings of the founding general assembly of Islamic Organization for Food Security and 7th Islamic Ministerial Conference for Food Security and Agricultural Development in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.
OIC Assistant Secretary for Economic Affairs Ambassador Hameed Opeloyeru said that the ministers will discuss a number of issues including the projects, programs and challenges resulting from water scarcity in the OIC member states.
The ambassador pointed out that the agriculture ministers will adopt the formation of the Executive Council of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) and elect the director general. The will also discuss the development of short and long-term programs towards the achievement of food security in the OIC countries, through the establishment of local and regional food reserves.
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April 27, 2016
OIC agriculture ministers to announce future plans for food security on Thursday
Indian Muslims’ experience can be model for others: VP Ansari
Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari. Image from siasat
New Delhi, (IINA) – Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari on Tuesday said the experience of the Indian Muslim minority community living in a secular polity having a composite culture could be a model for others to emulate, Daijiworld Indian news reported.
"Thinking minds should look beyond questions of identity and dignity in a defensive mode and explore how both can be furthered in a changing India and a changing world," Ansari said, while releasing a book "Fikr" brought out by the National Institute of Faith Leadership.
"The Indian experience of a large Muslim minority living in secular polity having a composite culture could even be a model for others to emulate," he said.
He said the book was an effort to remove widespread prejudices about Islam as a faith and Muslims as a people.
"This would necessitate sustained and candid interaction with fellow citizens without a syndrome of superiority or inferiority and can be fruitful only in the actual implementation of the principles of justice, equality and fraternity," he said.
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Afghan Taliban confirm leaders' visit to Pakistan
Members of Afghan Taliban (Image from Internet)
Islamabad (IINA) – The Afghan Taliban on Wednesday confirmed a visit of its leaders to Pakistan, Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) reported.
A three-member delegation arrived in Islamabad from its Qatar-based office on Monday to discuss with Pakistan the possibility of the peace talks, diplomatic and official sources said.
"Since the Afghan people have close relations, long border and commercial transactions with neighboring country Pakistan and a large number of our countrymen are living there as refugees. Therefore, the Political Office of the Islamic Emirate has decided to send a high level delegation to Islamabad," the Taliban Qatar office said.
"The esteemed leader of Islamic Emirate has instructed the delegation to discuss issues regarding Afghan refugees, some problems about frontier areas and particularly to discuss the release of Mullah Bradar Akhund and some other prisoners with the officials of the government of Pakistan."
Mullah Baradar, the former second-in-command in the Taliban hierarchy, was arrested in Karachi in 2010, and the Taliban said he has not yet been freed.
Pakistan said that Baradar had been released along with some 50 senior Taliban leaders in 2013 at the request of then Afghan Hamid Karzai.
The visit to Pakistan "would be in the interest of both countries and would have fruitful results", a Taliban statement said.
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Palestinian woman and boy shot dead after alleged stab attempt at Qalandiya
Palestinian woman and a boy shot dead by Israeli occupation forces (Ma'an Photo)
Jerusalem (IINA) – The Israeli occupation forces on Wednesday shot dead a young Palestinian woman and a boy after an alleged stab attempt at the Qalandiya checkpoint, north of occupied Jerusalem.
The Israeli police spokesperson said that two suspects, a young man and a young woman, approached the vehicular path leading through the military checkpoint and walked quickly towards border police officers, the woman carrying a knife in her hand. The spokesperson claimed that the officers ordered the suspects to halt before opening fire on them.
An eyewitness told Ma'an news agency that Israeli forces fired more than 15 rounds into the woman’s body, and confirmed her death. Witnesses also confirmed that the boy, who approached the woman after she was killed, was shot dead by the Israeli forces as well.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that Israeli forces denied Palestinian paramedics’ access to the woman and boy for medical treatment.
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Myanmar Muslim leader urges calm amid ‘incitement’ by Buddhist monk
Local buddhists acting under the orders of a militia-style monk illegally construct a Buddhist stupa overnight in Southeastern Myanmar (Photo credit: Islamic Religious Affairs Council Myanmar)
Yangon, Myanmar (IINA) - One of Myanmar’s top Muslim leaders urged calm on Tuesday, after he accused a militia-style monk and his disciples of trying to incite violence by building an unauthorized Buddhist structure in the shadow of a mosque in the country’s southeast, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.
“These are people who want to create an unstable situation (between the majority Buddhists and minority Christians and Muslims)," Tin Maung Than, secretary-general of the country's official Muslim body, the Islamic Religious Affairs Council Myanmar, told AA by phone on Tuesday.
“We request our people not to quarrel with them. We don’t want to see inter-communal violence anymore.”
On Monday evening, powerful Buddhist monk Thu Zana, known as Myaing Gyi Ngu Sayadaw (abbot), and his disciples constructed a stupa a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing Buddhist relics -- in Shwe Gone village in Karen State despite objections from mosque caretakers and regional government officials.
It was the second such attempt to push Buddhism in the area in the past week, after Thu Zana, the key person in the Karen Buddhist rebel group the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), built an unauthorized stupa near a Christian church.
Tin Maung Than said that during the country's years of junta rule Sayadaw had ordered his followers to demolish a mosque with dynamite in Thakhutkone village in Karen state after Muslims refused to leave.
“We believe they don’t represent the Buddhist community at large,” he added.
The Myanmar Times reported on Tuesday that authorities in Karen state have said that they will not allow the abbot to build more stupas in compounds of other religions.
It quoted State Minister for Religious Affairs U Min Tin Win as expressing his disappointment, saying such actions could cause conflict between religious groups. "We will not damage the Buddhist image. This issue needs to end now and we don’t want to see this anymore,” he added.
Thu Zana is widely believed to be the most powerful person in the DKBA.
The DKBA split from the predominantly Christian Karen National Union (KNU) in 1995, after Thu Zana said he planned to build several pagodas in Karen State, including one in the KNU's headquarters.
It has since signed a ceasefire with the government in exchange for financial and military assistance; on the condition, it supports government offensive against the KNU.
In 2013, communal violence between ethnic Buddhists and Muslims in Rakhine left 57 Muslims and 31 Buddhists dead, around 100,000 people displaced in camps and more than 2,500 houses burned most of which belonged to Rohingya Muslims.
Sudan: Implementation of 'Doha Agreement for Peace in Darfur' would continue
Director of the Darfur Peace Bureau Dr Amin Hassan Omar (SUNA Photo)
Khartoum (IINA) – Director of the Darfur Peace Bureau Dr Amin Hassan Omar on Tuesday stressed that the implementation of the Doha Agreement for Peace in Darfur would continue and all institutions that have not completed their specific mandates would continue discharging their work in the region, SUNA reported.
Dr Amin cited the examples of the Voluntary Return Commission, the Land Plots Commission and the Commission for the Security Arrangements, as well as the Commission for the Darfur Rehabilitation Fund and all relevant projects stipulated in the accord. He said these institutions have been assigned to specific works which they have to complete, well after the completion of the Darfur Administrative Referendum.
He said the Darfur Peace Bureau, which is a government body, had not in any way intervened to dictate to the people of Darfur the choice of the administrative system they like to prevail in their region when they voted in the referendum.
The official explained that, during the negotiations, the rebel movements of Darfur have demanded three main elements, including that unification of the region, development and fair representation within the Sudanese federal government.
He said these three elements have been fully carried out by the government, citing the funds poured by the government into Darfur for development and which amounts to over 3.4 billion Sudanese pounds. However, he stressed that the development would continue in the region until a medium development level is implemented.
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Jordan, Pakistan discuss military ties
Image from Petra News Agency
Amman, (IINA) - Jordanian King Abdullah on Tuesday received the Pakistani Army Chief Gen. Raheel Sharif at Al Husseiniyeh Palace. They discussed cooperation between the two countries in various fields, particularly in the military domain, Petra reported.
The meeting was attended by Prince Faisal Al-Hussein and the king's advisor for military affairs and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff.
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Croatia marks 100th anniversary of Islam's recognition
April 27 marks the 100th anniversary of Islam recognition in Croatia (AA Photo)
Zagreb (IINA) – Croatia marks Wednesday the 100th anniversary of the country's recognition of Islam as equal to other religions, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.
On April 27 1916, the Croatian-Slovenian Province of Austro-Hungarian Empire held a parliamentary session in which Islam was recognized as equal to Roman Catholicism and Orthodoxy.
The Croatian parliament will hold a special session Wednesday and numerous organizations will hold events in the capital Zagreb to mark the day.
The European Islamic Society Conference will hold discussions on the current situation of Islam in Europe. The participants will include heads of state and ministers as well as religious leaders.
Turkish Director of Religious Affairs Mehmet Gormez is among the 20 representatives of various European states. Islam was introduced to the region by the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century.
Roman Catholics represent 86 percent of the country's population, followed by Orthodox Christians at 4.4 percent and Muslims at 1.5 percent, i.e. about 63,000 people.
Croatia declared its independence during the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991 and was internationally recognized in January 1992. It became the 28th member of the European Union on 1 July 2013.
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UN Envoy Ahmed: No timeframe for Yemen peace talks
UN Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed
Kuwait (IINA) – UN Special Envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said Tuesday that the meeting of Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah with Yemen's delegations led to the breakthrough in talks, adding that no timeframe has been set for the intra-Yemeni peace negotiations.
The envoy explained that there has been many breaches of the truce in the recent period in the city of Taiz, adding that "comprehensive negotiations" would start on Wednesday in line with UN Security Council resolution 2216, which is seen as a basis for any peace plan.
He said no timeframe has been set for the talks which should continue as necessary to achieve a "comprehensive peaceful settlement."
"We don't want to go back to Yemen without a peaceful settlement," Ould Cheikh Ahmed said.
It is to be noted that the government delegation has submitted a complaint to the UN envoy about the continuous ceasefire violations by the militias.
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Morocco, Egypt win prizes in International Culinary Competition
Lamb tagine with prunes. Image from Morocco World News.
Oviedo City, Spain (IINA) – Morocco won on Sunday the prize for the best “main course” in the 11th edition of the International Culinary Competition, and the Egyptian team snagged the first place prize in the dessert category for “Kunafah,” a cheese pie with a sugary syrup base, Morocco World News reported.
A coconut milk pie served with sweet potato balls took the second place title in the same category. The awards ceremony was held on Sunday in the city of Oviedo in Northern Spain, according to a report by H24, during which the Moroccan team won its prize for its rendering of “Lahma Mhmara” or Lamb Tagine, Morocco World News reported.
Brazil, Nigeria, Spain, Paraguay and Cameroon also submitted teams of four cooks to the Concurs Internacional de Cocina. Each team had a total of two hours to create a main course and a dessert that reflects the culture and cuisine of their home country.
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UN chief welcomes swearing in of Machar as First Vice-President of South Sudan
A smiling Riek Machar (center) arrives in Juba
New York (IINA) – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the return of Riek Machar to the South Sudanese capital of Juba and his swearing in as the First Vice-President of South Sudan, calling it a “new phase” in the implementation of the peace agreement, UN News Center reported.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Ban also called for the immediate formation of the transitional government of national unity. “He commends the efforts of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) Chairperson, former President Festus Mogae, and the African Union (AU) High Representative, former President Alpha Oumar Konaré,” the statement said.
The UN chief also called on the Security Council to work closely with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the AU Peace and Security Council to mobilize the required support for the peace process.
Machar’s return to Juba marks a significant step towards bringing stability to the country, which only gained independence in 2009 after breaking away from Sudan, its northern neighbor. A political dispute erupted into conflict in December 2013, killing thousands, displacing over 2.4 million people, 650,000 of whom fled abroad, and impacting the food security of 4.6 million.
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UNSC does not recognize Israel's annexation of Syrian Golan Heights
UNSC rejects Netanyahu's claim to occupied Syrian Golan (File image)
New York (IINA) – The UN Security Council on Tuesday said that it does not recognize Israel's annexation of the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, in response to comments by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said on April 17 that the plateau "will remain forever under Israeli sovereignty."
"Council members expressed their deep concern over recent Israeli statements about the Golan, and stressed that the status of the Golan remains unchanged," China's UN Ambassador Liu Jieyi, president of the 15-member body for this month, told reporters after a closed-door meeting.
He added that council resolution 497 of 1981 made clear that Israel's decision at the time to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration in the Golan was "null and void and without international legal effect."
The Chinese UN envoy called on the parties to respect the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria on the Golan Heights under the UN auspices. He added that the Council reiterated the need for negotiations to achieve lasting, just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
In related developments, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the European Union (EU) condemned the remarks made by Netanyahu during a meeting of his cabinet held in the Golan, a first for an Israeli government in the occupied plateau since 1967.
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Czech Republic supports Morocco’s territorial integrity: Deputy speaker
Image from Morocco World News
Rabat, (IINA) - The Czech Republic supports the territorial integrity of Morocco and respects the UNSC resolutions regarding this issue, said Vojtech Filip, deputy speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies, on Monday.
Stability enjoyed by Morocco is an important factor, which the Czech appreciates, said Filip who is on a working visit to Morocco, heading a parliamentary delegation, Morocco World News reported.
During his meeting with speaker of the House of Representatives Rachid Talbi Alami, Filip said that his country will strive to find a solution for this matter while respecting international law and relating resolutions.
Filip also lauded the progress taking place in the southern provinces, said a statement by the House of Representatives.
Filip noted that he hopes that the good ties between the two parliaments will contribute to promoting bilateral economic and cultural ties.
For his part, Talbi Alami gave the Czech delegation details on the Moroccan territorial integrity, highlighting the main historical phases and new developments of this artificial conflict.
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April 26, 2016
Two groups in Missoula, U.S.A to host “Celebrate Islam Week” event
Tuesday 26 Apr 2016 - 14:57 Makkah mean time-19-7-1437
Image from internet
Missoula City Montana (IINA) - The Jeannette Rankin Peace Center in Montana, U.S.A and a group called "Standing Alongside America’s Muslims" are hosting “Celebrate Islam Week” event all this week to educate Missoula about Islam, Montana Public Radio reported.
Starting today, “Celebrate Islam Week” will share the traditions and culture of the Muslim faith in Missoula.
Betsy Mulligan-Dague who is the Executive Director of the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center noted that the recent discussion about bringing refugees to the city has scared some Missoulians but this week will allow those people to get a personal look at the Muslim culture.
"One of the biggest things is to be able to put a face to a Muslim in this community, because I think sometimes it’s so easy for people to generalize a group of people and make generalizations about them. It’s very difficult to be enemies with someone you can see and know, and get to know as a fellow human being."
Among the events this week, there will be a panel discussion on Thursday with local Muslims.
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Jewish settlers set up tents near Jenin in West Bank
Jenin (IINA) – Dozens of Israeli settlers on Tuesday broke into an abandoned military base to the south of the West Bank city of Jenin, where they erected tents, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.
Witnesses told the agency that dozens of settlers accompanied by a military escort broke into Dothan, and set up tents, performed rituals, and chanted racist slogans against Arabs.
Israeli settlers and settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal in international law.
According to the Israeli anti-settlement group, Peace Now, “Over the years, Israel has used a number of legal and bureaucratic procedures in order to appropriate West Bank lands, with the primary objective of establishing settlements and providing land reserves for them.”
“Using primarily these five methods: seizure for military purposes; declaration of state lands; seizure of absentee property; confiscation for public needs; and initial registration, Israel has managed to take over about 50 percent of the lands in the West Bank, barring the local Palestinian public from using them.”
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Italy denies offering to send 900 soldiers to Libya
Rome (IINA) – Italian government sources on Tuesday denied media reports that Italy has offered to send 900 soldiers to Libya, ANSA Mediterranean (ANSAmed) reported.
Corriere della Sera newspaper reported that Italy was preparing to send a contingent of between 600 and 900 soldiers and carabinieri to Libya to help guard sensitive sites including oil wells and train local security forces there.
Separately, the Italian Defense General Staff also described the reports as "groundless".
The reports came the day after Libyan prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj called on the United Nations, European countries and neighboring African countries to help Libya protect its oil resources from Daesh militants.
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Joint patrol initiated in wake of abduction of Indonesians in Philippine waters
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Image from Internet)
Jakarta (IINA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has initiated a joint patrol involving Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines in the wake of 14 Indonesians held hostage in the Philippine waters, ANTARA News reported.
"This week, we will invite the Malaysian military chief and foreign minister, and the Philippine military chief and foreign minister to discuss the possibility of a joint patrol to ensure that the sea lane is safe," Jokowi said Tuesday.
The president said the process of releasing the Indonesians held hostage by the armed group since a few weeks ago is not simple thing.
"We will find it hard. We must understand that the other cases which have lasted for six and eight months have not been resolved either. In fact, any of them has been executed. It is not that easy to underestimate a difficult thing as Philippine soldiers have cordoned off the area. As we all know that the hostages have been removed to other area. Has the act of removing the hostage caused difficulties to us?" he said.
After all, the president said he will never give up and keep trying to release the Indonesians held hostage.
Operations have been conducted at noon and night to ensure that the hostages will not lose contact with the Philippine government, he said.
"We hope that it can be resolved soon as I have stated," President Jokowi said.
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Turkey, Azerbaijan discuss bilateral relations and regional issues
Turkish President Recep Erdogan (Left) with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev. Image from Anadolu Agency
Baku, (IINA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met here on Monday his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.
The Turkish president, who is in Baku to attend the 7th United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Global Forum, discussed with President Aliyev bilateral relations as well regional issues.
The two leaders emphasized the importance of cooperation in all areas, especially energy.
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ICC opens preliminary probe into Burundi violence
Headquarters of the ICC, The Hague, Netherlands
The Hague (IINA) – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has said it is opening a preliminary probe into the violence that erupted last year in Burundi, Voice of America (VOA) reported.
ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said the probe is not an investigation and offered no timeline of how long it will last. But in a statement announcing her decision Monday, she said she has been closely tracking the uptick of violence in Burundi that has been a member of the Hague-based court since 2004.
“My office has reviewed communications and reports about killings, imprisonment, torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence as well as cases of enforced disappearances. Because all these acts appear to fall within the jurisdiction of ICC, I have decided to open a preliminary examination into the situation in Burundi since April 2015,” Bensouda said.
Burundi’s political crisis was triggered last year when President Pierre Nkurunziza ran for a disputed third term. The ICC prosecutor said at least 430 people have been killed, 3,400 have been arrested and more than 230,000 Burundians have fled the country.
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Algeria to host consultation meeting on launch of AFRIPOL
The launch of AFRIPOL, Algiers (Pic: Algeria Press Service)
Algiers (IINA) – Algeria will host on Wednesday a consultation meeting on the launch of the African Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL), as part of a joint security action, the Directorate General of National Police (DGSN) said Monday.
According to Algeria Press Service, the two-day meeting will bring together representatives of African regional institutions of police cooperation, as well as representatives of INTERPOL, AFRIPOL, ASEANAPOL and AMERIPOL, in addition to the African Centre of Studies and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT).
The two-day meeting is part of the recommendations of AFRIPOL meeting, held in Algiers in December 2015.
The meeting aims at strengthening consultation and exchange of expertise between the participating members, regional security institutions and international security organizations. It will allow the participating experts to develop a plan of action and an operational strategy for the launch of the African mechanism.
Also, the meeting will be an opportunity to set up an efficient mechanism for exchange of information between the member states, especially as regards the free movement of persons, goods and capitals between the member states and the exchange of views to fight cross-border organized crime.
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Pentagon launches first full-scale cyberattack against Daesh
The Pentagon (Image from Internet)
Washington (IINA) – The Pentagon is launching its first full-scale cyber offensive against the terrorist group Daesh, The New York Times reported.
The campaign includes efforts to imitate prominent Daesh commanders online and mislead militants, as well as to interrupt and redirect electronic transfers of money used to fund the group’s extremist agenda.
To conduct the offensive, the Pentagon has created a cadre of “national mission teams” that resemble special operations forces.
The military is hoping to spread concern among Daesh members that US cyber-attacks are manipulating their data and eavesdropping on communications with potential recruits.
“We are dropping cyber bombs,” Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work told the Times. “We have never done that before.”
The US has struggled to counteract Daesh online. The terrorist group successfully uses online messaging platforms and social media networks to spread propaganda, radicalize foreigners and conduct its own low-scale digital disruptions through cyberattacks.
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Turkey should have 'religious constitution': Parliament speaker
Turkish Parliament Speaker Ismail Kahraman (Image from Internet)
Ankara (IINA) – Turkish Parliament Speaker Ismail Kahraman said Monday that the country's new constitution should be "religious" and that the principle of "Secularism" should not be included in it.
"As a Muslim country, why should we be in a situation where we are in retreat from religion?" Kahraman was quoted by Anadolu Agency as saying at a press conference in Istanbul.
"Secularism cannot feature in the new constitution," he added.
The opposition slammed the speaker's comments and accused the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of undermining the secular values laid by modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk since it took power in 2002.
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Lavrov, Kerry discuss ways to reinforce Syrian truce
Russian FM Lavrov (L) and US Secretary of State Kerry (RT Photo)
Moscow (IINA) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his American counterpart John Kerry discussed by phone ways to support and reinforce the truce in Syria, and agreed to continue cooperation within the framework of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG).
"The foreign policy chiefs continued considering ways of Russian-U.S. interaction in the interest of supporting and reinforcing the truce in Syria, providing its population with humanitarian aid and launching a sustainable political settlement process," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
"Full support was reaffirmed for the ongoing UN-brokered Geneva talks between the country's authorities and their opponents, aimed at setting the contours of the future political system. Lavrov also emphasized the need for swift withdrawal by moderate opposition groups from the areas controlled by the ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groups, and to cut off the supply routes to extremists," the ministry said, adding: "It was agreed to continue the cooperation within the International Syria Support Group."
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Large majority of US Senate urges Obama to boost defense aid to Israel
US President Obama (Image from Internet)
Washington (IINA) – A large majority of US senators on Monday urged President Barack Obama to expand defense-related aid to Israel by signing a "robust" commitment to help Washington's Mideast ally combat mounting security challenges, AFP reported.
Eighty-three of the chamber's 100 members signed the letter to the president highlighting the need to negotiate an enhanced memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Israel.
"In light of Israel's dramatically rising defense challenges, we stand ready to support a substantially enhanced new long-term agreement to help provide Israel the resources it requires to defend itself and preserve its qualitative military edge," wrote the 51 Republicans and 32 Democrats.
Senator Ted Cruz, currently battling with billionaire Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, has signed on, but independent Senator Bernie Sanders, who is challenging Hillary Clinton in the Democratic race, has not.
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UNSC calls for Yemen negotiators to develop roadmap for security measures
UNSC meeting to discuss situation in Yemen (UN Photo)
New York (IINA) – The UN Security Council on Monday called on all parties involved in the intra-Yemeni peace talks to develop a roadmap for the implementation of interim security measures as they work towards a comprehensive agreement that will bring a permanent end to the political crisis in the country.
Adopting a Presidential Statement, the 15-member body called on all Yemeni parties to “develop a roadmap for the implementation of interim security measures, especially at the local level, withdrawals, handover of heavy weapons, restoration of state institutions, and the resumption of political dialogue in line with relevant Security Council decisions, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Initiative and Implementation Mechanism, and the outcome of the comprehensive National Dialogue conference.”
The Council also expressed “strong concern” about intensified terrorist attacks, including by Al-Qaeda and Daesh, and encouraged all Yemeni parties to “avoid any security vacuums that can be exploited by terrorists or other violent groups.”
“The Security Council stresses that a political solution to the crisis is essential to address, in a durable and comprehensive manner, the threat of terrorism in Yemen,” the statement said.
In addition, the Council stressed the importance of the restoration of government control over all state institutions. In related news, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed welcomed reports that indicate tangible progress in bringing an end to hostilities and an improvement in the general security situation in Yemen.
“Reports indicate real improvement in the situation which reflects the parties’ commitment to the cessation of hostilities,” Ould Cheikh Ahmed said in a statement.
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Morocco convenes meeting with GCC states at UN
Image from Morocco World News
New York, (IINA) - Morocco has called on Monday for a meeting with GCC countries at level of ambassadors , a source at the United Nations told Morocco World News (MWN).
The meeting comes to discuss the latest developments concerning the draft resolution that will be submitted to the Security Council for consideration on Tuesday.
The source noted that the United States, the penholder of resolutions on the Western Sahara, has submitted the draft resolution it prepared over the weekend to the Group of Friends of the Western Sahara without informing Morocco of its content.
In addition to the U.S., the Group of Friends of Western Sahara includes France, the United Kingdom, Russia and Spain.
In the past, the US had by practice previously consulted with Morocco before submitting the draft resolution to the other members of the Security Council.
An UN expert, who has been following negotiations on the draft resolution, said Morocco’s decision to request a meeting with GCC countries responds to the need to mobilize these countries and urge them to put on pressure on the influential members of the Security Council to avoid the adoption of any resolution that might go against Morocco’s interests.
During the first Morocco-GCC summit last Wednesday, six members of this regional bloc expressed their full support for Morocco’s sovereignty on the Western Sahara.
“We stress our support to all political and security causes that are important for your brotherly country, mainly the Western Sahara,” Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman said while addressing Moroccan King Mohammed VI during the opening speech of the summit in Riyadh.
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April 25, 2016
Two Chairmen of 9/11 Commission rebut allegations linking Saudi to the attacks
Commission Chairman Thomas Kean, left, and Vice Chairman Lee Hamilton. Image from library.cqpress/AFP
Washington, (IINA) - Two chairmen of the official commission which was in charge of the investigation into the September 11 attacks have refuted accusations that the commission did not investigate Saudi Arabia’s alleged involvement in the attacks thoroughly enough, Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported.
The two commissioners on the 9/11 Commission Report, Thomas Keen and Lee Hamilton, issued a statement on Friday, saying that investigators have finished working on the main leads in those pages and were unable to find evidence for the alleged involvement of Saudi Arabia in the attacks, according to the newspaper.
After more than 10 years since the National Commission on terrorist attacks upon the United States released its public report, there is a movement in Washington which is putting pressure on the administration to reveal what is known as the “28 pages”, which were withheld from the 838-page report on the orders of President George W. Bush for security reasons.
Colonel Derek Harvey, a former intelligence officer in the American army, told Asharq Al-Awsat that “There is a hostile view towards Saudi Arabia in the United States, which is pushing Congress to pass the “Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act” (JASTA) due to the perception that Saudi has not done enough ….
In addition to some misinformation that some people have exploited to portray the idea that Saudi is not taking action to annihilate the militants.”
On his part, a former official in the Bush junior administration told Asharq Al-Awsat that the “9/11 Commission Report that was prepared” around 11 years ago, did not condemn Saudi and added that he had personally looked at the report and could confirm that no evidence to suggest the involvement of Saudi or any of its officials in the events of September was found. In addition to this, there was no evidence of supervising the financing of individuals or Al-Qaeda founders.
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Malaysia to host World Travel Market Connect Asia in May
George Town, Penang state, Malaysia (Image from Internet)
Kuala Lumpur (IINA) – Malaysia will be the first country in Southeast Asia to host the three-day World Travel Market (WTM) Connect Asia, beginning from May 18, BERNAMA reported.
Director General of Tourism Malaysia Mirza Mohammad Taiyab Beg said the event, to be held in George Town, the capital city of the Malaysian state of Penang, is in line with the government's objective in establishing the country as a leading business tourism destination.
"This event offers Malaysian sellers an excellent platform to meet international buyers as it will be an ideal platform for those tourism trade industries to network and explore potential partnerships and business opportunities," he said at the WTM Connect Asia 2016 press conference here on Monday.
WTM Connect Asia, expected to receive 300 tourism industry professionals, will attract top quality buyers from the world's leading tour operators such as Swiss travel group Kuoni, China Ctrip and China U-Tour to negotiate and sign business deals with these growing markets.
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Local Muslim Americans hold rally in support of Hillary Clinton
Rockville City, Maryland (IINA) - Hundreds of people turned out for a rally hosted by the Coalition of American Muslims for Hillary Clinton on Sunday in Rockville. The event drew over 500 people as well as local and national political leaders, Montgomery Community Media (MCM) reported.
Sultan Chowdhury is a member of the Coalition of American Muslims for Hillary and one of the organizers of the event.
We want to show the political leadership that Muslims are a significant community here and we participate in the political process. We believe Hillary reflects the vision of the country and she will be a uniter,” Chowdhury said.
National political leaders including U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings, U.S. Representative John Sarbanes and U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez gave remarks during the event. Congressman Cummings touched on the current tone of the presidential campaign and challenged politicians and voters to value the diversity of America. “Diversity is not our problem, it’s our promise,” Cummings said.
John Podesta is the chair of Hillary for America. Podesta is hoping that Marylanders support Clinton for the Maryland Presidential Primary. During his remarks, Podesta added that Hillary Clinton could secure the nomination after the April 26th primaries and become the first female candidate for president from a major political party in the United States.
“We brought a big multicultural group out in support of Hillary because the Maryland Primary is critical,” Podesta said. ”We want to win big here and I think that the campaigning she’s done around the country and here in Maryland demonstrates that she’s the person that can deliver results.”
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IIROSA distributes urgent food aid to flood victims in Bulgaria
Areas affected by floods in Bulgaria (Image from Internet)
Jeddah (IINA) – The International Islamic Relief Organization (IIROSA), an affiliate of the Muslim World League (MWL), has distributed food supplies among those affected by floods in many Bulgarian regions, benefiting a total of 2,500 families.
IIROSA Secretary General Ihsan bin Saleh Tayyib said that "this aid had the greatest impact on the hearts of those affected, who commended the Organization for providing humanitarian aid that covers most of the poor countries all over the world, during all cases of adversity, calamity and misfortune."
Tayyib pointed out that this food aid, distributed by IIROSA to those affected by the floods, is the first installment of the aid which will be followed by other installments, where there are other numbers of those affected by this disaster in some remote cities and villages, who are in dire need of some food assistance."
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Qatar Charity campaign highlights Al-Aqsa Mosque and its Islamic heritage
Some of the participants at the event. Image from The Peninsula Qatar Daily Newspaper
Doha, (IINA) - Qatar Charity (QC) for Community Development Centre held a campaign here entitled ‘Al Aqsa: The Heart of the World’ to introduce the history of Al-Aqsa Mosque and its Islamic heritage, Qatar's The Peninsula daily reported.
The centre’s administration organized educational lectures for different groups of the society, especially the Asian and foreign communities, which are not well informed about the mosque, its religious importance and great history. About 85 women participated in the campaign.
The first lecture was delivered by Maha Abu Watfa, entitled the theme of ‘Blessings of a Land’. Coinciding with Palestinian Land Day, the campaign was inaugurated under the theme ‘For the Destination of All Prophets’.
Palestinian Land Day is celebrated in Palestine on March 30 every year, since 1976 when the occupation authorities confiscated thousands of dunums of Palestinian property in areas where Palestinians were a majority. About the campaign and workshops, Abu Watfa said, “Such lectures and workshops are important for educating the Muslim generations. They can offer proof and evidence from history to show that Al-Aqsa Mosque is the Land of Muslims.”
Some women expressed happiness for attending the lecture and hoped more educational lectures would be held in the future.
They also stressed the importance of choosing topics that meet the interests and issues of the Islamic and Arab nation and raise awareness about the most important incidents.
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Israel closes Ibrahim Mosque to Muslims for Jewish Passover
Israeli anthorities close Ibrahimi Mosque to Muslim worshippers
Ramallah (IINA) – Israeli authorities on Monday closed the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron for two days, as part of a series of severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli military during this year’s Jewish Passover holiday, WAFA reported.
Palestinian Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs Yousef Edueis condemned the Israeli shutdown of the Mosque, calling it a blatant violation against a purely Islamic site. He called upon all parties for immediate action against this Israeli practice.
Apart from the closure, Edueis said Israeli forces also banned Muslim call to prayers at the Mosque for 160 times during the past three months. In the meantime, Israeli troops closed with cement cubes the entrance to Hebron’s Emergency Center in the Israeli-controlled H2 part of the city.
Ramzi Abu Yousef, a health official, told WAFA that soldiers mounted the rooftop of the Center and transformed it into a military outpost, adding that local patients were likely to face severe hardship to get access to the medical center.
He said the Center has for years been a target of daily Israeli provocations, including repeated assaults, firing of teargas canisters and stun grenades, as well as movement restrictions.
Severe restrictions on Palestinians, including denial of access to the Ibrahimi Mosque, are typically implemented by the Israeli authorities during Jewish holidays for alleged security purposes.
Al-Ibrahimi Mosque is located in the old city of Hebron, few hundred meters away from the part of the city illegally occupied by around 400 extremist settlers, who are protected by about 1,500 Israeli soldiers. In 1994, Israel divided the Mosque between Muslims and Jews, after an Israeli settler gunned down 30 Palestinians during dawn prayers.
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Pakistan seeks to complete gas pipeline to Iran
Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline
Islamabad (IINA) – Pakistan's Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has affirmed his country's determination to complete project of pipeline pumping natural gas from Iran.
He expected an agreement would be reached in this regard, during a meeting with the Iranian side, scheduled to be held in Tehran next May.
Abbasi said that Pakistan wants to complete the project as soon as possible, and that it is working intensively in this field, stressing his country seeks to complete the project by December 2017, and start importing gas from Iran, Fars News Agency (FNA) reported.
The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, also known as the Peace Pipeline, is a 2,775 kilometers long, is being constructed to deliver natural gas from Iran to Pakistan.
It is noteworthy that the Pakistan-Iran Gas Pipeline agreement was concluded during the reign of Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari (2008–13), but Pakistan suspended the project unilaterally, under the pretext of the international sanctions on Iran.
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Saudi Arabia pays rich tribute to Prince Saud Al-Faisal
Riyadh, (IINA) - Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman graced the international conference to commemorate and honor the late Prince Saud Al-Faisal for his indelible imprint on international scene as a far-sighted foreign minister and as a beloved prince for his distinguished service to the nation, Arab News reported.
The ceremony was held at the King Abdulaziz International Convention Center amid tight security. The three-day mega event, which opened on Sunday night, is being organized by the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS) with the participation of a number of princes, ministers, politicians, a number of senior officials, and intellectuals from inside and outside the Kingdom. The KFCRIS is led by Prince Turki Al-Faisal.
King Salman watched a documentary on the life of Prince Saud. He also received a gift from the sons and daughters of the late King Faisal.
The king also viewed a film on the services of the late prince for Islam and five kings of Saudi Arabia.
Prince Mohammed Al-Faisal recalled services of Prince Saud at the helm of the Foreign Ministry for four decades. He expressed thanks and gratitude to King Salman for attending and patronizing the conference.
He said the attendance of the king reflected the keenness of the country’s wise leadership to honor sons of the motherland who had rendered outstanding service to the Kingdom in all fields. He also paid tribute to the rest of attendees, including King Juan Carlos of Spain.
Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal also paid rich tribute to late Prince Saud, citing his good deeds, childhood stories, history and achievements.
He gave an account on the strong bond between him and his late brother.
The international conference is part of KFCRIS’ efforts to recall the achievements of the Kingdom’s sons in general and to shed light on the life of Prince Saud Al-Faisal and his enormous efforts in Saudi diplomacy and achievements for the best interest of the Kingdom.
Two documentaries shown hit an instant chord with the audience. One of them had a poem explaining the career of the seasoned diplomat.
The ceremony was held at the King Abdul Aziz International Convention Center amid tight security.
Two documentaries shown hit an instant chord with the audience. One of them had a poem explaining the career of the seasoned diplomat.
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Peaceful protesters in Florida share message of love beneath anti-Islam billboard
St. Augustine beach, Florida (IINA) - Peaceful protesters on Sunday afternoon were standing beneath a controversial anti-Islam billboard along state road A1A on Anastasia Island in Florida shared a message of peace, love and unity, St. Augustine Florida news reported.
“The point is to show whoever put up this sign that we are united and that no one can spread hate among us,” said the 51 year-old Ayman El-Sawa, a member of the Islamic Center.
Community members in bright peace sign T-shirts posed together for a group photo. Many of them decided to attend after news of the event spread by word of mouth.
“This photo means that all these people are against the message of this billboard,” said 12-year-old Ibrahim Zori. “It’s very hateful, and it’s a terrible representation of our town.”
St. Augustine Beach Commissioner Andrea Samuels joined the demonstration to support its cause.
“I think it registers with the community that any form of intolerance will not be tolerated,” Samuels said.
The billboard gained international attention after a petition by local resident Becky Williams went viral.
Williams, 31 year-old, created the petition two weeks ago on Care2’s petition website after noticing the billboard on her drive home from work.
She said she started it to show support for the Muslim community and defend the voice of St. Augustine.
“This isn’t who we are,” Williams said.
The petition targets the company that owns it, St. Johns Outdoor Advertising, and requests removal of the sign.
The petition also has rallied nearly 54,000 signatures from supporters all over the world.
Williams said even if the sign remains, the sense of unity has been overwhelming.
“It’s just amazing having the momentum of everyone being able to have a voice,” Williams said. “And it’s a voice louder than this visual image.”
It is unclear who paid to have the message posted, and company and billboard owner Robert Harry Jr. have not responded to interview requests.
However, some community members said they hope the demonstration draws the attention of local government officials to discourage future hate-filled messages.
For Claire Southerland, 71 year-old, spreading love and support in her community is worthwhile, regardless of the outcome.
“Any little thing is better than doing nothing,” Southerland said. “Anything at all.”
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Turkish, Saudi FMs agree to work closely for the region's stability
Turkish FM Cavusoglu (L) and Saudi FM Al-Jubeir (AA Photo)
Riyadh (IINA) – Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met here on Sunday with his Saudi counterpart Adel Al-Jubeir, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.
During the meeting, they discussed regional issues, the outcome of the 13th Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held in the Turkish city of Istanbul on April 13-14.
They also discussed the steps to be taken for the implementation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote ties in various domains.
Cavusoglu's visit to Saudi Arabia comes shortly after Riyadh and Ankara signed a MoU to create a high-level strategic cooperation council.
The Turkish foreign minister told reporters in Riyadh that the Coordination Council mechanism took the Turkish-Saudi relations to a new level. He said that within a short time, the two countries will constitute working groups in eight fields including “diplomacy, economy, tourism, defense industry and energy”.
Speaking about regional issues, Cavusoglu said that Turkey supports the process in Yemen, and the new government in Libya, which is expected to take a vote of confidence from the parliament.
He further said that Turkey and Saudi Arabia must work closely for the stability and the security of these countries, including Syria, in which terrorist groups like Daesh and al-Qaeda are operating.
Cavusoglu and Al-Jubeir also discussed the possibility of holding a ministerial-level meeting between Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The Turkish foreign minister is visiting Saudi Arabia to attend a conference organized by the King Faisal Research Center and the Center for Islamic Studies to commemorate the late Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal.
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‘Jakarta Declaration’ calls for supporting democracy in Africa, Asia and Latin America
Secretary-General of Political Parties in Africa Dr Nafie Ali Nafie (SUNA)
Jakarta (IINA) – The Declaration of Jakarta, adopted at the conclusion of the first tripartite meeting of the Councils of Political Parties in Africa, Asia and Latin America in Jakarta, called for cooperation and support to democracy for the welfare of the peoples in the three continents, SUNA reported.
Addressing the conference, Secretary General of Political Parties in Africa Dr Nafie Ali Nafie has called on the political parties in Africa, Asia and Latin America to play an effective role in confronting the challenges facing their peoples through strategic exploitation of the economic resources existing in the three continents.
He said that convocation of the first meeting in Jakarta reflects the strong will and aims to reinforce the cooperation and solidarity among the political parties in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Dr Nafie added that the Council of African Political Parties, which was set up three years ago, has completed establishment of institutions, formulated its plans and programs and started to deal with the regional and international organizations like the African Union, UNESCO, and the similar councils such as the Asian and Latin American councils.
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Algeria wins fight in preventing religious extremism: Minister
Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments Mohamed Aissa (APS)
Illizi, Algeria (IINA) – Algerian Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments Mohamed Aissa on Saturday said that Algeria has won its fight of preventing religious extremism, Algeria Press Service reported.
Algeria has won its fight of preventing religious extremism, thanks to the national policy aimed at preventing this form of extremism, through the training of all the religious executives at the level of the national institutes of the sector, under the supervision of national specialists, said the minister while inaugurating the national institute of training of the sector’s staff in Illizi, a town in the southeastern part of Algeria.
The national institutes of training coming under the sector of the Religious Affairs, located in different regions of the country, like in Salah and Tamanrasset, are “ a front of the moderate Islam,” the Islam advocating the appropriate balance and in the service of society, Aissa said.
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Arab coalition launches military operation against Al-Qaeda in Yemen
Riyadh (IINA) – The command of the coalition forces to support the legitimacy in Yemen announced launching of a joint military operation against al-Qaeda in Yemen, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Participants in operation include the Yemeni army as well as elements of Saudi and United Arab Emirates Special Forces.
The operation resulted in the killing of more than 800 elements of Al-Qaeda and a number of their leaders and that the rest of them fled, the coalition command said in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement, this comes as part of the joint international efforts to defeat the terrorist groups in Yemen and support the Yemeni legitimate government to extend its influence and control over the cities that fell under the control of Al-Qaeda, the most important of which is Al Mukalla – the stronghold of the organization. The operations aimed at clearing the city and help the government to extend its control over it and the rest of the Yemeni cities.
This process would allow intensifying humanitarian relief efforts in those cities and alleviate the suffering of the brotherly people of Yemen, the statement added.
The countries participating in this operation emphasizes their continuation of hunting down the terrorist organizations in all Yemeni cities, defeating them and depriving them from safe haven, to ensure return of security and stability to the region.
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India Muslim Girls’ Association to organize summer course on Islam
Image from The Siasat Daily
Hyderabad City, India (IINA) - The Muslim Girls’ Association of India is organizing a 10-day “Introduction to Islam” summer course starting from today to May 5, The Siasat Daily news reported.
The sessions will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Shanti Nagar near mosque Alamgir in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad.
The purpose of the special camp is to highlight the importance of Islam among the English medium girls.
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Jordan warns against Israeli settlers' storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque
Israeli settlers storming of Al Aqsa Mosque in 2015. Image from arabstoday
Amman, (IINA) - Jordan on Sunday warned of serious consequences to Israeli settlers and police storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jordan News Agency (Petra) reported.
Jordanian State Minister for Media Affairs Mohammad Al-Momani said, in a statement to Petra, that the Israeli violations against worshipers at the Al-Haram al-Sharif are a violation of international laws and conventions, warning that such practices would lead to dangerous consequences.
The minister, who is also government spokesperson, demanded Israeli occupation authorities to immediately stop such moves, deny entry to settlers and Israeli forces into the courtyards of the holy shrine, and allow Palestinian worshipers to enter the mosque.
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Arabian travel market 2016 to kick-off in Dubai today
Image from Morocco World News
Dubai, (IINA) - Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2016, the region's leading travel industry showcase, to kick-off here on Monday for four days of business networking opportunities, insightful seminar sessions, leadership forums, and recognition of 12 months of industry achievement, Zawya online business news reported.
Now in its 23rd year, the 2016 edition, which takes place at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, will welcome 423 main stand holders representing 86 countries, with more than 26,000 visitors expected to attend the Middle East's longest running and largest trade event.
The show has added an extra hall for 2016, with over 2,800 exhibiting countries, 64 national pavilions, and over 100 new exhibitors set to make their ATM debut.
"The region faces a triple challenge in attracting leisure and business travellers with the triumvirate of service, experience and value all key to developing sustainable tourism economies in an increasingly diversified sector. This has been the catalyst in focusing our attention on mid-market tourism this year, as Middle East destinations look to diversify their source markets and attract a larger volume of visitors as well as look to increase the loyalty quotient in an extremely competitive market environment," said Exhibition Manager of Arabian Travel Market Nadege Noblet-Segers.
"This has been identified as both an underdeveloped and potential growth area for the region, driven by demand from the growing middle class markets such as China, India and Africa combined with budget generation travellers and young families," she added.
"As Dubai's dynamic tourism proposition continues to be expanded and enhanced, not least with the opening of 16 new tourist attractions in 2016, including theme parks, Dubai Opera House, green spaces and retail destinations, we continue to actively leverage the city's growing global appeal among a diverse range of traveller segments. Essential to our success is the ongoing collaboration between and collective contribution of government and private stakeholders, and ATM is an ideal opportunity to cement these partnerships, build new ones and effectively engage with the global travel industry," CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing Issam Kazim.
Chairman of The Vision Destination Management Ali Abu Monassar said: "Arabian Travel Market is a milestone for the Hospitality Industry in our region. It allows to evaluate an ending season and plan the new one. This is done by meeting and connecting minds. It is a lounge to feel and share. The Vision Destination Management is glad to participate and, once again, to contribute as official ground handlers to welcome regional and international professionals into our destination".
Held under the patronage of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the event has grown to become the largest showcase of its kind in the region and one of the biggest in the world.
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April 24, 2016
Kyrgyzstan hosts 75 memorizers participating in Holy Qur'an competition
Holy Qur'an memorizers honored in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek (IINA) – Some 75 male and female memorizers from various centers, schools and Qur'anic courses participated in the competition held by the International Organization for Holy Qur'an Memorization in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, on Saturday in collaboration with Religious Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan and Ehssan Charitable Association.
In an honoring ceremony on this occasion, a number of speakers lauded the efforts being exerted by the international organization in serving the Holy Qur'an in many countries of the world. They also commended the efforts being made by Saudi Arabia under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman in serving Islam and Muslims and propagating the teachings of the Holy Qur'an to the citizens of Islamic nations.
The ceremony was attended by Saudi Deputy Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Abdulmohsen Al-Fuhaid.
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Islamic banking garners 8.4% of Egypt market share: EIFA chairman
Head of the Egyptian Islamic Finance Association Mohammed Al-Beltagy. Image from en.almalnews
Cairo, (IINA) - The market share of Islamic finances in Egypt climbed 8.4 percent by the end of 2015, Zawya online news reported quoting Chairman of the Egyptian Islamic Finance Association (EIFA) Mohammed Al-Beltagy.
By late 2015, Islamic finances in Egypt recorded 114 billion Egyptian pounds ($12.8 billion), 26 percent higher from 2014 figures, Al-Beltagy told Amwal Al Ghad news.
Egypt has now Shariah-compliant operators including three full-fledged Islamic banks; Faisal Islamic Bank of Egypt, Al Baraka Bank-Egypt, and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) - Egypt, in addition to 11 banks with Islamic windows, including the National Bank of Egypt.
There are around 232 Islamic branches, Al-Beltagy added, saying the number of clients of Islamic banks has reached 2.8 million.
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Israel releases youngest ever female Palestinian prisoner
Jerusalem (IINA) – Israeli occupation forces on Sunday released 12-yeat-old girl, Dima al-Wawi, who in February became the youngest female Palestinian ever incarcerated by Israel.
Al-Wawi was released around noon to a West Bank checkpoint near Tulkarm, where she was greeted by Governor of Tulkarem Issam Abu Baker, Head of the Palestinian Prisoners Club (PPC) Isa Qaraqia and family members.
The Israeli security forces arrested the minor on February 9 near her school, under the pretext of “possession of a knife”. She was sentenced by an Israeli military court to four months and a half in prison.
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Intra-Yemen peace talks resume Sunday in Kuwait
Yemen Peace talks resume Sunday in Kuwait (File image)
Kuwait (IINA) – The fourth round of the UN-sponsored direct intra-Yemeni peace talks kicked off here on Sunday with high hopes after positive progress was seen in Saturday’s meetings, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.
On Saturday, the representatives of the Yemeni government, the General People’s Congress and Ansarullah movement held two sessions in the morning and in the afternoon at Bayan Palace, in the presence of UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.
The negotiators discussed the implementation of UN Security Council resolution No. 2216, the efforts to augment the ceasefire agreement that went into effect on April 10, and a launching of a peace process in Yemen, based on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative and the outcome of the National Dialogue Conference. Discussions in the evening session led to an agreement to set up a ceasefire-monitoring panel made up of a person from each party.
The delegation called on armed groups to withdraw from areas, hand over heavy and medium weapons to the State, as well as resuming comprehensive political dialogue and forming special committee of prisoners and detainees.
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New Jersey school board member Gryskiewicz quits over anti-Muslim comments
Gladys Gryskiewicz. Image from NorthJersey news
New Jersey, (IINA) - A New Jersey school board member resigned after drawing fire for anti-Muslim Facebook posts, including one saying, "America needs to get rid of people like you," The Nation newspaper reported citing the board president.
Elmwood Park Board of Education member Gladys Gryskiewicz had come under pressure to step down after attention was drawn to the posts on her personal Facebook account. Board President Jeanne Freitag confirmed the resignation, which was reported by New Jersey's Record newspaper on Friday.
"There will be a resolution at Tuesday's meeting," she said in an email. The resolution calls for the board to accept Gryskiewicz's resignation effective immediately, according to the meeting's online agenda.
Gryskiewicz this year had urged Muslims to "stay in your desserts and follow your religion in your own countries," the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, said in a statement.
She also wrote, "Go back to your own country; America needs to get rid of people like you," CAIR said.
Gryskiewicz was elected in November and sworn into office in January. The Facebook page has been taken down. Schools Superintendent Anthony Grieco had called the statements "hurtful and offensive" and said they had disrupted the school day.
CAIR said a high school student called attention to the posts at a board meeting last month. Humza Yousuf, 17, said Gryskiewicz's comments offended him.
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Local groups in Clinton, USA to host event on Islam
Clinton Community College. Image from suny.edu
Clinton, U.S.A (IINA) - Four local groups in Clinton city of U.S.A will host an interfaith event on May 7 at the Clinton Community College auditorium in an effort to educate the Clinton community about the Muslim faith, Clinton Herald news reported.
The Islamic Society of Clinton County, the Muslim Community of the Quad-Cities, the Sisters of St. Francis, and the Clinton Ministerial Association, are to sponsor the event.
Event organizer Dr. Anis Ansari hopes the event will educate the public about American Muslims and their contributions to society.
“We have not had any type of interfaith event outside the Islamic Center,” Ansari said. “And with a lot of negative talk in the media we thought an effective response was to have an event so people can come and learn more about American Muslims and how much we have contributed to society so far.”
The keynote speaker at the event was Dr. Ahmadullah Sidqui, who is a professor of Journalism and English at Western Illinois and the executive director at Sound Vision in Chicago. Following the keynote speech will be an interfaith address from the Rev. Duane Larson, who is an adjunct professor of Theology and Religion at Ashford University and the interim pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Clinton. His address will focus on what is common among the Abrahamic faiths while Siddqui’s speech will focus on what America needs to know about Islam and Muslims.
“We have established medical clinics to serve the poor and in disasters we have shown a willingness to step up and help in times of need,” Ansari said. “Our contributions to American society need to be highlighted. Muslims have lived here a long time while establishing good relations with Americans.”
Everyone is invited to attend the event from 10 a.m. to noon. The event will include a video viewing, an Arabic calligraphy booth, books and a literature stall and a scarf workshop as well as two speakers who will be featured at the event. There will also be a panel of discussion that will include questions and answers opportunity with the speakers at the event and community leaders.
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OIC to hold emergency meeting Tuesday to discuss Israeli claims over Syrian Golan
OIC headquarters, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Jeddah (IINA) – The Executive Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will convene an extraordinary meeting at the level of permanent representatives , at its headquarters in Jeddah on Tuesday, to discuss the Israeli escalation against the occupied Syrian Golan.
The meeting is being held at the request of the State of Kuwait, which holds the rotating chair of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, to take a unified and strong position by the OIC member states on the Israeli government’s meeting that was held in the occupied Syrian Golan and the remarks by Israel’s prime minister that “the Golan Heights will forever remain under Israeli sovereignty”.
The OIC considered these provoking acts by the Israeli government as a serious escalation and flagrant violation of the resolutions of international legitimacy and International Law.
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Thai Muslim leader Phitakkumpon opens mosque in PNU campus
Narathiwat, Thailand (IINA) - Thai Muslim religious leader Aziz Phitakkumpon opened a mosque located on the campus of Princess of Naradhiwas University (PNU), an institute where most students are Muslims, in Thailand.
Phitakkumpon presided over the opening ceremony of PNU campus mosque, serving as a place for religious activities performed by students and the public, Thailand National News Bureau reported.
He says a mosque is considered a place where Muslims gather and perform religious activities together, adding that the PNU's decision on this mosque's construction is a notable act as 80 percent of PNU students are Muslims, and this mosque will help teach students into becoming good persons according to the Islamic principles.
“A mosque located in a university campus will help promote diversity in society and encourage people to live together in harmony, as well as benefiting the long term situation in Southern border provinces,” he further said.
Many people, including government officials, university executives, religious leaders from Malaysia, and the former Indonesian education minister, attended the opening ceremony of PNU’s campus mosque.
The PNU has also held a special lecture on the topics of “Mosque and peace promoting in the Southern border provinces,” and “What a campus mosque can provide to students and the community” on this special occasion.
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Sudan's Darfur votes for five-state administrative system by 97%
Some of Darfur residents heading to a polling station (Image from Anadolu Agency)
Khartoum (IINA) – The “states' option” in the administrative referendum of Darfur region of western Sudan has won by 97.72 percent, compared to 2.28 percent voting for “one region option”, Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported.
The government split the western region into three states in 1994, and then later into five states, following years of tribal fighting.
In a press conference here on Saturday, Chairman of Darfur Referendum Commission Omer Ali Gamma said that 97.72 percent of voters chose to continue with the five-state administrative system and that 3.08 million people of a total 3.21 million eligible voters had turned out. Whilst, 2.28 percent (71,920) of voters chose the one-region administrative system.
He added that 102 foreigners and 1,500 nationals have monitored the polling process including representatives of the Arab League, the African Union (AU), Russia, China, Turkey, as well as of African and Arab countries.
The referendum was conducted on April 11-13 in implementation of a provision in the July 2011 Doha Document on Peace in Darfur (DDPD) which provides that a plebiscite must be held in five years following the signing of the document in the Qatari capital by the Sudanese government and the former rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM).
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Uganda to build oil pipeline via Tanzania instead of Kenya
Uganda to build new pipeline to export its oil via Tanzania (AFP Photo)
Kampala (IINA) – Landlocked Uganda on Saturday announced plans to export its future crude oil production via a new pipeline to be built to a Tanzanian port rather than through Kenya.
"We have agreed that the oil pipeline route be developed from Uganda in Hoima to the Tanzanian port of Tanga," Uganda Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa told AFP.
"We considered Tanga oil pipeline route based on a number of aspects – among them it is the least cost," Kutesa said as Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta and Rwanda's Paul Kagame held a regional mini-summit outside Kampala.
The first large discoveries of oil in Uganda date back to 2006 on the shores of Lake Albert. Reserves in the area are estimated at some 1.7 billion barrels.
After years of talks discussing the relative merits of different routes out to the Indian Ocean, Uganda has chosen to run a 1,400-kilometre pipeline through Tanzania to the south of Lake Victoria through to the port of Tanga near the Kenyan border.
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Islamic Society of Framingham, Massachusetts hosts open house for neighbors
Framingham Town, Massachusetts (IINA) - The Islamic Society of Framingham (ISF) in Massachusetts, U.S.A on Saturday hosted an event under the theme of “Meeting Your Muslim Neighbors,” Wicked Local news reported.
Members of the Framingham mosque welcomed guests of all types at the open house, hoping to help their friends and neighbors better understand their traditions. Balloons waved in the wind as members of the mosque invited those strolling by downtown to tour the building and learn more about their customs.
Dubbed a “Meet Your Muslim Neighbors” day, the event was sponsored by the ISF and organized by youth who attend the mosque.
Inside the “Masjid-E-Basheer” mosque on Union Avenue, Saim Saboor’s voice filled the room Saturday as he recited the call to prayer.
With his hands resting on his temples, Saboor closed his eyes and sang the azan or the call for prayer.
For many of the non-Muslims standing in the room, it was a moment of religious fervor that resonated beyond the boundaries of any one faith, demonstrating the beauty many find in an expression of spiritual belief.
At a time when Muslims face turmoil both abroad and in the United States, members of the group want to strengthen their bonds in MetroWest and quell any fears non-Muslims have about their religion, said Fareed Siddiqui, president of the society’s board of directors.
“Right now, the way the environment is, there are a lot of questions about Muslims and Islam …” he said, “so we want to answer those questions. We will try our best to answer those questions.”
While local Muslims feel welcome in Framingham, Siddiqui said members of the mosque want non-Muslims to understand that Islam has a “beautiful message” and its adherents are proud Americans.
“Muslims are being dragged into the whole conversation, in terms of who we are and what we can be over here in the (United States),” he said, “so … we want to bring to the people that we are part of the fabric over here. We are not any strangers. We are part of the community.”
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