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Evening NEWS DIGEST
08 April 2017: 10 Rajab 1438: Vol: 8, No:160
INDIA
New controversy plagues J&K after Jammu traders body 'kill" threat issued for Rohingya, Bangla refugees
http://www.asianage.com/india/crime/080417/new-controversy-plagues-jk-after-kill-threat-issued-for-rohingya-bangla-refugees.html
Srinagar: J&K has been clouded by a new controversy which is fraught with dangerous ramifications and could generate mistrust and hate between its Hindu-majority Jammu and Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley regions. Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) president Rakesh Gupta on Friday told a press conference in the winter capital that if the Govt fails to deport all Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar and Bangladeshi nationals from Jammu within one month and book the people on whose land these foreigners have settled under the State’s stringer PSA, it would launch an “identify and kill” campaign against them.He said there was no wrong in taking such action against these people as they were involved in drug trafficking and other criminal and anti-social activities.He claimed that the threat perception from these Bangladeshis and Rohingyas “who are criminals” has been increasing. He said, “These settlers are criminals and drug traffickers, who were disowned by their own country and we seek their deportation because JCCI is committed to protect the interests of the people at large in the State as a part of social corporate responsibility”.He added that neither the J&K Govt is signatory to any UN’s treaty nor Article 370 allows illegal foreign settlers for any permanent settlement in the State.It is his “identify and kill” threat that has evoked sharp reaction and condemnation by the political, social and trade organizations in the Valley. They have alleged that these Bangladeshi and Rohingya refugees are being condemned in such fashion and even threats openly issued to them on false and fabricated grounds “only because they are Muslims.”Asked Muhammad Yasin Khan, the chairman of Srinagar-based Kashmir Economic Alliance, “How can you use words like ‘identify and kill’ in a civilized society and what is stopping the Govt to file an FIR into this irresponsible statement which has come from a reputed organisation of Jammu Inc?”He said if JCCI feels unsafe because of few thousands Rohingya and Bangladeshi Muslims, why it was silent over the issue of West Pakistan refugees.Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) while condemning the "vigilantism" of JCCI and its president said the "identify and kill" policy should apply to the West Pakistan refugees as well."KCCI strongly condemns the statement made by the president of JCCI wherein he threatened to identify, catch and kill Rohingya refugees in Jammu. The statement is uncalled for, irresponsible and divisive." It added, "The KCCI warns that same could be applicable to the West Pakistan refugees as well. Instead of involving itself in activities beneficial for the trade and commerce, JCCI has taken upon itself the role of vigilantalism”. It urged the JCCI to immediately withdraw the statement or “ready to face consequences."Identical statements have been issued by several other organisations in the Valley. Independent MLA and leader of regional Awami Itehad Party (AIP) Sheikh (Engineer) Abdur Rashid on Saturday filed a complaint in Srinagar’s Raj Bagh police station seeking registering an FIR against various office bearers of the JCCI including its president Gupta. The complaint seeks action “as warranted under criminal law against JCCI for spreading terror and threatening peace of Jammu province”.But Gupta defended himself and said that it won’t be an offence to deal sternly with “such criminals and drug traffickers” as they have illegally come to Jammu. He also said that the JCCI is aware of the fact that Jammu’s district administration has initiated the process to identify the settlers and the Union Home Ministry too has asked for details from the State Govt on the issue “but we feel that is not enough to deal with the looming threat and we will not take it lying down till they are deported.”ASIAN AGE
Jammu trader organisation threatens to kill illegal Bangladeshi, Myanmar immigrants unless deported
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jammu-trader-organisation-threatens-to-kill-illegal-bangladeshi-myanmar-immigrants-unless-deported-4604716/
Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry condemns Jammu counterpart’s statement on Rohingyas
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/kcci-condemns-jammu-counterparts-statement-on-rohingyas-4605224/
If Rohingya Muslims are to be killed what about West Pakistan refugees? Asks Kashmir Economic Alliance
http://www.kashmirlife.net/rohingya-muslims-killed-west-pakistan-refugees-asks-kea-137152/
Mufti assures action against Threaten: thequint
https://www.thequint.com/india/2017/04/07/rohingya-refugees-jammu-myanmar
Mehbooba Mufti assured action against Jammu commerce chamber leaders for threatening to kill Rohingya Muslim refugees, Kashmir media reported.All those who will try to take law into their own hands will face action. All those who will try to threat or intimate those (Rohingya Muslims) will face action.
BJP student wing storms Jammu University over 'disrespect' to national anthem
http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/current-affairs-trends/bjp-student-wing-storms-jammu-university-over-disrespect-to-national-anthem-2255201.html
ABVP activists allegedly entered the Jammu University's sports ground on Friday during the football final between students of Jammu University and the Islamic University of Science and Technology and raised slogans. ABVP activists allegedly entered the Jammu University's sports ground on Friday during the football final between students of Jammu University and the Islamic University of Science and Technology and raised slogans.Jammu University authorities have ordered a probe and set up a committee to look into the allegations levelled by the ABVP over disrespect of the national anthem by students of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture, Science and Technology (SKUAST) of Kashmir."We cannot allow anybody to disrespect the national anthem. A committee has been set up to probe the allegation", Vice Chancellor of Jammu University, Prof R D Sharma told PTI. Moneycontrol
We don’t support any pro-India party: J&K Jamaat-e-Islami
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/story/245792.html
Srinagar: Jamaat-e-Islami J&K today refuted that the allegation that it supports a particular mainstream party. “So far election politics is concerned, Jamaat Islami J&K has long back taken a unanimous decision not to take any part in it directly or indirectly and this decision has been communicated to all the associates of Jamaat with direction to desist from and not to take any interest in it even symbolically. Jamaat is today bound by the same decision in letter and spirit. The rambling from different quarters in this regard and the allegations of supporting a particular pro-India party against Jamaat are totally baseless and concocted,” JeI spokesperson Advocate Zahid Ali said in a statement. greaterkashmir
Stay away from polls, Mirwaiz tells people
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/front-page/stay-away-from-polls-mirwaiz-tells-people/245895.html
Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday reiterated his appeal to people to boycott the upcoming parliamentary by-elections in Kashmir, saying these are “deceptive” and “sold by New Delhi to the world as expression of people’s will for future.”Mirwaiz, who continues to be under house detention, addressed a Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid here via phone from his residence.greaterkashmir
Modi govt. has failed in checking hate crimes against Muslims, Dalits: Jamaat
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/modi-govt-has-failed-in-checking-hate-crimes-against-muslims-jamaat
New Delhi: While expressing its deep anguish at the lynching of a Muslim man by cow vigilantes in Rajasthan's Alwar district, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, India's one of the largest socio-religious organizations, on Saturday criticized the central Govt of PM Narendra Modi for its failure in curbing "those polarizing society on communal lines and spreading hatred against the Muslim community."Addressing their monthly press conference at Jamaat's headquarters here today, Jamaat chief Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari while commenting on the Alwar lynching said: "The incident is highly condemnable and Jamaat demands the immediate arrest of the culprits and punishment to the guilty. Jamaat feels that ever since the BJP led Govt has come at the center, hate crimes and attacks against Muslims and Dalits have increased a lot in the name of cow protection. The number of fake gau-rakshak groups is also increasing. They are getting emboldened because no action is being taken against them."He was referring to the incident whereby some Muslims were brutally beaten up on their way to Haryana from Jaipur. indiatomorrow
Jamaat appeals to the Muslim community to reach out to fellow countrymen
http://jamaateislamihind.org/eng/jamaat-appeals-to-the-muslim-community-to-reach-out-to-fellow-countrymen/
Jamiat Ulema E Hind says it is opposed to treating foreigners issue in Assam on religious lines
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/jamiat-ulema-e-hind-says-it-is-opposed-to-treating-foreigners-issue-in-assam-on-religious-lines/printarticle/58070847.cms
Guwahati: Jamiat Ulema E Hind (JUH) national president Maulana Arshad Madani on Friday said that his organisation will continue opposing BJP for treating the foreigners’ issue of Assam on religious lines. Madani was referring to providing citizenship to minorities from Bangladesh in India. Madani said, “Allowing citizenship to minorities from Bangladesh is against the spirit of Assam accord.” Assam accord was signed after 6 yearlong anti-foreigners’ movement (1979-1985). In Assam apprehension are being raised that giving citizenship rights to Bengali Hindus from Bangladesh will adversely affect the culture, language and tradition of Assam. BJP led Govt in Assam is facing stiff resistance over Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. The bill proposes to give citizenship to minorities from Bangladesh. Madani said, “BJP sees Muslims even if they are genuine Indian citizens with suspicion of being foreigners. By allowing foreigners belonging to certain religion to become citizens, it will pose threat to language and culture of Assam. We will continue to oppose this policy of BJP because this policy is wrong.’ Attacking BJP, he said, “This country is ours. We are integral part of India and we always aspire to live in harmony with majority and minority communities."ET
Jamiat leaders to meet Modi, UP CM over ‘worsening communal, political atmosphere’
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/jamiat-leaders-to-meet-modi-up-cm-over-worsening-communal-political-atmosphere-117040701178_1.html
New Delhi: Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind on Friday expressed grave concern over what it described as the “worsening communal and political atmosphere” in the country and said it would approach PM Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath on the issue.The decision to meet Modi, Yogi and also other CM s was taken at Jamiat’s Executive Council meeting, chaired by its President Maulana Qari Mohammad Usman Mansoorpuri. The executive council also adopted several resolutions on the “pressing issues”, including on the “anti-slaughter house campaign”.“In the larger interest of the country and in the framework of Constitution, Jamiat wants to draw the attention of the Govt by meeting particularly the PM and CM s, on the prevailing situation in the country. We also want to make it clear that all the issues can be resolved through dialogue and mutual talks,” the resolution said. IANS
Divorce rate among Muslims low compared to other communities, says latest Personal Law Board Report
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/divorce-rate-among-muslims-low-compared-to-other-communities-report-4605196/
Jaipur:The women’s wing of All India Muslim Personal Law Board on Saturday claimed the rate of divorce among Muslims was low as compared to other communities and that the issue of triple talaq was being projected in wrong light. Sharing data collected from family courts in certain Muslim concentrated districts across the country, the wing’s chief organiser Asma Zohra said the women are well protected under Islam which is reflected from the low percentage of Muslim women seeking divorce.The remarks come in the backdrop of a debate on triple talaq. The matter is also before the Supreme Court which will go into the legal aspects of the practice.She said the exercise to collect data from family courts was started in May last year under which statistics were sought through RTI from family courts in Muslim concentrated districts for five years from 2011-2015.16 family courts gave detailed consolidated reports.“We have compiled the report which shows that the divorce rate is minimal in the Muslim community. Similarly, we collected details from various Darul Qaza which also indicate that only 2-3 % cases are related to divorce out of which most were initiated by women only,” Zohra told a press conference here.Darul Qaza is an Islamic Shariyat court.As per the report prepared by Muslim Mahila Research Kendra in coordination with Shariah Committee for Women, the number of cases of divorce for Muslims stood at 1,307 against Hindu at 16,505. The cases of divorce for Christians in these districts stood at 4,827 and 8 for Sikhs.These figures were from the 8 districts of Kannur (Kerala), Nasik (Maharashtra), Karimnagar (Telangana), Guntur (Andhra Pradesh), Secunderabad (Hyderabad), Malappuram (Kerala), Ernakulam (Kerala) and Palakkad (Kerala).She said the work on compilation of the statistics is going on.“The issue of triple talaq cropped up in recent years and was politicised. The issue needs to be understood in the right manner and perspective. Islam has given certain liberties to women and they are well protected in the community,” she said.She said there were other burning issues affecting women across communities like dowry, domestic violence, child marriage, female foeticide. She added that these issues need to be addressed prominently, instead of only pointing towards the Muslim community.On the issue of working Muslim women, she said their safety and security should be considered first and foremost.Zohra is in the city to attend a two-day workshop on the rights and challenges of Muslim women which began here today.On the first day of the workshop, sessions on Marriage and Divorce in Islam, rights of women in Quran and the Constitutional and role of All India Muslim Personal Law Board were held.A public meeting expected to be attended by nearly 30,000 women will be held tomorrow, Yasmeen Farooqui, convener of the Rajasthan women’s wing and member of the AIMPLB said.PTI
Muslim Personal Law Board opposes Fatwa issued by Shia body against beef and Triple Talaq
http://twocircles.net/2017apr07/407519.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
There is nothing like Triple Talaq in Quran, says Vice President Ansari’s wife Salma
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/there-is-nothing-like-triple-talaq-in-quran-says-vice-president-hamid-ansaris-wife-salma/620788/
New Delhi:The wife of vice-President Hamid Ansari opened up about the controversial issue fo Triple Talaq on Saturday afternoon at an event and said there is nothing like in the Quran. She said in women in India are being misguided over the issue and should read the holy book themselves to clear the doubts. “There is nothing like this in Quran, people have unnecessarily made an issue out of this. The women who are speaking on it haven’t even read it,” she said.Adding to her remarks, Ansari said women should not believe everything they are told. “Even if they read it, they do it in Arabic and don’t know the real translation. Whatever the Maulanas tell them, they take it for granted. The women should be brave enough to read the Quran themselves and should not believe everything blindly,” she added.When asked about her personal opinion on the matter, she said, “Triple Talaq is not even an issue. Talaq Talaq Talaq kehne se koi talaq nahi hota (Divorce doesn’t happen simply by saying talaq talaq talaq).” Few days back the women’s wing of All India Muslim Personal Law Board today claimed the rate of divorce among Muslims was low as compared to other communities and that the issue of triple talaq was being projected in wrong light. financialexpress
Say 'I love you' to Hindu men, Sadhvi Prachi tells Muslim women on triple talaq issue
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sadhvi-prachi-hindu-muslim-i-love-you/1/922952.html
New Delhi:The controversial VHP leader advised Muslim women to leave their religion and say "I love you" to Hindu men, while speaking at a gathering in Moradabad early this week. "I would like to advise those (Muslim) sisters who are troubled by this practice of talaq, to simply leave such a religion and embrace Hinduism...Our Hindu sons will be happy to marry you, just tell them 'I love you'," she said.Commenting on the Ram Mandir issue, she attacked Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi for his comments against the construction of temple Ram where Babri Masjid stood once."I would also like to tell the maulanas that if you want peace in Uttar Pradesh, issue a fatwa saying only a Ram temple will be constructed in Ayodhya and nothing else," she said.IndiaToday
Sadhvi Prachi's Advice To Triple Talaq Victims: 'Say I Love You Hindu Men, They Will Marry You'
http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/sadhvi-prachi-s-advice-to-triple-talaq-victims-say-i-love-you-hindu-men-they-will-marry-you-275191.html
Muslim man tied to tree, beaten to death for being in love with Hindu woman
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/20-year-old-muslim-man-tied-to-tree-beaten-to-death-for-being-in-love-with-hindu-woman/story-cJF6zGNilUK4mngaMpIhNI.html
Ranchi: Villagers in Jharkhand’s Gumla district allegedly tied a 20-year-old Muslim man to a tree and thrashed him for hours for being in love with a Hindu woman, leading to his death, police said on Friday. The man – identified as Mohammad Shalik, a resident of Raza Colony in Gumla town – was allegedly in a relationship with a Hindu woman of a nearby village, Soso, for more than a year, sources said.The girl allegedly called the boy to meet her at Gumla town for the Ram Navami procession on Wednesday. Fearing trouble, Shakil initially refused but finally went to meet her on a scooty and dropped her home, police said.It is then that a group of neighbours saw Shalik and surrounded him, tied him to a tree and assaulted him for hours, the woman was quoted as saying by police. He succumbed to his injuries on Thursday.Police said they arrested three people and lodged an FIR against unnamed people. “Though investigation is on, we were told by the villagers that the boy had been asked earlier not to meet the girl and never visit the village,” said Gumla superintendent of police Chandan Kumar Jha.The incident comes amid rising communal tensions in the state following a slew of controversial initiatives in neighbouring UP. Activists have cried foul against Jharkhand’s decision to create anti-romeo squads and seal illegal slaughterhouses, saying that the moves unfairly targeted the Muslim community.Shalik’s murder triggered tensions in Gumla town but police thwarted any violence by deploying hundreds of personnel. “The situation is under control,” Jha added. hindustantimes
UP: Adityanath's Hindu Yuva Vahini disrupts church meet alleging forced religious conversions
https://scroll.in/latest/834065/up-yogi-adityanaths-hindu-yuva-vahini-disrupts-church-meet-alleging-forced-religious-conversions
UP Police stopped a church prayer meeting in Maharajgang after members of CM Adityanath’s Hindu Yuva Vahini alleged forced religious conversions, ANI reported on Saturday. The members said foreign nationals were forcing locals to convert using the ruse of a prayer meeting. The meeting had more than 150 people in attendance, including 11 United States nationals.The group’s members filed a complaint against the Dathauli church pastor, Yohannan Adam, who has denied the charge, Hindustan Times reported.“Charges are absolutely baseless. The people were attending a prayer meeting voluntarily. We prayed. Nothing else was done,” Adam said. The police told the daily that investigation was under way. “No prior permission was taken before the meeting. We stopped the meeting after a complaint was registered. Appropriate action will be taken if the charges are correct,” said police officer Anand Kumar Gupta. However, some other media reports said that no formal case was registered till Saturday and that the US nationals were allowed to leave after the police verified their documents.The right-wing group has accused Christian missionaries in the region of forcibly converting locals to their faith. “The presence of US nationals indicates that innocent and illiterate Hindus were being converted by the missionaries, who lured them with money to change their religion,” said Krishna Nandan, a Hindu Yuva Vahini leader.
Yuva Vahini disrupts church services near Gorakhpur, US nationals questioned by police over “conversion”
http://twocircles.net/2017apr07/407531.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Police stops church event after Yogi Adityanath's Hindu Yuva Vahini alleges conversion
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/police-stops-church-event-after-yogi-adityanaths-hindu-yuva-vahini-alleges-conversion/articleshow/58082830.cms
While Gau Rakshaks Beat A Muslim Dairy Farmer To Death, Cows Die Of Starvation In UP's Bovine Shelter
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/04/07/while-gau-rakshaks-beat-a-muslim-dairy-farmer-to-death-cows-die_a_22030301/?utm_hp_ref=in-homepage&ncid=fcbklnkinhpmg00000001
UP is in the midst of a crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses and several BJP-ruled states have undertaken similar drives. Earlier this week, a Muslim dairy farmer in Alwar, Rajasthan died after he was beaten up by self-appointed gau rakshaks who suspected him of smuggling cows.Cutting through the hype of cow protection, the Hindustan Times reported today that 152 cows at the 128-year-old Kanpur Gaushala, one of the largest and richest bovine shelters in the country, have died in the past five months -- around a quarter of its population. The newspaper reported that half of its 540 cows are sick.HT further reported that four cows have died in the past week due to starvation, with the autopsy confirming that the "the cows were anaemic and devoid of nutritious food."A senior member of the society that manages the Kanpur Gaushala told HT, "The society is run by the who's who of Kanpur, it gets crores of rupees in donation; where is the money going? This needs to be investigated."While the self-appointed gau rakshaks have targeted communities that depend on cattle for their livelihood, over the past two-and-a-half years, many have questioned why they are not more concerned about the the deplorable conditions of starvation, disease and injury to which cows are subjected in this country.In another instance of dual-standards, BJP leaders in Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram recently said that there would be no ban on cow slaughter if the party wins the Assembly elections in the three Christian-majority states, next year. huffingtonpost
If we were racist, why would we live with South Indians, black people around us: BJP’s Tarun Vijay
https://scroll.in/latest/833983/if-indians-were-racist-why-would-we-live-with-black-people-in-the-south-says-bjps-tarun-vijay
BJP leader Tarun Vijay is facing criticism for responding to a question on the allegedly racist attacks on African nationals in Greater Noida by saying if India was, indeed, racist, we would not “live with” “black people around us”. “If we were racist, why would....all the entire South – you know, Kerala, Tamil, Andhra, Karnataka – why do we live with them?” He added, “We have blacks...black people around us.”He made the statement during a discussion on Al Jazeera, while responding to another Indian panelist, Bengaluru-based photographer Mahesh Shantaram, who asked, “Why are people saying Indians are racist? Why are Indians saying Indians are racist? Why are people abroad and those who visit our beautiful nation feeling that Indians are racist?”Vijay’s remarks triggered outrage soon after the interview was shared on social media. He took to Twitter to clarify his statement. “In many parts of the nation, we have different people, in colour and never, ever did we have any discrimination against them...My words, perhaps, were not enough to convey this,” he said, apologising to those who felt he spoke “differently from he meant”.
Indians not racist, we accept South Indians, says BJP's Tarun Vijay, apologises later
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tarun-vijay-south-indians-racism-remark-nigerians-attack-greater-noida/1/922996.html
Are only BJP and RSS members Indians, Chidambaram asks Tarun Vijay
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/are-only-bjp-and-rss-members-indians-chidambaram-asks-tarun-vijay
New Delhi: Are only BJP and RSS members Indians, Congress leader P. Chidambaram asked on Saturday as he slammed former BJP MP Tarun Vijay's remarks over the colour of south Indians. "When Tarun Vijay said 'we live with blacks', I ask him who is 'we'? Was he referring to BJP/RSS members as the only Indians?" the former Home Minister tweeted.
Odisha: Curfew in Bhadrak town after communal violence over Facebook post
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/odisha-curfew-clamped-in-bhadrak-town-after-communal-violence-over-a-facebook-post/story-Hoq66bQkDpnw6n1FtlCWNO.html
Bhubaneswar:Despite a deceptive calm in the aftermath of Thursday’s communal violence in Bhadrak, the coastal Odisha town today witnessed fresh violence as mobs set ablaze shops and attacked police vehicles, forcing the authorities to impose curfew.Bhadrak SP Dilip Das said a mob held up traffic on the road near Nua Bazar square and demanded police action against the youth who had posted offensive comments against Ram and Sita on Facebook. The group had a heated argument with the police. Some police vehicles were damaged by the mob. Though Section 144, prohibiting assembly of four or more people in public places, was imposed in the town, officials had to clamp curfew as the situation deteriorated further.The state Govt rushed its top officials to Bhadrak to take stock of the situation, and also shifted district collector LN Mishra and replaced him with Cuttack Municipal Commissioner Gyana Ranjan Das. About 15 platoons of police have been deployed in the town.Town witnessed violence after derogatory comments on Ram and Sita were posted on a Facebook page. Soon after, VHP and Bajrang Dal activists started blockading traffic on the main roads and gheraoed a police station.
Minor communal tension at Kidderpore area in Kolkata
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-minor-communal-tension-at-kidderpore-area-in-kolkata-2386606
A clash between members of BJP’s youth wing and members of another community took place last night at Kidderpore in the south-western fringe of the city, one of the Muslim-dominated pockets of Kolkata.Some of them alleged that while they were saying namaz at Ismail Masjid in the evening, BJP activists chanted slogans of ‘Jay Shree Ram’ and ‘Masjid Todenge, Mandir Banayenge’ (we will break the masjid and build a temple). “A day earlier, they had taken out a huge procession on the occasion of Ram Navami. Participants of the procession, armed with swords had passed this place three or four times and shouted slogans of Ram in front of the masjid. Last night there were about 50 of them on bikes celebrating BJP’s Foundation Day. When they chanted slogans of breaking masjid, area locals got angry and chased them away,” said Md Irfan Ahmed, a shop owner at one of the popular markets in the vicinity.
3 Hindu men wanting to buy 5 cow heads at ‘any price’ scares the residents of Birbhum, WB
https://www.altnews.in/3-hindu-men-wanting-to-buy-5-cow-heads-at-any-price-scares-the-residents-of-birbhum/?utm_content=bufferb76dc&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
On the day of Ram Navami, in a town called Rajnagar in Birbhum district in West Bengal, 3 Hindu men wanting to buy cow heads at any quoted price greatly scared the locals. We received the reports, pictures and video of this incident from Khan Sahil Mazhar who is a local journalist there. West Bengal is one of the few states in India along with Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim where cow slaughter is legally allowed and is governed by their respective state laws.Reportedly, 3 men came down to Rajnagar main meat market and asked one of the butchers there for 5 cow heads. The butcher reportedly quoted 3 times the regular price for the 5 heads and the 3 youth agreed without any bargaining. Since the butcher did not have 5 heads, he informed them that they can buy the 3 heads he has.While these people were buying the 3 heads and putting it into a sack, another butcher who is a more aged man and was in the nearby shop recognised one of the men in the group as he used to frequent the Rajnagar main market to buy cow skin as he was in the leather business. The fact that he was buying cow head instead of the usual cow skin made the aged butcher suspicious. When the aged butcher vocalised his doubts, multiple butchers from nearby shops stopped these 3 men and started questioning them. The man who used to frequent the Rajnagar main market for cow skin identified himself as Sufal Das. When the other two youth were questioned, one of them stated that he’s from a village called Tantipara. The third guy, however, first stated that he belonged to Lokpur, Birbhum and then later revised that to Kuldanga, Jharkhand. When they were asked for the reason as to why they needed 5 heads, Sufal Das intervened and reportedly stated that some villager in his village had gone medically insane and the local doctor had asked for cow heads for the purpose of research to treat the patient. This weird reason aggravated the doubts that the locals were starting to have. They further questioned Sufal Das, “Even if we believe your story, why would you need 5 heads for research instead of just 1 or 2?”. To this, Sufal Das reportedly had no answer. At this point of time, the third person who was giving multiple answers regarding where he hailed from and was refusing to identify himself fled the scene. The other two men were also allowed to leave after more questioning.Alt News also spoke to SP Birbhum Shri N. Sudheer Kumar and he denied any Hindu-Muslim angle to this issue. He stated that the youth were trying to get the cow heads for the purpose of a puja and that was the only purpose.
Bengal slaps charges on saffron leaders for 'armed Ram Navami'
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/bengal-slaps-charges-on-saffron-leaders-for-armed-ram-navami/articleshow/58058067.cms?from=mdr
Purulia/Kolkata:Several police stations across Bengal slapped non-bailable charges on leaders of the saffron brigade, including Dilip Ghosh, a day after they took out armed processions on Wednesday to "celebrate Ram Navami". The state BJP chief has been booked under Arms Act. BJP leaders reacted with characteristic defiance and bravado but there were unmistakable signs that the party had been caught unawares by the sudden tough stance taken by the Trinamool Govt , which they assumed was suitably softened up by the ongoing probes into a series of alleged scams.CM Mamata Banerjee led from the front, declaring that the "law will take its course" at a rally in Purulia on Thursday and taking pains to make a clear distinction between the religious and the political. "Ma Durga-r hathe ja shobha paye ta ki sabar hathe shobha paye (Not everything that looks apt in Goddess Durga's hands looks good in the hands of lesser mortals)," CM told a public rally in Purulia on Thursday.
Najeeb's mother issues legal notice to TOI, Times Now, Zee News, etc. for false reportage against her missing son
http://twocircles.net/2017apr07/407491.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook
Delhi : Fatima Nafees, mother of missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed, has sent legal notices to Times of India (TOI) and other prominent electronic news media outlets for falsely reporting that her son, Najeeb Ahmed, has ISIS links, or was looking for ways to join ISIS.The issue pertains to a baseless front page report by TOI in its national edition dated March 21, 2017 that made various damaging assertions regarding Najeeb Ahmed’s Google and YouTube search history – all of which were categorically refuted by the Delhi Police on the same day, that is March 21, 2017.On March 22, 2017, Fatima Nafees held a press conference in Delhi asking the media outlets which reproduced this news to apologize unconditionally. She slammed TOI for defaming her family’s reputation with such deliberate and malicious reportage. In the press conference, Ms. Fatima Nafees made some observations on the role of the media. She said that while the job of the media was to help me find my son by raising awareness about the issue, they are, instead, spreading false propaganda.She appealed to the media to withdraw the story and apologize. However, there was no response from TOI. On March 22, 2017 itself, the DCP of Delhi Police wrote a rejoinder in TOI, which was published on page 5 of its Delhi edition in a small box. In the rejoinder, Delhi Police clearly said that the investigating authority that is probing Najeeb’s disappearance never even sought Najeeb’s search history from Google, and that there is no basis to the reports that he viewed content related to ISIS!.Despite all this, TOI did not apologized for the fake story, nor has any action been taken against the reporter who planted the fake story.
Dilip Ghosh lied about educational qualification in poll affidavit: BJP state committee leader
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/dilip-ghosh-lied-about-educational-qualification-in-poll-affidavit-bjp-state-committee-leader-4604443/
Kolkata:An RTI response, furnished by former BJP state committee leader Ashok Sarkar, said that state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh “did not pass” diploma in Engineering and Technology from Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar Polytechnic in Jhargram.With the reponse in hand, Sarkar, a former BJP leader, maintained that his allegation that Ghosh had been lying about his educational credentials in his affidavit furnished for the state Assembly elections, has proved to be true.Sarkar said that he would approach the Election Commission and the Speaker in this connection. “If no one takes action, I will approach the court,” he said.“As per our office record, Sri Dilip Ghosh, son of Late Bhulanath Ghosh…did not pass the Diploma in Engineering/Technology from this institute, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Polytechnic by name, since 1975 to 1990”, as per the RTI reply.The RTI application filed by Sarkar says Dilip Ghosh “has claimed of passing diploma from Jhargram Polytechnic college which was challenged, subsequently he then confirmed that he has passed from your institute that is Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar Polytechnic”.
Kapil Sibal laments slow pace of trial in Babri Masjid demolition case
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/congress-laments-slow-pace-of-trial-in-babri-masjid-demolition-case-4604266/
New Delhi: Congress on Friday lamented the slow pace of trial in the Babri Masjid demolition case, saying it could take another 25 years for it to be completed. Congress spokesperson Kapil Sibal said 25 years have already gone by after two FIRs were lodged in the case, but only 156 witnesses have been examined and many still remain to be examined. “In 15 years only 156 witnesses have been examined. On Dec 8, 2011 the HC directed a day-to-day trial of the case which involves top BJP leaders. However, since 2013 there have been 185 adjournments, of which 56 were sought by the CBI. It appears justice in the case will take another 25 years by which time we would have been left with no one the CBI can arrest,” he said. “If you have to keep democracy and rule of law, it should not happen,” he said.To a question regarding Supreme Court’s observation on Bari Masjid demolition case, Sibal said, “I do not think we should comment on what the Supreme Court said.” He said, “These are oral observations in the course of a hearing. We should not sensationalise them.”PTI
Uma Bharti says she is ready to go to jail for a Ram temple in Ayodhya
https://scroll.in/latest/834094/uma-bharti-says-she-is-ready-to-go-to-jail-for-a-ram-temple-in-ayodhya
Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti on Saturday said that building a Ram temple in Ayodhya, UP, was a matter of belief for her and she was ready to go to jail over the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. “Ram temple is a matter of belief for me and I have immense pride in it...If I have to go to jail for it, I will. If I have to hang myself for it, I will,” the BJP leader said after her meeting with Adityanath, according to PTI.
Abattoir ban: 'Baratis' boycott veg dishes at wedding function
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/abattoir-ban-baratis-boycott-veg-dishes-at-wedding-function/articleshow/58083774.cms
Bareilly (UP): A ban on illegal slaughterhouses+ across Uttar Pradesh took a toll on wedding festivities at a village here with the 'baratis' refusing to partake the vegetarian platter.Hamid Ali Ansari had made elaborate arrangements for the wedding of his daughter on Friday but despite all his efforts he could not manage to serve non-vegetarian dishes.Most of the meat shops in the area have remained closed after the ban on illegal slaughterhouses following which Hamid failed to arrange raw material in the required quantity.PTI
Lucknow: Shia Muslim youths form 'Gau Raksha Dal', vow to end cow slaughter
https://scroll.in/latest/834041/lucknow-shia-muslim-youths-form-gau-raksha-dal-vow-to-end-cow-slaughter
Shia Muslims in Lucknow have launched a “Gau Raksha Dal” to protect cows from slaughter. Shamil Shamsi, the newly-appointed president of Shia Gau Raksha Dal, has vowed to eliminate cow slaughter in the country.Shamsi claimed that his outfit was formed after a meeting of Shia youths at Imambara Zainuabedin in old city of Lucknow, the epicentre of Shia Muslims in the country. Most eminent Shia clergies live in Lucknow.“In the next two months, we will extend our outfit to all states. It is the duty of every Muslim to protect cows. We will pass on information to police about any cow slaughtering in areas where it is done discreetly,” Shamsi said.
NHRC issues notice to Rajasthan govt over Alwar lynching
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nhrc-issues-notice-to-rajasthan-govt-over-alwar-lynching/articleshow/58075232.cms
New Delhi: Asserting that self-proclaimed volunteers need to be dealt with strictly for creating an atmosphere of fear in the society by taking law in their hands, the National Human Rights Commission has issued notice to the Rajasthan Govt over the lynching of a man in Alwar, allegedly by cow vigilantes.The panel also asked the home ministry to inform about steps being taken to deal with such incidents.The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports that on April 1, in Behror area of Alwar on National Highway-8, a group of so-called 'Gau Rakshaks' attacked some people, accusing them of indulging in cattle smuggling.
Fear, anger grip a village of Muslim ‘gau sevaks’
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/fear-anger-grip-a-village-of-muslim-gau-sevaks/story-kIfesgE6SB0n5X6Dy03QxO.html
Mewat:Gauseva (serving cows) is something that comes naturally to Mohammed Yunus. But that is also the sole source of livelihood for his family of dairy farmers.Yunus spends around Rs 50,000 every month to get the best fodder for his cattle. A ceiling fan in his cowshed gives the bovines much-needed relief from the searing heat in Jaisinghpur, a hamlet in Haryana’s Mewat district. But for all the care and provisions he has made for his cattle, the 56-year-old cattle-breeder now lives in fear as a recent horror keeps replaying in his mind. Pehlu Khan, a dairy farmer from his village, was beaten to death by alleged gau rakshaks (cow protectors/vigilantes) near Behror in Rajasthan on Delhi-Alwar highway on April 1.“I saw him being beaten by a mob. I was numb with fear when I saw Azmat (another villager) lying unconscious on the road and the crowd beating him with hockey sticks,” he recalls, adding, “I still can’t believe how I managed to escape death that day.”
2 years after Aler encounter, families of Muslim undertrials killed losing hope in Judiciary
http://twocircles.net/2017apr07/407509.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Hyderabad: As the Aler encounter of five Muslim undertrial prisoners killed by police on April 7, 2015, completes two years on Friday, justice remains elusive for the families awaiting some outcome from the judiciary.On April 7, 2015, five people accused of the murder of two policemen were killed in an encounter in Aler, Nalgonda. The five undertrials were killed in an exchange of gunfire as claimed by police whereas victim families term it as ‘fake encounter’ aimed at retribution. Like most cases of police encounters, this too remains shrouded in mystery.“Two years have passed and not even a slight progress has been made in our case. The Govt is in no mood to assure us justice in this matter and that is why they are deliberately delaying the case so that it dies its own death,” Mohammad Ahmed, the father of Mohammed Viqaruddin told TwoCircles.net over the phone from Hyderabad.TwoCircles
Govt cancels registration of Zakir Naik’s trust for education
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/govt-cancels-registration-of-zakir-naiks-trust-for-education/articleshow/58074517.cms
New Delhi: Govt has cancelled the registration of Zakir Naik's NGO IRF Education Trust under FCRA, making it ineligible to receive donations from abroad.The cancellation order dated March 29, 2017, says FCRA licence of IRF Education Trust, which runs the Islamic International School at Mumbai and Chennai, was being scrapped under Section 14 of the Act "in public interest and in the interest of maintaining harmony between religious, social, linguistic and regional groups, caste or communities". timesofindia
India, Bangladesh ink 22 pacts, Modi announces $4.5-bn line of credit to Dhaka
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/kduouENTGMfwEmokftAqoN/Modi-announces-45-billion-line-of-credit-to-Bangladesh-Te.html
New Delhi: The PM s of India and Bangladesh signalled political and strategic convergence on Saturday condemning Pakistan sponsored terrorism and radicalism without naming the South Asian nation. This came as India and Bangladesh signed a slew of pacts in areas spanning civil nuclear cooperation and defence, people to people ties and connectivity.The broadsides by India and Bangladesh against Pakistan—which neither PM named—come as ties between New Delhi and Islamabad are at an all time low, mainly due to what India describes as Pakistan sponsored terrorism continuing unabated against it. livemint
‘I have same dream for Bangladesh as I have for India,’ says PM Modi
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/live-sheikh-hasina-indian-visit-bangladeshi-pm-to-meet-narendra-modi-india-bangladesh-ink-25-pacts/620227/
Poll promises remain unfulfilled, political parties must be held accountable: CJI Khehar
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/electoral-reforms-remain-unfulfilled-political-parties-must-be-held-accountable-cji-khehar/
New Delhi:Questioning political parties’ lack of accountability, Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar on Saturday said electoral promises routinely remain unfulfilled and political parties must be held accountable for them. In a speech on Saturday, Khehar said political parties’ manifesto has remained just on paper. “Political parties’ manifestos do not indicate any link between economic reforms and Constitutional goal of economic and social justice.” indianexpress
Adityanath breaks silence, says everyone must sing ‘Vande Mataram’
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/yogi-adityanath-breaks-silence-says-everyone-must-sing-vande-matram/620678/?google_editors_picks=true
Addressing the audience at the book release function of ‘Governor’s guide’, CM of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Aditya Nath said, there is one controversy doing rounds in the state as few people are saying that they won’t sing ‘Vande Mataram’. He added that in the 21st century when we are talking about development, this should not be the most discussed issue.According to the TV reports, he said that it is a serious issue and everyone should sing ‘Vande Mataram’. Not singing shows prejudiced mind.
Adityanath on Vande Mataram row: ‘Not singing song a serious matter’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/yogi-adityanath-uttar-pradesh-vande-mataram-4605199/
Indian shot dead by miscreants in Washington, Sushma says following up with police
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/indian-vikram-jaryal-shot-dead-by-miscreants-in-washington-sushma-swaraj-says-following-up-with-police/
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Saturday confirmed the death of an Indian national in Washington State in the US who was shot dead by two armed miscreants. Vikram Jaryal, 26, was working at the gas station of a family friend when two armed miscreants entered the shop at 1:30 am in the night, snatched cash from him and one of them shot him on his chest resulting in his death, Swaraj said in multiple tweets.
RSS launches campaign to demand Bharat Ratna for the Dalai Lama
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/rss-launches-campaign-to-demand-bharat-ratna-for-the-dalai-lama-4605221/
Tawang: RSS has launched a campaign for awarding Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honour, to Nobel Laureate and Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. The campaign was launched on April 6, a day before Dalai Lama reached Tawang in West Kameng district yesterday in the face of protests by China.“We have so far collected some 5,000 signatures. We will submit our plea to PM Narendra Modi after getting 25,000 signatures,” district RSS leader Lhundup Chosang, who is spearheading the campaign said. indianexpress
15,000 Madarsas in UP to be modernised: Naqvi
http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20170408/3088747.html
Lucknow :Union Minister of State for Minority Welfare, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, today announced that 15,000 Madrasas in Uttar Pradesh would be modernised within six-month time.Claiming that the Centre has sent Rs 15,000-crore for minority welfare in UP, during last few years, he said that the State officials informed him that meeting of the Department was being held for the first time in years and they could not give the details about the funds.Talking to the reporters here, Mr Naqvi, without taking any name, said that the funds have not been utilised for the concerned people.Announcing that the Govt will set up the Sadhavana' Committees n all the districts to maintain communal harmony, he said that both the Centre and UP Govt were committed to serve the minorities. "We will modernise 15,000 Madarsas in UP during next 6 months' time. We will give 3T to these Madarsas that is Teacher, Tiffin and Toilets," he added. Besides, he said, sports and other activities would be held in these Madrasas.Narrating about other schemes, the Union Minister said 20 skill training centres were being opened in the minority dominated areas, while the Narendra Modi Govt has distributed over Rs 28,000 crores in giving scholarships to minority girls under Begum Hazrat Mahal scheme.UNI
HC asks State to look into plea on minority commission
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/hc-asks-state-to-look-into-plea-on-minority-commission/article17877733.ece
High Court of Karnataka on Friday asked State Govt to consider a representation of a petitioner for appointing a person from any minority community other than Muslim as the chairman of the Karnataka State Minorities Commission.In his PIL petition, Vinod B. had complained that the State Govt had been appointing persons only from the Muslim community as chairman of the commission from the past three decades, beginning from 1983. Petitioner claimed that he had submitted representations to the State Govt and the CM during 2013–14 bringing to their notice the fact that no person from other than Muslim community was allowed to head the commission.UNI
Indian youths are orthodox, misogynist and homophobic: CSDS survey
http://www.oneindia.com/india/indian-youths-are-orthodox-misogynist-and-homophobic-csds-survey-2398498.html
The Centre for the Study of Developing Societies and Berlin-based political think-tank, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung had recently conducted a study at the Delhi-based social science research institute with 6,122 participants in the age of 15-34. The youth accepting homosexuality is less than 24%. The 19-state-wide survey findings revealed why the young Indians are homophobic, misogynist and orthodox. The study revealed the patriarchal, intolerant and conservative thoughts in the youth.
Allow us to randomly pick EVMs from strong room, AAP writes to EC demanding details of software
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/evms-aap-writes-to-election-commission-arvind-kejriwal/1/921333.html
New Delhi:Even before Election Commission (EC) has come out with any statement accepting Aam Aadmi Party's demand to allow it to examine the EVMs, the Arvind Kejriwal party has thanked it for doing the same. AAP has also asked EC to allow it to randomly choose EVMs and provide their specific details.In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi, AAP national secretary Pankaj Kumar Gupta said, "It has been reported through several media outlets that the Election Commission will soon allow political parties to examine EVMs with their expert teams. We are really thankful to EC for accepting our proposal."The letter further asked EC to provide to AAP the details such as model number, chip number and manufacturer of the components used in the EVMs, such as microcontrollers and chips for storage and memory or for any other purpose, since no official information is available regarding configuration of the machines.IndiaToday
FLASH
A note for Venkaiah Naidu: Nowhere in the Indian Constitution is eating beef forbidden: Shoaib Daniyal
https://scroll.in/article/833825/a-note-for-venkaiah-naidu-nowhere-in-the-indian-constitution-is-eating-beef-forbidden
In charts: Vegetarianism in India has more to do with caste hierarchy than love for animals: Suryakant Waghmore
https://scroll.in/article/833178/vegetarianism-in-india-has-more-to-do-with-caste-hierarchy-than-love-for-animals
The time Delhi gave shelter to Sheikh Hasina: DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-the-time-delhi-gave-shelter-to-sheikh-hasina-2384549
Beef Ban Effect: Stray Cattle, Broken Markets and Boom Time for Buffaloes: SAGARI R. RAMDAS
https://thewire.in/121728/beef-ban-cattle-market/
Rise of gau rakshaks: Don’t hide behind euphemisms, this is murder, writes Barkha Dutt
http://www.hindustantimes.com/columns/gau-rakshak-vigilantism-this-is-the-new-normal/story-Se6IiRfZ64r7IHxByD7SQK.html
WORLD
Syrian air base reopens less than 24 hours after U.S. missile strike
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/04/08/syria-shayrat-airbase/100206714/
The Syrian air base struck by dozens of U.S. Tomahawk missiles this week in retaliation for a nerve gas attack on civilians is back in business.New Syrian airstrikes launched Saturday from Shayrat killed one woman and wounded several others in Khan Sheikhoun, eyewitnesses told the The Washington Post. That's the same town where the gas attack took place earlier this week, killing 86 people, including dozens of children.“Those attacks did not reduce the regime’s ability to kill civilians. They can still commit massacres at any time,” Abdulrzzak Khattab, a resident who said his house was damaged in Saturday’s attack, told the Post.Shayrat is the home base for war planes that carried out Tuesday's gas attack that prompted the U.S. missile launch.A Syrian human rights group reported Friday that Sukhoi warplanes were seen taking off from Shayrat. The planes carried out strikes on areas the Syrian government claims is controlled by the Islamic State in the eastern countryside of Homs. usatoday
Russia warning as US threatens more Syria strikes
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/04/envoy-threatens-syria-military-action-170407181709711.html
Russia and the US have traded barbs at an ill-tempered emergency session of UN Security Council called by Moscow after the US army launched a barrage of cruise missiles against a Syrian Govt airbase.Syria's army said six people were killed in the early hours of Friday morning after the US fired nearly 60 Tomahawk missiles at Shayrat airbase, in retaliation for a suspected chemical weapons attack on a rebel-held town that killed scores of civilians earlier this week
Syria: Evacuation of Homs' Al Waer enclave resumes
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/04/syria-evacuation-homs-al-waer-enclave-resumes-170408101610693.html
The fourth phase of the exodus of Syrian rebels and their families was set to get under way on Saturday in Al Waer, the last opposition-held district in Homs, with some 2,500 people expected to leave.Evacuations of the rebel enclave are part of a deal with the Govt brokered by Russia - but opposition activists have called it forced displacement.The evacuees are being moved to Jarablus in Aleppo province, but many others who have left Al Waer have gone to Idlib province, where a suspected chemical attack that killed scores of people took place earlier this week. aljazeera
Thousands protest Palestinian Authority pay cut in Gaza
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/04/thousands-protest-palestinian-authority-pay-cut-gaza-170408125050217.html
Thousands of Palestinian Authority (PA) employees have demonstrated in Gaza City as protests continue against a PA decision to impose drastic salary cuts for its employees in Gaza.Demonstrators gathered in al-Saraya square in central Gaza City on Saturday in the largest protest since the 30-% cut was announced, calling on PA leaders like PM Rami Hamdallah and Finance Minister Shukri Bashara to resign. "I have many financial commitments and without my salary, I'll go to jail," Rami Abu Abdu, a father of eight, told Al Jazeera.
Pak-Saudi alliance's main objective is 'renaissance of Islam: Saudi minister
http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-pak-saudi-arabia-will-jointly-take-on-islam-s-enemies-says-saudi-minister-2388221
Saudi Religious Affairs Minister Sheikh Saleh bin Abdul Aziz has said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would jointly take on the enemies of Islam and Harmain Sharifain (the holy places in Saudi Arabia).Addressing a well-attended public meeting on the first day of centenary celebrations of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F) on Friday, he said that Pakistan-Saudi Arabia military alliance is a 'victory of Islam' and its main objective is 'renaissance of Islam'.JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, diplomats and political leaders were present on the occasion.The Saudi minister termed the military alliance a formidable force to counter terrorism and warned that there was no room for violence and terrorism.ANI
Pakistan-Saudi alliance's main objective is 'renaissance of Islam': Saudi minister
http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-pak-saudi-arabia-will-jointly-take-on-islam-s-enemies-says-saudi-minister-2388221
Mecca imam, Pak PM discuss negative propaganda affecting Islam
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/mecca-imam-pak-pm-discuss-negative-propaganda-affecting-islam/story-sygZYnJFy3XJdpBkzHOOQI.html
Islamabad:Sheikh Saleh bin Muhammad Bin Talib, the imam of Mecca’s Grand Mosque, held a meeting with Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad on Saturday and discussed ways on how religious scholars can counter negative propaganda that “wrongly portrays” Islam.The Dawn reported that Sharif said relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have become “closer and stronger” and that the people of both countries have a lot of respect for each other, according to a press release issued by his secretariat.The imam’s visit comes days after the official appointment of former army chief General Raheel Sharif as the leader of the Saudi military alliance.ANI
Death toll in Nigeria meningitis outbreak rises to 438
http://aa.com.tr/en/africa/death-toll-in-nigeria-meningitis-outbreak-rises-to-438/792204
LAGOS:The death toll from Nigeria's meningitis outbreak has risen to 438, up from 336 earlier in the week, according to the West African country’s center for disease control.The center said in a statement Saturday that the death toll is 11 % of all the cases so far reported across 19 of Nigeria's 36 states and the capital Abuja.
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:42 PM)
