Islam in the News 2022

[Shammu]

Former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif attacked in London by activist of Imran Khan's party: Report
India Today Web Desk
13 hours ago

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif was attacked in London on Saturday, according to a Pakistani reporter.

Ahmad Noorani, a reporter with Fact Focus in Pakistan, said on Twitter that Nawaz Sharif was attacked by an activist of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. As per the report, Nawaz Sharif's guard was injured in the attack.

More at
https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/former-pakistan-pm-nawaz-sharif-attacked-in-london-by-activist-of-imran-khans-party-report/ar-AAVNs6Q

[Shammu]

Ramadan kicks off in much of Middle East amid soaring prices
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
APR 3, 2022

CAIRO (AP) — The Muslim holy month of Ramadan — when the faithful fast from dawn to dusk — began at sunrise Saturday in much of the Middle East, where Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sent energy and food prices soaring.

The conflict cast a pall over Ramadan, when large gatherings over meals and family celebrations are a tradition. Many in the Southeast Asian nation of Indonesia planned to start observing Sunday, and some Shiites in Lebanon, Iran and Iraq were also marking the start of Ramadan a day later.

Muslims follow a lunar calendar and a moon-sighting methodology can lead to different countries declaring the start of Ramadan a day or two apart.

More at
https://www.altoonamirror.com/wire/?category=760&ID=181937

[Shammu]

Communal tensions in Rajasthan’s Karauli after the rally to celebrate Hindu New Year is attacked while passing through Muslim dominated area
2 April, 2022

In Karauli of Rajasthan, tension prevailed in the city after a bike rally taken out on the occasion of Hindu New Year was attacked while passing through the Muslim-dominated area of Hatwara Bazar in the city. Stones were pelted at the rally, and the miscreants set on fire more than a dozen shops and three bikes. The rally was organised to celebrate ‘Nav Samvatsar’, the first day of Hindu New Year. In view of the deteriorating situation, the market was closed and a curfew was imposed in the city.

So far, 43 people, including policemen, have been injured in the mob attack. All were admitted to the district hospital. The condition of a person named Pushpendra is said to be serious. He has been referred to Jaipur. Four policemen accompanying the rally were also injured in the stone-pelting on the bike rally. According to a report by Amar Ujala, there were knife marks on the body of the injured who reached the hospital. However, the doctors refused to say anything and no such information has been revealed so far by the administration.

More at
https://www.opindia.com/2022/04/rajasthan-hindu-new-year-celebration-rally-attacked-in-karauli/

[Shammu]

Imran Khan 'mini Trump', inciting violence on Twitter, says ex-wife Reham Khan
Written by Poulomi Ghosh
14 hours ago

As Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is set to face a trust vote in the assembly on Sunday, his former wife Reham Khan termed him as 'mini Trump' and urged Twitter to take action against his inciting tweets. Former US President Donald Trump's Twitter account was permanently suspended following his encouragement of US Capitol violence in January 2021. Opposition parties in Pakistan think Imran Khan may attack the assembly on Sunday.

The Twitter allegation against the Pakistan Premier comes in connection with Imran Khan's congratulatory tweet to Kyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Mahmood Khan where the Pakistan Premier said his party's win in the local election in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is an "early warning to all traitors of what awaits them in their constituencies". This tweet triggered objections that Imran Khan is terming opposition as traitors and American agents.

More at
https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/imran-khan-mini-trump-inciting-violence-on-twitter-says-ex-wife-reham-khan/ar-AAVNrQo

[Shammu]

Muslims council condemns attack on Raila’s chopper
BUSINESS
April 2, 2022
By Kenya News

The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims has on Saturday condemned the stoning of Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s chopper at Kabenes.

The incident happened after the burial of Mzee Kibor in Uasin Gishu.

In a statement, the Council said that these acts of violence are unacceptable and condemned the perpetrators in the strongest terms possible.

“As the council condemns these actions and joins with our fellow Kenyans in calling for tolerance and peace during this electioneering period, we also call upon the political players to shun all forms of toxic language and rhetoric that is likely to inflame passions,” the Council said.

More at
https://www.ghanamma.com/ke/2022/04/02/muslims-council-condemns-attack-on-railas-chopper/

[Shammu]

Thailand armed forces and southern insurgent group to halt violence during Ramadan
Saturday, 02 Apr 202

BANGKOK, April 2 (Reuters): The Thai government on Saturday hailed "significant progress" in the latest talks with the main group fighting an insurgency in Thailand's Muslim deep south after the sides agreed to stop violence during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.

A Thai government delegation and representatives of the main rebel group, the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), met face-to-face earlier this week in Malaysia in the latest round of talks after peace dialogue resumed in January after a two-year pause because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

More at
https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2022/04/02/thailand-armed-forces-and-southern-insurgent-group-to-halt-violence-during-ramadan

[Shammu]

Yemen's Warring Parties Agree 2-Month Truce in Major Breakthrough
Published on Saturday, 02 Apr 2022
by JCA

ADEN (Reuters) - The warring sides in Yemen's seven-year conflict have for the first time in years agreed a nationwide truce, which would also allow fuel imports into Houthi-held areas and some flights operating from Sanaa airport, the United Nations (UN) envoy said on Friday 1 March 2022.

The UN-brokered deal between a Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi group aligned with Iran is the most significant step yet towards ending a conflict that has killed tens of thousands and pushed millions into hunger. The last coordinated cessation of hostilities nationwide was during peace talks in 2016.

More at
https://chronicle.lu/category/international/40369-yemens-warring-parties-agree-2-month-truce-in-major-breakthrough

[Shammu]

Rajasthan: Curfew imposed in Karauli city after communal violence
The violence took place after stone-pelting in a Muslim-dominated area at a motorcycle rally to mark the Hindu new year.
Scroll Staff
11 hours ago

Curfew was imposed in Rajasthan’s Karauli city where communal violence broke out on Saturday following stone-pelting at a motorcycle rally passing through a Muslim-dominated area, The Indian Express reported.

Police said that some people vandalised shops and vehicles in response to the stone-pelting. The motorcycle rally was being held on the occasion of Nav Samvatsar, the first day of the Hindu new year.

More at
https://scroll.in/latest/1020974/rajasthan-curfew-imposed-in-karauli-city-in-the-aftermath-of-communal-violence

[Shammu]

Bennett speaks with Jordan’s king, amid concerns of Ramadan violence
PM thanks Abdullah for condemning recent attacks in Israel; Amman says Jordanian monarch urged prevention of ‘any tension or escalation in the Palestinian territories’
By TOI STAFF and AGENCIES
Today, 8:19 pm 

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke on the phone with Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Sunday, with the two leaders discussing the importance of lowering tensions between Israelis and Palestinians during the holy month of Ramadan.

It was the first phone call since Abdullah covertly hosted Bennett in Amman last July.

During the call, the king emphasized “the importance of achieving calm in order to avoid any escalation in the Palestinian territories,” a statement from the royal court said.

More at
https://www.timesofisrael.com/bennett-speaks-with-jordans-king-amid-concerns-of-ramadan-violence/

[Shammu]

Plea filed before Karnataka High Court seeking action against Ministers, MLAs/ MPs for alleged anti-Muslim hate speech
Arya Raje
Published on :  02 Apr, 2022, 2:43 am

A petition has been filed before the Karnataka High Court seeking action action against a number of State ministers, Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of Parliament (MPs) for hate speech against the Muslim community [Mohammed Khalelulla v. State of Karnataka and Ors].

The plea by one Mohammed Khalelulla stated that repeated speeches have been made across Karnataka by people's representatives and leaders deliberately attacking Muslims.

More at
https://www.barandbench.com/news/plea-filed-karnataka-high-court-seeking-action-against-ministers-mlas-mps-hate-speech-muslims

[Shammu]

Protectors Of Islam, Not Protectors Of Lives — Aisha Yesufu Slams Arewa Twitter Over Silence On Terrorism, Banditry
Yesufu, in separate tweets on Thursday, called them out for not challenging the incompetence of President Muhammadu Buhari while they are always vocal over religious matters.
BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK
APR 01, 2022

Human rights activist, Aisha Yesufu has lambasted members of the Arewa Twitter community who have refused to speak against insecurity in Nigeria.
 
Yesufu, in separate tweets on Thursday, called them out for not challenging the incompetence of President Muhammadu Buhari while they are always vocal over religious matters.

Arewa Twitter is a community of predominantly male Muslim Northerners on the micro-blogging site, who are largely regarded as fanatics, chauvinists and misogynists. She further described them as “Protectors of Islam but not protectors of lives” particularly with the way Arewa Twitter lashed out at a Twitter user @Kwtharrrr_ who queried the rationale behind seeking the permission of her husband before leaving the house.

More at
https://saharareporters.com/2022/04/01/protectors-islam-not-protectors-lives-%E2%80%94-aisha-yesufu-slams-arewa-twitter-over-silence

[Shammu]

Buhari Regime Killing Nigerians And Asking 'Are You Dead Now?'—Sowore
Sowore, a presidential aspirant on the platform of the African Action Congress (AAC), disclosed this while reacting to the tragic death of Dr. Chinelo Megafu.
BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK
APR 03, 2022

Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore has accused the Muhammadu Buhari-led government of “killing Nigerians, yet asking maybe they are dead”. Sowore, a presidential aspirant on the platform of the African Action Congress (AAC), disclosed this while reacting to the tragic death of Dr. Chinelo Megafu

Chinelo was among the passengers shot dead by terrorists as they travelled from Abuja to Kaduna on board an ill-fated commercial train on Monday.
She tweeted at about 09:43 p.m. on Monday when the news about the attacked train surfaced, notifying her followers that she had been shot in the train and asking for prayers.

More at
https://saharareporters.com/2022/04/03/buhari-regime-killing-nigerians-and-asking-are-you-dead-now%E2%80%94sowore

[Shammu]

God Will Punish Buhari If Nigeria Isn't Returned To State He Met It With No Banditry— Suspended Abuja Chief Imam, Sheikh Khalid
The mosque’s steering committee had on Saturday suspended Khalid for criticising President Buhari over last Monday night’s attack on an Abuja-Kaduna train.
BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK
APR 03, 2022

The Imam, in his Friday sermon, had criticised the President for failure to visit Kaduna over the terrorist attack, saying mere condemnation wasn’t enough.
He argued that Buhari was in Kaduna for campaigns but refused to visit the state after the bomb attack on the passenger train.

However, last Friday's sermon wasn’t the first or second time the Islamic cleric would be criticising the President for how he had been handling the problem of insecurity in the country.

In a viral video in 2021, Khalid swore that Allah (God) will deal with Buhari if he doesn’t return Nigeria “united and without bandits”.

More at
https://saharareporters.com/2022/04/03/flashback-god-will-punish-buhari-if-nigeria-isnt-returned-state-he-met-it-no-banditry%E2%80%94

[Shammu]

Muslim Leaders Announced A New Big Entity for Their Communities in American Hemisphere
ByGetNewsPublished March 31, 2022

This could be the largest umbrella for more than 10 million people in the Americas
This historic agreement has come to the public as one of those recommendations discussed during the event of “Promoting Unity and Global Coexistence forum,” in Washington, D.C. last week. The attendees of the event reached out to 185 people from 18 countries and more than 24 U.S. states.

After reviewing the discussions that took place in the forum’s workshops, the attendees suggested establishing a body for Muslim communities in North and South America with all its sects and schools of thought as an independent body in which everyone would participate equally, from which an international forum would branch out of the Charter, and this body and forum would have non-Muslim friends from religious leaders of other faith communities, governmental and parliamentary bodies in the Americas.

More at: https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/muslim-leaders-announced-a-new-big-entity-for-their-communities-in-american-hemisphere#ixzz7PQ7TKuFJ

[Shammu]

Islam and the American Civil Liberties Union
 By Peter Burrows 
4/2/22

"PROTECTING THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM OF MUSLIMS - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech --- First Amendment, US Constitution. --- From religiously motivated discrimination and attacks on existing and proposed Islamic centers to vicious rhetoric from presidential candidates, Muslims in America are being unfairly targeted simply for exercising their basic constitutional right to religious liberty. We must always — especially in times of controversy — vigilantly uphold our core values."

The problem is that the ACLU doesn't realize is that Islam doesn't share our core values, something all too apparent in Islamic nations. Ironically, the only religion Islam allows is Islam, which means the ACLU shouldn't cite the First Amendment to protect Islam, but should cite the First Amendment to BAN Islam. Here's Islam's mission statement, from Allah Himself Verse 9:33 in the Koran, my clarifications in parentheses:

He (Allah) it is Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad) with the guidance and the True Religion (Islam) that He (Allah) may make it prevail over all religions, howsoever (followers of those religions) might detest it.

A Twentieth Century Islamic authority had this explanation of that verse: "--- a Prophet is the representative of the Lord of the universe, he seeks to make the Right Way (Islam) prevail. If any other way of life continues to exist, it should be satisfied with the concessions made to it by Islam." (4)

In short, Allah decrees that Islam must rule. To that end, Muhammad declared, "I have been commanded to fight people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah --- If they say it, they have saved their blood and possessions from me." (My emphasis.) (5)

Commanded to fight people? Saved their blood? This is Islam, the religion the ACLU defends and if you think those threats were only a problem when Muhammad was around, you are wrong. Numerous verses in the Koran make it clear that Muslims must wage war until Islam rules the world. Here is a footnote to Verse 2:190 from a contemporary translation published in Saudi Arabia:

A whole lot more at
https://www.grantcountybeat.com/columns/opinion/libertarian-leanings/71142-islam-and-the-american-civil-liberties-union