by Editor | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics
BJP leader Sangeet Som
Noida : BJP leader Sangeet Som has triggered controversy by saying the Taj Mahal is a “blot” on Indian culture and misquoted history by saying that Shah Jahan, builder of the 17th century marble mausoleum, had jailed his father and wanted to wipe out Hindus from the country.
The remarks by the Sardhana MLA in Meerut came after the Uttar Pradesh government removed the Taj Mahal from the list of attractions in its tourism booklet.
“Many people were disappointed that the Taj Mahal was removed from the UP tourism booklet. What history are we talking about? Whose history?
“The creator of the Taj Mahal (Shah Jahan) imprisoned his father. He wanted to wipe out all Hindus from India. If these people are part of our history, then it is very unfortunate.
“I guarantee you that we will change this history,” Som was shown saying in an undated viral video, apparently addressing a public gathering.
TV reports said the BJP leader was addressing a gathering in Meerut.
Som wrongly quoted history saying Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan had jailed his father. It was Shah Jahan’s son Aurangzeb who had dethroned and jailed his father inside the Agra Fort.
The Taj, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site, was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
—IANS
by Editor | May 25, 2021 | Muslim World
Jeddah : The Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), the Astana-based OIC specialized institution, established a cooperation framework with the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD) aimed at collaborating on joint programmes and project development as well as promoting exchange of knowledge, best practices and expertise in the domain of agriculture, rural development and food security for the benefit of their member states.
This measure was concretized on 28 of September as the Director General of IOFS and Director General of AOAD concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), on cooperation between the two organizations at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
It should be mentioned that the inaugural general assembly of IOFS was held in Astana, Kazakhstan on 26-28 April 2016 concurrently with the Seventh OIC ministerial conference on food security and agricultural development. The general assembly elected the 8-member executive board of the IOFS as well as appointed Director general of IOFS Secretariat. Besides, the general assembly approved a 5-year plan of action of the organization that would seek to implement quick-win programmes aimed at fast-tracking exchanges and cooperation among IOFS member states.
IOFS 5-year plan of action includes: the creation of a comprehensive database and conducting research on all aspects of the food security; establishment of agricultural and scientific-research fund; establishment of agriculture SME fund; development of regional food security programmes (RFSP), and elaboration of IOFS investment programmes, among others.
—SM/IINA
by Editor | May 25, 2021 | Muslim World
New York : Jordanian King Abdullah II on Wednesday held talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, focusing on efforts to revive the peace process and the overall developments in the Middle East.
During the talks, which attended by Crown Prince Prince Al Hussein Bin Abdullah, the two leaders reviewed ways of enhancing cooperation and the strategic partnership between Jordan and the United States in various fields.
They emphasized the importance of boosting bilateral coordination and consultation on various issues. In remarks to reporters, the King thanked the U.S. president for his support to Jordan, offering at the same time his condolences over the victims of the hurricanes that hit the country recently.
The talks stressed on the need to intensify efforts aimed at moving the peace process forward through re-launching serious and effective negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis. In this context, the King emphasized the importance of the U.S. role in urging the Israelis to consider such efforts seriously, Petra reported.
On his part, King Abdullah warned that the failure to reach a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution undermines security and stability in the region and the whole world and fuels violence and extremism in the Middle East.
On the Syrian crisis, the two leaders stressed the need to intensify efforts to find a political solution to the crisis through the Geneva process in a way that preserves Syria’s territorial integrity and the safety of its people.
In the same context, King Abdullah and President Trump underlined the importance of the recent ceasefire agreement in southwestern Syria, which was reached between Jordan, the United States, and Russia. They said the agreement should act as a model that can be applied in other parts of Syria.
The talks also focused on counterterror efforts, stressing the importance of intensifying stepping up such efforts, both regionally and internationally, within a holistic strategy to address this danger, which threatens global peace and security.
“I’m very grateful for your support to our country in these difficult times and the special bond between our two nations.” “Terrorism is a scourge around the world, but I think Jordan will always stand beside you and your country. And we will overcome,” the King said.
From his side, President Trump said: “It’s a great honor to be with the King, who has been our partner and ally for a long time. And I think never has the relationship been better than it is right now.” “We’re working together on many problems and some things that aren’t problems that are very, very good. But we’re going to make some of the bad ones turn out good,” Trump added.
—SM/IINA
by Editor | May 25, 2021 | Media, World
Paris : French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo is again at the centre of controversy with a new front cover blaming terrorist attacks in Europe on Islam.
A cover illustration depicts two blood-soaked pedestrians after being hit by a speeding van, with the caption: “Islam is the religion of peace eternal.”
It has become one of the top trending topics on Twitter in France, with users describing it as “Islamophobic”, “racist” and “disgusting”.
Internet users also accused it of stirring up hatred against Muslims by linking Islam to terrorism, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.
Prominent Socialist lawmaker and former minister Stephane Le Foll said Charlie Hebdo risked fanning Islamophobia and called the front page “extremely dangerous”.
“To say that Islam is a religion of peace by implying that it is, in fact, a religion of death is extremely dangerous,” Le Foll told French broadcaster BFMTV.
“When you’re a journalist, you need to exercise restraint because making these associations can be used by others,” he added.
France, and Europe generally, has suffered a string of terrorist attacks featuring vehicles being used as a weapon to kill civilians indiscriminately.
Both Muslims and non-Muslims have fallen victim to attacks in London, Berlin, Nice and elsewhere.
Charlie Hebdo itself was a target of a terrorist attack in January 2015 when two gunmen stormed its Paris offices, killing 12 people.
—SM/IINA
by Editor | May 25, 2021 | Markets, Muslim World, Technology
Jeddah : A unique smartphone “Hajj App” for use during the season of annual pilgrimage of Hajj was launched on Wednesday.
The free app was launched by the Saudi English newspaper Arab News in partnership with Muslim World League (MWL).
The app to download on iOS and Android devices via the App Store and Google Play has a raft of useful features for use by both pilgrims and their loved ones’ back home.
The “Hajj App” is sponsored and officially endorsed by the MWL, as part of its global outreach efforts to reinforce the organisation’s position as an umbrella body that serves all Muslims.
The app features numerous functions for use during the Hajj season, including the latest news updates from Arab News and a live broadcast service. It also provides important safety features such as an emergency call number and list of all embassies and important service providers during Hajj.
Additionally, the app has an optional “Pilgrim tracker” function, which enables users to switch on to share their location and follow loved ones in real time, around the clock. This means you can keep an eye on your family and friends wherever you are.
The launch of the service comes as part of the digital transformation of Arab News and falls within the title’s efforts as a leading Saudi Arabia-based English-language daily to provide comprehensive coverage of the Hajj pilgrimage.
Commenting on the launch, Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, said the app would complement the newspaper’s renowned Hajj news coverage and thanked MWL for its support. “This Arab News/Muslim World League cooperation is an ideal and practical example of a media outlet working with a non-governmental organisation for the public good,” he said.
“Launching this app is part of Arab News’ digital transformation, and provides readers, and English-speaking pilgrims added value and a very useful service,” added Abbas.
For its part, The MWL praised the newspaper’s initiative and said it presents a positive model of putting technology to good use.
“We are happy to partner with Arab News in launching this app, which aims to serve pilgrims digitally by providing them with all the information and contact details they need, in addition to the pilgrim geographical tracker serve,” MWL said in a statement.
“We also would like to utilize this opportunity to praise Arab News for its editorial efforts, mainly that it has always been known for its unique and informative annual Hajj coverage.”
Arab News is part of the regional publishing giant Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG). It has been the English newspaper of record for Saudi Arabia and the region for over 40 years.
—SM/IINA
