Muslim World News

Muslim World News

At age 135, is he really world’s oldest person?

By IANS, Dubai : At age 135, the world's oldest person might well be a citizen of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The identity card of Nasir Al Hazry, a resident of Al Ain in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, shows his age as 135, the Khaleej Times newspaper reported. Al Hazry's family came to know about it only recently when the Al Ain office of the UAE's department of naturalisation and residency officially mentioned his age in the identity card. His exact date of birth has, however, not been revealed, the Khaleej Times said.

Japan’s trade deficit with Kuwait, Middle East widens

By NNN-KUNA, Tokyo : Japan's trade deficit with Kuwait widened 65.1 percent in April to JPY 146.64 billion (USD 1.41 billion) from a year earlier, and the nation's trade deficit with the entire Middle East also grew 54.1 percent to JPY 1.138 trillion (USD 10.94billion), the Finance Ministry said Thursday. Exports to Kuwait rose 23.6 percent to JPY 14.96 billion (USD 143.9 million) in April, and imports jumped 60.1 percent to JPY 161.60 billion (USD 1.55 billion), the ministry said in a preliminary report.

Two killed in Lebanon suicide bombing

By IANS, Beirut: At least two soldiers were killed in a suicide bombing Saturday at an army checkpoint in Lebanon's Hermel town, Xinhua reported. According to...

India’s info on Saeed ‘sketchy’: Pakistan

By NNN-PTI, Islamabad : Pakistan on Saturday said the information given by India on JuD chief Hafiz Mohd Saeed's involvement in the Mumbai attacks is "sketchy" and will not hold in court to prosecute him. "The information we have received (from India) is sketchy," Interior Minister Rehman Malik told reporters here. The minister also ruled out extraditing Saeed to India. "We need statements of forensic experts and authentic mobile reports reestablishing connection of terrorists with militants. We need more information from India to make our case solid," he said.

PM’s Global Advisory Council of Overseas Indians meets in Delhi

By TCN News, New Delhi: Prime Minister’s Global Advisory Council of Overseas Indians consisting of sixteen eminent overseas Indians representing different disciplines from across the world met today in New Delhi.

Freezing weather kills over 900 people in Afghanistan

By RIA Novosti Kabul : The death toll of people killed by unusually severe cold weather in Afghanistan since December last year has risen to 926, a spokesman for the country's Ministry for Emergency Situations said on Saturday. The spokesman said that only within the last five days the number of people killed by the frosts increased by 129. The national weather authorities earlier said that this winter is the coldest on record with temperatures reaching lows of -30 degrees Centigrade (-22 Fahrenheit) in 17 of the country's 34 provinces.

At least 3,000 dead in Libya: rights group

By DPA, Paris: At least 3,000 people are estimated to have been killed so far in Libya's two-week-old uprising, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) said Wednesday in Paris.

Ten-Year action plan for Islamic world: Muslim states agree on creation of Anti-terror Islamic...

Islamic heads of more than 30 states have agreed a Ten-year plan of action in a bid to tackle extremism and security issues threatening...

HH the Amir receives chairman, board members of Arrouiah daily

By KUNA Kuwait : His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received on Sunday at al-Sief Palace Chairman of the Board of Arrouiah Newspaper Shireeda Abdullah Al-Mousherji, the Daily's Editor-In-Chief Saud Al-Sebeiei and its General Manager Mubarak Mazyad Al-Mousherji on the occasion of issuing the first copy of the newspaper. The reception was attended by HH the Amir's Office Director Ahmad Fahad Al-Fahad.

India Fraternity Forum trains volunteers to help Hajis in Mina

By TwoCircles.net news dek, Dammam: India Fraternity Forum (IFF) conducted a workshop for Hajj volunteers who will be going to serve Hajis at Mina during the days of Dhul Hajj 9 to 12. The event was organized to provide guidelines and instructions to volunteers and train them so that they could serve the Hajis in a better way. The event featured U. T. Khader, MLA of Mangalore, Karnatak, Abdul Sathar, President of Tamilnadu Social Welfare Association, P M Harris, Reporter of Malayalam News. Abdulla Kutyadi presided over the function.

Book Review : Wanted—Equality and Justice in the Muslim Family

By Yoginder Sikand, TwoCircles.net, Name of the Book: Wanted—Equality and Justice in the Muslim Family Edited by: Zainah Anwar Publisher: Musawah/Sisters in Islam, Kuala Lumpur (www.musawah.org) Email: [email protected] Pages: 261 Price: 28 Malaysian Ringgit ISBN: 978-983-2622-26-0 Reviewed by: Yoginder Sikand

‘Martyrs of Badr killed 203 in Syria’s Aleppo since July’

Beirut: At least 203 people have been killed in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo by the anti-regime Martyrs of Badr Brigade, the Syrian...

BSF court clears trooper of felani killing

Kolkata: While upholding its previous verdict, a special BSF court has acquitted a trooper who was accused of shooting dead a minor Bangladeshi girl...

JIH demands reconstruction of gutted Rohingya refugee camp in Delhi

On late Saturday, over 250 Rohingya refugees were rendered homeless as more than 50 shanties were destroyed in fire. Vowing to extend full cooperation...

Indian expats hold blood donation camp in Dubai

By TCN News, Dubai: To celebrate the 43rd UAE National day celebration the Indian Cultural Society - U.A.E, Karnataka Chapter in co-ordination with Al Barha Hospital conducted Blood Donation camp on December 13 at Al Barha Hospital Dubai.

Indian Cultural Society, UAE’s new officer bearers elected

By TCN News, Ajman (UAE): The Indian Cultural Society UAE, an NRI wing of SDPI, formation of central committee at its meeting here elected the new office bearers for the duration of three years. Aliyar from Kerala was elected as the president, Naseer Karaje from Karnataka was elected as the general secretary, Hasan TM as vice president and Munavar and Naushad were elected as secretaries during a programme held on April 17, 2015, a release from Indian Cultural Society, UAE, said here.

25 ulemas to be banned in Pakistan at Muharram

Islamabad: Pakistan's Islamabad police have proposed that the entry of 25 ulemas into the city during Muharram should be banned by the local administration....

UAE officials meet foreign leaders

By IANS/WAM, Abu Dhabi : Officials of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sunday met their counterparts from France, Morocco and Seychelles and discussed expansion of ties.

Jinnah book sales soar after author Jaswant’s expulsion

By Vishal Gulati, IANS, Shimla : Curiosity equals book sales. That equation seems to be at work here with copies of Jaswant Singh's "Jinnah: India - Partition - Independence" flying off shelves as people dig into their pockets to find out why the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader expelled its veteran leader. The queues started soon after the party president Rajnath Singh, who is here with top leaders of the party for a three-day introspection session, announced the expulsion Wednesday morning.

Bangladesh Army to generate, sell power

By IANS, Dhaka : A company floated by the Bangladesh Army will produce 50 MW power at an army camp outside the national capital and sell it to the government. The state-run Power Development Board (PDB) Thursday signed agreements with the army's DPA Power Generation International Ltd and another firm, Sinha Power Generation Company. Lt. Gen. Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, chairman of Bangladesh Diesel Plant Ltd, said the Pagla plant is the first of its kind for the army. "We will purchase modern equipment for setting up the plant."

Afghanistan sees first democratic transition amidst ‘sigh of relief,’ hope from the new government,...

By M Reyaz, TwoCircles.net, Afghanistan is all gear up for the first peaceful transition in over four decades – and in fact first democratic transition in its history - with a “sigh of relief” after months of impasse due to electoral related fraud allegations, and optimism for future amidst mixed reactions for the democratic strides in last 13 years.

Monthly Iraq Death Toll Up 50 Percent

By Prensa Latina Baghdad : The amount of Iraqis killed in March increased by 50 percent in comparison with February, as a result of the spiral of violence that ravages the Arab country, official sources reported on Tuesday. According to data provided by the Iraqi Ministries of Interior, Defense and Health, that percentage represents the deaths of 1,082 persons, 925 of them civilians and rest members of the Army and the police. The balance of dead soldiers reached 54 and the police forces lost 103, while the total of wounded was 1,630.

800-year-old Kaaba key sold for 9.2 million pounds

By IINA London : A 800-year-old key to the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, sold for 9.2 million pounds late yesterday, setting a new record for an Islamic work of art at auction. The 12 century Abbasid period key, made of iron and measuring 37 cm long, sold at Sotheby's in London for more than 18 times its pre-sale estimate and was bought anonymously. Its existence was previously unknown and prompted a bidding battle that took the price to more than 18 times the £400,000-£500,000 estimate in an auction of Islamic art, whose 405 lots sold for a total of £21.5 million.

3rd Indo-Pak calendar launched in Islamabad

By TCN News, Islamabad: 3rd Indo-Pak ‘Calendar for Peace & Love’ was launched in Islamabad on January 15 at Curiosity Junior School. The calendar was launched along with a discussion or “Sharing the hopes for a peaceful co-existence”.

Abu Dhabi: Indian expats group helps a needy Indian to return home

By TCN News, Abu Dhabi: Indian Cultural Society, Abu Dhabi Chapter (UAE) has once again extended its helping hand to an Indian worker to return back to India. Shawkath, an Indian from Bihar, came to UAE last June with a dream and an intention of earning good livelihood for his family, through an agent to work for a Manufacturing Company, as an Accountant with all service benefits.

Pakistani Mohajirs’ plight highlighted at UN

Geneva: The European Mohajir Network has highlighted the sorry human rights status of Pakistan's Mohajirs -- the Muslims who migrated from India following Partition...

Egyptian army arrests leading Sinai militant

Cairo: Egyptian military arrested Friday a leading member of Al Qaeda-inspired Sinai-based Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis group in a raid on southern Arish city of...

In MIT, a celebration of Faiz’s life and works

By TCN News Cambridge, Massachusetts: A program to celebrate the life and works of one of Urdu’s greatest poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz attracted a room full of Faiz fans to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on June 27, 2010.

Japan to resume refueling mission near Afghanistan in February

By KUNA Tokyo : Japan's parliament enacted Friday a legislation authorizing its Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) to resume refueling operations in the Indian Ocean, setting to resume logistical support for the US-led anti-terrorism campaign in and around Afghanistan as early as mid-February after a three-month hiatus. Later in the day, Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to issue an order to the MSDF to prepare for the dispatch of ships to the region.

Dhaka can take lessons from Beijing, says Rasheda

By NNN-BSS, Dhaka, Bangladesh : Adviser for Women and Children Affairs Rasheda K Chowdhury described Dhaka-Beijing friendship as an excellent one since time immemorial in terms of trade and commerce, culture and history and said, Bangladesh could take lessons from China. Bangladesh should follow the strategies of China to move towards economic prosperity as Beijng had shown amazing economic achievement in agriculture, industry and human resources development, she said at a discussion at a city hotel on Saturday afternoon.

IFF’s ‘Seerathunnabi’ campaign across Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia

‘Present World and Our Prophet (PBUH)’ held by India Fraternity Forum By TCN News, Dammam (Saudi Arabia): The India Fraternity Forum (IFF) organised public programme ‘VarthamanaMathuNammaPravadi’ as part of Seerathunnabi campaign for the purpose of promoting the message of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) in Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

2016 Haj pilgrimage schedule released in UP

Lucknow : The Uttar Pradesh Haj Committee has released the schedule for annual Haj pilgrimage for 2016, an official said on Wednesday. According to the...

Two Pakistani Taliban leaders killed

By IANS, Islamabad : Two key commanders of the Pakistani Taliban have been killed in clashes with security forces in northwest Pakistan, the Dawn newspaper reported Sunday.

A Tale of Two Winners :Indo-Pak Noble Peace Prize,2014

By Dr. Asma Anjum Khan for TwoCircles.net, Begum Para is daughter of our Ghafoor uncle. This is her first article. It’s about the, ’joint’ Noble Peace Prize, for the two eternal foes called India and Pakistan. #Satyrathi, #Malala#NoblePeacePrize2014#BenAffleck#HughJackman#MoonSighting#AshishVidyarthi#Taliban#Fudoos#Mullas #FawadKhan

Sharia Laws and Democracy

By Yamin Zakaria In comparing two systems, two major components need to be assessed. Firstly, the laws, and secondly is the consistent application of the laws upon the subjects.

Israeli attack on Gaza flotilla, UK’s slow response condemned

By TCN News, New Delhi: The Israeli attack on the convoy of ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza early Monday is being widely condemned. At least 19 passengers were reportedly killed in the attack. Slow British reaction to the attack even when the fate of 28 Britons among some 700 passengers on the humanitarian flotilla remains unknown has also been condemned.

Indian Sufi Sunnis condemn Lahore blasts, ‘Talibani Jehad’

By TCN News, New Delhi: Indian Muslims and scholars have condemned the ghastly attack on innocent Sufi followers which killed around 50 people and injured about 200 at the shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Syed Ali bin Usman Hajweri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh, in Lahore on July 2. Muhammad Saeed Noori of Raza Academy Mumbai, a representative body of Majority Sufi Sunnis said, “The Purinitical and Extremist approach of these terrorists and bunch of dacoits has

National seminar held on Indo-Iran Cultural relations

By TCN News, Aligarh: The first newspaper, ‘Mirat-ul-Akhbar’ published in Calcutta (Kolkatta), India in 1822, edited by great social reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy was in Persian, pointed out Professor Mohd Tahir Ali, former Head, Department of Arabic, Persian and Islamic Studies, Vishwabharti Shanti Niketan (West Bengal) as he eulogized shared socio-economic-political and cultural ideals between India and Iran.

Al Jazeera urges Germany to release its journalist

Doha: Al Jazeera has urged Germany to immediately release its journalist Ahmed Mansour, detained at a Berlin airport on the request of the Egyptian...

Man carrying sleeping daughter sparks online fundraising campaign

Beirut : An online fundraiser has raised more than $100,000 for a refugee from Syria and his daughter after sharing moving pictures of the...

Indian in Saudi Arabia swindles many in chit fund scam

By IANS, Dubai : An Indian national in Saudi Arabia is absconding after allegedly swindling many people in a chit fund scam. The Indian embassy in Riyadh alerted the police in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu to look out for T. Sekar after receiving a complaint from a group of 20 victims of the scam, the Arab News reported. Sekar hails from Nagappattinam district in Tamil Nadu. One of the victims, Ayyappan, told the newspaper that he lost 19,000 Saudi Riyals ($5,066) in the chit fund scam run by Sekar.

Thousands flee Egyptian prison: Reports

By IANS, Cairo : About 5,000 Egyptian prisoners broke out of a prison in the Fayyoum Govenorate amid the nationwide riots Saturday night, Xinhua quoted the Dubai-based Arabiya TV report Sunday.

China regrets military strike against Libya

By IANS, Beijing: China Sunday expressed regret over the military strike against Libya, saying Tripoli's territorial integrity should be respected.

Terrorist infiltration attempt foiled in Syria

By IANS, Moscow: The Syrian military Saturday fought back an infiltration attempt by an armed group north of the port of Lattakia, the SANA news agency reported.

PPP to occupy Speaker slot, ANP Deputy Speaker, 21 members NWFP cabinet agreed; AFRASIAB

By NNN-APP Peshawar : The select committees of the Awami National Party and Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians formed to evolve consensual power sharing formula for the future coalition government in the NWFP Wednesday agreed to keep 21 members cabinet in the first phase with PPPP to occupy the slot of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker from the ANP. The select committees headed by President of ANP NWFP Afrasiab Khattak and Provincial Chief of PPPP Rahimdad Khan met here at the residence of Senator Ilyas Ahmed Bilour.

Fazal Karim Kundi elected as Deputy Speaker of NA

By IRNA Islamabad : The National Assembly on Wednesday elected the country's parliamentary Deputy Speaker. He is a member from NWFP, was nominated for the office of the Deputy Speaker by the Pakistan Peoples Party of slain leader Benazir Bhutto, PML-N Party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and their allies. He secured 246 votes out of 318 polled in the 342-member lower house of the parliament, according to the announcement by the incumbent Speaker Dr. Fahmida Mirza. 4 votes were declared invalid. His rival Khush Bakht Shujaat of the opposition parties secured only 68 votes.

200 religious leaders to attend Madrid Interfaith Conference

By IINA, Makkah : The Makkah-based Muslim World League (MWL) has extended invitation to some 200 prominent religious figures representing Islam, Christianity and Judaism from around the world to attend the forthcoming global interfaith dialogue conference.

Ebola suspect tests negative in Pakistan

Islamabad : A person suspected of having Ebola in Pakistan has tested negative for the disease, media reported Thursday. Tasawar Hussain, who arrived in Karachi...

Indian workers accuse Saudi company of not paying salaries

Riyadh : A group of Indian workers in Saudi Arabia have accused a local company of not paying their salaries for six months and...

India will support Palestine cause, engage with Israel: Mukherjee

By Arvind Padmanabhan Amman : India will continue to support separate statehood for Palestine while also engaging with Israel to forge an independent...

AMU’s Minority Character, the Judiciary and the Executive

Dr Syed Zafar Mahmood ZakatIndia.org The citizens of India would be grateful to the Hon'ble Supreme Court for very kindly taking note of the contents of...

Banana speed eater hospitalised in Ukraine

By IANS/RIA Novosti, Moscow: A girl in Ukraine had to be rushed to the hospital after she tried gobbling some bananas against the clock during a speed eating contest.

New Pakistani envoy Abdul Basit arrives in India

New Delhi : Senior Pakistani diplomat Abdul Basit, set to take over as his country's new high commissioner in India, arrived here Sunday. Basit, who...

Afghan vice president dead

Kabul : Afghanistan Vice President Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim died Sunday following cardiac arrest, media reported. Fahim died following a heart attack in his Kabul...

Imran Khan taken off plane in Toronto

By IANS, Toronto : Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan was taken off from a US bound flight for questioning here Friday, a media report said.

Malaysian hockey’s father Sultan Azlan Shah dead

Kuala Lumpur : The 'Father' of Malaysian hockey Sultan Azlan Shah passed away in the Malaysian city of Ipoh Wednesday. He was 86. Azlan Shah...

Discussion on Yemen organised by ‘Yuva Kranti’

Iranian ambassador Dr. Ansari, Syrian cultural minister, Former Indian Foreign Secretary Muchkund Dubey, Hannan Mollah, Mohsin Taqvi, Dr Rakesh rafiq, TV actor Abaas Haider, among others attended the seminar. By TCN News, New Delhi: "Yuva Kranti" organised a round-table discussion on Yemen on May 2 in the national capital. The title of the round-table was “New Geopolitical equations in middle east with focus on recent bombing of Yemen by Saudi Arabia".

Now visa row heats up between India and Pakistan

New Delhi : After ceasefire violations escalated tension between India and Pakistan, a row also erupted over denial of visas to diplomats from...

Bangladesh Foreign Adviser meets Malaysian Foreign Minister

By NNN-BSS, Dhaka : Foreign Adviser of Bangladesh caretaker government Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury called on Malaysian Foreign Minister Dr. Rais Yatim on the sideline of the D-8 Conference now being held in Kuala Lumpur. During the meeting on Sunday, they discussed ways and means of further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, a message received here said.

Apex court unseats Dhaka lawmaker

By IANS, Dhaka : Bangladesh's Supreme Court has unseated a ruling Awami League lawmaker who had contested last December's parliamentary poll before the five-year time bar stipulated following his retirement from the army. The apex court upheld a high court verdict and directed the Election Commission to hold a by-election - from Bhola-3 constituency from where Major (Retd) Jasim Uddin's election was held - as invalid. Jasim Uddin is the first lawmaker in the current parliament to be unseated.

Six killed in Iraq violence

By IANS, Baghdad : Six people were killed and eight others wounded in separate bomb and gunfire attacks in Iraq Thursday, police said.

Kundapura youth commits suicide in Doha

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter, Doha: A 23 Year old mobile technician committed suicide by hanging himself from the tree at Al Wakrah in Doha on Monday 31st March 2014.

Protests continue in Islamabad’s Constitution Avenue

Islamabad : Protesters Tuesday continued to occupy Islamabad's Constitution Avenue despite the Supreme Court's order to vacate the area, Dawn online reported. The Supreme Court...

Pakistan PM’s land gift to friends to be probed

By IANS, Islamabad : A parliamentary committee will probe illegal allotment of plots in Islamabad to seven people by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, a media report said.

Khaleda Zia’s son dies in Malaysia

Dhaka : Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko died of heart failure Saturday, the party confirmed. Khaleda's press secretary...

Explosion kills three Palestinians in Gaza

Gaza : At least three Palestinians were killed and 20 others injured in an explosion in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, a security official...

Indian-Americans condemn action against JNU students

By TCN News New York (USA): Leading Indian American advocacy organisations have condemned the recent suppression of student protests...

Pakistani govt has always supported media: Azeem Daultana

By NNN-APP, Islamabad : Parliamentary Secretary for Information Azeem Daultana on Saturday informed the National Assembly that the government has always supported media and has never been harsh with them. Speaking in the house after the journalists walk out from the press gallery, Daultana said media has every right to report and comment on national issues. “But they must not indulge in any misreporting that can hurt the national interest,” he added.

Bomb kills Afghan official

By Xinhua, Kabul : A district chief and two of his bodyguards were killed in eastern Afghanistan when thier vehicle hit a roadside mine planted by the Taliban militants, an official said. The mine struck the car of Badi Zaman Sabari, chief of Nadir Khahkot district in Khost province, killing him on the spot and wounding two of his bodyguards, an official told Xinhua. Sabari was on his way to office.

45 kg of heroin seized in Afghanistan

By IANS/RIA Novosti, Moscow: Two men were detained with 45 kg of heroin near the Iranian border in Afghanistan's Nimroz province, the Pajhwok news agency reported.

UAE Red Crescent praised for work on water in India

Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Red Crescent has come for praise for its work in providing fresh water in its water-well drilling...

Arabs are very intelligent, ahead of Indians: Barkatullah Varsity VC

By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net, Bhopal: Prof. Ravindra Jain, Vice Chancellor of Barkatullah University, Bhopal, has said that Arabs are very intelligent people and are ahead of Indians. They took full advantage of the literature in Sanskrit and Hindi which flourished in India during the period of the Rig Veda and Upanishads (from 1500 B.C. to 500 B.C.).

Indian ulema ready to intervene for 17 Indians facing death sentence in UAE

By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net, Lucknow: As the fate of 17 Indians facing death sentence in UAE still hangs in balance muslim ulemas and clerics have launched an intiative for their release on compassionate grounds.

Headmaster beheaded, schools torched in Afghanistan

By DPA, Kabul : Suspected Taliban militants beheaded a headmaster and torched two schools in southern Afghanistan, officials said Sunday. Sakandar Shah Mohammadi, head of Al Berooni School in Qara Bagh district of Ghazni province was beheaded Saturday, the education ministry said in a statement. On the same day, dozens of militants, riding on motorbikes, came to Zardalo area of the district and torched two elementary schools, Muhibullah Khepilwak, district governor, said. One of the schools was a girls' school and the other for boys.

Indians in Saudi capital pay tribute to Saiyid Hamid

By TCN News, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia): Large number of dignitaries, scholars and people belonging to different spheres of life from among the Indian community attended a condolence meeting held here to pay tribute to the well known educationist and Jamia Hamdard chancellor Saiyid Hamid, who passed away on December 29 at Delhi, India.

Ten-day International Peace Conference starts in Mumbai

Over 40 speakers to discuss international, social and political issues By TCN News

Bangladesh war hero who served three armies dead

By IANS, Dhaka : Qazi Nooruzzaman, a hero of Bangladesh's liberation war who served the British Indian Navy and three armies during his lifetime, is dead. He was 86, a media report said.

Tree For Harmony Campaign organized in seven countries

By TCN News, New Delhi: In a move to join Environment and Peace together as very important issue in present days, Mission Bhartiyam along with other organizations organized the 3rd ‘Tree for Harmony’ campaign in seven countries namely India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Cameroon.

Insurgents attack school in E Afghanistan

By Xinhua Kabul : Insurgents have blown up a school, but fortunately hurt no one, in the eastern Afghanistan province of Paktika, said a statement of the U.S.-led Coalition forces released here on Sunday. "The school was built by Afghan citizens and sponsored by Coalition forces in Farouq district of Pakitka," the statement said, adding that the incident happened Thursday.

Bangladesh: taking pictures of remaining voters starts in Dhaka

By NNN-BSS, Dhaka, Bangladesh : Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) on Friday started taking pictures of those, who could not be enrolled as voters earlier, in the city's select centers. The task of taking pictures will continue from 9 am to 6 pm everyday till August 24, the EC sources said. Besides, they added, the EC is correcting the already finalized voters' list by excluding the names of fake ones. "Voters of an electoral area will be able to collect their national identity cards from the concerned centers," said Deputy Election Commissioner of Dhaka city Biswas Lutfur Rahman.

Pakistani teachers pledge to transform classrooms

By IANS, Lahore : Pakistani teachers are taking the lead in transforming their classrooms into real-life learning and interactive stations to rid students of boring study sessions. Around 80 teachers vowed to change their working practices at the conclusion of a six-day workshop for secondary school teachers conducted by the Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) at Gujranwala town in the province.

Iran Knocks Diplomats Attack in Iraq

By Prensa Latina, Tehran : Iran issued a declaration on Friday condemning the attack against four of its diplomats in Iraq, who died in the incident, IRNA official agency reported. The Islamic Republic accused US agents for carrying out what it called a criminal action, and reiterated ó occupation and terrorism are the two main factors of insecurity and instability in Iraq. ó Foreign Ministry's spokesman Mohammad Ali Hoseini stressed ó the occupiers are the main responsible for the security of diplomats and political and international centers established in Iraq. ó

Fire guts 200 shanties in Bangladesh

By IANS, Dhaka : A fire that swept through a slum near Dhaka early Sunday gutted at least 200 shanties, police said.

UN convoy comes under fire in Syria

By IANS, Damascus : A convoy of UN observes in Syria came under fire while touring al-Qusair area near central Homs province Sunday, local media reported.

Political crisis in Yemen and proxy war of Saudi Arabia

By Dr.Mohammad Nazrul Bari, Yemen was among the four Arab countries convulsed by huge protest and demonstrations from February 2011 onwards including Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. In February 2011 after the Arab spring at Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh was forced to leave his office by the Saudi-led Gulf Cooperation Council. Saleh’s power was divided into several groups. Mansoor Ali Hadi, Deputy of Ali Abdullah Saleh, got elected as the new President of Yemen with full support of Saudi Arabia.

World’s smallest Koran on display at Dubai Bride show

By IANS, Dubai : The smallest copy of the Koran, the Islamic holy book, on display at The Bride Show here drew huge crowds at the recently concluded exhibition. Almost one-third the size of its closest competitor, the 'miniature' Koran contains 10,000 lines engraved on sapphire measuring 58mm by 98mm which can be worn as pendant or a ring by brides and grooms on the wedding day, WAM news agency reported Monday.

Expatriates have decisive role to play in the future of India: SDPI Chief

By TCN News, Jeddah : Indian community employed in the Gulf countries have a larger and decisive role to play in shaping the future of India, said A Saeed, National President of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). He was speaking during an impressive reception given to the national leaders of SDPI on their short visit to the Kingdom.

France’s Sagna to not fast during World Cup

Sao Paulo:France defender Bacary Sagna will not fast during the holy month of Ramadan which begins during the FIFA World Cup, pointing out that...

Of healing, perseverance and courage

What prompted Malala Yousafzai to speak up against the Taliban? How does love sear and consume and how can one heal with homeopathy? How can a few things better your life? It is these intriguing stories that IANS has for its readers this weekend. Take a look. 1. Book: Malala; Author: Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick; Publisher: Hachette; Pages: 240; Price: Rs. 299

Iran central bank deputy head held for embezzlement

By IANS, Tehran : Hamid Pourmohammadi, the deputy head of Iran's central bank, has been arrested for his involvement in a $2.6-billion embezzlement case, Xinhua reported Saturday.

Book ‘Islam & Freedom’ published in Rome

By IRNA, Rome : The book titled ‘Islam and Freedom’ written by Mohammad Taqi Mesbah-Yazdi, noted Iranian religious scholar, was published in Rome by the Imam Mahdi (AS) Association.
Announcing this, Iran’s cultural attaché in Rome, Ali Reza Esmaeili told IRNA on Tuesday that the book was translated into the Italian language and printed in 1,000 copies. The cover price for the 96-page book is ten euros.

Greek president does not receive Netanyahu

Athens, Aug 18, IRNA – Greek President Karolos Papoulias did not received visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to show his opposition to the Israel. The veteran Greek politician Papoulias was Greek Foreign Minister for eight years during the premiership of Anreas Papandreous, father of current Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou. Greece did not recognized the Israel until 1991, when Andreas Papandreou was in power.

3rd World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists to be held in Qatar

By TwoCircles.net News Desk, New Delhi: The 3rd World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists with the theme “Building A Better World: New Horizons – Sound Strategies” will be held at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha, Qatar from March 21-22, 2010.

Bhagwan Das is head of Pakistan’s public service commission

By IANS, Islamabad: Retired Supreme Court judge Bhagwan Das, a highly respected name in the Pakistani judiciary and one of the very few Hindus to hold high office in this country, Thursday assumed charge as chairman of the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC). Officers and staff members warmly welcomed him when he arrived at his office here after calling on President Asif Ali Zardari, who congratulated him on his appointment. Bhagwan Das had thrice been the acting chief justice of the Supreme Court, becoming the first Hindu and only the third non-Muslim to hold the post.

Saudi Arabia is top donor

By IANS, New Delhi: Saudi Arabia topped the world's charitable contributions to fund humanitarian relief operations in 2008, according to a UN report. A statement from the Saudi embassy here quoted the report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva saying that Saudi Arabia was the top donor in the world in financing humanitarian aid. The contribution amounted to the ratio 0.1925 of its GDP.

Palestine blames Israel for deadlock in peace talks

Ramallah: Israel brought the peace talks to a deadlock by not halting settlements cosntruction, a Palestinian official has said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address...

Hindu Sena protests outside Aamir Khan’s residence

Mumbai : Hundreds of activists of the Hindu Sena on Tuesday staged a vociferous demonstration outside the home of Bollywood megastar Aaamir Khan protesting...

Mumbai family forced out of cinema for not standing up for National Anthem

Legal experts say it isn’t mandatory to ‘stand’ when national anthem is played although in respect one is expected to. By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net...

Bangladesh, Myanmar to start Rohingya repatriation in November

Dhaka, Oct 30 (IANS) Bangladesh and Myanmar on Tuesday agreed to begin the repatriation of the 1st batch of Rohingyas from November, it was...

Fact vs. Fiction: Unpacking the Viral Misinformation Behind the Bangladesh-Hindu Atrocity Claims

Yusha Rahman, TwoCircles.net An image of a screenshot from a video showing a woman being raped went viral on social media. The image was accompanied...

Earliest Chinese version of Quran found in China

By IANS, Beijing: An earliest Chinese version of the holy Quran, a handwritten copy completed in 1912, has been found by Muslim culture researchers in China's northwestern Gansu province.

UAE to observe World Anti-Narcotics Day

By IANS/WAM, Abu Dhabi : The UAE will mark World Anti- Narcotics Day Tuesday.

Pakistan to host 6th Asia Pacific conference on Acute liver Failure

By NNN-APP, Karachi : The Pakistan Society for Study of Liver Diseases (pssld) here on Wednesday announced to hold the 6th APASL Single Topic Conference on Acute liver Failure : Asian-Pacific Perspectives here from December 10 to 12. The event holds extreme relevance as Acute Liver Failure is a catastrophic condition that severely tests the medical expertise of the care providers and yet is also gratifying to treat; as full recovery is expected in those patients who come through.

UAE, Latvia sign agreement

By IANS/WAM, Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Latvia Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for political consultations.

Modi’s Day One: Talks terror, promises to bring back black money

New Delhi : It was an action-packed Day One for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. From holding "good and substantive" meetings with leaders of seven...

50 injured in students’ clashes in Dhaka

By IANS, Dhaka : Over 50 students of rival bodies were injured in a clash at a cultural function at a university campus, adding to the tension as Bangladesh prepares for parliamentary elections in December. Leaders and activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir, student front of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the country's largest islamist party, Saturday attacked a cultural function of Udichi Shilpi Goshthi on the Jagannath University campus.

Provincial Council’s secretary gunned down in E Afghanistan

By Xinhua, KABUL : Unknown armed men shot dead the secretary of Provincial Council in Nangarhar province east of Afghanistan on Saturday, a police official said. "Qazi Khan Mohammad Malik Baba was on his way to office when unknown armed men shot him dead in Darai Noor district at 8:00 a.m. local time (0330 GMT)," Abdul Ghafoor Khan the spokesman for police told Xinhua. He put the attack on the enemies of peace a term used against Taliban fighters while the insurgents who often target pro-government figures have yet to make comment.

Bangladeshi trawler sinks, 26 missing, one body found

Dhaka : One body was found but 26 people remained untraced after a fishing trawler from Bangladesh sank into the Bay of Bengal in...

Three killed in firing near Pakistan-Afghanistan border

Islamabad : Three people, including two women, of the same family were killed on Thursday in firing near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Sources said unidentified gunmen...

Pakistani qawwal plans India visit over ‘Bhar do jholi’ row

Karachi : Pakistani qawwal Amjad Sabri has decided to approach an Indian court over the inclusion of his father's qawwali in Salman Khan...

Islamic Relief Worldwide leads the way for ‘Islamic Declaration on Climate Change’

By A Mirsab, TwoCircles.net, Istanbul/New Delhi: Islamic Relief Worldwide, an international humanitarian organisation and a member of the United Nation's Economic and Social Council has...

US journalist admits faking story about Iraq attack

Washington: Veteran journalist Brian Williams, the popular host of NBC's nightly prime time newscast, has apologised after admitting that he made up the story...

Man beheaded in suspected ‘Islamist attack’ in France

Paris: A man was beheaded and at least one other person injured on Friday in a suspected Islamist attack on a gas factory near...

Centre not to extend ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir

New Delhi (IANS): The Centre on Sunday decided not to extend the suspension of anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir as announced in the...

Bangladeshi experts urged to amend kidney donation law

By IANS, Dhaka : Bangladesh experts have urged the government to amend a 1999 law that allows patients to get a kidney only from the relatives.

Saudi official beaten up at Pakistan airport

By IANS, Islamabad : A Saudi official was allegedly thrashed by security personnel at the Benazir International Airport here following an altercation, Geo News reported.

Muslims in Belgium celebrate Eid al-Adha

By KUNA, Brussels : Muslims in Belgium thronged to mosques Monday morning to offer Eid al-Adha prayers. One of the biggest congregations was held in the Islamic Centre in Brussels, close to the EU headquarters, where the khateeb (preacher) in his sermon underlined that Islam is essentially a religion of peace and that a Muslim is a person who does not harm any creature unjustly. He noted the continued suffering of peoples in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan and condemned the double standards being applied today regarding human rights issues.

Iraqi poll turnout 51 percent, says election panel

By Xinhua, Baghdad : The Independent High Electoral Commission of Iraq (IHEC) Sunday said that the voter turnout in the country's provincial election was 51 percent. "The turnout of voters nationwide reached to 51 percent," Faraj al-Haydari, IHEC chairman, told reporters in Baghdad. Some 7.5 million out of 15 million eligible voters participated in Saturday's elections, said Haydari. He said the turnout was ranging from 40 percent in the Sunni province of Anbar to 65 percent in Salahudin province, which includes the hometown of former president late Saddam Hussein.

32 militants killed in Afghanistan

By Xinhua, Kabul : Thirty-two militants and a foreign soldier were killed in fighting in Afghanistan's eastern Paktika province Saturday, officials said. The foreign soldier was killed when a militant detonated his explosives-laden car near a security forces' headquarters in Zirok district at around 6.30 a.m., spokesman of the provincial government Hamidullah Zhawak said. An Afghan soldier was also wounded in the attack.

Is the Swiss ban an opportunity?

By Richard Chartres and Ali Gomaa Cairo/London - The recent vote in Switzerland banning the construction of new minarets casts an unnecessary shadow on the remarkable history of tolerance, hospitality and integration that is the true story of Switzerland. It is important to remember, however, that this vote in no way changes the fundamental affirmation in the Swiss constitution that "the freedom of religion and philosophy is guaranteed. All persons have the right to choose their religion or philosophical convictions freely, and to profess them alone or in community with others."

War zone diary: Miraculous escape of a photojournalist

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter, With the killing of Pulitzer Prize-winning German photographer Anja Niedringhaus in Afghanistan on April 4 in 2014 during the election coverage has once again revealed the vulnerability of journalist working in conflict zones. The Associate Press photojournalist was shot dead by a gunman in her car in which another journalist was also injured. In 2013 alone more than 70 journalists were killed across the globe and the scene continues to be similar.

Radical group announces formation of new IS in Arabian peninsula

Cairo : A radical group that is thought to be affiliated with the Al Qaeda has announced the formation of a new Islamic State...

UN says over 200,000 dead in Syria civil war

Geneva: More than 200,000 people have died in Syria's civil war since it started in March 2011, said new UN High Commissioner for Human...

“Tunisia is showing that democracy can sustain in Arab World”

By TCN News, Aligarh: The flame of Arab Spring is still burning in Tunisia, said Shiekh Rashid al-Ghannushi, the Tunisian politician, President and co-founder of the Ennahda Party of Tunisia. “Even though unfortunate events have followed the renaissance of Arab Spring but Tunisia is showing the world that democracy can sustain in the Arab World,” Shiekh Rashid said here at the Aligarh Muslim University’s (AMU) Polytechnic during his maiden visit.

Iraq: cell of female suicide bombers arrested

By NNN-KUNA Baghdad : Iraqi and US Security authorities have arrested a terrorist cell that used women in suicide operations. A source in the operations command of Diyala told KUNA on Saturday that Iraqi and US forces earlier in the day stormed a home of a terrorist cell of female suicide bombers in Al-Makhesa village north east of Diyala. The source added that the operation also resulted in the arrest of scores of women suicide bombers without saying how many.

10 Bulgarian diplomas of honor for young Iranian artists

By IRNA, Tehran : Iranian children and young artists won ten diplomas of honor in Bulgaria's International Nova Zagora Painting Contest. According to a report by the Public Relations Department of the Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (IIDCYA), the competition was held with a free subject and 559 diplomas of honor were presented to participants from 26 countries. Maedeh Bahrami, 5.5, from Tehran was the smallest Iranian winner at the event whose painting portrays a scarecrow in a sunflower farm with two crows on its hands.

Hindu devotee dies in Bangladesh temple clash

By IANS, Dhaka : Over 200 followers of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) have been arrested in Bangladesh following the death of a Hindu devotee in a dispute over a temple, a media report said Sunday. A clash took place Friday at Bhatgaon village in Thakurgaon district in north-western Bangladesh, more than 450 km from here, in which 16 people were injured, including a devotee Phulbabu, who later died. Those arrested include the chief of Gorea Iskcon temple, Pushpa Shila Sham Das, The Daily Star reported.
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