UAE bank opens branch in Egypt
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) has opened its 29th branch in Egypt, it was announced Saturday.
Seven kg of heroin seized at Islamabad airport
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani authorities have seized seven kg of heroine from a passenger who was due to leave for France, a media report said Sunday.
Haryana cancels pilgrimage to Pakistan after travel advisory
By IANS,
Chandigarh : The Haryana government Tuesday cancelled the pilgrimage to Sikh shrines in Pakistan following a travel advisory issued by the union home ministry.
The home ministry asked Indians to avoid travelling to Pakistan in view of the deteriorating security situation in that country.
The pilgrimage to Pakistan by Sikhs, Oct 28 to Nov 6 from Sirsa, has been cancelled, keeping in mind the security of the pilgrims in the wake of recent terror attacks in Pakistan's Punjab province, a spokesperson of the Haryana home department said.
Mumbai carnage, terrorist groups and Afpak policy
By Dr Shabir Choudhry,
When Mumbai carnage took place many people pointed fingers to Pakistan and especially Lashkar e Taiba (LeT). Pakistan first claimed that its territory was not used for this terrorism, but in view of mounting evidence, reluctantly agreed that ‘non state actors’ could have be involved in it.
EU opposes death penalty moratorium removal in Pakistan
Islamabad : The European Union (EU) Wednesday called for the immediate restoration of the moratorium on death penalty in Pakistan.
"We believe that the death...
Dalit scholar’s suicide an indictment of BJP’s Hindutva agenda, say Indian Americans
By TCN News
Washington: The Indian American Muslim Council, an advocacy group aimed at safeguarding India's pluralist and tolerant ethos, expressed shock...
7 Assam bound Rohingya Muslim children detained in Tripura
Agartala, Feb 3 (IANS) Security forces on Sunday detained seven children of Rohingya Muslims at a railway station in northern Tripura adjoining Assam, a...
‘We Came for Work, Now Afraid to Step Out’: Branded ‘Bangladeshi’, Bengali Migrants Face...
Sana Kauser, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi/Gurugram: Santosh Mistiri had only gone out to buy vegetables. It was early morning. The market near Badshahpur Shamshanghat had just...
Malaysian cleric says Islam forbids botox
By IANS
Kuala Lumpur : Muslims in Malaysia have been advised not to undergo Botox treatments as it is forbidden in Islam, a cleric has said.
Selangor Mufti Mohamad Tamyes Abdul Wahad said the National Fatwa Council had decided to list the beauty treatment as "haram" (forbidden) as it had more adverse effects than good, The Star newspaper reported Thursday.
He said those providing Botox treatments should stop offering such services.
GCC member states celebrate environmental protection week
By NNN-KUNA
Riyadh : GCC member states are staging their first joint environment protection week under the theme "Our Shores and Sustained Development" with a view to highlighting environmental protection awareness and pointing to the most important environmental issues and problems.
The celebration was decided in 2003 during a meeting in Kuwait where officials present decided to stage a week-long celebration every year as a reminder of the importance of environmental protection.
17 killed in Afghanistan coal mine explosion
Kabul: At least 17 people were killed and several trapped following a blast in a coal mine in the northern Afghan province of Samangan...
Indian Social Forum to organise tournament for social service at Jubail
By TCN News,
Dammam: Karnataka Chapter of Indian Social Forum, an Indian expatriates Socio- Cultural Organization is organizing a “Social Forum Cup -2015’ for Indian Expatriates residing in eastern province at Jubail, Dammam and Khobar.
Baiji refinery in Iraq controlled by IS: Official
Washington : A refinery site in Baiji city of northern Iraq was captured by Islamic State (IS) militants recently and Iraqi security forces now...
Karachi building collapse toll rises to 23
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : The toll in a building collapse in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi has risen to 23, TV reports said Monday.
Rescue workers have pulled out more bodies from the rubble of the five-storey building that collapsed in the Mithadar area of the city Friday night.
The chief fire officer has confirmed the toll to the media Monday.
He said it is unlikely that more bodies could remain trapped under the debris.
The rescue operation was hindered due to the narrow lanes leading to the site.
Officials said it will take more time to remove the debris.
Jinnah now dividing BJP: Karunanidhi
By IANS,
Chennai : Six decades after Mohammad Ali Jinnah divided India, he is now doing the same to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), says Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
Speaking to reporters here Saturday, Karunanidhi said: "Jinnah sowed the seeds for dividing India. Now he is instrumental for the divisions within the BJP."
The BJP is teeming with internal strife after it expelled former defence and finance minister Jaswant Singh for his book that argues the Pakistan founder was wrongly being demonised in India for the partition.
A Pashto singer’s story: From Taliban clutches to London freedom
By Cynthia Chandran,IANS,
London : Named by the BBC website as one of the 10 most famous Britons who have never been heard before, Latif Nangarhari's is no ordinary story. It involves escaping from the clutches of the Taliban, a journey to Britain and finally being 'discovered' in a distant land. And, yes, it is a story of hope.
Today a British passport holder, he is a singing sensation in his native Afghanistan, a country which has seen more than three decades of war and from where he had to escape.
Etisalat launches unlimited push-to-talk package
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates based communications services provider Etisalat has announced a new package for its Push-to-Talk (PTT) service customers, providing unlimited use of the service.
"Etisalat constantly strives to enhance services and improve the customer's overall telephony experience. Push-to-talk is an all encompassing service that fulfils the need of a wide range of our customers," WAM news agency reported, quoting Khalifa Al Shamsi, senior vice president, Consumer Marketing, Etisalat.
Why Does Adultery Matter in a Secular Society?
"Secularism prohibits the imposition of any religion, except the religion of secularism"
By Yamin Zakaria,
NATO creates “kill or capture” list for Taliban: German report
Berlin, Feb 10, IRNA -- NATO has created a "kill or capture" list for Taliban leaders, the weekly news magazine Stern reported Wednesday on its website.
The secret list allows NATO troops in Afghanistan to liquidate or capture mid-and high ranking Taliban members.
German and US special forces are reportedly involved in these secret operations.
A so-called "JPEL-list" (Joint Priority Effects List) indicates who will be included in the "c" (capture) category and who will be listed in the "k" (kill) section.
Bangladeshi rich take to Eid tourism
By IANS,
Dhaka : Many of Bangladesh's well-off families are utilising the Eid-ul-Fitr festival this year to take a holiday abroad, moving away from the grime and jostling crowds at home.
Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood not to nominate presidency candidate
Cairo, Feb 5, IRNA – IRNA correspondent here quoted dispatches as reporting Egypt’s Islamic Brotherhood says it will have no candidates for upcoming September presidential election.
Five Pakistanis murdered in Greece
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least five Pakistanis have been murdered in Greece in recent days, causing panic among the Pakistani community, a media report said Saturday.
Bahrain ruler pardons 225 prisoners
By IANS,
Dubai : Bahrain ruler King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa Wednesday pardoned 225 prisoners ahead of the holy festival of Eid-ul-Fitr.
The king’s move came following a meeting he held with leading religious figures in the country, the state-run Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported. Eid-ul-Fitr is to be celebrated in October this year.
According to the report, the prisoners who have been pardoned were not involved in criminal acts that harm the security of the nation and its citizens.
King Hamad has issued orders to adopt appropriate procedures to release the prisoners.
Nine Guantanamo detainees transferred to Saudi Arabia
Washington : At least nine Guantanamo Bay detainees have been transferred to Saudi Arabia, cutting the number of inmates of the notorious US detention...
26 schoolgirls die in Iran accident
By IANS,
Tehran: A total of 26 schoolgirls were killed and 18 others injured when their bus overturned in Iran's southwestern Khuzestan province, reported Xinhua, citing local media reports.
Assamese cultural activist invited in Bangladesh event
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Guwahati: In what can be termed as a landmark endeavour, Guwahati-based cultural activist, documentation consultant and curator of the Guwahati International Music Festival, Aiyushman Dutta, has been invited to join a first-ever documentation project of the centuries-old ‘Dol Purnima Utsab’ of the Bauls to be held from March 14-17 in Kushtia, Bangladesh this year.
‘Pakistan to buy German submarines’
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistan has formally decided to buy three Type 214 German submarines under a more than $1 billion deal that the two countries are expected to sign in coming months, a media report said Wednesday.
German shipbuilding company Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW) will construct the diesel-electric submarines in a shipyard in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, Pakistan's English-language daily The News reported.
International Compliance Association opens office in Dubai
By IANS,
Dubai : The International Compliance Association (ICA), a leading global provider of training in anti-money laundering, compliance and financial crime prevention, has opened a new office in Dubai.
The London headquartered ICA has set up its office at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in order to extend its geographical reach to the world's leading financial centres, a DIFC statement here said.
Modi is the worst of the worst … wo zaalim hai, says Vastanwi
By Siraj Wahab in Makkah for TwoCircles.net
Pakistan graveyard caretaker held for desecrating female bodies
By IANS,
Islamabad : A graveyard caretaker has been arrested in Karachi on charges of "sexually desecrating" female bodies, a media report said Sunday.
Malaysia: Dr Mahathir won’t support opposition, says Mukariz
By NNN-Bernama
Kuala Lumpur : Umno Youth executive council member Mukhriz Mahathir said his father, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad would neither oppose the government nor support the opposition.
"My father will not in any way support the opposition. He has fought the opposition all his life," he said.
100-year-old Saudi man takes 26-year-old as third wife
By IANS
Dubai : A more than 100-year-old Saudi widower has married for the third time - to a 26-year-old woman.
Ahmed Ateeq Al-Hariri Al-Zahrani, who lives in Taif, near Mecca, faced no opposition from either his bride-to-be or his family when he decided to marry for the third time. His previous two wives are dead.
"We didn't oppose dad's marriage. We agreed to his marriage and we wish him happiness for the rest of his life," Al-Zahrani's oldest son Abdul Rahman told the Saudi Gazette newspaper.
Every Iranian regime hostile to US: Obama
By DPA,
Washington : US President Barack Obama Tuesday said the differences between Iran's re-elected hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his reformist opponent Mir-Hossein Moussavi were minimal.
In an interview with CNBC, Obama made clear he would remain neutral on the outcome of Friday's elections not only because of the "tough diplomacy" that lies ahead on the nuclear issue, but also to deny a new regime in Tehran a justification for repression because the US was "meddling".
German Jewish peace group to ship humanitarian aid to Gaza
By IRNA,
Berlin : A leading German Jewish peace group which has repeatedly criticized Israel's policies in the occupied territories, is to ship humanitarian aid to Gaza this spring.
According to a press statement sent to IRNA in Berlin on Thursday, the German-branch of European Jews for a Just Peace in the Middle East (EJJP) is to deliver "urgently needed things like medicines, baby food, blankets, children's clothes and school material" to Gaza which remains under siege by Israel and Egypt.
Afghan students march against attacks on Hazaras in Pak
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
78 workers from Iraq return to Hyderabad
Hyderabad: A group of 78 Indian workers stranded in war-ravaged Iraq landed here Saturday.
The first batch of workers arrived here by a special aircraft...
Wedding wear in India gets new offerings from Pakistan
New Delhi: If you're shopping for your wedding trousseau, don't miss 'Wedding Collection: A journey of Pakistan from Pret to Couture', a range of...
Qatar to be stripped of 2022 World Cup: FIFA whistleblower
London: Qatar are likely be stripped of the 2022 World Cup, according to a FIFA whistleblower who was a former senior figure in the...
Allegations of rape against diplomat not proven, says Saudi embassy
New Delhi: The Saudi Arabian embassy here on Wednesday said allegations of rape against a senior diplomat of the embassy were “not proven” and...
Candle light vigil by Khudai Khidmatgar for Peshawar terror attack victims
By TCN News,
New Delhi: Holding placards with message of love, peace and humanity, people from all walks of life including professionals, college students and little children participated in a candle light vigil commemoration organized by Khudai Khidmatgar to condemn the Peshawar killings, where in a desperate attack Taliban terrorists killed over 140 persons, including 132 school children, of a school run by Pakistan army.
Won’t accept temporal division of al Aqsa, says Palestine
Ramallha : Palestinians won't let pass the Israeli measures in Jerusalem and the Israeli scheme for the temporal division of Al Aqsa Mosque, President...
American varsity starts A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Fellowship
New Delhi : An American university has started doctoral grants for Indian students to honour late former president of India A.P.J. Abdul Kalam who...
Countries in Indian Ocean Rim set up istitutionalised mechanism to secure Indian Ocean
NEW DELHI, Feb 15 (APP): Twenty six countries including India in Indian Ocean region on Friday decided to set up institutionalised mechanism for cooperation among their navies to secure the Indian Ocean from transitional crimes including terrorism.
The decision was taken in a conclave of Naval Chiefs of Indian Ocean Rim hosted by India here. India also hosted an Indian Ocean Naval Symposium which was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday.
Muslim religious leaders say violence no answer to anti-Islam attacks
By IINA
Cairo : Several Muslim religious leaders and scholars believe that neither violence nor a boycott of Western goods is the right answer to a perceived surge in an anti-Islam campaign. "The West knows very little about Islam and its principles. So the best way to reverse the so-called Islamophobia is to enter into a dynamic dialogue with the West," said Abdul Sabour Chahin, a noted Muslim scholar. "We have to let the non-Muslims get exposed to the genuine tenets of Islam so as to learn about its tolerance and moderation," Gulf News quoted him as saying.
Dr. Yusuf Estes to deliver Islamic lectures in Jeddah
By IINA
Jeddah : Dr. Yusuf Estes, a well-known Islamic scholar and preacher from Texas, US, will deliver two lectures, entitled “Muslim Youth in Today’s Society” and “The Beauty of Islam,” at the Saudi-German Hospital auditorium here tomorrow and Friday. Organizers said the first lecture is aimed at students over the age of 12, while the second is for the general public.
A former Christian missionary, Estes is now the director of the Islamic Mission Foundation International, a group dedicated to presenting Islam in accordance with the Qur’an and Sunnah.
26/11 could have been planned on a ship: Pakistani envoy
By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS,
London : The Mumbai terror attacks of 26/11 were planned in a “third place” outside Pakistan and Britain, Pakistani High Commissioner to Britain Wajid Shamsul Hasan said Friday.
Hasan said Pakistan's official report on the Mumbai attacks in which over 170 people were killed will be ready “by Saturday or Sunday".
“I have spoken to the interior ministry to check on Pakistani newspaper reports that said the attacks were planned in the UK,” Hasan told IANS.
Pakistani train driver, guard questioned at Attari
By IANS,
Amritsar : A Pakistani driver and a guard of a goods train that arrived at the Attari border railway station in India from Pakistan Friday were questioned by customs officials following the recovery of a large quantity of poppy seeds from the train's engine.
The driver, Mohammed Ali, and a guard of the train were questioned by the customs and security officials after the goods train arrived at Attari, 30 km from here.
The officials recovered 27 kg of poppy seeds from the train's engine near the driver's seat.
Gaddafi guards raped kids: Amnesty
By IANS,
London : Prison guards loyal to Muammar Gaddafi raped child detainees, human rights group Amnesty International has said.
Four policemen injured in Pakistan suicide bombing
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least four policemen were injured in a suicide bombing in Pakistan's northwest tribal region Sunday night, a media report said.
ISIS, Oil Politics and Peaking of Islamophobia
By Ram Puniyani,
Just a month ago (August 2014) a group of Muslim activists-scholars organized press meets in various cities. They issued a statement condemning the brutal violence being committed by ISIS. There statement carried a visual saying Islam Means Peace. The statement said “Indian Muslims Condemn the Brutal Atrocities by ISIS against Minorities in Iraq and Syria; denounce religious intolerance, persecution and violence in the name of Islam” I circulated the statement to many lists. One of the members on the list wrote back that “‘Islam means Peace’ is the biggest joke of the century”. Simultaneously in India, the propaganda about love Jihad is being spread like wild fire by communal elements. Irrespective of the fact that in such a propaganda few cases of marriage-conversion, the girls changing their version the boundary line between love and imposition being regularly breached, have been picked up as an example of Muslim men on a path to Jihad for conversion to Islam, by marrying Hindu girls by deceit. A friend demanded whether I can cite even 100 cases where Muslim girls have married Hindu men. To my good fortune I could locate a list longer than that of 100 and also a Google search of Hindu Men Muslim wife gave good many beautiful stories (https://www.facebook.com/R3alityofPorkistan/posts/613266692020533 ) of such ‘love jihad’ in reverse! To add to the already existing atmosphere Al Jawahiri of Al Qaeda issued a Video declaring its plan to expand the activities in India.
Emirates to freeze hiring of non-operational staff
By IANS,
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) national carrier Emirates Airline will freeze recruitment of non-operational staff because of spiralling global oil prices, a top official at the carrier has said in an interview.
"The fact is that fuel prices are very high so we are always looking at our costs," Emirates chairman and chief executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum said in an interview to be published in Arabian Business magazine's Aug 3 issue.
44 candidates register for Afghan presidential elections
By RIA Novosti,
Kabul : Forty-four candidates, including two women, have registered for the Aug 20 presidential elections in Afghanistan, officials said Saturday.
To register, a candidate has to deposit about $1,000 to the election committee and submit at least 10,000 signatures endorsing the candidate. A presidential candidate must be at least 40 years old and have no prior criminal record.
According to the Afghan constitution, the elections should have been held in April. However, polls were put off until Aug 20 due to concerns over funding and security.
Illegal immigration from Bangladesh biggest threat: Jaiswal
By IANS,
Ahmedabad: Rising illegal immigration from neighbouring Bangladesh is posing the biggest threat to India's national security, Minister of State for Home Sriparakash Jaiswal said Tuesday.
"The Indian government is already working towards introducing the multi-purpose national identity card for every citizen and would ensure that all the citizens possess a card within a span of the next four years," he said at the valedictory function of a two-day international conference on security and identity management-2009, organised by the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad here.
Pakistani spy who helped jailed terrorists escape gets 2 more years
By IANS,
Chandigarh: A local court here Thursday sentenced a Pakistani national, undergoing seven-year jail term for spying, to two years' additional imprisonment for helping terrorists, including the alleged assassin of Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, escape from jail in 2004.
The 28-year-old Abid Mehmood was guilty of criminal conspiracy and of facilitating the escape of dreaded terrorists, including Beant Singh's alleged assassin Jagtar Singh Hawara and his two accomplices, from the high-security Burail jail in January 2004, though an over 100-foot-long tunnel they dug.
Need to launch public movement in India to support Palestine: Speakers
By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: As India has emerged a strong global economy there is a need to launch a massive movement in the country supporting the Palestinian cause to force the government to review its policy towards Israel. India’s strong support for Palestine at this moment will have impacts on Israel and global politics surrounding the Palestinian issue, said political and religious leaders yesterday in New Delhi.
Muslim Ulema delegation to go to Yemen for peace
By IRNA,
Tehran : World Union of Muslim Ulema will dispatch a delegation to Yemen to make compromise between Yemen government and Zeydi Shia Muslims.
According to the report of public relations office of World Assembly for Proximity among Muslim Schools, the body in its meeting on January 15-16 in Beirut decided to send a delegation to Yemen.
Secretary General of World Assembly for Proximity among Muslim Schools Ayatollah Taskhiri, who is also deputy head of World Union of Muslim Ulema would be among delegation members.
Bangladesh baby boom bigger than earlier estimates
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's family planning programme has shown a declining trend and its population may touch 185 million by 2020, higher than the earlier projection of 178 million, making their sustenance difficult, a senior official has said.
The country's family planning programme, which had earned kudos from international agencies some years ago, has shown a declining trend in the use of contraceptives among married women.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation's 1984 estimates projected the country to have a population of about 178 million by 2020.
Mohan Singh was a Muslim, rules Malaysian court
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia's civil high court Monday ruled that deceased art director Mohan Singh had converted to Islam, rejecting a plea of his family that his body be released for funeral rites as per Sikh faith.
Judge Rosnaini Saub ruled that due to the religious conversion certificate, the case falls under the jurisdiction of the Syariah court that ruled Mohan Singh died a Muslim June 4, NST Online, the The New Straits Times said on its website.
Zeeshan to lead Pakistan men’s hockey team in CWG
By IANS,
Karachi: Experienced defender Zeeshan Ashraf has passed a fitness test and will lead Pakistan in the Commonwealth Games hockey tournament in Delhi next month.
Fasting has a positive impact on maintenance of glucose level: Malaysian study
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
Kualalumpur: A study by researchers at National Defence University of Malaysia have come to conclusion that fasting during Ramadan has a...
Pakistan to have TV channel to counter Taliban propaganda
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan will launch a Pashto-language TV channel to counter Taliban propaganda, an official said.
Terrorism a diplomatic asset: Fair is foul, foul is fair
By Saeed Naqvi ,
The ISIS threat has been around for months. Why was it not nipped in the bud? Obama’s response in the course of a conversation with Thomas Friedman of the New York Times is revealing. “We did not start airstrikes all across Iraq as soon as the ISIS came in because that would have taken the pressure off Nouri al-Maliki”, the then Shia prime minister in Baghdad.
38 killed in clashes, bombings around Damascus
Beirut : At least 38 people have been killed in bombings and clashes between forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and rebel factions...
UAE endorses joint Arab strategic food reserve
Dubai: The UAE minister for food and agriculture, Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, Friday said the Gulf Arab desert state is committed to support joint...
Land feud kills 15 in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : A clash between two rival groups embroiled in a land feud left 15 people dead and seven injured in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province, media reports said Sunday.
The attack occurred in Sarya village of Gujrat district Saturday, the latest in a series of local clashes which have killed nearly 50 people in the last 15 years.
The News daily said a suspect named Nadeem, alias Dima, and his eight accomplices sprayed their rivals with bullets when they were sinking a well on a disputed piece of land.
UK wants to strengthen ties with UAE
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : British Prime Minister David Cameron has asserted that Britain is committed to strengthening economic and defence ties with the UAE.
"The deep friendship between the UK and the UAE is based on a unique, shared history and common interests. We are committed to strengthening our cooperation on defence and security," a statement issued by the British embassy here quoted Cameron as saying Saturday.
"Also, we both want to build and develop our economic ties", Cameron, who was on a visit to the UAE, said.
Chinese press accolades Pakistani media on presenting Olympic Games in splendid way
By NNN-APP,
Beijing : Chinese press has lauded Pakistani electronic media for outstanding presentation and talks show on Beijing Olympics and for its closing ceremony on Sunday night. “Pakistan’s national TV station, and the private GEO, EXPRESS, NEWS and AAJ stations gave live coverage of the entire ceremony,” the English language China Daily reported in a commentary.
The Pakistani commentators congratulated China on its successful hosting of the Games, saying that Pakistan is happy to see China won most gold medals, the paper stated on Tuesday.
Gilani opposes use of foul language against institutions
By IANS,
Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said abusive language must not be used against any institution of the country.
200-year-old mosque found in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : A 200-year-old mosque was found when a farmer was digging his land in Pakistan's Punjab province.
Two Indian women killed in UAE road accident
By IANS,
Dubai : Two Indians were killed and three were seriously injured when the car they were travelling in fell into a gorge near the border between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman.
Anoopa, 24, an engineer with a Dubai-based engineering firm and her domestic help Pushpa, 50, died in the accident that took place Saturday. According to reports, Anoopa's husband Shibu Varghese, who was driving, lost control of the vehicle in the Al Rouda area in Hatta.
Pakistani youth activists interact with students from Bangalore through video conferencing
By TCN News,
New Delhi: Youth activists from Pakistan had an interactive session with students from Bangalore through a video conferencing, organised by an Indo-Pak friendship initiative Aaghaz-e-Dosti.
Aaghaz-e-Dosti is an Indo-Pak Friendship initiative of India-based Mission Bhartiyam and Pakistan-based The Catalyst - TC. Aaghaz-e-Dosti has conducted 13 aman chaupals or Indo-Pak peace sessions wherein someone from Pakistan interacts with students in India (or vice versa).
India, Qatar ink six agreements; MoUs on convict exchange, news sharing
New Delhi: India and Qatar inked six agreements, including on transfer of sentenced prisoners, as visiting Emir of Qatar Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani...
Three Syrian officers killed as IS downs helicopter
Damascus: Three Syrian officers were killed when their helicopter was downed by Islamic State (IS) militants in the northern province of Aleppo, a monitor...
Satyarthi, Malala receive Nobel Peace Prize
Oslo : India's child rights crusader Kailash Satyarthi and Pakistan's girls' education activist Malala Yousafzai received the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo Wednesday evening.
The...
Tripura protest condemns killing of Bangladeshi-American writer
Agartala : Intellectuals, singers, writers and political activists staged a protest here on Sunday to denounce the killing of a Bangladeshi-American blog-writer in Dhaka...
Pakistan court declares Lakhvi’s detention illegal; orders his release
Islamabad : The Islamabad High Court on Friday declared the detention orders of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack,...
Pakistan President confers Nishan-e-Pakistan on Xi Jinping
Islamabad : Chinese President Xi Jinping was on Tuesday conferred with the Nishan-e-Pakistan, Pakistan's highest civilian honour, by President Mamnoon Hussain at a brief...
Indian Americans call for unified action to secure life, liberty and justice for all...
By TCN News,
Washington DC: The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC - www.iamc.com), an advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding India's pluralist and tolerant ethos, joined...
India’s Independence Day celebrated in Saudia Arabia
By TCN News,
Dammam:
Indian Social Forum, Karnataka State Committee organized Independence Day Celebration Programs across Eastern Province as part of celebrating 69th Independence...
Jamia organises interactive session on West Asia, film screening on Afghanistan
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: The Subject Association of Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia on Wednesday organized an Interactive Discussion on...
Protect Tamil Muslims in Sri Lanka: TMMK
By TwoCircles.net correspondent,
Chennai: All twenty DMK MPs have sent in their resignations to the party chief Karunanidhi to force the Govt of India to take steps in halting Sri Lankan forces taking action against LTTE. Prof. Jawahirullah, president of Tamilnadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) have appealed to Karunanidhi to protect Tamil speaking Muslims too.
DMK has set the deadline of October 29th as the date when all their MPs will resign from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha if India fails to force Sri Lankan put an end to their offensive against LTTE.
Omani men love to wear Kashmiri pashmina turbans
By Kavita Bajeli-Datt, IANS,
Muscat : Not many know of this Indian connection. Embroidered Kashmiri pashmina stoles, worn turban-style on the head and known as 'mussar', are a rage among Omani men.
It is not known for sure exactly when pashmina cloth became fashionable as headgear in this Gulf country, but most men wear it. The popularity of mussars can be guaged from the fact that men are never seen at the workplace and official engagements without it.
Czech woman had fake marriages to help Pakistanis enter Britain
By IANS,
London : A Czech woman and her Slovak boyfriend were paid up to 300 pounds to fly to Pakistan and "marry" Pakistani men and women to help them get visas to enter Britain, a court heard.
Pakistani political party’s office set ablaze
By IANS,
Islamabad : Unidentified assailants Saturday set on fire an election office belonging to a political party in Pakistan's port city of Karachi, a media report said.
US soldier freed by Taliban in Afghanistan
Washington: A US soldier held by the Taliban in their custody for nearly five years in Afghanistan was released Saturday in a deal which...
Cultural Counsellor of Iraq Embassy in India visits AMU
By TCN News,
Aligarh: Prof. Dr. Dhirgham Alkhafaji, Cultural A. Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq, New Delhi today visited the Aligarh Muslim University and met Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Zameer Uddin Shah, Vice Chancellor and Brigadier (Retd.) Syed Ahmad Ali, Pro-Vice Chancellor. He discussed the various issues pertaining to academic exchange and cooperation between AMU and different universities of Iraq.
Morsi used Brotherhood men to leak security files: Prosecution
Cairo : Former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi appointed members of the Muslim Brotherhood in sensitive positions inside the presidency to make it easier for...
Dhaka airport to be renamed after Sufi saint
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's Zia International Airport is to be renamed after 13th century Sufi saint Hazarat Shah Jalal, after deleting the name of former president Ziaur Rahman.
The civil aviation and tourism ministry drafted the proposal after a nod from the cabinet in October last year.
Shah Jalal is believed to have been born in Turkey in 1271.
He commands great respect among Muslims of the subcontinent. He was buried in Sylhet in northeastern Bangladesh, where his shrine is visited by thousands of devotees.
Malaysian Indian party seeks to join ruling coalition
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : The Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP) is pressing for full membership of the Barisan Nasional (BN), the ruling coalition, a party official has said.
The MIUP, which is a party that aims to work for the Indian community, applied for BN's membership last year. It hopes for an early decision by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who is also the BN chief, following the admission last week of the Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (Kimma).
Over 550 people embrace Islam in Abu Dhabi
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : A total of 559 people from various nations including India living in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) embraced Islam in 2010.
The number of new converts increased by 25 percent in the first half of 2010 compared to the like period last year, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) said in a statement.
There were 486 people who embraced Islam in the first six months of 2009.
Book review: Islam’s women scholars
By Yoginder Sikand, TwoCircles.net,
One indicator of the development of a society is its female literacy rate and, related to this, the number of its female scholars. On both these fronts, India's Muslims are among the lowest of all the communities in the country. This unfortunate fact provides a basis for negative stereotyping of the community, particularly in matters related to inter-gender relations.
There is no ‘absolute freedom’ for media: Badawi
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says there is no such thing as absolute freedom and that the media should not be ashamed of "self-censorship" to respect cultural norms.
His support to what he termed as "ethical journalism" came even as his Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said that the government had decided to enact laws to engage bloggers in the cyberspace.
Nasser brigades fires missile on Nahel Oz
By KUNA
Gaza : Al-Nasser Salahiddin Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Popular Resistance Committees, claimed responsibility Thursday for firing a local-made missile at the Israeli military post of Nahel Oz.
The brigades said they fired one "Nasser II" missile, targeting "Nahel Oz", eastern Gaza Strip, adding there was a direct hit and that the group which executed the attack returned safely.
OIC Charter effective since 1972
By IRNA
Dakar : The OIC Charter, the revision of which is on the agenda of the 11th heads of state and government summit, has been effective since 1972, with the official establishment of the organization in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Article 3 of the Organization's charter enumerates three major organs, notably the Conference of Kings and Heads of State and Government, the Conference of Foreign Ministers and the General Secretariat.
UAE moon sighting committee to meet Aug 29
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : UAE Justice Minister Hadef Joan Al Dhahiri said the moon sighting committee will hold its meeting after the Maghreb (evening) prayer Aug 29, it was announced Tuesday.
Libyan rebels take over key town of Ajdabiya: Report
By DPA,
Cairo/Tripoli: Libyan rebels Saturday recaptured the key eastern town of Ajdabiya from Muammar Gaddafi's forces, broadcaster Al Jazeera reported.
First bio-pharma company launched in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's first bio-pharmaceutical company, BF Biosciences Limited, was Friday inaugurated near the eastern city of Lahore, a media report said.
20 Al Qaeda terrorists killed in Yemen
By IANS,
Sana'a: At least 20 Al Qaeda terrorists were killed Saturday in an operation launched by the Yemeni army in southern Abyan province, the defence ministry said.
Burqa ban in Europe – Arresting cultural freedom?
By A. Mirsab, TwoCircles.net,
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has upheld France's controversial law of banning face-covering Muslim veils or burqa from the...
Geo News office attacked in Islamabad
Islamabad : Pakistan television channel Geo News came under attack early Sunday from a crowd of protestors, gathered in Islamabad, as they attacked the...
Israel lifts age restrictions for Muslim prayers in Temple Mount
Jerusalem : Israeli police have lifted age restrictions in force for weeks prohibiting younger Muslims from accessing the Temple Mount compound and the al...
Beeline for Indian schools in Muscat; 1,900 waitlisted
Muscat : The first merit list for admissions to Indian schools in Oman's capital Muscat brought with it sleepless nights for parents from the...
KeADILan to ensure stronger & more vibrant economy in Malaysia: Anwar Ibrahim
By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal: Anwar Ibrahim, former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and current advisor to Parti KeADILan Rakyat, (PKR), has in a statement said that KeADILan’s economic agenda received a resounding mandate on March 8th when Malaysians went to the polls and quadrupled the number of seats held by the opposition in Parliament, awarding us with 50 per cent of the seats in West Malaysia.
Cuban band performs in Islamabad
By IANS,
Islamabad : A three-member Cuban band has enthralled visitors in Islamabad's Nysa Lounge with a hearty mix of jazz and Caribbean rhythms.
17 killed in Iraq violence
Baghdad : At least 17 people were killed and 23 wounded in a new wave of attacks Saturday across Iraq, including in the volatile...
A peaceful, stable Afghanistan cannot be imagined without Indo-Pak collaboration
By Manzar Imam,
New Delhi: Conventional discourse on Afghanistan is focused on fractures. While the fact is that today’s Afghan government is more inclusive in its composition than it was in any time in history. Therefore, lessons need to be learnt and policies formed accordingly. These views were expressed by Jayant Prasad, former Indian ambassador to Afghanistan who was speaking in a panel discussion on “Reclaiming Afghanistan” organized by Himal South Asian, a review magazine of politics and culture, in collaboration with the Faculty of Social Sciences, South Asian University (SAU) at Akbar Bhawan on Friday, 28 March, 2014.
Six of family die in Iraq
By IANS,
Baghdad : Six members of a family were killed Sunday when bombs planted in their house in a Iraqi town exploded early Sunday, Xinhua reported.
Pilot hurt as Bangladesh Air Force trainer crashes
By IANS,
Dhaka : A trainer aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force crashed Sunday in the country's central Tangail district, injuring one of the two pilots on board.
Eight killed in exchange of fire between militants, Pakistani troopers
By KUNA,
Islamabad : At least three militants and five soldiers were killed in an exchange of fire between the two sides in a northern Pakistani district, said sources on Sunday.
Local Taliban militants attacked a security checkpost in Bannu tribal district of North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) Saturday night, security sources told KUNA.
The attack left five soldiers dead and wounded another, said sources. They said further that immediately after the attack, the forces launched an operation in the area.
Pakistan protests bail to Samjhauta Express convict
Islamabad : Pakistan on Friday lodged a protest over the bail granted to the alleged mastermind of the Samjhauta Express blast by an Indian...
Telangana CM shocked over Haj tragedy
Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has expressed shock over the stampede in Saudi Arabia that killed 717 Haj pilgrims including a woman...
7,000 Hindus wrongly documented as Muslims in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur : A task force of non-governmental organisations in Malaysia has said that some 7,000 Hindus living in the country are wrongly classified...
British Muslims deplore jizya on Sikh and demolition of their properties
By TwoCircles.net news desk,
New Delhi: Council of Indian Muslims—UK (CIM) has strongly condemned the imposition of the so called Jizya on Sikh community and demolition of their houses in Pakistan's Aurakzai tribal region as “un-Islamic and shameful”.
A press statement issued by the CIM quotes its religious affairs advisor and London based renowned religious scholar Maulana Atiqur-Rehman Sambhali as saying, “Such an action is highly deplorable, unacceptable and un-Islamic. “
Six Pakistani children die in Kuwait fire
By IINA,
Kuwait City : All six children of a Pakistani family aged between six months to eight years died of smoke inhalation after their apartment was gutted yesterday in a blaze in Hawally, Kuwait.
Families displaced in Iraq returning home – Int’l Organisation for migration
By NNN-KUNA,
Geneva : The Internationall Organisation for Migration (IOM) has said that Iraqi families displaced by sectarian violence and military operations are returning in numbers to certain areas of the capital where security has improved over the past months.
LIC overseas arm ties up with Qatar’s Doha Bank
By IANS,
Dubai : Qatar's Doha Bank has tied up with LIC (International), the overseas subsidiary of India's Life Insurance Corp (LIC), to market a range of insurance, retirement and investment products in West Asia.
An agreement to this effect was signed by Doha Bank chief executive R. Seetharaman and LIC (International) managing director and chief executive Sudhin Roy Chowdhury, according to a Doha Bank statement.
73 French soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001
By IANS,
Paris : The number of French soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001 has risen to 73, the government said Friday.
Committee formed to probe mosque suicide bomb attack
By IRNA
Peshawar : Authorities in the Pakistani northwestern city of Peshawar have formed a 10-member committee to probe into the suicide bomb attack at a mosque as death toll from the blast has reached 12, officials said Friday.
A suicide bomber first opened fire at mourners at Mirza Qasim Beg Imambargah on Thursday night and then blew himself up.
A total of 23 people were also injured in the attack, some of them in critical condition.
There has been no claim of responsibility of the attack so far.
Police have not arrested any suspect.