Millions commemorate Ashura in Karbala & Najaf

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JNN 17 Dec 2010 Karbala : Millions of Muslim pilgrims have gathered in the Iraqi holy city of Karbala to mourn the martyrdom anniversary of the prophet of Islam’s grandson, Imam Hussein (PBUH).

Amid tight security, huge crowds of mourners have reached the holy city of Karbala to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH), the third Shia Imam.

The event marks the 10th day of the Lunar month of Muharam, which is also the climax of the ten-day Ashura commemorations.

Around 28,000 soldiers and law enforcement agents are on duty in the Iraqi city. Some 7,000 reserves could join the force if deemed necessary.

Iraqi security forces have reportedly rounded up as many as 80 suspected militants, who intended to unleash chaos on the holy city.

Muharram ceremonies in Iraq have been the target of numerous attacks over the past years. The deadliest took place in 2004 when near-simultaneous blasts in Baghdad and Karbala killed more than 170 people.

Mourning ceremonies were also held in different countries around the world on Thursday.

The Day of Ashura is when the third Shia Imam was martyred along with 72 of his companions while fighting for justice during the battle of Karbala in the year 680.

Seen as one of the most important occasions in the Shia Muslim calendar, Ashura is both a day of sorrow and inspiration. Muslim men, women and children take to the streets every year to express their grief.

 

Ashura processions taken out across Pakistan, Majority ended safely , with a few incidents

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JNN 17 Dec 2010 ISLAMABAD: Ashura processions were taken out on Friday across the country with religious fervor and zeal to commemorate the huge sacrifices rendered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) and other martyrs of Karbala.

Extensive security arrangements were put in place by the authorities to thwart any untoward incident as the faithful took out Ashura processions.

In addition to the heavy contingent of police and security forces in the sensitive areas, forces have also increased their patrol in those areas.

Hazrat Hussain (A.S), the grandson of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W), and his family sacrificed their lives to save  Islam from Yazeed Bin Mawia , who became the ruler of the Islamic State after getting the throne from his father Mavia Bin Abu Sufian , who himself was an illegitimate ruler of the Islamic state , as he was Molesting the real Islam by regularly passing decrees which were against the basic Principles of Islam.

Processions were organized through out the country, in almost every city to express grief on martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) in the battlefield of Karbala.

As due to Previous years Major Terrorist Attacks on Ashura Juloos in Karachi, Zaireen of Chehlum Juloos of Karachi, Suicide Attack on Youm e Ali Juloos of Lahore , And Suicide Attack on Youm Al Quds Rally in Quetta, the security around the country was on High Alert , and thousands of Security Personnel were deployed , around the country , for the security and safety of the Participants of Ashura Juloos , and Majalis , Except a few incidents of terrorism in some cities  of Pakistan , All over situation around the country remained calm and quite , and All Major processions in major cities on Pakistan ended safely. Rest of the few which faced problems are as follows :

Police kill suicide bomber in Shikarpur

SHIKARPUR: Police foiled the suicide attack over a mourning procession in Ibrahim Jatoi area of Shikarpur.

Four policemen including the SHO have been wounded in the blast.

Asad Sarfarz, SP Investigation, told SAMAA that the suicide bomber tried to enter the majlis but the security officials compelled him to run. “The suicide bomber tried to flee but he was injured in the firing. The blast took place when some police officials reached near the bag thrown by the bomber.”
More than 1000 people were attending the Muharram majlis.

Mortar attack By Wahabi’s  kills six in Hangu

HANGU: A mortar attack killed at least six people, including women and children, in northwest Pakistan on Friday as Shia Muslims marked Ashura.

The attack also wounded eight others, police said.

Mortars slammed into two houses in Hangu, a town that has been a flashpoint for Terrorism and clashes between Pakistan’s Shia and Wahabi communities.

They were fired from the neighbouring district of Orakzai ,a strong hold of Wahabi Taliban, part of Pakistan’s semi-autonomous tribal areas with Afghanistan.

“Mortars were fired from Orakzai and hit two houses in Hangu which were in the way of the Ashura Procession , but luckily at the time of Blast the Procession have passed from that point . Six people were killed and eight injured,” Gul Jamal, a local police official, told AFP.

Fazal Naeem, a police spokesman, confirmed the attack and the toll.

“There were two children and a women (among the dead). The dead include both Shias and Sunnis,” he told AFP.

9th Muharram Procession in Peshawar attacked by Grenade 19 injured

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JNN 16 Dec 2010 Peshawar : At least 19 persons were injured in grenade attack at Chowk Yadgar here on Thursday.

According to reports a hand grenade was hurled at Women mourners and then firing was done  in Chowk Yadgar.

Due to which a 2 year old kid was martyred and Nineteen injured Shia women were brought to hospital including  a child which later scumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead, hospital sources said.

Bashir Ahmed Bilour, senior minister of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa talking to media men outside the Lady Reading Hospital said that 19 persons were injured in the grenade attack. He said all injured have got minor injuries in the blast.

Saudi's Molesting Islam , Halloween Party in Jeddah, reveals WikiLeaks

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JNN 16 Dec 2010 JEDDAH: US diplomat in Saudi Arab described in the cable that he attended the underground Halloween Party in Jeddah in 2009 where Saudi Princes among more than 150 Saudi men and women were present, most in their 20s and 30s.

The cable also revealed that the Halloween Party broke all the country’s Islamic taboos.

A US company also put up some of the finance, cable added.

US diplomat also told that the party was held under strict security.

“Behind the facade of Wahabi conservatism in the streets, the underground nightlife for Jeddah’s elite youth is thriving and throbbing,” the cable begins.

In evidence, then Consul General Martin Quinn refers to a Halloween party last year. The redacted cable reads: “Along with over 150 young Saudis (men and women mostly in their 20s and early 30s), ConGenOffs accepted invitations to an underground Halloween party at Prince XXXX residence in Jeddah on XXXX.”

“The scene resembled a nightclub anywhere outside the Kingdom: plentiful alcohol, young couples dancing, a DJ at the turntables, and everyone in costume,” it said.

The notorious Vice Police were nowhere to be seen “because the religious police keep their distance when parties include the presence or patronage of a Saudi royal and his circle of loyal attendants.” There are literally thousands of princes in Saudi Arabia, but the host of this event was able to trace his lineage back to a direct ancestor of King Abdullah.

As for the details of the party, the cable continues: “The hired Filipino bartenders served a cocktail punch using sadiqi, a locally-made moonshine…. It was also learned through word-of-mouth that a number of the guests were in fact ‘working girls,’ not uncommon for such parties.”

The cable goes on to make the point that black-market liquor is prohibitively expensive — even for princes. A bottle of Smirnoff vodka might cost the equivalent of $400. “Additionally, though not witnessed directly at this event, cocaine and hashish use is common in these social circles and has been seen on other occasions,” it adds.

The Consul General draws an interesting conclusion at the end of his dispatch. “Parties of this nature and scale are believed to be a relatively recent phenomenon in Jeddah. …It is not uncommon in Jeddah for the more lavish private residences to include elaborate basement bars, discos, entertainment centers and clubs.”

“As one high society Saudi remarked, “The increased conservatism of our society over these past years has only moved social interaction to the inside of people’s homes.”

These acts done on the Holy land of Islam , shows the double standards and the real picture of the Wahabi rulers  which they  try to hide from the public eyes by force , and in private they enjoy there life with the enemies of Islam .

Saudi’s Molesting Islam , Halloween Party in Jeddah, reveals WikiLeaks

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JNN 16 Dec 2010 JEDDAH: US diplomat in Saudi Arab described in the cable that he attended the underground Halloween Party in Jeddah in 2009 where Saudi Princes among more than 150 Saudi men and women were present, most in their 20s and 30s.

The cable also revealed that the Halloween Party broke all the country’s Islamic taboos.

A US company also put up some of the finance, cable added.

US diplomat also told that the party was held under strict security.

“Behind the facade of Wahabi conservatism in the streets, the underground nightlife for Jeddah’s elite youth is thriving and throbbing,” the cable begins.

In evidence, then Consul General Martin Quinn refers to a Halloween party last year. The redacted cable reads: “Along with over 150 young Saudis (men and women mostly in their 20s and early 30s), ConGenOffs accepted invitations to an underground Halloween party at Prince XXXX residence in Jeddah on XXXX.”

“The scene resembled a nightclub anywhere outside the Kingdom: plentiful alcohol, young couples dancing, a DJ at the turntables, and everyone in costume,” it said.

The notorious Vice Police were nowhere to be seen “because the religious police keep their distance when parties include the presence or patronage of a Saudi royal and his circle of loyal attendants.” There are literally thousands of princes in Saudi Arabia, but the host of this event was able to trace his lineage back to a direct ancestor of King Abdullah.

As for the details of the party, the cable continues: “The hired Filipino bartenders served a cocktail punch using sadiqi, a locally-made moonshine…. It was also learned through word-of-mouth that a number of the guests were in fact ‘working girls,’ not uncommon for such parties.”

The cable goes on to make the point that black-market liquor is prohibitively expensive — even for princes. A bottle of Smirnoff vodka might cost the equivalent of $400. “Additionally, though not witnessed directly at this event, cocaine and hashish use is common in these social circles and has been seen on other occasions,” it adds.

The Consul General draws an interesting conclusion at the end of his dispatch. “Parties of this nature and scale are believed to be a relatively recent phenomenon in Jeddah. …It is not uncommon in Jeddah for the more lavish private residences to include elaborate basement bars, discos, entertainment centers and clubs.”

“As one high society Saudi remarked, “The increased conservatism of our society over these past years has only moved social interaction to the inside of people’s homes.”

These acts done on the Holy land of Islam , shows the double standards and the real picture of the Wahabi rulers  which they  try to hide from the public eyes by force , and in private they enjoy there life with the enemies of Islam .

Ashura commemorated in Karbala and around the world

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JNN 16 Dec 2010 KARBALA: Iraq has arrested 73 Al-Qaeda-linked suspects officials said were implicated in plotting “chaos” during Ashura in Karbala, as two million pilgrims thronged the shrine city on Thursday.

The arrests underscored fears of violence during the 10-day Mourning Majalis and Processions that culminate on Friday, in a key test for Iraq’s security forces ahead of a complete withdrawal of American troops in a year.

Vehicle traffic in Karbala was brought to a virtual standstill as pilgrims were made to walk to the shrines of the revered Imams Hussein and Abbas, while all visitors were searched at checkpoints.

“We were able to destroy 14 terrorist cells and arrest 73 people, including 37 wanted persons,” Karbala provincial council chief Mohammed al-Mussawi said. “We seized lots of weapons, IEDs (improvised-explosive devices), explosives belts and equipment.

“If they had been able to mount their attacks during the pilgrimage, it would have created chaos. Karbala is the main target for terrorists during Ashura.”

Mussawi said those arrested were suspected members of Al-Qaeda.

Speaking on Wednesday, the Iraqi army commander responsible for security in five provinces including Karbala said those detained were implicated in an Al-Qaeda-linked group called the Boys of Heaven.

General Othman al-Ghanimi said a total of 80 suspects had been arrested.

Mussawi said the number of pilgrims in Karbala for the commemorations had reached two million, 238,000 of them from abroad.

Karbala police spokesman Major Alaa Abbas reported no incidents in the city so far. He said tight security arrangements would remain in force until the pilgrims had headed home after the ceremonies.

The deadliest Ashura attacks were in March 2004 when near-simultaneous bombings in Karbala and at a Shia mosque in Baghdad killed more than 170 people.

“Everything right now inside Karbala is good,” said 40-year-old Kadhim Hussein, a pilgrim from the southern port city of Basra. “We will continue our commemorations of Hussein’s martyrdom despite all the threats from enemies.”

BEIRUT

Massive crowds thronged streets across Lebanon on Thursday to mark the Shiite holy day of Ashura, responding in force to a call by Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah the previous night.

A correspondent at the scene said tens upon tens of thousands of Nasrallah’s supporters lined the streets of the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburb of Beirut as the 10 days of rituals to mourn the Ashura.

TEHRAN

Millions of Iranians, beating themselves with fists and chains, marked the climax of Ashura on Thursday, a day after a suicide bomber killed 34 people taking part in a procession.

Men, women and children dressed in black gathered in cities across Iran as the 10 days of rituals to mourn the death of Imam Hussein, the faith’s third imam, reached a peak.

Iranian state television carried live footage of the Ashura processions in the capital Tehran, the second city of Mashhad, the Shiite clerical centre of Qom and the smaller cities of Yazd, Bam and Ardebil.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was shown attending a gathering in south Tehran.

Crowds of mourners, meanwhile, were seen across Tehran staging short street plays depicting the Karbala battle which led to Imam Hussein’s A.S Martyrdom .

Chanting “Ya Hussein!” the crowds, many of them shirtless men beating their chests with their fists, set fire to makeshift tents and re-enacted the killing of Hussein as women and children watched, some with tears in their eyes.

9th Muharram ul Haram Procession In Karachi ended Peacefully

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JNN 16 Dec 2010 Karachi : As per previous years Practice the Main 9th Muhharam Procession was taken out after the Majlis at Nishtar Park , which was later joined by other small Processions coming from different Parts of Karachi to join the Main Procession.

The Participant of the Procession On a stop near Imam Bargah Ali Raza , Prayed Namaz e Zuhrain, after Which the crowd chanted anti America & Israel slogans , and also Burned the Flags of United States of American & Israel , as it is due to there evil policies and involvement of there Intelligence agencies , Shia’s are being killed around the world , and especially in Iraq , Iran and Pakistan.

The Procession which was attended by thousands of Mourners , marched peacefully , beating there chests and reciting Noha’s to commemorate the Grand Martydom of there Third Imam Hussein A.S, at the event of Karbala, which he bravely fought for the cause of Islam , rather from where Islam got its new life ,as his opponent , who also called himself Muslim , but Molested Islam in every form and order.

The Procession Peacefully ended at its End Point Hussainia Iranian Imambargah.

3 SHIA MARTYRED IN KURRAM AGENCY AT A MAJLIS ATTACKED BY MORTARS

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JNN 15 Dec 2010 : Three Shia children were killed and seven others received injuries When militants fired mortar shells at a residential area in upper Kurram tribal region on Sunday.

Official sources said that militants fired mortar shells apparently at an Imambargah in Talozan Tangi area of Kurram. But the shells landed in residential areas, killing three children and injuring seven others.

Residents said a majlis of Shia community was in progress in the Imambargah when the mortars were fired. “If the mortar shells hit the Imambrgah it would have resulted in huge causalities,” they added.

The local people expressed concern over security situation in the region. They said the region was sensitive and administration should take stringent measures to avert any eventuality.

Meanwhile, the alleged terrorists, arrested along with explosives-laden vehicle the other day in Kohat, were remanded in police custody for two days by the special duty judge on Sunday.

The investigation wing of police presented both the accused in the court of special duty judge, Zahid Hussain, and requested for their remand.

After reviewing the application the judge remanded the accused for two days in police custody.

The accused, Imran of Charsadda and Akseer Ali of Orakzai Agency, were arrested by police at Bannu Road railway crossing with 1,000 kilograms of explosives.

During initial investigations the alleged terrorists revealed that they were carrying the explosives for construction of roads in the mountainous tribal area of Orakzai Agency.

The private contractor had asked them to collect the explosives from Nowshera and bring the same to the tribal area but they could not present any permit, licence or official permission for transporting explosives in such a huge quantity.

African Shias in Zarie on the 7th day of Muharram 1432 / Photos

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JNN 15 Dec 2010 : During the ongoing Ashura mourning gathering at Baqiyyatullah Husainiyyah on Sunday, the Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky explained further the various events, after the demise of the Prophet, which led to Ashura tragedy.

He explained that the Ummayads who imposed themselves on the Ummah, propagated the hate  of Imam Ali and Ahlul bayt(AS)  in every corner. Their aim which they want to achieve through the campaign of calumny and hatred, championed by  Ma’awiyyah,  against Imam Ali and the members of  Ahlul bayt was to attain to Leadership position. Thus, he did all he could to obliterate the name of Ahlul Bayt(AS) from the minds of Muslims. In fact, invoking curse on Imam Ali became a norm, and this continued for many years, even after the death of Mu’awiyyah (L.A).

Sheikh Zakzaky pointed that it reached the  extent that Imam Ali,  who killed 70 kuffars in battle of badr, was not even known as Muslim. People didn’t even know that he was among those who attended badr, in fact he is the king of Badr. Muslims had respect for ahlul badr ( those companions who attended battle of badr), but unfortunately, they didn’t  know that Ali was the among them. Worse than that was the invocation of curse on Imam Ali and Ahlul bayt(AS), which continued for many years, even in Friday sermons- the legacy of Mu’awiyyah (L.A).

The Sheikh further narrated that earlier on, Mu’awiyah  (L.A) made the Leadership  to be seen as tribal affairs-an issue between Quraishi tribes only  excluding any non-Arabs(mawaliy). so, by this, he made sure all Quraishi tribes  gathered against Banu Hashim, and with this, he revived the Jahiliyyah enmity. He  tribalised religion for the interest of Ummayads which was attaining to the position of Leadership.

Before the coming of Islam internal wars amongst Quraishi tribes was common, mostly due to competitions of superiority amongst clans and  also enmity, thus they formed ties among clans against others.

Sheikh Zakzaky further expressed that reviving this enmity was what Mu’awiiayh (L.A) did in which he instigated all Quraysh tribes against Banu Hashim. He even denied mawali  (non-quraysh), any ranks or position for he knew that they will support Banu Hasim.

Mu’awiyyah’s hatrage of Imam was too obvious as when performing prayers, he didn’t use to  start with Basmala because Imam Ali  always recited Basmala openly  during prayers;  not only that, Muáwiyah (L.A) made many fabrications and innovations.

The Leader further stressed that Banu Umayyads tribalised religion  and made all effort to extinguish Islam altogether. They were after leadership ever since from the beginning. They even said that Islam was established with blood of their forefathers and they must, therefore, take vengeance.

Mourning was performed after the sunset prayers led by Sheikh Zakzaky. later the leader closed the Sunday programme with a dua.

JKLF forms Shia-Sunni Coordination Committee

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JNN 15 Dec 2010 : A Shia-Sunni coordination committee to promote unity among Muslims and ensure the smooth conduct of Muharram programs met in central Srinagar under the JKLF chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik, on Tuesday.

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) formed Shia-Sunni Corrdination Committee to promote unity among Muslims in Kashmir.

Representatives of the Jama’at-e-Islami, Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen, Awami Action Committee, Anjuman-e-Shara’ee, Shiayan, National Peoples Party and Muslim League were among those who attended the meeting.

The panel made a forceful appeal to the Muslim community in Kashmir to maintain unity and amity, and to refrain from acts that encourage nefarious elements in their unholy designs.

It appealed to clerics of both sects to stress on unity during their sermons.

 

Bomb blasts kill 3, injure 32 in Iraq

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JNN 15 Dec 2010 : One explosion struck a group of mourners west of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. The other bomb targeted a procession in the town of Khalis, north of the capital.

Attacks on Shia mourners have increased in war-ravaged Iraq in the lead-up to Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH).

Ashura, the tenth day of the first month of the lunar calendar year Muharram, falls on December 16 this year.

Many devout Muslims across the world are also holding ceremonies to mourn the event which is one of the most important occasions on the Shia calendar.

On Ashura day, Imam Hussein (PBUH) and 72 of his companions were martyred while fighting for justice during Karbala battle in Iraq back in the year 680.

On Monday, four people were killed and 17 others wounded in a bomb attack on a group of pilgrims northeast of Baghdad.

Blasts kill Many Shias at Imam Hussein’s Mourning Procession in Iraq

Suicide attacks targeting a police checkpoint and a Shiite Muslim procession in western and central Iraq on Sunday killed over 20 people, including six policemen, police and a doctor said.

According to Iraqi police and hospital officials, the blasts occurred on Sunday near the provincial council building in Ramadi, Anbar’s capital, 70 miles (115 kilometers) west of Baghdad.

The first explosion was heard at 10 a.m. (0700 GMT), killing at least 17 people, among them six members of the police force.

At least 23 people have also been left wounded in the Sunday attack.

Only minutes later, a second bomb was found in a nearby parking lot. Police say they have detonated it in a safe area.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Government officials in Anbar, a former al-Qaeda stronghold, have frequently been targeted by militants.

The violence comes days before the climax of the Shia commemoration ceremony of Ashura on Thursday.

The tenth day of Muharram, which is known as Ashura, marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad’s grandson, Imam Hussein (PBUH).

Every year on Ashura thousands of Muslims from all over Iraq and neighboring countries hold mourning ceremonies and many head for the holy city of Karbala, where the shrine of Imam Hussein (PBUH) is located.

Hotel suspends Muslim staff for Ehud Barak's Visit to Washington

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JNN 15 Dec 2010 : Muslim employees in a hotel in Washington complain of discrimination as they were removed from the premises during Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s stay, a group representing them says.

A protest letter was handed over to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel’s management on Wednesday by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) of the alleged discrimination towards their Muslim brethren, calling for an investigation.

Barak visited Washington on Dec. 10 and 11 and met with Vice President Joe Biden, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, among others, over the Israeli-Palestinian talks and the (illegal) settlement issue.

One supervisor at the hotel reportedly told a Muslim worker that the Israeli delegation “don’t want no (sic) face-to-face with Muslims.”

The hotel’s general manager said she told some employees not to come in after the State Department had found “irregularities” in routine background checks on them before the Israeli visit, Washington Post reported.

But the State Department spokesman Philip Crowley in defense said that the diplomatic security did not bar any person from the hotel. It failed to say that the Muslim employees were barred from floors where Barak was staying, as the complainers have alleged.

He only said that this was a “routine” check and added that there is “a lot of disinformation” surrounding the complaint from the employees, AFP reported.

“We do routine law enforcement background checks on all individuals who may have access to or working in the vicinity of the delegation or official that we’re protecting,” Crowley said.

“Where we have concerns based on these criminal record checks we may request that the hotel limits their staff access to the delegation,” he said.

The CAIR said it is awaiting a statement from the hotel before determining whether to file a complaint.

 

Hotel suspends Muslim staff for Ehud Barak’s Visit to Washington

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JNN 15 Dec 2010 : Muslim employees in a hotel in Washington complain of discrimination as they were removed from the premises during Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s stay, a group representing them says.

A protest letter was handed over to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel’s management on Wednesday by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) of the alleged discrimination towards their Muslim brethren, calling for an investigation.

Barak visited Washington on Dec. 10 and 11 and met with Vice President Joe Biden, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, among others, over the Israeli-Palestinian talks and the (illegal) settlement issue.

One supervisor at the hotel reportedly told a Muslim worker that the Israeli delegation “don’t want no (sic) face-to-face with Muslims.”

The hotel’s general manager said she told some employees not to come in after the State Department had found “irregularities” in routine background checks on them before the Israeli visit, Washington Post reported.

But the State Department spokesman Philip Crowley in defense said that the diplomatic security did not bar any person from the hotel. It failed to say that the Muslim employees were barred from floors where Barak was staying, as the complainers have alleged.

He only said that this was a “routine” check and added that there is “a lot of disinformation” surrounding the complaint from the employees, AFP reported.

“We do routine law enforcement background checks on all individuals who may have access to or working in the vicinity of the delegation or official that we’re protecting,” Crowley said.

“Where we have concerns based on these criminal record checks we may request that the hotel limits their staff access to the delegation,” he said.

The CAIR said it is awaiting a statement from the hotel before determining whether to file a complaint.

 

Iran terrorist attack claims 33 lives

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JNN 15 Dec 2010  : At least 33 mourners commemorating the martyrdom of the third Shia Imam have been killed in a terror attack in the southeastern Iranian city of Chabahar.

Chabahar governor Ali Bateni said at least 33 people, including women and children, have been killed and many more wounded in the attack which occurred at the Imam Hussein mosque in Chabahar on Wednesday when Iranians were attending the religious Tasua ceremony.

Earlier reports put the number of those killed at 39.

Anti-Iran terrorist group Jundallah has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group obtained explosive belts from Saudi Arabia, Press TV has learned.

Over 95 people have also been injured in the attack, 14 of whom are in critical condition.

The United Nations, the United States, Britain, France and Jordan have condemned the attacks.

Bateni said security forces have arrested one of the perpetrators of the terrorist attack.

“Terrorists aimed to carry out their second attack in the midst of another group of mourners but the vigilance and timely reaction of the security and civil forces neutralized a good part of their plot,” IRIB website quoted Bateni as saying.

Officials say they have been receiving bomb threats over the past three days.

Meanwhile, an official with the Iranian Intelligence Ministry said three terrorists, who entered Iran from one of the neighboring countries, planned to carry out blind attacks in the southern and eastern parts of the country.

“One of them was killed in a clash with Intelligence Ministry forces,” IRIBNews quoted the informed source as saying.

The second terrorist was arrested when trying to escape the country, but unfortunately the third terrorist was able to carry out his attack, the Intelligence Ministry official said.

Iranian Deputy Interior Minister Ali Abdollahi said the perpetrators of the attack were supported by regional and US intelligence services.

“The equipment and backup of the terrorists behind the attack indicate that these individuals were supported by advanced regional and US intelligence services,” IRNA quoted Abdollahi as saying on Wednesday.

Iran terrorist attack claims 33 lives

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JNN 15 Dec 2010  : At least 33 mourners commemorating the martyrdom of the third Shia Imam have been killed in a terror attack in the southeastern Iranian city of Chabahar.

Chabahar governor Ali Bateni said at least 33 people, including women and children, have been killed and many more wounded in the attack which occurred at the Imam Hussein mosque in Chabahar on Wednesday when Iranians were attending the religious Tasua ceremony.

Earlier reports put the number of those killed at 39.

Anti-Iran terrorist group Jundallah has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group obtained explosive belts from Saudi Arabia, Press TV has learned.

Over 95 people have also been injured in the attack, 14 of whom are in critical condition.

The United Nations, the United States, Britain, France and Jordan have condemned the attacks.

Bateni said security forces have arrested one of the perpetrators of the terrorist attack.

“Terrorists aimed to carry out their second attack in the midst of another group of mourners but the vigilance and timely reaction of the security and civil forces neutralized a good part of their plot,” IRIB website quoted Bateni as saying.

Officials say they have been receiving bomb threats over the past three days.

Meanwhile, an official with the Iranian Intelligence Ministry said three terrorists, who entered Iran from one of the neighboring countries, planned to carry out blind attacks in the southern and eastern parts of the country.

“One of them was killed in a clash with Intelligence Ministry forces,” IRIBNews quoted the informed source as saying.

The second terrorist was arrested when trying to escape the country, but unfortunately the third terrorist was able to carry out his attack, the Intelligence Ministry official said.

Iranian Deputy Interior Minister Ali Abdollahi said the perpetrators of the attack were supported by regional and US intelligence services.

“The equipment and backup of the terrorists behind the attack indicate that these individuals were supported by advanced regional and US intelligence services,” IRNA quoted Abdollahi as saying on Wednesday.

240,000 Books available at Ahl ul Bayt (AS) Special Library

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JNN 14 Dec 2010 : More than 240000 books in different forms ranging from lithographic to electronic versions are available at Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS) Special Library.

The library, affiliated to the Astan-e Ghods Razavi, contains as many as 243641 works. The center, which has recently been launched, is regarded as a library specially designed for showcasing the works on Hadiths of Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS).

Up to 36200 books in Persian, English, Arabic, and Urdu featuring the life and character of 14 Infallible (AS) are at public disposal.

3889 manuscripts, 3500 copies in lithography, as well as 200000 digital versions constitute the other materials of the library, located at Goharshad Mosque next to Imam Reza (AS) holy shrine.

The Ahl-ul-Bayt Library aims to provide pilgrims with interesting sources so that they can learn more about the Seerah of the Infallible (AS)

 

Iranian movie enters for Oscar Awards

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JNN 14 Dec 2010 : An Iranian movie depicting a US soldier accidentally shooting a little girl during a raid on her home in Iraq has officially entered for the 2011 Academy Awards.

Farewell Baghdad, directed and written by 37-year-old Iranian Mehdi Naderi, tells the gritty story of American troops in war-ravaged Iraq.

Naderi says his film, which explores the motivation and doubts of both US soldiers and Iraqi militants, has been made on a shoestring budget, Reuters reported.

The movie depicts a Polish-American failed boxer who joins the US Army and finds himself on tense foot patrols in the war-torn country.

During the film, Daniel is portrayed as a regular guy struggling to come to terms with the violent and alien environment in which he finds himself.

Each January, the entertainment community and film fans around the world turn their attention to the Academy Awards.

The Oscar winners are named in a telecast in February.

 

China exports, imports hit record highs

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JNN 14 Dec 2010 : Chinese customs authorities have officially announced that the country’s rate of exports and imports hit record highs last month.

Exports increased 34.9 percent in November from a year earlier to 153.3 billion dollars, while imports also rose 37.7 percent to 130.4 billion dollars.

The increases trounced analyst forecasts for 22.4 percent growth, while the values were record highs for a single month, the customs authorities said.

Analysts said the data showed the Chinese economy remained in good shape despite sluggish growth in the United States and the worsening European debt crisis.

“It is increasingly difficult to argue that China’s export sector cannot tolerate some currency appreciation, a move which would also help Beijing get price pressures under control,” Brian Jackson of Royal Bank of Canada said.

“The strength of domestic demand also suggests that rate hikes are needed to keep China’s economy on an even keel,” Jackson was quoted as saying by AFP on Friday.

The data comes ahead of the release of key economic figures for November on Saturday, including inflation, and as top leaders meet for the annual Central Economic Work Conference to discuss policies for the next year.

 

Pakistan rebuffs British PM visit request

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JNN 14 Dec 2010 : British Prime Minister David Cameron has failed in his attempts to mend fragile relations with Pakistan after he was snubbed by his Pakistani counterpart, news reports said.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousef Reza Gilani has turned down a demand by David Cameron to visit Islamabad on his way to Afghanistan, the Daily Mail newspaper reported.

The British premier’s attempt to invite himself ended in a firm refusal, as Prime Minister Gilani said he did not want to be tagged onto a visit to Afghanistan, the report said.

Cameron wanted to visit Pakistan to try and repair relations after he accused the country of exporting terror during a visit to India.
The Prime Minister also suggested that Pakistan had links with terrorist groups, and was guilty of double dealing by aligning itself with both the West and the forces it was opposing.

“We can not tolerate in any sense the idea that this country is allowed to look both ways and is able, in any way, to promote the export of terror, whether to India or whether to Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world”, Cameron told the audience in Bangalore, India.

Pakistan voiced dismay at the remarks, noting that Cameron’s remarks were prompted by classified US military reports published by the whistle-blowing WikiLeaks Website.

Cameron often tries to squeeze several countries into a single foreign visit, as he has to try and deal with the recession and cuts agenda at home.

The UK Prime Minister made a phone call to Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday night. The two leaders discussed bilateral issues as well as regional and international developments.

 

US envoy for Pakistan & Afghanistan ,Holbrooke in critical condition

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JNN 14 Dec 2010 : The US State Department says the country’s special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke has undergone surgery and is in a critical condition.

The 69-year-old diplomat was admitted to George Washington University Hospital after falling ill at work on Friday, AP reported.

“This morning, doctors completed surgery to repair a tear in his aorta,” State Department Spokesman Philip J. Crowley said on Saturday.

“He is in critical condition and has been joined by his family,” he added.

Former two-time Assistant Secretary of State and Ambassador to Germany, Holbrooke brokered the 1995 accord that ended the Balkans war. The success brought him one of his seven Nobel Peace Prize nominations.

He has also played a key role in leading American diplomatic efforts in the region in the early days of the Obama Administration.

Holbrooke, who began his long career as a foreign service officer at the American Embassy in Saigon during the Vietnam War, has been alternating between financial executive and diplomat.

Nicknamed “the Bulldozer,” Holbrooke is known for getting warring leaders to the negotiating table, an ability which served him as the US special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In 1998, Holbrooke was nominated by former US President Bill Clinton as the American envoy to the United Nations. His appointment, however, was delayed for more than a year as a federal ethics probe was carried out over his second career on Wall Street.

He was also an advisor to Senator John Kerry during his presidential campaign in 2004, as well as Hillary Clinton in the 2008 campaign.

US budget deficit climbs to $150 bn

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JNN 14 Dec 2010 : The US Treasury Department has announced that the country’s federal budget deficit has climbed for the 26th consecutive month in November, reaching above $150 billion.

The $150.39 billion deficit is 25 percent more than the figure in November 2009, the department announced on Friday.

The development comes as analysts’ average forecast for the shortfall was $134 billion, while many economists believed the figure would decline gradually in coming years, AFP reported.

The report comes as the US continues to grapple with its worsening economic recession debt crisis. Experts believe the gap will deepen if Congress passes a tax cut plan that is estimated to cost $855 billion for Washington over the next two years.

US President Barack Obama and the Republicans have reached a tax-cut deal that will extend tax cuts for the rich.

Last week, Senate Republicans rejected Obama’s initial proposal for a budget bill that would only extend the tax cuts to the middle class.

Reports say that Democrats in the US House of Representatives have agreed to reject the tax-cut extension package during a private meeting held in Washington because it would also extend Bush-era tax breaks for America’s wealthiest.

Obama predicts that Congress will approve the tax-cutting plan, but it will undergo some changes by the Democrats.

 

Egypt Fueling Israel , sign natural gas deal

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JNN 14 Dec 2010 : An Israeli firm has signed a multi-billion-dollar agreement with Egypt’s East Mediterranean Gas (EMG) company to buy Egyptian natural gas for the next 20 years.

Based on the contract, EMG will provide Leisrael 1.4 billion cubic meters of gas annually for 20 years, one of the shareholders in EMG said on Monday.

The gas delivery will begin in the first or second quarter of 2011. The 4.2-billion-dollar contract’s value is estimated to reach USD 10 billion over time.

The new deal is in addition to an agreement EMG signed in 2008 with US-Israeli consortium Yam Thetis to sell 2 billion cubic meters of natural gas through 2015, fertilizer and specialty chemical maker Israel Chemicals (ICL) said.

EMG is a joint company owned by Egyptian businessman Hussein Salem, Egypt Natural Gas Co, Thailand’s PTT, Israel’s Merhav Group, Ampal-American Israel Corp (AMPL.O) and American businessman Sam Zell.

 

Value of US homes continues to fall

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JNN 12 Dec 2010 : The value of homes in the US is poised to drop as much as 1.7 trillion dollars or seven percent of their total value by the end of the year.

The home market will be worth USD 22.7 trillion by the end of this year.

“Despite a strong start to 2010, by the end of the year homes lost more of their value in 2010 than they did in 2009,” said Stan Humphries, Zillow real estate data firm’s chief economist.

According to the firm, losses come in more than 60 percent higher than last year’s. Since the peak in 2006, US homes have lost a massive 9 trillion dollars in value through the end of 2009. This figure amounts to more than 60 percent of the US annual economic output.

The firm has blamed accelerated foreclosures and negative equity for real estate value deprecation in America. Experts still forecast a declining trend through next year.

Homeowners are now demanding lower property taxes worth billions at a time when municipalities are being forced to cut services, Bloomberg reported.

“The full weight of the decline in housing values has yet to hit the budgets of many cities and property tax revenues will likely decline further in 2011 and 2012,” a National League of Cities report stated in October.

In the previous year, homeowners saw equity values fall by USD 1 trillion versus 2008. Economists say home values will not see a true recovery in the next three to five years.

 

US steps up pressure on Latino Muslims

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JNN 12 Dec 2010 : US officials have been increasingly concerned about more Latinos converting to Islam, with increased monitoring and high profile cases appearing in the media.

The recent case of Antonio Martinez — a young Latino man charged with plotting to blow up a military recruitment center near Baltimore, Maryland — has garnered much media interest.

Reports say that Martinez, who is a Muslim convert, was entrapped by FBI undercover agents that led the young Latino to collaborate in an alleged attempt to bomb the military compound.

“It’s [not only] the nature of these individuals but also their case studies, the substantive dimensions of their work, and who they are in contact with, and what they represent that I think is why Latino converts have garnered some attention,” NPR quoted former Deputy National Security Adviser to the Bush administration Juan Zarate as saying in regard to Martinez.

Thousands of Latinos — a community predominately Catholic — have converted to Islam nationwide. The Latino community stands as the fastest-growing minority group in the United States, while Islam is the fast-growing religion.

The Muslim community has criticized the FBI for racial profiling. FBI tactics include spying on worshippers at mosques and entrapment by undercover agents.

One case has involved an undercover FBI informant and an ex-convict in Irvine, California, named Craig Monteilh. Members of a mosque that he infiltrated obtained a restraining order against him after he kept talking about carrying out violent activities.
Monteilh is now suing the FBI and has gone public with details of how he was trained to spy and entrap people.

“They got a guy, a bona fide criminal, and obviously trained him and sent him to infiltrate mosques,” said Shakeel Syed, executive director of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California.

“And when things went sour, they ditched him and he got mad,” Syed added.

 

Scores of Afghans hold anti-US rally

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JNN 11 Dec 2010 : Hundreds of angry Afghans have taken to the streets of Gardez city to protest against the rising number of civilian casualties at the hands of US-led troops.

The protest was held in Gardez, the capital of Paktia Province. Protesters chanted slogans against the US for killing civilians.

The demonstration followed the killing of seven civilians in a US-led strike in the volatile region.

Sources say the protest in eastern Afghanistan turned violent, leaving at least six people wounded.

NATO blames the deaths on bad targeting and communication errors.

Meanwhile, 15 more civilians, including children, were killed when a bomb hit a pick-up truck in the southern Helmand Province.

Civilians have been the main victims of violence in Afghanistan, particularly in the country’s troubled southern and eastern provinces.

According to official figures, more than 2,500 civilians were killed in NATO operations last year, undermining support for the presence of US-led forces in the country.

A recent UN report shows civilian deaths have jumped by 31 percent in the first half of 2010.

Hundreds of civilians have lost their lives in US-led airstrikes or ground operations in different parts of the war-ravaged country over the past months.

The loss of civilian lives has dramatically reduced support for the Afghan war.

The invasion of Afghanistan was launched with the official objective of curbing militancy and bringing peace and stability to the country. Nine years on, however, Afghanistan remains unstable and civilians continue to pay the price.

 

Karachi under Heavy threat as JAP volunteers fired & attacked

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JNN 10 Dec 2010 Karachi : Today the Van carrying the Shiite Youth belonging to the Volunteers core of Jafria Alliance Pakistan was attacked and fired , when they were coming in a private van and crossing the English Biscuit Causeway route coming from Korangi Industrial Area .

In this Incident three Shiite youth received bullet injuries , who were directly rushed  to the Hospital , where they were treated , one was serious , but till the filing of this report , Just one was in the hospital , and was said to be out of danger , while the rest were discharged after giving them necessary Medical treatment.

This has been pointed out to the Law Enforcement Agencies and the Civil Administration several times that the best thing to protect the lives of Innocent Shia Citizens and in Particular Residents of Karachi the focus is to be on nabbing and putting behind bars and properly prosecuting the Members of the Banned Terrorist Organisations , who are still running their Sector and Unit Offices in different areas of Karachi, even after that there Organisation have been banned by the government. Instead of cordoning of the Majalis and the Religious Parades ,the emphasis should be on doing a crack down on the terrorists , as if the city and the country will be free of these anti Islam and Anti Pakistan terrorist , there will be no need of High security measures and all the Peace loving citizens of Pakistan , will live in Harmony , as they were living there life , before the birth of these illegitimate terrorists .

Shahadat of Momineen & Terrorism against Shiite Muslims continues in Muharram even after all the security Measures & assurances by Govt

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JNN 10 Dec 2010  Hangu : A powerful car bomb explosion at the gate of the Shiite Run Hospital has killed at least 18 people and wounded several others in Pakistan’s troubled Pass Kalay area in Hangu which is located in the northwestern tribal belt.

A suicide bomber blew up a trailer packed with explosives at a northwest Pakistan hospital Friday, killing 11 people and apparently targeting Shiite Muslims in the third  bombing & terrorism  this week.

The suicide bomber detonated at the gate of a Shiite-run hospital on the outskirts of the northwestern town of Hangu, a flashpoint for sectarian violence that traditionally flares during the current holy month of Muharram.

“Eleven people were killed and 17 injured,” Hangu police spokesman Fazal Naeem told AFP.

“It was a tractor with a trailer a carrying 250 kilograms of explosives hidden underneath materials for construction work at the hospital,” he said.

The hospital is run by a private Shiite Muslim trust, which also operates a nearby Shiite mosque and seminary, local officials said.

The blast partially damaged the mosque, vehicles and houses, and gouged a large crater out of the ground, police said.

Two days ago a teenage suicide bomber killed 17 people at a busy market in the garrison town of Kohat, which neighbours Hangu and which has been another flash point for attacks on Pakistan’s minority Shiite community.

Pakistan has stepped up security for Muharram, which began this week and sees tensions rise due to these bombing and terrorist activities of Banned and Proclaimed Wahabi Terrorist Organisations , which try to paint their terrorist activities as of sectarian rift , but actually they are just One sided terrorist activities against the Shiite Population of Pakistan , as there have been no revenge or offensive activities by the Shiite community , who are living in peace and Harmony with there Sunni Muslim Brethren since the creation of Pakistan , But these Wahabi Saudi funded Organisation , paint there terrorist activities as of sectarian between Pakistan’s majority Sunni Muslim and minority Shiite Muslim communities to create chaos and anarchy in the country by engaging the Sunni Population in their terror plots , which even the Sunni Population have become aware of their nefarious design and also condemns there killing of Shiite Muslims , along with attacks on Shiite religious parades.

Around 4,000 people have died in suicide and bomb attacks across Pakistan since government forces raided an extremist mosque in Islamabad in 2007. The attacks have been blamed on networks linked to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

On Monday, a pair of suicide bombers killed 43 people, attacking anti-Taliban militiamen and pro-government elders in Mohmand, part of the tribal belt that Washington considers the global hub of Al-Qaeda.

The Pakistani Taliban purportedly claimed responsibility for that attack, threatening death to anyone who forms militias against the Islamists.

On Tuesday, a suicide bomber tried to assassinate the chief minister of Pakistan’s southwestern province of Baluchistan, damaging his motorcade and wounding nine people but leaving the minister unhurt.

A purported spokesman for the banned extremist group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claimed responsibility, saying the official had been targeted for efforts to provide security to Shiite Muslims, who are frequently attacked in Baluchistan.

Protests over US-S Korea trade deal

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JNN 09 Dec 2010 : Thousands of South Korean farmers have protested against a free trade deal with the United States, demanding that the government scrap the agreement.

Some 2,000 farmers wearing red headbands staged a rally against Seoul and Washington’s Free Trade Agreement on Wednesday.

The protestors burned a rice sack and chanted anti-US slogans at the rally in Seoul.

South Korean farmers have expressed fear that the deal would harm agricultural producers as well as cattle raisers in the country.

The angry protestors called on the South Korean government to abolish the deal and send surplus rice to North Korea to help increase the price of rice.

“We have suffered from the low price of rice since last summer. The government should solve the problem and abolish the FTA (Free Trade Agreement) they agreed with this time (with the US),” Reuters quoted Lim Bong-jae, a protest leader, as saying.

Following a three-year impasse, Seoul and Washington reached a tentative free-trade agreement early in December.

If ratified by US Congress and the South Korean Parliament, the agreement would eliminate tariffs on over 95 percent of industrial and consumer goods within five years.

 

'Russia claims its power , It disrupts US-Japan war games'

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JNN 09 Dec 2010 : Russian jet fighters flying over the Sea of Japan have reportedly forced the US and Japanese military to halt their ongoing joint war games in the region.

According to Japanese officials, the incident took place on Monday when the US and Japanese fighter jets staged dogfight drills over the Sea of Japan.

“It is a fact that as part of the continuing Japan-US joint exercises, there was training taking place in the Sea of Japan on the sixth of this month,” Japanese government spokesman Yoshito Sengoku was quoted as saying by state-run BBC.

Russian authorities confirmed that the jets were flying above the Sea near the drills site.

“The aircraft carried out a planned flight in an area of the Russian Pacific Fleet’s regular activity,” a Russian military spokesman, Roman Markov, said.

“Our pilots did not violate any rules of international airspace.”

Moscow and Tokyo have recently locked horns over a disputed island chain they both claim.

The archipelago of some 56 islands, which are home to about 19,000 people, has been controlled by Moscow since it was seized by Soviet troops in 1945.

The incident comes as the top US and South Korean military officials have announced plans to hold more joint military exercises.

US Admiral Mike Mullen and South Korea’s General Han Min-koo held talks on the Korean peninsula in Seoul on Wednesday.

Both military officials described North Korea’s recent attack on Yeonpyeong Island as deliberate and illegal. During the meeting, Mullen gave reassurances of Washington’s commitment to defend South Korea.

Tensions are high on the Korean peninsula after last month’s deadly clash between South and North Korean forces along the Koreas’ disputed sea borders.

The fighting left four South Koreans dead with each side blaming the other for initiating the fighting.

North Korea has warned that the war games could bring the Koreas closer to the brink of war.

Pyongyang accuses US President Barack Obama of plotting with regional allies to topple the country’s government, insisting that its nuclear program is a deterrent against US forces in the region.

 

‘Russia claims its power , It disrupts US-Japan war games’

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JNN 09 Dec 2010 : Russian jet fighters flying over the Sea of Japan have reportedly forced the US and Japanese military to halt their ongoing joint war games in the region.

According to Japanese officials, the incident took place on Monday when the US and Japanese fighter jets staged dogfight drills over the Sea of Japan.

“It is a fact that as part of the continuing Japan-US joint exercises, there was training taking place in the Sea of Japan on the sixth of this month,” Japanese government spokesman Yoshito Sengoku was quoted as saying by state-run BBC.

Russian authorities confirmed that the jets were flying above the Sea near the drills site.

“The aircraft carried out a planned flight in an area of the Russian Pacific Fleet’s regular activity,” a Russian military spokesman, Roman Markov, said.

“Our pilots did not violate any rules of international airspace.”

Moscow and Tokyo have recently locked horns over a disputed island chain they both claim.

The archipelago of some 56 islands, which are home to about 19,000 people, has been controlled by Moscow since it was seized by Soviet troops in 1945.

The incident comes as the top US and South Korean military officials have announced plans to hold more joint military exercises.

US Admiral Mike Mullen and South Korea’s General Han Min-koo held talks on the Korean peninsula in Seoul on Wednesday.

Both military officials described North Korea’s recent attack on Yeonpyeong Island as deliberate and illegal. During the meeting, Mullen gave reassurances of Washington’s commitment to defend South Korea.

Tensions are high on the Korean peninsula after last month’s deadly clash between South and North Korean forces along the Koreas’ disputed sea borders.

The fighting left four South Koreans dead with each side blaming the other for initiating the fighting.

North Korea has warned that the war games could bring the Koreas closer to the brink of war.

Pyongyang accuses US President Barack Obama of plotting with regional allies to topple the country’s government, insisting that its nuclear program is a deterrent against US forces in the region.