Eid Al-Ghadir to Be Celebrated in Thailand


On the occasion of Eid al-Ghadir a ceremony will be held on December 6 in Bangkok.

The program will be held by Iran Cultural Center in Thailand for Muslims of the country as well as Iranian, Afghan, Indian and Tajik Muslims residing there.

Jalal Tamle, Iran Cultural attaché in Thailand, Hojjat-ol-Islam Amiri, representative of Al-Mostafa International University, Professor Ilyas, Thai intellectual and Hojjat-ol-Islam Sheikh Hussein bin Salem, a Thai cleric will present lectures on Imam Ali’s (AS) life, his Imamate and Velayah. They will also ntroduce Quranic and historical sources on the Ghadir event in both Persian and Thai.

Other programs of the ceremony will include a contest and a religious song to be performed by Abul Hasani a member of the Iranian center.

Saudi clerics see Iran's hand behind Yemen Shias!


Saudi clerics have accused Yemeni Houthi Shias of working with Iran to try to spread Shi’ism, days before the start of the annual Muslim hajj pilgrimage.

“Iranian cooperation with Houthi Shias in Yemen is collusion for sin and aggression,” Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul-Aziz al-Sheikh said in remarks published on Monday.

Riyadh launched an assault on neighboring Yemen’s Houthi Shias 12 days ago after they staged a cross-border incursion that killed two Saudi border guards.

“Houthi entered our territories, so … it is obvious that they should be fought since the kingdom here is defending itself,” Sheikh said.

The Houthi Shias said the Saudis had been allowing Yemeni troops to launch attacks against them from the mountainous territory they seized inside Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter.

Saudi forces have been using fighter jets and artillery to pound Houthi hideouts to enforce a 10 km (six mile) deep buffer zone inside the Yemeni side of the porous border.

Iran boycotted hajj for three years after 402 pilgrims, mostly Iranians, martyred in clashes with Saudi security forces at an anti-U.S. and anti-Israel rally in Mecca in 1987.

Saudi Arabia, a U.S. ally which sees itself as the guardian of Wahhabi Islam, has often been at odds with Shia Iran, particularly since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

In a statement issued over the weekend, about 40 Saudi clerics accused Iran “destabilizes Muslim nations by implanting, financing and arming its agents to spread” Shi’ism, a direct reference to Houthi Shias.

Both the Yemen government and the Shias have said that the conflict between them is not sectarian.

Yemen stepped up a military campaign against Houthi Shias in August. Fighting between Yemeni troops and Houthis, who belong to Yemen’s Zaidi Shia minority and say they suffer religious, economic and social marginalization and neglect and totally discrimination, has flared on and off since 2004 in the northern province of Saada.

Saudi Arabia and its ally, the United States, fear Shia are gaining the rule in Yemen.

There is just some pictures of Yemeni Shia civilians, where Saudi and Yemeni forces brutally attacked them. OH MY GOD, Just see and Judge????!!!


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Iran: UN watchdog suspects more secret nuclear sites


The International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN watchdog, suspects there might be more secret nuclear sites in Iran.

President Barack Obama’s revelation in September that intelligence agencies had identified a second uranium enrichment site in Iran has raised concern at the IAEA about possible further facilities, according to a report by the Vienna-based agency obtained by Reuters.

It said Iran had told the IAEA that it had begun building the bunkered site near Qom in 2007, but the watchdog had evidence the project began in 2002, paused in 2004 and resumed in 2006.

Iran admitted the site’s existence to the IAEA in September.

IAEA inspectors also found that Iran had reduced since August the number of centrifuges enriching rranium at its main Natanz site by 650 to 3,936, while slightly raising the total number of machines installed to 8,692. Western diplomats and analysts said the slowdown was probably caused by technical glitches.

A senior official meanwhile said the UN nuclear agency believes Iran plans to start enriching uranium at the Qom site by 2011.

The official said the IAEA believes that the site will be able to house 3,000 uranium-enriching centrifuges.

A senior international official familiar with the new IAEA report said on Monday that number could allow Iran to eventually enrich enough material to be able to arm one nuclear warhead a year.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denies Tehran wants a nuclear weapons programme, saying it is enriching only to create fuel to generate electricity for civilian use.

Syed Ali Gilani arrested in Srinagar


Srinagar, November 17 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani was arrested in Srinagar, today.

The spokesman of the forum patronised by Syed Ali Gilani told media men that the senior Hurriyet leader was scheduled to address doctors and students of Government Medical College at Karan Nagar this afternoon.

He was taken into custody and lodged in police station Shergrahi.

He said that Syed Ali Gilani, who addressed students at Kashmir University recently, was getting invitations from different educational institutions to visit them. “Today he was scheduled to address in the GMC but was arrested near the main gate of the college,” the spokesman said.

Earlier, addressing a press conference at his residence in Srinagar, today, Syed Ali Gilani had announced that in the fifth phase of district-wise protests against the occupation of Kashmiris’ private land by Indian troops, complete strike would be observed in Pulwama district on Friday. He said that a mammoth rally would also be organised in Pulwama. »

Iran plays down UN nuclear report


Iran has played mastered a interrogation by the UN’s nuclear watchdog that plant questions remained unreciprocated near a atomic installation adjacent the port of Qom.

The Planetary Atomlike Liveliness Authority says Iran staleness explain the story and use of the recently declared parcel.

But primary Persian thermonuclear communicator Ali Asghar Soltaniyeh said the estimation was “continual” and Tehran had handed over all information on the installation.

Persia denies claims by few Occidental nations it is nonindustrial atomic munition.

A UN team was allowed make to inspect the Qom site lowest period.

In its account, the IAEA said the inactive papers of the put increased concerns some additional mathematical surreptitious sites.

‘Overloaded co-operation’

Mr Soltaniyeh told al-Alam TV: “Persia has provided all collection most the new artifact and the crucial interior it.

“We will afterward travel with instalment the required equipment. The artefact testament go online in 2011.

He said he was “snug” with the interrogation, as it habitual Iran was “full co-operating” and that the activities at Qom were “in giving with the IAEA manual and limitations”.

“Inspectors scoured the artifact for two dead days. Everything was congruous with the non-proliferation treaty,” he said.
Iran revealed the existence of the Fordo enrichment artefact, which is beingness collective nearly 30km (20 miles) septentrion of Qom, in Sept.

Suicide attack near Peshawar: 3 killed


PESHAWAR: At least three people were killed and 43 others injured when a suicide bomber blew up his explosives-laden vehicle at a checkpoint outside the Badbher police station on Monday.

The blast destroyed a mosque, four houses, several shops and parts of the police station and the nearby degree college and disrupted power supply to some areas.

Officials said personnel of the police station had been receiving threats from militants for some time.

NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain told reporters at the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) that the attack was in retaliation for the military operation in tribal areas.

He reiterated the government’s resolve never to bow to terrorists. He said the attackers’ attempt to take the vehicle into the city had been foiled.

Peshawar SSP (Operations) Mohammad Karim Khan said the police station was the likely target of the bomber, but FC personnel had foiled his attempt by firing at the vehicle.

DSP Khurshid Khan told Dawn that all the deceased were civilians. Two policemen and two Frontier Constabulary personnel suffered minor injuries.

Among the injured were eight schoolchildren, two of them girls. A bomb disposal official said that about 250kgs of explosives mixed with artillery shells had been used in the blast which left a five-foot deep and 10-foot wide crater.

An FC man said the driver of the double-cabin van ignored the signal to stop. ‘When he tried to cross the barrier, FC man Umer Rehman opened fire at the vehicle and the bomber blew himself up,’ he said.

There was a deafening blast and thick smoke engulfed the area. Fruit vendor Sher Nawaz said he was near the police station when FC men warned the van’s driver and a huge blast took place.

Indian nuclear plants on terror alert


NEW DELHI: India has put its nuclear installations on terror alert, the Press Trust of India said on Monday, citing home ministry sources.

It said the new measures were ordered after it was found that David Headley, a US citizen arrested by FBI on terror charges, had visited some states having atomic installations.

The PTI said the Indian home ministry had asked all state governments protecting their nuclear plants to step up patrolling and vigil around the facilities as a precautionary measure.

They said that Mr Headley, accused of plotting terror attacks in India on behalf of Pakistan-based LeT, had visited Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh — all with nuclear installations — raising suspicion that nuclear facilities could be on the radar of the terrorists.

‘The step is precautionary in nature. The states have been asked to increase the vigil and patrolling to thwart any sabotage attempt aimed at these vital facilities,’ a ministry official was quoted as saying.

The PTI listed six major nuclear energy plants operational in the country — Narora in Uttar Pradesh, Kaiga in Karnataka, Tarapur in Maharashtra, Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, Kakrapar in Gujarat and Kota in Rajasthan, besides several other research and development centres like Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Trombay.

President Zardari hits back at opponents


ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari lashed out on Monday at opponents he alleged were carrying out a ‘vilification campaign’ and declared that the Pakistan People’s Party would continue its ‘forward march’.

‘No matter what our opponents said and no matter how much the party leadership was subjected to a campaign of vilification, the party will not be deterred and will continue its forward march in the service of the people,’ the president was quoted by his spokesman Farhatullah Babar as saying at a meeting of the party’s central executive committee held to review the political situation amid criticism by political opponents and a section of the media.

Without naming anyone, Mr Zardari said: ‘Some people write our obituaries almost daily but the more they write our obituaries the more they are disappointed and frustrated. I salute the party, its workers and the people. We have stood together in the past and will stand together in the future as well.’

The meeting, which continued till past midnight, discussed a number of issues, including the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance that has also been opposed by coalition partners — Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Awami National Party and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F.

The PPP had first decided to present the NRO in parliament but had to reverse the decision when the coalition partners refused to support it.

Sources in the PPP said the meeting mainly focussed on NRO, the law introduced by former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf providing immunity to ruling elite, politicians and bureaucrats.

The fate of the NRO is still hanging in the balance and there is a possibility that corruption cases that had been dumped under the NRO may be reopened.

During a meeting held earlier in the day, President Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani were reported to have discussed important political and organisational matters.

The CEC meeting held after three and a half months was put off twice apparently because of the fast changing political scenario in the country.

According to the spokesman, the president was of the opinion that the PPP was a ‘huge political force’ and was fully prepared to face all challenges confronting it politically.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Gilani, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Jahangir Badar, Mian Raza Rabbani, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Faryal Talpur, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Naveed Qamar, Babar Awan, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Shahbaz Bhatti, Rehman Malik, Sardar Latif Khosa, Sardar Assef Ahmed Ali, Yousaf Talpur, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Farahnaz Ispahani, Mir Ejaz Jhakrani and Farzana Raja.

Mr Babar said the president was of the view that the PPP had formed the government with coalition partners at the centre and in all provinces.

It had thrown out dictatorship, restored presidency to democratic forces and embarked upon a course of political and economic reforms and reconstruction.

The president said: ‘The PPP was not given political victories by anyone as charity, but had triumphed politically with the help of the people of all provinces.’

He said the vilification campaign against the party was aimed at weakening it politically and warned that those hoping to weaken ‘us politically are living in a fool’s paradise’.

He said the party had a long history of rendering great sacrifices for the sake of democracy and people’s rights and was not afraid of rendering sacrifices if need 
arose.

President Zardari said the results of elections in Gilgit-Baltistan had convincingly demonstrated yet again that the people stood by the PPP and rejected the vilification campaign against it.

A number of participants spoke on the occasion and gave their own assessment of the political situation.

The meeting also adopted a unanimous resolution reposing complete confidence in the leadership of the party co-chairman and President Zardari and the government, the spokesman said.

Some administrative matters of the party were also discussed. Some PPP leaders complained that they had no access to the party co-chairman.

This complaint had also been conveyed to the president during a recent meeting of party leaders, including some women parliamentarians.

Three alleged suicide bombers arrested in Quetta


QUETTA: Quetta police have arrested three alleged suicide bombers in a raid on Samunguli Road and recovered a large cache of ammunition and explosives from their possession.

Speaking at a news conference in Quetta SP Saddar Dr Farrukh, said that the accused were arrested from a house in Arbab Town on a tip off. He said the accused are in between 17 to 27 years old and had been trained for suicide bombing and other terrorist acts.

He said police have also recovered a large quantity of ammunition, chemicals, detonators, batteries, commando uniforms, switches and a walkie talkie set. He said six bags of explosives weighing about 300 kilogram have also been recovered.

He said important information is likely to be obtained from the accused as investigation is underway.

Dr Farrukh also said that police have detained about 50 suspects in connection with bomb blast on Spini road earlier Tuesday morning.

Saudi Regime On the Verge of Collapse!


Frail and frightened orphans of Heydan in Saada cry over the dead bodies of their mothers, fathers and sisters as Saudi fighter jets continue to bombard positions near the shared border with Yemen.
The tragic cries of women and children are silenced by the sounds of frightening Saudi rockets and cluster bombs falling from the sky, wounding more powerless civilians and leaving behind more destruction and carnage. Regrettably, the situation is all the same in other Shi’ite populated areas.
1-Since 10 days ago, the Saudi jets have been formally carrying out raids on Yemeni territory targeting Shi’ites of the Saada province and other areas in support of the central government in Sana’a.
The Yemeni soldiers, on the other hand, burn down the bodies of martyred men, women and children, or drag them around by cars in front of frightened children “to teach them a lesson.”
Powerless to face the fearless Shi’ite fighters of Saada on the ground, the coward Saudi pilots take it instead on the defenseless children or elderly men and women. The bloodthirsty Saudi puppet rulers are unmistakably carrying out the very same crimes that were committed against humanity by the criminal regime of Israel in Gaza, South Lebanon, Darfur, Kafar Qasem and many other civilian places.
The situation is so dreadful that prominent journalist Fahmi Hoveydai said, “Saada should be named the Darfur of Yemen. In Palestine we have the Zionists and in Saada we have the Saudis.”
2-Political scientist Samuel P. Huntington, the man behind the theory of The Clash of Civilizations, which states that people’s cultural and religious identities will be the primary source of conflict in the post-Cold War world, attended an international seminar on demography in February 2005 in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Addressing the participants, he said, “Saudi Arabia, the most repressive regime in the Middle East, is a place where there are no general elections and citizens play no part in politics. A family is ruling the oil-rich country in the style of Dark Ages. It is the closest US ally in the region, though. At the same time, the US remains the arch enemy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is the most democratic state in the region, in which people elect their members of the parliament and government. Of course, I am aware that the American policy vis-à-vis Saudi Arabia and Iran cannot be compared; still, we shall be hearing some interesting news coming out of Saudi Arabia in the near future.”
The Saudi foreign Ministry strongly condemned the comments made by Huntington and the US Department of State summoned him a few days later. However, the Associated Press, which had fully covered the international gathering in Nicosia, ruled out any mistakes in its quotes from Huntington, who passed away recently.
Weeks after Obama got into the White House, Simon Henderson, director of Washington Institute, which a joint intelligence bureau is run by the CIA and the Pentagon but bears the name of “Strategic Studies at the Department of State,” sent a comprehensive report to President Obama.
In his report, he wrote, “We predict major changes in the political arrangement of Saudi Arabia over the next 5 years. The country will possibly see a number of new kings during this particular period.”
Although the report does not talk about Huntington’s 2005 speech in Nicosia, it can still help bring to light some of the points not mentioned. Henderson discusses three major factors that could undermine the internal political dynamics in Saudi Arabia and consequently lead to the likely collapse of the Saudi regime. These three factors are:
A-The Impact of a Rising Iran on Saudi Arabia: Iran has taken huge steps towards technological/scientific advancements and growth despite 30 years of impasse with the United States. The parliamentary and presidential elections in Iran have equally encouraged the people of Arabia, especially young students, to fight for having a democratic country and be part of the political/democratic process.
The report goes on to state that Arab youth are somehow depressed and embarrassed that their counterparts in other parts of the world know that their country is being ruled by a family that decides their fate and they have no say in it.
B-The second factor is the rising wealth of Saudi princes in sharp contrast to the growing number of poor citizens, especially Shi’ites and non-Wahabi Sunnis. The report states that the central government in Riyadh has to some extent introduced social security programs to eradicate poverty and it has even allocated special budgets to improve public welfare and meet housing needs. But the report goes on to argue that these welfare programs have been ineffective in winning the much-needed approval of the general public.
C-The third factor is the close relations of the Saudi royal family with the United States and their pro-Israeli policy – despite the resentment of Muslim world. Accordingly, Muslims have some pressing questions from the Saudis with regard to their support of the Zionist regime – despite the fact that the royal family is caretaker of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Islam’s holiest mosque in its holiest city.
Widespread protests as such have intensified, though, especially after the 33-day war on Lebanon and the 22-day war on Gaza by the Zionist regime. Interestingly, Iran, which is the powerful rival of Saudi Arabia in the region, has provided extensive support for Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Gaza’s Hamas government, thus winning Muslim admiration the world over.
Of course, it is exactly because of such humanitarian support that Iran has been branded sponsor of regional terrorism – a name that only suits the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia.
3-The above-mentioned report plus a myriad of others point to the obvious fact that the time for the puppet regime of Saudi Dynasty is indeed up and even if Washington seeks otherwise, it still cannot stop the regime from its imminent dissolution. Just as importantly, it seems Washington has got the Saudis involved in the Yemeni war on Shi’ites for a reason or two:
From one hand, Washington seeks to strike at the foundations of Houthi resistance movement by massacring Shi’ite populations in Saada, who have the full support of all Islamic resistance movements in the world – be it Sunni or Shi’ite. On the same token, if the Houthis defeat the Yemeni Army, they can easily become yet another powerful base for resistance in opposition to the hegemonic and pro-Western Arab political current.
On the other hand, the US is trying to hammer the Islamic resistance in Saada at the cost of the diminishing Saudi regime, whose time is running out fast.
4-Contrary to Western and Saudi media propaganda, the Shi’ite groups continue to resist the Saudi attacks coming from air, land or sea borders. So far, the invading Saudi Army has suffered heavy casualties – although its campaign of terror continues. These desperate acts of violence, however, merely draw attention to the inability of Saudi Army in overpowering the resistance.
In summation, many regional/international observers and sources have compared these hopeless Saudi acts to the barbaric invasions of Lebanon and Gaza by the criminal regime of Israel. They predict a similar defeat for the Saudi Army on the ground and an imminent collapse for the Saudi regime in Riyadh.

Iran condemns US mosque seizure


Iran on Sunday denounced as ‘disgraceful’ U.S. moves to seize four mosques and a New York City skyscraper owned by a Muslim nonprofit organization.

Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said the moves show that President Barack Obama’s slogan for change was deceitful and he was no different from his predecessor George W. Bush.

“Extension of sanctions and restrictions against Iran for another year by the American president and the blocking the accounts and assets of the Alavi foundation in America is a real disgrace,” he told parliament.

“After a year of empty speeches and slogans, the behaviour and conduct of this president in practice is no better than the actions of his predecessor,” Larijani added, in a speech broadcast on radio.

The assets include bank accounts; Islamic centers consisting of schools and mosques in New York, Maryland, California and Houston; more than 100 acres in Virginia; and a 36-story Manhattan office tower.

 

Professional Shia Killer Arrests in Pakistan


Quetta: Quetta Police say the assassin of martyrs Yousafi, Chairman Hazara Democratic Party, Syed Talib Agha , DSP Hassan Ali, a Hazara police officer, Chief Mine Inspector Eng. Ashraf Changezi, Advocate Wulayet, and many other Shias, who were martyred in the recent wave of target killings, have been arrested.

Hafiz Usman alias Abbas Muhammadshai is a high-profile member of Lashkar-e-Janghvi, the militant outfit that claimed responsibility for the attack on Shia Imam Bargah, Shia Police Cadets and many other secterian and ethnic attacks in Quetta. Police say Hafiz Usman has accepted responsibility for the murders of Hussain Ali Yousafi and all recent incidents of target killing. While presenting him in front of media, Hafiz Usman made “Victory” sign. Police also said it has seized the AK-47 used in the recent incidents of target killing of innocent Shias.

The consecutive target killing of Shias have claimed lives of over 300 innocent people since the beginning of 2009. Law enforcement agencies were totally failed to stop the target killing, which is still going on in Quetta. The recent dramatic arrest of a terrorist member of Lashkar-e-Janghvi seems a symbolic move by the concerned quarters. The terrorist group of Lashkar-e-Jangvi is not an underground outfit. Intelligence agencies know all whereabouts of its leadership and members, but have kept closed-eyes towards them.

Some Shia people beleive assassination of the professional and political leadership of Shias are carried out by “hidden black hands” with strong presence in the establishment. Arrest of one member of a militant organization is very dramatic. His “victory” sign shows he is assured of his fate. Last year in January, two terrorists of Lashkar-e-Jangvi, Hafiz Saifur Rehman and Shafiqur Rehman, responsible for attacks on Ashura Procession of 2004, Shia Imam Bargah and Shia Police Cadets, broke away from a high-profile Anti-Terrorist Force Jail in Quetta.

Troops martyr one more innocent youth in Pulwama


Srinagar, November 16 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, Indian troops, in their fresh act of state terrorism, martyred one innocent Kashmiri youth in Pulwama district, today.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the troops killed the youth in Kellar area of the district during a siege and search operation, which continued till last reports came in.

Two troopers of Indian army’s 9/Rajpuet regiment were killed in a clash with Mujahideen in Keran area of Kupwara district, today.

Meanwhile, personnel of Indian paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) shot at and critically injured a 23-year-old civilian, Riyaz Ahmad Sheikh, at Trehgam market in Kupwara district. He was immediately taken to a hospital in Kupwara where the doctors referred him to a hospital in Srinagar for specialized treatment. After the incident a large number of people took to the streets to protest against Indian state terrorism.

Trehgam, nearly 110 km from Srinagar, is the birthplace of the prominent martyred liberation leader, Mohammad Maqbool Butt, who was hanged in India’s infamous Tihar Jail in 1984

CCTV footage of Peshawer bomb blast released


PESHAWAR: The CCTV footage of a deadly suicide car bombing on a police checkpost in Pestakhara that killed 13 people and injured dozens has been released here on Sunday.

According to the footage, the suicide bomber was in an alto-model car packed with explosives which rammed into the checkpost when a policeman intercepted it minutes after it crossed the Ring Road.

The footage also shows a corolla car and a passenger-coach being destroyed in the blast.

Meanwhile, the city police have registered an FIR against the central ameer of the banned Laskhar-i-Islam group, Mangal Bagh and six of his accomplices Wahid, Taiyab, Syed Noor, Satana Gul, Fazal Ahmed and Saifur Khan.

SSP Operation Karim Khan told APP that security measures had been further stepped up in the provincial capital and vehicles were being checked closely at the checkposts.

He said that CCTV cameras had been installed at various sensitive places, adding that SDPOs and SHOs had been directed to remain vigilant and ensure

GB Poll massively rigged, allege MQM, PML-Q


ISLAMABAD: The Muttahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM), a coalition partner of the PPP at the Centre and in Sindh, has demanded fresh polling in nine stations of Gilgit-Baltistan-3 constituency, instead of four polling stations as announced by the election commission.

MQM’s parliamentary leader in National Assembly and Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Farooq Sattar said at a hurriedly-called news conference here on Sunday that his party would boycott the vote if its demand was not met.

He accused the PPP of ‘massively rigging’ the poll.

‘We want re-polling in nine polling stations of the GBLA-3 while the election commission has announced re-polling in only four of them,’ Mr Sattar said.

Similar rigging charges were levelled by MQM’s former ally PML-Q which accused the PPP of ‘breaking all previous records’ of vote fraud.

Addressing a news conference, PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain alleged that the PPP had rigged elections in league with the PML-N.

The PML-Q also released a 17-point ‘fact sheet’, on irregularities and rigging.

The MQM leader asked President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to take notice of the allegations leveled by various political parties to restore confidence of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan in the newly-announced system.

Mr Sattar was of the view that the system introduced by the government in Gilgit-Baltistan had become a ‘democracy-deficit system’.

He alleged that state machinery had been used by the PPP during the election and results were manipulated in some constituencies. However, he alleged irregularities in only three constituencies of Gilgit district and alleged that results had been changed at the last moment in Gilgit’s GBLA-3 constituency and MQM’s Hadi Hussain had been deprived of the seat.

By announcing re-polling in four polling stations, the MQM leader said, the election commission had admitted that rigging and irregularities had taken place in the constituency.

He urged the election commission to take action against people who were responsible for the fraud. He asked the election commission to disqualify the candidate who, he alleged, had ordered the snatching of ballot boxes from polling stations. Dr Sattar said his party did not make any electoral adjustment with any party prior to polling.

‘The PML-Q contacted us for a seat adjustment, but it was too late,’ he said. When asked if the MQM would become a partner in the new government in Gilgit-Baltistan, he said:

‘It is too early to say anything in this regard. The government first needs to clean the political atmosphere in the area.’

Chaudhry Shujaat termed his party’s performance in the GB polls satisfactory. He, however, made it clear that the post-vote scenario was not good in the area and the government needed to take some steps to normalise the situation.

He said his party believed that GB was as important as the AJK and, therefore, its government should reflect a national consensus and no party should try to grab absolute power. He claimed that not a single leader of his party was among beneficiaries of the NRO

Obama writes to Zardari, demands step-up in offensive


WASHINGTON: The New York Times reported on Sunday that the Obama administration was leaning on Pakistan to step up its fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

Citing anonymous sources, the Times reported that Gen. James L. Jones, Obama’s national security adviser, was sent to Islamabad with a letter for Pakistan’s president, Asif Ali Zardari.

‘His (President Obama’s) message, officials said, was that the new American strategy would work only if Pakistan broadened its fight beyond the militants attacking its cities and security forces and went after the groups that use havens in Pakistan for plotting and carrying out attacks against American troops in Afghanistan, as well as support networks for Al Qaeda,’ the report said.

In the letter, the newspaper reported, Obama said he expected Pakistan to do more to fight the extremists threatening Pakistan and Afghanistan.

‘General Jones also delivered a letter from Mr. Obama to Pakistan’s president, Asif Ali Zardari, in which Mr. Obama said he expected Mr. Zardari to rally the nation’s political and national security institutions in a united campaign against extremists threatening Pakistan and Afghanistan, said an official briefed on the conversations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks were confidential,’ the NYT report said.

Obama is expected to announce some troop increases in Afghanistan along with clearer limitations on US goals for the war after he returns from Asia late this week. The announcement is expected either just before or just after the Thanksgiving holiday on Nov. 26. The post-holiday timing appears more likely, despite continued criticism from the political right that Obama is taking too long to announce his next move.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki arrived in New Delhi Monday for talks on a stalled trans-national gas pipeline


NEW DELHI: Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki arrived in New Delhi Monday for talks on a stalled trans-national gas pipeline and a possible Indian prime ministerial visit to Iran, officials said.

Mottaki will meet India’s Vice President Hamid Ansari, Premier Manmohan Singh and Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna on Monday during a two-day visit, an Indian foreign ministry statement said.

Talks with Indian leaders will cover ‘bilateral, regional and international issues,’ an Iranian embassy official said without elaborating.

An Indian official said talks between Krishna and Mottaki would cover the much-delayed 7.5-billion-dollar gas pipeline project, that was first mooted in 1994.

The project, if completed, would carry gas from Iran to Pakistan and then India.

But India, which has a tense and occasionally openly hostile relationship with Pakistan, withdrew last year from the talks because of repeated disputes about prices and transit fees.

The Indian official declined to comment on recent domestic news reports that Mottaki could be carrying new proposals to kickstart the pipeline talks, but added both sides might discuss a visit by Singh to Tehran.

Mottaki’s visit here comes as the UN’s atomic watchdog is to unveil Monday its latest report on Iran’s disputed nuclear drive with pressure mounting on Tehran to respond to a UN-brokered offer to end the standoff.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report will take stock of Iran’s uranium enrichment activities in spite of international sanctions and detail findings from an October visit to a previously secret atomic site at Qom.

The West suspects Tehran is trying to develop a nuclear weapon under cover of its civilian nuclear energy programme. Iran vehemently denies the claims while Russia has said there is no evidence to support the accusations.

New Delhi, which twice voted against Tehran at meetings of the IAEA board, has said it is against the use of military force against Iran but added it is against the emergence of another nuclear power in its neighbourhood

Pakistan’s sugar crisis continues


As the crisis of the availability of sugar continues across the country, the city district government Karachi (CDGK) has made arrangements for the sale of sugar at Rs 40 a kilogram over the next four to five days.
A woman waits for family members after collecting sugar at government subsidised prices at a bazaar in Lahore on November 15, 2009. —

Peshawar blast kills 4


PESHAWAR: At least four people have been killed and 25 others injured in a powerful explosion that occurred in Peshawar’s outskirts of Badhbeer on Kohat Road near police station, Geo News reported on Monday morning.

District Coordination Officer (DCO) Peshawar Sahibzada Anis also confirmed 4 killings in the blast, adding the blast was so powerful that the nearby mosque collapsed.

He continued that the blast occurred at 0745am, adding it is feared that some people may be trapped under the rubble.

The state of emergency has been declared in the local hospitals.

The police and relief workers before long arrived on the blast site and kick-started the relief action. There are some children and a woman among the injured.

Police cordoned off the blast site soon after the blast.

According to Geo News correspondent, the police have confirmed that blast was a suicide attack, as a car was used in the blast.

According to sources, the suicide bomber was taking his explosive-laden car to some sensitive place; however, he was signaled to pull over. But, the suicide bomber on being stopped, blew him up, killing three people.

According to Geo News correspondent, at least seven injured have been brought to Lady Reading Hospital.

Iraqi civilians who were detained by British troops during the U.S.-led war have leveled some 33 allegations of rape and abuse against male and female soldiers, Britain's Ministry of Defense said Saturday. Iraqi civilians who were detained by British troops during the U.S.-led war have leveled some 33 allegations of rape and abuse against male and female soldiers, Britain's Ministry of Defense said Saturday. The allegations come in the wake of the British withdrawal from Iraq this year. One man says he was raped by two British soldiers while another claims he was sexually humiliated by both male and female personnel. Others allege they were stripped naked and photographed in the same style as the notorious pictures at Abu Ghraib, where abuses of prisoners by U.S. troops helped fuel anti-American sentiment. British soldiers have faced a series of claims that they mistreated Iraqi civilians in southern Iraq during six years of combat operations. Last year, Britain settled a legal case involving the death of one Iraqi civilian, and the abuse of nine others, paying out nearly 3 million pounds in compensation. A public inquiry is still under way into the death of hotel worker Baha Mousa. He died in the custody of British troops following a raid on his hotel in the southern Iraq city of Basra in 2003 and suffered 93 separate injuries. British Cpl. Donald Payne pleaded guilty to inhumanely treating Iraqi civilians in Britain's first war crimes conviction. "Given the history of the UK's involvement in the development of these techniques alongside the US, it is deeply concerning that there appears to be strong similarities between instances of the use of sexual humiliation," Phil Shiner, the lawyer representing the Iraqis who made the claims, said in a letter to the Ministry of Defense. He said some Iraqis are coming forward now since the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq this year. The Ministry of Defense said the allegations were being taken seriously. "Over 120,000 British troops have served in Iraq and the vast majority have conducted themselves to the highest standards of behavior, displaying integrity and selfless commitment," the ministry said in a statement. "There have been instances when individuals have behaved badly but only a tiny number have been shown to have fallen short of our high standards. Allegations of this nature are taken very seriously but must not be taken as fact. Formal investigations must be allowed to take their course." Armed forces minister Bill Rammell said any new claims of mistreatment will be investigated. In one of the most serious allegations, a 16-year-old boy claimed that he was among a group of Iraqis in May 2003 who were taken to the Shatt-al-Arab British camp to help fill sandbags. In a statement reported by The Independent newspaper, he alleged when he entered a room to get more sandbags he saw two British male soldiers engaged in oral sex. When he tried to leave, he alleges the men started to beat and kick him. When he fell to the floor, he claims one of the men held a blade to his neck while the other soldier stripped him naked. He claims the two British soldiers, one after the other, raped him. In another claim, a 24-year-old Iraqi said he was playing football with friends in April 2007 when he was approached by British soldiers in vehicles and taken to a British base with another youth. When he arrived at the camp, he was allegedly surrounded by six to eight soldiers who ordered two of the young men to pick fights with one another. He alleges that the soldiers then stood on top of them and shouted and laughed. Another 35-year-old carpenter said he was arrested in April 2006 and taken to the British camp at Shaaibah where he alleges he was subjected to sexual abuse and humiliation by both male and female soldiers. He alleged soldiers used to watch pornographic films and would play loud music when he tried to pray. He also alleged that female soldiers exposed themselves or taunted him sexually. He alleged a soldier in the observation tower used to point the laser spot of his gun at his penis when he was in the toilet. At the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, female guards and interrogators were documented as using aggressive and sexually charged techniques with the detainees, most of whom were Muslim. It was unclear when results of the investigation would be released.


An agreement was signed between the American and Yemen armies which officially made America a part of the war in the Saada province.

An agreement was signed between the American and Yemen armies which officially made America a part of the war in the Saada province.

Brigadier General Jeffrey Smith announced that joint missions will be conducted. After he signed the document, he expressed hope that this will help put an end to the terrorism in Yemen.

Major General Ahmed Ali al-Ashwal, the Chief of Staff of the Yemeni Armed Forces, announced that this document was singed last Tuesday after two days of talks.

According to this document, America will provide information to Yemen and train the Yemeni army to fight against terrorism in Saana. The American army will also aid in the attacks against the Al-Houthi Movement.

Fresh Reports of UK Iraq Abuse


Iraqi civilians who were detained by British troops during the U.S.-led war have leveled some 33 allegations of rape and abuse against male and female soldiers, Britain’s Ministry of Defense said Saturday.

Iraqi civilians who were detained by British troops during the U.S.-led war have leveled some 33 allegations of rape and abuse against male and female soldiers, Britain’s Ministry of Defense said Saturday.
The allegations come in the wake of the British withdrawal from Iraq this year.
One man says he was raped by two British soldiers while another claims he was sexually humiliated by both male and female personnel. Others allege they were stripped naked and photographed in the same style as the notorious pictures at Abu Ghraib, where abuses of prisoners by U.S. troops helped fuel anti-American sentiment.
British soldiers have faced a series of claims that they mistreated Iraqi civilians in southern Iraq during six years of combat operations. Last year, Britain settled a legal case involving the death of one Iraqi civilian, and the abuse of nine others, paying out nearly 3 million pounds in compensation.
A public inquiry is still under way into the death of hotel worker Baha Mousa. He died in the custody of British troops following a raid on his hotel in the southern Iraq city of Basra in 2003 and suffered 93 separate injuries. British Cpl. Donald Payne pleaded guilty to inhumanely treating Iraqi civilians in Britain’s first war crimes conviction.
“Given the history of the UK’s involvement in the development of these techniques alongside the US, it is deeply concerning that there appears to be strong similarities between instances of the use of sexual humiliation,” Phil Shiner, the lawyer representing the Iraqis who made the claims, said in a letter to the Ministry of Defense. He said some Iraqis are coming forward now since the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq this year.
The Ministry of Defense said the allegations were being taken seriously.
“Over 120,000 British troops have served in Iraq and the vast majority have conducted themselves to the highest standards of behavior, displaying integrity and selfless commitment,” the ministry said in a statement. “There have been instances when individuals have behaved badly but only a tiny number have been shown to have fallen short of our high standards. Allegations of this nature are taken very seriously but must not be taken as fact. Formal investigations must be allowed to take their course.”
Armed forces minister Bill Rammell said any new claims of mistreatment will be investigated.
In one of the most serious allegations, a 16-year-old boy claimed that he was among a group of Iraqis in May 2003 who were taken to the Shatt-al-Arab British camp to help fill sandbags. In a statement reported by The Independent newspaper, he alleged when he entered a room to get more sandbags he saw two British male soldiers engaged in oral sex. When he tried to leave, he alleges the men started to beat and kick him. When he fell to the floor, he claims one of the men held a blade to his neck while the other soldier stripped him naked. He claims the two British soldiers, one after the other, raped him.
In another claim, a 24-year-old Iraqi said he was playing football with friends in April 2007 when he was approached by British soldiers in vehicles and taken to a British base with another youth. When he arrived at the camp, he was allegedly surrounded by six to eight soldiers who ordered two of the young men to pick fights with one another. He alleges that the soldiers then stood on top of them and shouted and laughed.
Another 35-year-old carpenter said he was arrested in April 2006 and taken to the British camp at Shaaibah where he alleges he was subjected to sexual abuse and humiliation by both male and female soldiers.
He alleged soldiers used to watch pornographic films and would play loud music when he tried to pray. He also alleged that female soldiers exposed themselves or taunted him sexually. He alleged a soldier in the observation tower used to point the laser spot of his gun at his penis when he was in the toilet.
At the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, female guards and interrogators were documented as using aggressive and sexually charged techniques with the detainees, most of whom were Muslim.
It was unclear when results of the investigation would be released.

Allameh Tabatabaei commemorated


Seminar themed ‘Shining Sun’ was held here on Sunday as part of the programs to commemorate the death anniversary of Allameh Seyyed Mohammad Hossein Tabatabaei, a prominent Iranian scholar.

The event hosted by Khajeh Nasireddin Tousi University was attended by the students, professors and Qur’an researchers.

After awarding top Qur’an servants, Abufazl Bahrampour delivered a speech on the personality of Allameh Tabatabaei and Qur’an.

Tabatabaei (1892-1981) was one of the most prominent thinkers of Islamic philosophy. He is famous for Tafsir al-Mizan, the Qur’anic exegesis.

Born in Tabriz, East Azarbaijan province, Tabatabaei was a philosopher, prolific writer, and an inspiring teacher to his students who devoted much of his life to non-political Islamic studies.

It was in Najaf, Iraq, where Tabatabaei developed his major contributions in the fields of Tafsir (interpretation), philosophy, and history of the Shi’a faith. In philosophy the most important of his works is ‘The Principles of Philosophy and the Method of Realism’, which has been published in five volumes with explanatory notes and the commentary of Morteza Motahhari, a student of him.

His other major philosophical work is a voluminous commentary of Asf?r al-Arba’eh, the magnum opus of Mulla Sadra who was the last of the great Persian (Iranian) Muslim thinkers of the medieval age.

Several treatises on the doctrines and history of Shi’ism have remained from him as well. One of these comprises his clarifications and expositions about Shi’a faith in reply to the questions posed by the famous French orientalist Henry Corbin.

Allameh Tabatabaei was also a poet. He composed his poetry mainly in Persian, but occasionally in Arabic as well.

The number of his books stands at 44 , three of which are collections of his articles on various aspects of Islam and Qur’an.

Iran– 250 MPs deprecate killing of Yemeni Muslims


A number of 250 lawmakers issued a statement on Sunday denouncing the brutal massacre of Muslims in Yemen.

“We as the representatives of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) and the signers of this statement condemn the cruel killing of Muslims in Yemen and (we) want all sympathetic officials in the Islamic world as well as the Islamic groupings and organizations, particularly the Organization of Islamic Conference, to utilize all their potential to stop this tragedy and put an end to the killings,” part of the statement said.

The lawmakers said at a time that the Zionist regime, under the auspices of some powers like the U.S., is explicitly denying Palestinians’ rights, Muslims should defend the oppressed Islamic nations.

And what is more “shocking and reprehensible” is the cruel attacks against Muslims in Yemen, they added.

Killing Yemeni people by Saudi Arabian fighter jets is only benefiting Islam’s enemies, the lawmakers insisted.

The Yemeni army has launched attacks on its Shia population for many years.

Obama, Medvedev press Iran on its nuclear program


U.S. President Barack Obama said on Sunday time was running out for diplomacy in a dispute over Iran’s nuclear program and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev warned Tehran could face new sanctions if there is no progress in nuclear talks.

“Unfortunately, so far at least, Iran appears to have been unable to say yes to what everyone acknowledges is a creative and constructive approach,” Obama said after talks with Medvedev on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific summit in Singapore.

“We are running out of time with respect to that approach,” Reuters quoted Obama as saying

Medvedev also said, “We are prepared to work further” to ensure Iran”s nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes.

“In case we fail, the other options remain on the table, in order to move the process in a different direction,” AFP quoted the Russian leader as saying.

According to a draft deal drawn up by the IAEA, a large consignment of Iran’s enriched uranium would be shipped out of the country for processing into fuel rods with a purity of 20 percent for the Tehran reactor. However, many Iranian officials, including parliamentarians, believe that that Iran should buy the fuel for the reactor without sending its own low-enriched uranium (LEU) abroad.

Iran has called for more talks.

A senior adviser to Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said no official response to the proposal had been announced.

“We are waiting to see how much sincerity the Western countries have in their pledges,” said Mojtaba Samareh-Hashemi.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said an end-of-year deadline for Iran remained.

Russian officials such as foreign minister Sergei Lavrov have said Washington was trying to push Moscow into a position of publicly threatening the imposition of sanctions soon if Iran did not play ball.

Iran says it is enriching uranium only for power plant fuel, not for nuclear warheads.

The IAEA is consulting on possible compromises to save the deal, including Iran placing its LEU under escrow in a friendly third country, like Turkey, pending delivery of reactor fuel. Iran and Turkey discussed the idea in talks this month.

Iran’s presidential adviser Samareh-Hashemi said regarding Turkey’s role: “Turkey is also on the cards but they have not come to a firm agreement or decision to act accordingly.”

Three ministers approved, new cabinet now complete


The Majlis has approved the qualifications of three new ministers.

In a session on Sunday, the Iranian parliament approved the qualifications of the nominees for the posts of education minister, welfare minister, and energy minister.

Hamidreza Hajbabaii, the nominee for the post of education minister, received 217 votes in favor of his approval, 33 voted against approving him, and there were 13 abstentions.

Majid Namjou, the nominee for the post of energy minister, received 210 votes in favor of his approval, 36 voted against approving him, and there were 19 abstentions.

Sadeq Mahsouli, the nominee for the post of welfare minister, received 149 votes in favor of his approval, 95 voted against approving him, and there were 21 abstentions.

Hajbabaii holds a Ph.D. in theology and was elected to parliament four times.

Majid Namjou has a B.S. in civil engineering and was formerly the managing director of the Sarallah Construction Organization.

Mahsouli has a B.A. in business administration and served as interior minister during President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s first term in office.

In September, after five days of deliberations, the parliament approved the qualifications of 18 ministerial nominees and rejected three nominees. With the approval of the three new ministers, the new cabinet is now complete.

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OANA meeting can reflect true image of Iran: IRIB official


TEHRAN, Nov. 13 (MNA) – Mahdi Faraji, the director of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Channel 2, said here on Friday that OANA meeting will create a valuable opportunity to show the realities in Iran.

 

“The media have profound effect on the public opinion; … and the more interaction the media outlets have, the better results will be achieved,” he said in an interview with MNA reporter.

 

Foreign media outlets have depicted a distorted image of Iran; the OANA meeting can reveal the realities about Iran, Faraji said.

 

The 31st Executive Board Meeting (EBM) and the 25th Editorial-Technical Experts Group (ETEG) Meeting is to be convened in Tehran from November 13 to 17, 2009.

 

The Mehr News Agency is the host of the five-day event which is to be attended by over 40 representatives of 18 governmental and non-governmental news agencies from the Asia-Pacific states.

 

On the theme of “A quest for global media balancing”, the meeting will be officially inaugurated on Sunday morning at Tehran Enqelab Hotel, managing director of the Mehr News Agency, also president of Tehran’s EBM and ETEG meetings said.

 

According to Parviz Esmaeili, the meeting is aimed at closing gaps between the world media.

 

AM/SN

END

Pakistan– LHC moved against publishing Quranic verses in newspapers


LAHORE: Kashif Mehmood advocate on Wednesday moved a constitutional petition before the Lahore High Court (LHC) seeking a ban on the publication of Quranic verses and their translation in newspapers.

The petitioner said publishing verses of the Holy Quran in newspapers was not only against Islamic injunctions, but also against the spirit of the constitution.

He said a large chunk of the population disposed of newspapers after reading them, something that was quite unbecoming for a Muslim.

He requested the court to direct the government to bar media groups from publishing Quranic verses.

Iran consulate official killed in Peshawar


Unknown gunmen have shot dead a local official at Iran’s consulate in Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar.

Abul Hassan Jafari, director of public relations at the consulate, was attacked by assailants on Thursday as he was on his way to work, police said.

He died of severe injuries on the way to hospital.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

This is not the first time that an official at Iran’s consulate in Peshawar comes under attack.

Last year, Iran’s commercial attache, Heshmatollah Attarzadeh-Niyaki, was kidnapped on his way to the consulate.

Iran has urged Pakistan to tighten security measures in the violence-stricken region in which hundreds have been killed as a result of terrorist attacks and bombings.

Saudi Arabian and Yemeni forces must protect civilians in Sa'da conflict


Amnesty International has called on all parties to the conflict raging in Yemen’s northerly Sa’da region to treat detainees humanely and protect civilians.

Fighting between Yemeni government forces and the late Shi’a Zaidi cleric Hussein al-Houthi is reported to have spilt over into Saudi Arabia, leading Saudi Arabian forces to become directly engaged against the Yemeni Shias.

Amnesty International has urged all parties to the conflict to adhere strictly to the requirements of international humanitarian law.

At least 100 al-Houthi supporters are reported to be detained in Saudi Arabia after being captured by or surrendering to Saudi Arabian forces in the past few days.

The Shias, in turn, say they have captured and are holding several Saudi Arabian soldiers. Neither side is yet known to have allowed those they are holding access to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), prompting fears for their safety.

On 5 November, the Saudi Arabian air force is reported to have struck at al-Houthi forces who had crossed the border near Jabal al-Dukhan.

According to informed sources Saudi forces cowardly used phosphorus bombs against Houthi Shias and civilians.

Phosphorus bombs are highly incendiary weapons and pose grave risks to civilians. They should never be used in the vicinity of civilians.

The day after the bombing raid, Amnesty International wrote to Saudi Arabia’s Defence Minister, Crown Prince Sultan bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Al-Saud, asking whether phosphorus bombs were used and, if so, in what manner and what precautions were taken to ensure that civilians were not put at risk. As yet, the organization has received no response.

The conflict in Yemen’s Sa’da Governorate began in 2004 and has continued intermittently since then. It flared to new intensity last August, since when thousands of the predominantly Shia population have been displaced and scores, possibly hundreds, of people, including civilians, have been killed.

The Yemeni government has largely sealed off the area making it extremely difficult to obtain independent information about events there and increasing concern for the safety and welfare of the civilian population.

YEMEN: Hundreds displaced by fighting on Yemen-Saudi border


Hundreds of civilians have been fleeing their villages along the border with Saudi Arabia following clashes of Saudi Wahhabi sources against Houthi Shias, according to a UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) official.

“Over the past three days we had over 100 families arriving in the [al-Mazraq] camp every day – more than 300 families [2,100 people],” UNHCR team leader Mai Barazi tsaid on 10 November.

The camp, which is about 40 minutes drive from Haradh, in the northwestern province of Hajjah, currently has an estimated 8,700 internally displaced persons (IDPs). “Another 11,000 IDPs are sheltered by host families and communities in this part of Yemen,” Marie Marullaz, UNHCR associate external relations officer in Sanaa, told IRIN on 11 November.

“Some came from Saudi Arabia, to where they had fled before escaping fighting in the Malahaid area [west of Saada],” Barazi said.

“The elderly, single mothers and children represent a significant proportion of the new arrivals. Most are coming from Khuba area where they had taken refuge after having fled the fighting in Saada Governorate [between the government and Houthi soldiers]. It is thus their second or third displacement,” Marullaz said.

Cousins Ahmed Makhdari and Ahmed Jabar, who arrived in the camp last week, said they fled fighting in the Malahaid area a month ago. “We ran away to Saudi Arabia, but they sent us back to Yemen and we came here,” Mahkdari said.

“Many of these IDPs report continued deportations by Saudi authorities during the last few days… They claim to have been deported without any of their personal belongings, including their ID cards, which might in turn delay their registration. At the same time, UNHCR is working with local authorities to ensure that legitimate new IDP arrivals are all allowed to register,” Marullaz said.

“The camp is full”

The most recent UNHCR figures on arrivals show a marked increase on last week when on average 10-20 families (70-140 people) were arriving in al-Mazraq each day.

“The camp is full, but we are doing all we can to accommodate the new arrivals. We’ve put up at least 100 new tents for the newcomers and at least nobody is out in the open – they have some shelter. More than 100 families have been accommodated at the camp’s transition centre, where newcomers stay initially before moving to a tent within the camp,” Barazi said.

As more IDPs arrive, aid workers say congestion at the camp is becoming a serious problem. “We are 15 people in one tent and it is very crowded,” Makhdari said.

Barazi said it was very important to set up a second IDP camp in the area as soon as possible.

“Al-Mazraq 2 is under construction and will allow the accommodation of IDPs in about one month. The government has accepted the offer of the UAE [United Arab Emirates] Red Crescent to take over complete responsibility for the construction and management of Al Mazraq 2 Camp,” Marullaz said.

Lebanese Shia cleric urges progress through cooperation


BEIRUT: Senior Shiite cleric Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah discussed domestic issues and the role of the new government with Minister of State Adnan Sayyed Hussein Wednesday.

Fadlallah said the most important role of the new government was to protect Lebanon’s peace and its social and economic security. He also stressed that the ministers should cooperate with each other to solve the problems that have been weighing heavy on the people.

“The Cabinet represents a unity, especially in vital and strategic affairs,” he said. Fadlallah then referred to the matter of public debt and feared that Lebanon would go bankrupt if the problem was not solved. Fadlallah also met with Chantal Shedid, the program coordinator from the drug combating organization Skoun.

He called on the new government during the meeting to fight the growing phenomenon of drug abuse by taking preventive measures.

“Drug addicts belong in rehabilitation centers with which the government and NGOs should collaborate,” he said.

Jewish rabbi 'reveals true Israeli nature'


The radical Jewish rabbi who has given the thumbs-up to the killing of non-Jews reveals the true nature of the Israeli regime, says a human rights activist.

Salah Abdul Ati, director of the Independent Human Rights Center, told Al-Alam that the ruling by Yitzhak Shapira is based on “terrorist” Jewish views.

Shapira, in his book published this week and endorsed by prominent religious right-wing figures, suggests killing any non-Jew, including children and babies, who pose a threat to the occupying regime.

Abdul Ati said the book is not the first in its kind and won’t be the last, but warned of the dangerous consequences of the view, which “is against all international rules and regulations”.

Rabbi Shapira’s book also argues that revenge is a necessity under Jewish law.

Shapira is the head of an Orthodox Jewish school in Yitzhar, one of the territory’s most hardline settlements, located near Nablus.

IRIB urges swift resumption of Al-Alam service


Contents of a contract dated January 31, 2002 between IRIB and Arabsat never signify that Arabsat has the right to breach the agreement and stop the service “unilaterally and intentionally,” the IRIB Warehouse and Procurement Department said in a letter to the Arabsat operators on Wednesday.

It noted that the interruption of a TV channel which has a considerable audience causes great harms to its credit.

The Arabic-language news channel Al-Alam was taken off air last week by Arabsat and Egyptian-run Nilesat for hosting “several opposition figures,” who had “mounted accusations and lies” against leaders in the Persian Gulf region.

The IRIB dismissed the claims and said, “IRIB’s policy in production and broadcasting programs is always based on respecting the legal and international laws and ground rules.”

“As a matter of fact, the broadcasting of perfect, honest and neutral reports and programs” is a goal that is pursued by Al-Alam network, the letter read.

The IRIB also suggested a face-to-face negotiation between its representatives and an Arabsat delegation to resolve “misunderstandings” to pave the way for the resumption of Al-Alam serive on the satellite.

Sayyed Nasrallah to Israelis: Send Your Whole Army, We'll Destroy Them!


Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah declared on Wednesday that the battle with Israel next time would start from “beyond and beyong Haifa” instead of “Haifa and beyond Haifa,” emphasizing that the Resistance doesn’t seek war but is ready for any form of confrontation with the enemy.

Sayyed Nasrallah was speaking through a large TV screen commemorating the annual Martyr’s Day in the framework of a ceremony held by Hezbollah at the southern suburb of Beirut.

Sayyed Nasrallah addressed Israeli, renewing commitment to the Resistance’s pattern and choice. “Send as many Israeli brigades as you want, send even your whole army, we will destroy them in our valleys and mountains,” his eminence said, addressing Israeli Prime Minister, Defense Minister and chief of staff.

While calling the Lebanese security apparatuses to reopen the file of collaborators with Israel, Sayyed Nasrallah emphasized that the Lebanese want for the new government to be one of national cooperation and national coherence instead of being a barricades the government.

Hezbollah Secretary General emphasized that the success of the government benefits the Resistance in Lebanon, but called on ministers to cooperate and work as one team to achieve such success. “Let the government work and don’t set realistic goals in the ministerial declaration,” his eminence said, addressing Lebanon’s Prime Minister and his ministers. “Let Lebanon rest and the dialogue table can consider any thorny issue,” his eminence added.

Regionally, Sayyed Nasrallah called for more regional cooperation and for a Saudi-Iranian rapprochement, saying that communication between the two mentioned countries should be established. His eminence called on for efforts to stop the war in Yemen, rejecting claims that it was of a sectarian nature.

HEZBOLLAH ATTACHED TO ALL RESISTANCE’S MARTYRS
Hezbollah Secretary General started his speech by focusing on the importance of the martyr’s day to remember the Resistance’s martyrs and the sacrifices they have paid for the sake of the country.

Martyr’s Day is celebrated on the 11th of November of each year as a tribute to martyr Ahmed Qassir, who initiated martyrdom operations against Israeli occupation forces in south Lebanon.

“We chose this day to be Hezbollah Martyr’s Day although we believe that we belong to all martyrs who sacrificed themselves to protect the country, the nation and the Dignity,” Sayyed Nasrallah said. “However, and since we are a part of this nation and its Resistance and Jihad, we have our martyrs. When we talk about Hezbollah’s martyr, we don’t ignore other martyrs of the Resistance in the region and all the generations that refuse occupation.”

“We chose November 11 to be Hezbollah Martyr’s Day because it’s the day of the martyrdom of Ahmad Kassir who chose Jihad, the hero of the first martyrdom operation in Tyr, the operation that destroyed the enemy’s arrogance before destroying one of its well-fortified strongholds. We consider this day a great day for the Resistance, a day in which the enemy felt himself inconsiderable, weak, defeated and astonished.”

“Today, we recognize our martyrs’ sacrifices since 1982, including in 2000 and in 2006, when the project to create a new Middle East failed. In today, like every year, we pay tribute to our martyrs, we remember their achievements and victories, we renew commitment to continue their path without hesitation and to remain loyal to their commandments,” Sayyed Nasrallah pointed out.

“Today, we meet here in a part of Beirut’s southern suburb, the suburb that was profaned by the enemy alongside Beirut, the Mount, the South and the Bekaa. But all these regions, except the Shebaa Farms, have returned thanks to the martyrs’ sacrifices. Today, we thank them from all our heart to everything they did and we tell them that we are living powerfully and in dignity due to their bloodshed and sacrifices.”

US FULLY COMMITTED TO ISRAEL’S SECURITY AND INTERESTS
Following this introduction, Sayyed Nasrallah started his political speech by focusing on the US administration’s continuous and flagrant support for the Israeli enemy. “A few months ago, when Barack Obama was elected as US President and a new American administration saw light, many had high hopes and believed that major changes will happen in favor of the Arab and Islamic world and that there would be a reform policy and more human approach than that of former US President George W. Bush. However, the truth was quickly revealed and all these illusions quickly failed, especially during the few last weeks. The result was obviously a full US commitment to Israel’s interest and security, disregarding the dignity and feelings of the Arab and Muslim people and governments.”

Sayyed Nasrallah then turned to the military level and pointed to the US-Israeli latest drills. “Elite US military units come to occupied Palestine and perform joint drills with Israelis. They claim these drills aim to prepare for facing potential rockets from Syria, Iran, Lebanon and Gaza. So, for the first time since tens of years and perhaps since the creation of the Zionist entity, the US forces are in occupied Palestine to impose themselves true partners in any confrontation imposed by Israel. This is something that we didn’t even see with the former administration of George W. Bush.”

His eminence then recalled of the US continuous support to Israel since the 2006 July war against Lebanon. “Since the July War, the US has offered Israel complete military and logistic support. The Obama administration came and sought to play the “hero” game claiming to spare efforts to suspend settlements. But I told you since the beginning it was just a trick and this is what happened, causing a sort of frustration within the Palestinians.”

Commenting on the statement of a Palestinian diplomat who said that Palestinians have conducted 18 years of failed diplomacy, Sayyed Nasrallah said: “Eighteen years of negotiations resulted in failure and frustration alongside the persistence in occupation while eighteen years of resistance which liberated Beirut, Bekaa, Mount and South.”

US PROTECTS ISRAELI VIOLATIONS, WANTS LEBANON TO IMPLEMENT RESOLUTIONS!
Sayyed Nasrallah then pointed to the “double standards” of the international community. “The US, which is supplying Israel with technology and weapons, is requesting the full implementation of UN Security Resolutions. The US, which defends and protects Israel as it violates the resolutions, is urging Lebanon to fully implement the international resolutions. It’s the US that’s also working to prevent voting on the Goldstone report within the Security Council, a report that unfortunately equalizes the victim and the hangman. But, unfortunately, we have reached a stage where we accept that the violator and the violated are treated equivalently.”

“We tell all those who asked us to give the Americans some time… it turned out that presenting a black president from the third world was a trick that ended faster than we expected.  Meanwhile, Israel maintains its armament, espionage cells and reconnaissance planes and spying devices. It continues to exploit any incident, whether a real or fabricated one, as part of its war on Lebanon, Palestine and Resistance movements.”

“The Israeli are still conducting their psychological war against Lebanon and Gaza,” Sayyed Nasrallah said, pointing to the Israeli first reaction following the birth of the Lebanese government. “When the Lebanese cabinet was formed the first reaction by Israel was threatening the Lebanese government because Hezbollah took part in its cabinet. Actually, Hezbollah was part of the previous governments as well.”

MORE REGIONAL COOPERATION NEEDED TO FIGHT DIVISION ATTEMPTS
Meanwhile, Sayyed Nasrallah warned against attempts to portray conflicts in the region as “sectarian” ones and called for more regional cooperation to fight such attempts.

“Tensions are rising in the Arab world and there are attempts to convey them as sectarian strife in order to further divide the region through creating priorities other than the liberation of lands occupied by Israel.”

“We cannot rely on the US to resolve our conflicts when it creates and funds them. Arab leaders should deploy national efforts to resolve their crises,” Sayyed Nasrallah emphasized. “In this regard, we take positively the major role played by Turkey, and we are with “Sunni” Turkey if it defends Gaza and Lebanon more than “Shiite” Iran,” Sayyed Nasrallah said in response to “sectarian” comments.

“We also take positively the Syrian-Saudi summit, and we were the first to reap its fruits. We look positively at any rapprochement in the region, such as the Iranian-Qatari one. Even more, we call for a Saudi-Iranian rapprochement to establish communication between the two countries. Let there be an Iranian initiative toward Saudi Arabia, or a Saudi Arabian initiative toward Iran.”

Turning to Yemen, Sayyed Nasrallah called on for efforts to stop the war in Yemen, rejecting claims that it was of a sectarian nature. “How could it be sectarian? Is President Ali Abdallah Saleh from a sect different than the Houthis’?” his eminence wondered, stressing that the crisis in Yemen is political by nature. “But they are seeking to turn it into sectarian and this is very dangerous and should be stopped.”

Hezbollah Secretary General then praised the latest speech of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad delivered during an economic conference in Turkey. His eminence said he appreciates Assad’s call for adopting Resistance and called to generalize it on the Arab and Islamic levels. “In the Resistance, we are always proud of those who stand at our side. We’re never ashamed of our friendship with Syria, Iran, Turkey, Venezuella and all those who back and support us.”

ISRAEL’S PSYCHOLOGICAL WAR WILL FAIL
Turning into the Lebanese internal crisis, Sayyed Nasrallah chose to start by commenting the Israeli threats against Lebanon. “The Israelis are trying to talk about a war, and when they talk about some rockets in Gaza and Lebanon, they want to create an atmosphere and advocate a possible war. But there is another possibility; that this means never engaging in a war,” Sayyed Nasrallah pointed out.

“When Israeli chief of staff talks about tens of thousands of rockets, he knows we will neither confirm nor deny. But he might be telling his people that if they want to engage in a new war it would not be like in 2006. He’s telling them that there won’t be one place in occupied Palestine that wouldn’t be threatened by rockets and missiles. He is saying that not only Haifa, Netanya and Tel Aviv will be displaced in the next battle but all Israeli settlements.”

While reiterating that “bargaining on regional or international pressure is useless,” Sayyed Nasrallah emphasized that Hezbollah doesn’t seek a war but is ready for all possibilities. “As Lebanese, we should ensure that the Israeli enemy’s psychological war will fail. Israel has to understand that if it launches a war on Lebanon, all the Lebanese will together defend their nation. Through our resistance we will turn this threat into an opportunity,” Sayyed Nasrallah highlighted.

NEXT BATTLE WILL START FROM BEYOND AND BEYOND HAIFA
Hezbollah Secretary General stressed that Lebanese are able of turning any threat into an opportunity. “The Israelis are saying that their air force cannot win such a war. They only have the option of an extended land operation. We will turn this threat into an opportunity.”

“Next time the battle will start from beyond and beyond Haifa instead of Haifa and beyond Haifa,” the Resistance’s leader pledged, adding that “the geographical nature of the south, and Lebanon in general, was created by God to humiliate and destroy the occupiers.”

“We are more trained and prepared. We evaluated the war as well and addressed our weak points,” his eminence said, before addressing Israelis: “Send as many (Israeli) brigades as you want, send even your whole army, we will destroy them in our valleys and mountains.”

WE NEVER CONSIDERED SIZE OF OUR SHARE IN GOV’T
On the new government formation, Sayyed Nasrallah congratulated the Lebanese on its birth following a long delay, refusing to re-open to stage of the formation process for many considerations. “However, I have a quick comment. Now that the government has been formed, people discovered that much of the analyses of media and politicians and experts were false. I used to laugh whenever I heard them saying that Hezbollah is obstructing the cabinet because Iran wants to take something in its nuclear issue. This is really funny. Let those political experts and philosophers return to logic before delivering statements.”

“Our goal since the first day was the cabinet formation and we have never considered the size of our share,” Sayyed Nasrallah stressed.

GOVERNMENT SUCCESS BENEFITS RESISTANCE
Meanwhile, Sayyed Nasrallah stressed that “the success of the government benefits Lebanon and the resistance in Lebanon,” and urged patience in raising major issues so that the country can rest.

“We want for the government to be a government of national cooperation and national coherence instead of being a barricades government,” Sayyed Nasrallah stressed.
His eminence called on the PM and the ministers not to set unreachable targets. “The Ministerial Statement should not be debatable. There are priorities, such as the socio-economic situation. Let us not move from one crisis to another. We can discuss whatever we want in the National Dialogue, which is discussing the national defense strategy.”

EVERYONE CALLED TO COOPERATE WITH GOV’T TO FIGHT DRUGS
To conclude, Sayyed Nasrallah opened a very sensitive issue which is the issue of drugs, stressing that all Lebanese were concerned with it.

“Some are seeking to destroy our social environment. The issue of drugs is very dangerous, even more dangerous than robbery and illegitimate sexual relations. All our values collapse when we become addicted to drugs,” Sayyed Nasrallah warned.

His eminence urges all Lebanese to cooperate with the government to fight this new phenomenon. “We have to cooperate with the government, all of us, to deal with the issue of drugs. All sects, all religious figures, parents, everyone is concerned and the security forces need to undertake this responsibility. Israel is working to diffuse drugs in our country as part of its war against us.”

Sayyed Nasrallah ended his speech by renewing pledge to all the martyrs who defended Lebanon, to keep Lebanon a sovereign unified country, the country of stability and civilization.

The important message of Ayatollah Safi Golpayegani to the Organization of The Islamic Conference


Grand Ayatollah Safi Golpayegani in his message to the Islamic Conference Organization addressed and criticized the indifference of this organization to the slaughter of Shias in Yemen and called the organization and other Muslims to get policy to this issue.

Full text message of Grand Ayatollah Safi Golpayegani to Organization of Islamic Conference is as follows:

In The Name of Allah

Honorable Dear brothers and members of the Organization of Islamic Conference

Prophet Muhammad (A) Said: “If someone hears calling the Muslims and he does not answer him, not a Muslim»

Peace and mercy of Allah upon you

Dear brothers who are in the position of saving the Islamic trustworthiness, Quran trustworthiness, and divine trustworthiness; you are the biggest responsible for protecting the respectable sacred of Muslims and honor, blood and life of more that 1.5 billion person who are monotheist and united monopoly stayed in front of the attempts of the Imperialism and believes and praise in single brotherhood.

Today, we Muslims need the unity and peace among us more than ever and weakness of Muslims in a country is the weak of all Muslims. Organization of Islamic Conference has a big role in put out the fire of sedition and insecurity in Islamic World, and a little neglect is high treason to Islam.

The Organization can’t close its eyes on the Islamophobia atmosphere in the world and does not do the proper response, shouldn’t ignore the disagreements among the Muslims in the Islamic World in the name of Islam. Killing Muslims in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere by Muslims in very terrible and inhuman forms; call the Islam and Muslims into questions in front of the world people. Opposing to the Holly Prophet (A) invitation to divine and merciful they introduce Islam as atrocious, cruel and terrorist religion; killing the innocent children and women hide the truth of Islam.

We ask the Organization of Islamic Conference that in war and fratricide in Yemen why you are silence and not act?

Why do not question the government’s which acts are based on oppression and mass murder and deprive citizens of basic rights and kills its peoples from land and air and can not tolerate the religion which its principles are based of the Holly Quran and its background in this region goes back to the Prophecy Mission era till now and rout its followers? And if in this great Islamic tragedy don’t act your duty in Yemen, so where you act and what the philosophy of the emergence of this organization and what is the benefit?

Unfortunately some of the neighboring countries cooperate and collaborate with them in their heinous crimes contemporary.

I condemned the silence of so called international community of human rights which are attaché to Imperialists and enemies of Islam; I want OIC to broken its silence and act diligently and stop the military oppression and aggression of Yemen army over the Shias and strongly protest the rulers of Yemen and condemn their crimes.

10 October 2009

Grand Ayatollah Lotfollah Safi

SACRIFICIAL ANIMAL'S CAMP FOR MARTYRS CHILDREN (Bakra Mandi)


Dear Momineen
Salaam Alaikum,

SACRIFICIAL ANIMAL’S CAMP FOR MARTYRS CHILDREN (Bakra Mandi)

Each year Shaheed Foundation Pakistan REGD. manages a camp of sacrificial animals for the Martyrs Children.

Sacrificial animals are bought from amounts secured from our esteemed donors well before Eid ul Adha.

Then a central bakra mandi is organized and martyrs children are invited to the camp. On camp day Children come to the camps along with their working members, move around and choose the sacrificial animal of their liking for themselves. The animal is thus reserved for them as a gift and they take it back home happily.

It serves a multiple purposes. On one hand it gives them awareness of religious duty on Eid-E-Qurban .It also teaches them philosophy of sacrifice. It averts any sense of deprivation that might be produced as a result of seeing other children of their age, who visit with parents and elders to get a sacrificial animal. Besides its a healthy activity and only if you have visited our camp on Eid -e-Qurban can you really make out how much happiness it gives to you when the young angels are all smiles on getting their ‘bakras’.

You and all other dear momineen in your domain are requested to kindly participate with great fervour in this project.

Inshallah this year Shaheed Foundation intends to buy inshallah 250 animals (bakras) @ Rs. 6000 / bakra with your support and cooperation.

Jazakallahu Khaira.
Wassalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah

'Hamas is the pulse of Arab and Islamic nations'


The deputy director of the Hamas political bureau says the Islamic Resistance Movement is the pulse of the Arab and Islamic nations.

This is because Hamas is the main advocate of resistance against Zionist occupation and remains adamant about the Palestinian nation’s demands, Moussa Abu Marzouq said in Damascus on Saturday in a speech on the latest developments in Palestine.

He went on to say that Hamas takes into account the Palestinian people’s interests when deciding on the means of resistance.

The Hamas official also noted that considerable efforts are being made to revive the resistance in the West Bank despite the Israeli clampdown and the Ramallah authority’s opposition.

Abu Marzouk stated that Hamas has played a major role in digging tunnels underneath the Rafah border as part of the efforts to provide Gazans food and clothing.

The Hamas official insisted that acting Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas should have tried to convince Israel to allow the entry of the people’s daily necessities over the ground and should have tried to prevent Israeli attacks on the Gaza tunnels.

Israel has mounted relentless attacks on the tunnels, which are the only means for the 1.5 million Palestinians in the beleaguered territory to break the Israeli-Egyptian blockade.

The siege, which has been in place since a failed coup by rival Fatah against the democratically elected Hamas government in June 2007, has pushed the densely populated coastal sliver to the verge of starvation.

Hospital officials say over 120 Palestinians have died in tunnel collapse incidents or have been killed by Israeli air raids on the network since mid-2007.

Saudi Wahhabis Close Two Shia Mosques in Ras Tanura and Abqaiq


Saudi authorities closed on the past few days two Shia mosques in Ras Tanura and Abqaiq, Eastern Province, to add to the already seven closed Shia mosques.

Sources informed that security forces closed the only Ismaili mosques in Ras Tanura and stopped Shia citizens from performing Jamaa prayer since last Friday.

Prior to the closure of the above mosque, the Shia mosque in Abqaiq was alos closed on last Friday.

Some internet sites reported that one Shia mosque in Jubail was also closed by authorities.

Shia public figures in Eastern Province are attempting to meet with Saudi officials to reopen the closed mosques.

Saudi authorities close Shia mosques with the excuse of not having permit to open these mosques and at the same time refuse to grant Shia citizens the permission to built new mosques when they apply for it.

Last month, two top secret circulars from Eastern Province Emara stressed that all Shia mosques must be closed in cities of Khobar, Dammam and Khafji.

Both circulars contained sectarian orders to enforce a ban on Shia building mosques or religious houses outside the Shia majority cities of Qatif, Hassa and Najran.

The annual US State Department report on International Religious Freedom condemned Saudi Arabia for its violations against Shia citizens.

The last week’s report ranked Saudi Arabia as one of the top “Religious Freedom” violators.

The report highlighted that Saudi Shia citizens are suffering a significant political, economic, legal, social, and religious discrimination, including limited employment and educational opportunities, underrepresentation in official institutions, and restrictions on the practice of their faith and on the building of places of worship and community centers.

This is the second report that shed light on Saudi violation to human rights and discrimination against Shia citizens.

Saudi and Yemeni airs assault Yemeni Shia civilians + Horrible Picture of Yemeni Shias, OH MY GOD, Just See And Judge!! Are Shias OPPRESSED throughout the WORLD or NOT?!!


There is just some pictures of Yemeni Shia civilians, where Saudi and Yemeni forces brutally attacked them. Just see and judge.????!!!

In its week-long offensive in northern Yemen, Saudi forces have attacked residential areas and border villages, killing and wounding several people.

According to local Yemeni sources, the Saudi air and artillery assaults against the civilians were launched overnight.

The Saudi Army also deployed one of its main brigades from the southern province of Jizan to northern Yemen early Monday morning, the sources reported. The army’s Fourth Brigade consists of at least 13,000 troops.

Saudi authorities have also blocked border roads since Saturday in order to utilize them for the movement of armored trucks and military vehicles.

Saudi Arabia launched its Yemen offensive more than two month after the Yemeni government launched its ‘Operation Scotched Earth’ to crush the Houhti resistance in the mountainous north.

The Houthis have been accused of seeking to restore a religious establishment that was overthrown in 1962. The fighters, however, stress that they only want an end to the social, economic and political ‘discrimination’ against them in the country, as well as the Saudi-backed attempts to spread Wahabism in the north.

Wahabism is a Saudi-based sect that preaches radical misinterpretations of Islam that encourages violence against anyone that does not share their system of beliefs.

Pakistan– People urged to remain peaceful in Muharram


KOHAT: Urging the Shia-Sunni elders to exercise maximum restraint, the commissioner Kohat division Thursday said the government would take all possible steps to maintain peace in the area.

Addressing grand peace jirga of representatives of both the religious sects, he said the maintenance of law and order was the top priority of the administration and the elements disturbing peace would be dealt with an iron hand.

Javed Ibrahim Paracha, Saifullah Khan Afridi, Shah Hussain, Zahid Hussain and members of the divisional peace committee attended the jirga. The commissioner asked the jirga members to finalise timeframe to resolve Hangu issue before Muharram. He said that Shia community would be allowed to take out procession in consultation with representatives of the Sunni community.

Saudis take mountain from Yemen Shias


Saudi Arabia’s assistant defense minister says his forces have taken control of a mountain straddling the border with Yemen and cleared it of Shia soldiers.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia’s assistant defense minister says his forces have taken control of a mountain straddling the border with Yemen and cleared it of Shia soldiers.

Prince Khaled bin Sultan is quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency as saying his troops are still dealing with Houthi infiltrators in other spots along the frontier but that his forces have not entered northern Yemen.

Bin Sultan said Sunday after visiting the border that the Saudi side of Dokhan Mountain had been cleared of Houthis. Saudi Arabia has for five days bombarded Shias, even as Yemen president has vowed to quash an insurrection pitting his weak central government against innocent Shias in the north.

In another news Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh declared that the government will step up military attacks on the positions of Houthi Shias.

In a speech on Saturday, Saleh said there will be no reconciliation or truce until the military uproots Shia Houthis from the northern Sadaa province.

“The war just started two days ago, and what has been happening in the past six years was just … training for the army units,” he said.

“The war will never stop no matter how much money or martyrs it costs,” AP quoted Saleh as saying.

The conflict between Houthi Shais and the Yemeni government began in 2004, but intensified last August when government forces stepped up the pressure against the fighters.

Houthi Shias say they have been defending their people against the Yemeni government that has marginalized them economically and politically.

Saudi Wahhabis arrested a Shia citizen in al-Ahsa


On 4 November 2009 the Saudi General Investigation Directorate (al-Mabaheth al-`Amma) of al-Ahsa arrested the Shia citizen Ali Mohammad al-Thawab , 19 years ,  a student in the university of King Faisal , from Bani Maan town of Al-Ahsa , on the accusation of the Birthday Anniversary of Imam Al-Mahdi (A.S.) last August .

It is worth to mention that the Saudi authorities arrested lately seven young Shi’a citizens from the town Bani Maan on charges of  participation in religious activities on orders of Al-Hasa governor ( Badr bin Muhammad bin Jalawi ), among them Muneer Ali al-Hassawi , Ahmad Mohammad al-Isa , Ali Hussain al-Quraini , Mohammad al-Hattab , Qasim Ali al-Hassawi , Abdul Mohsen Naser al-Sheikh .

Palestinian youths protest Israeli wall marking Berlin wall fall + PIC


Palestinian youths protested on Friday the Israeli “Separation” wall criticised by internatonal communities, marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

During a weekly protest against the barrier, which cuts through the Ramallah-area village’s center and isolates residents from 60 percent of their farmland, some 300 demonstrators methodically dismantled a concrete section before Israeli forces arrived.

“When one concrete part started to come down partially, the Israeli army arrived and started shooting large amounts of tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets and even live ammunition,” Maan news agency quoted Ahmad Mesleh, one of the protest organizers, as saying. “Dozens of soldiers came through the gate and are currently following the demonstration into the village.”

The youths breached a 6-metre (20-foot) high section of the condemned wall.

Israeli border guards fired tear gas and a foul-smelling spray from behind the high concrete barrier, protesters levered open a space under one the pre-cast panels and used a hydraulic car-jack to topple it out of position.

“No matter how tall, all walls fall,” read one banner pasted onto the structure by Palestinian youths helped by Israeli activists, who say the wall on Palestinian land and through Palestinian communities is simply a land grab by Israel.

The panel, cast in the same inverted T-shape as those erected by communist East German through Berlin in 1961, was tilted back close to tipping point onto the Israeli side, but did not fall completely.

The youths scattered when the Israeli guards behind the wall rushed to close the breach.

Thick black smoke from a stack of tyres set alight by the youths mingled with white trails of tear gas against the blue sky. Clouds of Israeli “skunk” spray — smelling of corpses and faeces — drenched the protesters’ side of the skirmish.

Israel began building its barriers and walls in 2000 despite international warns, and it now runs along most of the West Bank border, encroaching the territory of West Bank alongside the other parts of Palestinian land.

Protests at its construction have become a regular Friday event at points such as Nilin, in which Israeli police fire gas and rubber bullets at civilian Palestinians and Israeli activists. In a non-binding decision in 2004, the International Court of Justice said the barrier was illegal and should be taken down because it crossed occupied territory.