The Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) opened its office in Kabul, tasked to coordinate OIC’s humanitarian efforts with Afghanistan and other international partners…reports Asian Lite News
Muhammad Saeed Al-Ayash has been appointed as Director of OIC’s Afghanistan office, OIC said today on Twitter. The office was opened Friday, reported Tolo News.
According to OIC, the office will follow up the implementation of the outcome of the organization’s extraordinary ministerial meeting held in Pakistan last December.
“The OIC office in Kabul will coordinate the OIC’s humanitarian efforts with Afghanistan and international partners. It will be strengthened with human and material resources in conformity with the resolution adopted by the extraordinary ministerial conference on the situation in Afghanistan. This is to enable it fulfill its obligations to support the Afghan people in various fields,” it said.
Meanwhile, OIC envoy to Afghanistan Ambassador Tariq Ali Bakhit arrived in Kabul and held meeting meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the authority in Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Mottaki, in the presence of the Director of the Organization’s office in Kabul Dr. Mohammad Al-Ayyash.
The meeting discussed the efforts made by the OIC to follow up the implementation of the decision of the Council of Foreign Ministers at its emergency meeting in Islamabad in December 2021.
During his visit to Kabul, Ambassador Tariq will hold a number of meetings with the Afghan authorities, and ambassadors of member states accredited to Afghanistan and international organizations.
At the OIC meeting on Afghanistan in Pakistan, a draft resolution was passed to establish a humanitarian trust fund to channel humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
The member states agreed to “establish a Humanitarian Trust Fund, under the aegis of the Islamic Development Bank, to serve as a vehicle to channel humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan including in partnership with other international actors.”
At the meeting, OIC urged the Islamic Development Bank to operationalize the trust fund by the first quarter of 2022 to accelerate the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.
The Taliban seized control over Afghanistan in last August and since then Afghanistan is facing a looming economic meltdown and humanitarian catastrophe. (with inputs from ANI)
The larger bench also set aside the arguments of petitioners seeking orders to the government for allowing students to wear hijab of the colour of their uniform to classrooms…reports Asian Lite News
India has strongly condemned comments on the country’s internal affairs by an intergovernmental organisation of largely Muslim-dominated nations, whose member states include Pakistan.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, or OIC, taking note of hate speeches in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar – which is already under police investigation – had expressed concerns over what it called “recent public calls for genocide of Muslims by Hindutva proponents.”
In a strongly-worded statement, the Foreign Ministry said issues in India are considered and resolved in accordance with constitutional framework and mechanisms, as well as democratic ethos and polity.
“The communal mindset of the OIC Secretariat does not allow for a proper appreciation of these realities. OIC continues to be hijacked by vested interests to further their nefarious propaganda against India,” the Ministry of External Affairs, or MEA, said in the statement, referring to the Jeddah-headquartered organisation that has 57 member states.
“As a result, it has only harmed its own reputation,” India said.
K’taka HC resumes hearing pleas on hijab row
The full bench of the Karnataka High Court comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S. Dixit and Justice Khaji Jaibunnesa Mohiyuddin on Tuesday afternoon resumed hearing of petitions seeking directions to the state government to allow wearing of hijab in classrooms.
This is the third day of hearing by the three judge bench. The petitioner for girl students seeking order to attend classes wearing hijab will complete his submission through senior advocate Devdatt Kamat. On Monday, he had argued that the government can’t deny fundamental rights to students in the pretext of managing law and order situations. He also objected to the powers given to the College Development Committee to decide on uniforms.
On Monday, the bench had also refused to restrain media from reporting the proceedings as one of the counsel demanded that it will have effect on the elections of other states. The court had earlier given an interim order that no religious symbols are allowed for the students in schools and colleges until the final court. The order banned both hijab and saffron shawls in the school and college premises.
The larger bench also set aside the arguments of petitioners seeking orders to the government for allowing students to wear hijab of the colour of their uniform to classrooms.
However, petitioners moved the Supreme Court challenging the interim order banning hijab in classrooms. The state government has resumed classes till standard 10 and Pre-University Colleges are opening from Wednesday.
K’taka Congress Muslim leaders meet CM
Congress Muslim legislators met Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai here on Tuesday and expressed their displeasure over the manner few schools and colleges in the state were treating the students in connection with the hijab row.
The delegation, which met CM Bommai at his residence, also sought additional funds for the development and welfare of the minority community. KPCC Executive President Saleem Ahmad stated that they have brought the matter of ill-treatment to children at schools and colleges. “We have asked CM Bommai to stop the conspiracy with regard to the hijab row,” he said. The students must focus on education, he added.
There are invisible hands behind the hijab row. It is requested to abide by the court order in the matter. “We will bow our heads to the court’s decision on the constitutional basis. We are also confident of getting a decision which reflects constitutional values,” he said.
The government has also failed to manage the hijab versus saffron shawl crisis at schools and colleges, this has also been brought to the notice of CM Bommai.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlLcfUH959E
Senior MLA Tanveer Sait stated that the delegation requested CM Bommai to check outside forces from interfering into matters of schools and colleges in the state. Whatever it is, the decision has to be made by the school management committee, college authorities and parents. “We have requested to maintain peace and order in academic institutions like before,” he said.
Congress MLA Nazeer Ahmad explained that schools and colleges where students wore hijab before the row must be allowed to attend classes with hijab. The court order has clearly stated this. But, few schools have denied permission for hijab wearing students. “We have discussed the matter with CM Bommai,” he said.
Objecting to teacher’s hijab exposes malice: NCP
NCP leader Majeed Memon on Tuesday said that the teachers removing hijab before entering schools in Karnataka ‘showed the malice behind it while objections on students could be arguable’.
“The objection to girl students wearing hijab in schools in Karnataka is arguable due to the prescribed uniform. But objection to teachers wearing hijab exposes malice behind it by those who create a scene on the subject,” Majeed Memon said.
The reaction comes after multiple videos surfaced in which it was allegedly shown that students and teachers were asked to remove hijab outside the gate of the school.
The Karnataka High Court on Monday adjourned hearing on the petitions filed in connection with the hijab row in schools and colleges till Tuesday. Last week, the high court had restrained students from wearing hijab or any other religious attire until further orders.
“Schools up to 10th standard have reopened today (Monday). A few incidents have been reported from various districts. A meeting would be convened to discuss the standard operating procedures. School managements, principals and parents share the responsibility of obeying the high court order. It will create a conducive atmosphere for the high court to deliver its final judgement. We should maintain restraint till then,” Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.
During the hearing on Monday, senior advocate Devdatt Kamat told the bench of Chief Justice Awasthi, Justice Krishna S. Dixit and Justice Khaji Jaibunnesa Mohiyuddin that the College Development Committee (CDC) has no legal statutory basis to frame rules on uniforms.
“The government’s decision in this regard shows lack of wisdom and a legislator heading the committee will decide on fundamental rights. It is not legal to restrict the wearing of hijab,” he argued.
Kamat stated that all Central schools run by the Central government are allowing the wearing of hijab and petitioners have been wearing hijab of the same colour as the uniform since long.
Amid the ongoing hijab controversy in Karnataka, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said that he respects every religion and their rituals of worshipping…reports Asian Lite News
The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has expressed deep concern over recent public calls for the genocide of Muslims in Haridwar in India’s Uttarakhand state. It also condemned reported incidents of harassment of Muslim women on social media, as well as the banning of female Muslim students wearing the hijab in Karnataka.
The continued attacks on Muslims and their places of worship, the recent trend of anti-Muslim legislation in different states and rising incidents of violence against Muslims are indicative of the growing trend of Islamophobia, the OIC said.
It called upon the international community, especially the UN and Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, to take necessary measures in this regard.
The OIC urged India to ensure the safety, security and wellbeing of the Muslim community, protect the way of life of its citizens, and bring perpetrators of acts of violence to justice.
Court order can’t curb fundamental rights, say petitioners
The government can’t restrict fundamental rights in the garb of maintaining public order, the counsel for the girl students seeking permission to wear the hijab told the Karnataka High Court on Monday.
Meanwhile, the high court refused to intervene to restrain media from reporting the case hearing, as the advocate defending petitioners submitted that the hijab case will have an impact on voting in states where elections are underway. Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi stated that if at all they can do something, they will have to stop live streaming of the court proceedings. Other than this, they can’t take any measure to restrict media.
During the hearing on Monday, senior advocate Devdatt Kamat told the bench of Chief Justice Awasthi, Justice Krishna S. Dixit and Justice Khaji Jaibunnesa Mohiyuddin that the College Development Committee (CDC) has no legal statutory basis to frame rules on uniforms.
“The government’s decision in this regard shows lack of wisdom and a legislator heading the committee will decide on fundamental rights. It is not legal to restrict the wearing of hijab,” he argued.
Kamat stated that all Central schools run by the Central government are allowing the wearing of hijab and petitioners have been wearing hijab of the same colour as the uniform since long.
“The state has made a fatal error while referring to public order in its circular. There is not even mention of Article 21 in the quoted order by the government on the basis of which the circular restricting hijab is issued,” he said.
He maintained that the state is an outsider when it comes to the point of belief, though it seems regressive to others. Authorising college committees is equal to making mockery of the fundamental rights, he said, while maintaining that maintaining public order is an enshrined responsibility of the state and it can’t deny rights and say because certain acts incites violence, they are restricting students from wearing hijab.
Advocate Kamat pleaded that the bench should permit students to wear hijab of the same color of the uniform.
The bench subsequently adjourned the matter till Tuesday.
The bench had last week given an interim order that no religious symbols are allowed for the students in schools and colleges until the final order of the court, thus barring use of both hijab and saffron shawls in the school and college premises.
However, petitioners moved the Supreme Court challenging the interim order but it had rejected the demand of urgent hearing by petitioners and said that it will only interfere at an appropriate time. The state government has resumed function of schools till Class 10 and is expected to take call on reopening colleges soon.
The hijab row which started last month in Udupi Pre-University College by six girl students, has snowballed into a major crisis in the state and has hit international attention too.
Hijab not an issue inBihar, says Nitish Kumar
Amid the ongoing hijab controversy in Karnataka, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said that he respects every religion and their rituals of worshipping.
“If anyone wears a scarf on the head or sandalwood mark on the forehead, I believe it is not a controversial subject. Every person has a right to wear whatever they want. We have no interference. You never witness any single incident of such controversy in Bihar. It cannot be an issue of discussion,” he said.
After the hijab row rose in Karnataka and saw tension and charged statements, Janata Dal-United’s Parliamentary Board President Upendra Kushwaha termed as “traitor”, Karnataka Minister K.S. Eshwarappa who had said that the saffron flag could become the national flag after 100, 200 or 500 years in the country.
“The leaders of BJP insulting Samrat Ashoka, are now campaigning for demolishing our national flag. How could our country tolerate it?”
Muslim women shout slogans during a protest against banning Muslim girls wearing hijab from attending classes at some schools in Karnataka, in Kolkata, on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022.(Photo: Kuntal Chakrabarty/IANS)
“I am urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister BS Bommai to take appropriate action against traitors like Ishwarappa,” Kushwaha said in a tweet.
RJD President Lalu Prasad Yadav, while reacting to the Hijab controversy, said that the country is heading toward civil war and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP are responsible for it.
“… PM Narendra Modi does not talk on inflation, unemployment, poverty and other issues. He always talks about temple-mosque, riots and religions. The people of the country are tired of the propaganda of BJP and Narendra Modi,” he said.
It is unclear if the decisions made by the OIC will make an immediate impact on the ground in Afghanistan, which is in dire need of humanitarian assistance ….reports Asian Lite News
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has set up a humanitarian fund to be operated by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to help avert the humanitarian and economic crises in Afghanistan, The Express Tribune reported.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi admitted that another reason the fund was set up was because some of the member countries were not willing to channel assistance through the Taliban government, the report said.
The announcement of the fund was part of the measures the 57-member Islamic bloc agreed upon after the 17th Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of OIC hosted by Pakistan.
However, it is unclear if the decisions made by the OIC will make an immediate impact on the ground in Afghanistan, which is in dire need of humanitarian assistance, the report said.
The humanitarian fund would channel financial assistance to be provided by member states to Afghanistan.
The reason the trust fund has been set up is to establish a channel through which assistance could be provided to the people of Afghanistan.
Currently, because of the sanctions imposed by the US and other Western countries, there are no formal banking channels or financial system operating in Afghanistan, the report added.
In the absence of formal banking channels, the countries interested in helping the people of Afghanistan are finding it difficult to do so.
Qureshi, who held a joint news conference along with OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha, said the establishment of a trust fund would help address that problem.
However, no pledges or donations were made yet to the newly created fund as Qureshi said the fund was just announced and hopefully member countries would start contributing to it soon.
While addressing the extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council, Imran opined that if the world doesn’t act now, Afghanistan will be the biggest man-made crisis….reports Asian Lite News
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged the US to delink the 40 million Afghan citizens from the Taliban and take urgent action to send humanitarian assistance to the war-torn country, Samaa TV reported.
He made the remarks while addressing the extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
He said that the last extraordinary session of the OIC was called to discuss Afghanistan 41 years ago.
Khan opined that if the world doesn’t act now, Afghanistan will be the biggest man-made crisis.
Extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council Pic credits Twitter
“If foreign aid dries up, foreign reserves are frozen, the banking system freezes, any country would collapse, let alone Afghanistan.”
He said that the US has set conditions of human rights, women rights and inclusive government before foreign aid flows to Afghanistan.
“Every society’s idea of human rights and women’s rights are different. When we are talking about human and women rights, we have to be sensitive of cultures.”
He said that the Taliban are ready to comply with these pre-conditions. Unless immediate actions is taken, Afghanistan is heading for chaos, he said.
“Any government unable to pay salaries to its civil servants, hospital, doctors, nurses, it will collapse.”
If the Afghan government doesn’t have the capability to fight terrorism, the Islamic State (IS) terror group will become a threat, he said.
He cautioned the world that the IS is capable of international terrorism and only a stable Afghan government can deal with it.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will deliver the keynote address at the special moot taking place at Parliament House….reports Asian Lite News
Pakistan will on Sunday host the 17th extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers to focus on the current aggravating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, Geo News reported.
The session was convened at the insistence of Saudi Arabia as the OIC Summit Chair.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will deliver the keynote address at the special moot taking place at Parliament House.
The conference will start with a statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who will chair the session.
The chair of the OIC summit, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al-Saud, will then speak to the delegates.
This will be followed by a statement from Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the OIC, statements on behalf of OIC Regional Groups (Asia, Africa, Arab) and a statement by President Islamic Development Bank Dr Muhammad Al-Jasser
Several delegations, including foreign ministers, deputy foreign ministers, foreign secretaries and other senior government officials, have arrived from several countries, including Turkey, Sierra Leone, Somalia, the UAE, Tajikistan, Bangladesh, Jordan and Palestine, in Islamabad.
Interim Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is also in the federal capital to attend the special moot, the report said.
At least 36 people were killed when a bomb ripped through a crowded Baghdad market…reports Asian Lite News
The Arab Parliament and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned the terrorist attack that targeted a market in Sadr City, a neighbourhood of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, resulting in deaths and injury of dozens of innocent civilians.
At least 36 people were killed when a bomb ripped through a crowded Baghdad market in what the Islamic State group’s jihadists claimed as a suicide attack.
The explosion occurred in the densely populated suburb district of the capital Baghdad. Iraqi security services believe that the explosives were detonated by terrorists. The blast had destroyed several nearby shops and stalls and damaged surrounding buildings.
Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi has ordered the resignation of the district’s head of security following the deadly blast.
In a statement, the Arab Parliament expressed its solidarity and full support for Iraq’s leadership, government and people, in its war on terrorism and terrorist groups.
It expressed support for all measures it takes to confront these subversive terrorist groups, affirming its firm and supportive stance for the security and stability of Iraq and the safety of its citizens and territorial integrity.
The General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also condemned the terrorist bombing in Iraq.
OIC expressed its standing and solidarity with Iraq in all measures it takes to confront violence, terrorism and extremism.
The organization offered condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, its leadership, government and people, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also strongly condemned the incident.
He extended condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Iraq.
”This deadly attack ahead of the Eid Al Adha holiday is a reminder to us all that the scourge of terrorism knows no bounds,” said Farhan Haq, the Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, in a late-night statement.
The Secretary-General underlines the need for the perpetrators of this crime to be swiftly brought to justice, said the statement.
Deadly bombings have been rare in Baghdad, as the security situation has improved in Iraq since the Iraqi security forces fully defeated IS militants across the country late in 2017.
However, IS remnants have since melted into urban areas or deserts and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. (with inputs from ANI)
This was days after the OIC Secretary General, Yousef Al-Othaimeen had offered assistance in arranging a meeting between India and Pakistan…reports Asian Lite News
India has called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to not allow its platform to be subverted by “vested interests” such as Pakistan to interfere in India’s internal affairs or to carry out propaganda against the country, media reported.
This was days after the OIC Secretary General, Yousef Al-Othaimeen had offered assistance in arranging a meeting between India and Pakistan during a meeting with the Indian envoy to Saudi Arabia. It also proposed to send a delegation to Jammu and Kashmir.
While responding to a question based on the matter, India’s external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi noted that the meeting with the Indian envoy was held in response to an earlier request from the OIC secretary-general, the Hindustan Times reported.
“OIC should be watchful that their platform is not subverted by… vested interests for comments on internal affairs of India or for anti-India propaganda through biased and one-sided resolutions,” the HT quoted Bagchi as saying.
On Monday, the head of the Islamic bloc met the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and discussed a number of issues concerning the situation of Muslims in India, along with the Jammu and Kashmir dispute with Pakistan.
The OIC chief also told the Indian Ambassador, Ausaf Sayeed, about the possibility of a meeting between Pakistan and India, “stating that the General Secretariat stands ready to assist if the two parties would so request”.
During the meeting, the Secretary General discussed “relevant UN and OIC resolutions opposing any unilateral actions on the issue”.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office has reacted to the meeting stating that OIC’s Secretary General underscored its clear and principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute to the Indian envoy.
In a statement issued in response to media queries about the meeting, Pakistan Foreign office stated that the OIC CFM rejected “India’s unilateral actions since August 5, 2019”.
“The meeting between the OIC Secretary General and the Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia on July 5 at the OIC’s General Secretariat in Jeddah took place in the context of the mandate afforded by Resolution 10/47-Pol of the 47th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers. The Secretary General underscored the OIC’s principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute during the meeting,” read a statement issued by the Pakistan Foreign Office.
“The OIC CFM in Niamey in November 2020 categorically rejected India’s unilateral actions since August 5, 2019. It also demanded that India rescind its illegal actions and respect the inalienable rights of the Kashmiri people to self-determination, as promised by numerous UNSC resolutions,” the statement added.
Highlighting the resolutions of the OIC, the statement maintained that “the OIC resolutions, inter alia, call on the Secretary General to dispatch a fact-finding mission to IIOJK to ascertain the situation on ground and report its findings to the next CFM. The CFM resolutions also call on the Secretary General to take up the matter with the Indian authorities”.
Pakistan maintains that India has ignored various OIC resolutions and “evaded its responsibility of protecting the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people”.
However, it was the first time that the “principled position of the 57 OIC member states has been duly conveyed to India”.
The Kingdom successfully managed the annual Hajj pilgrimage last year without compromising on the pilgrims’ safety and health amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic…reports Asian Lite News
The secretary-general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen, lauded the Saudi Arabia’s decision to hold this year’s Hajj amid strict COVID-19 safety measures to ensure pilgrims’ safety.
Al-Othaimeen praised the Kingdom’s leadership for their efforts to serve the pilgrims, the Arab News reported.
He said Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to the health and safety of pilgrims and visitors to the two holy mosques, it was reported.
The Kingdom successfully managed the annual Hajj pilgrimage last year without compromising on the pilgrims’ safety and health amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The OIC chief lauded the Saudi authorities for utilizing all resources to serve pilgrims.
It was on Sunday, Saudi Arabia had announced its plan to hold this year’s Haj pilgrimage under Covid safety measures that will ensure preserving the health and safety of the worshippers.
The health authorities in the Kingdom continue to assess conditions and take all measures to protect the health and well-being of the public, state media quoted the Ministry of Haj and Umrah as saying on Sunday.
It added that organisation details of the Haj season will be announced later, Xinhua news agency reported.
The Ministry did not mention whether foreign pilgrims will be allowed to attend this season.
The Kingdom had organised an exceptional Haj season last year with a limited number of pilgrims as part of precautionary measures against the spread of Covid-19.
