Imam Hussain’s (a.s) Sacrifice for Humanity Highlighted at International Conference
Chennai, July 27, 2024 – The International Conference on “HUSSAIN MANAYAM” was held at the Thousand Lights Mosque in Chennai, organized by the Shia-Sunni Unity Movement. The event saw participation from esteemed scholars and dignitaries, including Dr. Sufi Raj Jain, Mufassir-e-Quran Peerzada Mufti Razaul Haq Ameri, Alima Amatul Atifa, and Maulana Mohammad Shabeer.
The speakers emphasized the significant contributions of Imam Hussain’s sacrifice in Islamic history and discussed ways to enhance the role of Karbala in contemporary society. They highlighted the timeless message of Imam Hussain (a.s) and its relevance to modern-day issues.
In addition to the discussions, a special initiative to plant 10,000 trees was announced, demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability. This initiative, named the Green Revolution for Nature, was inaugurated by Dr. Fatima Muzaffar, Alima Amatul Atifa, and Dr. Parveen Papa, in the name of Imam Hussain (pbuh).
The gathering also observed two minutes of silence in memory of the victims of the recent attack on a Shia mosque in Muscat, emphasizing the importance of unity and resilience in the face of adversity.
Four out of five deaths were of unauthorised pilgrims in the heat stress related deaths in Haj pilgrimage this year. Over 1300 died in heat stress related incidents, says Saudi Arabia
Published Date – 24 June 2024, 08:39 AM
More than 1300 haj pilgrims died due to heat stress this year
Riyadh: As many as 1301 Haj pilgrims died during their Haj pilgrimage due to Heat Stress with ‘numerous cases’ being accounted for ‘unauthorised’ trips accounting for foiur out of five deaths, CNN reported quoting a Saudi Arabia statement
In a statement, the Saudi government said, “The health system addressed numerous cases of heat stress this year, with some individuals still under care. Regrettably, the number of mortalities reached 1,301.” The statement noted that 83 per cent of those who died were “unauthorised to perform Hajj” and “walked long distances under direct sunlight, without adequate shelter or comfort.”
It said that the deceased people included “several elderly and chronically ill individuals,” adding that the families of all the dead had now been identified, according to CNN report. Extreme heat has been named as the main reason behind hundreds of deaths and injuries reported during this year’sHajj pilgrimage.
The temperature in Mecca rose to a record-setting 125 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday. Various authorities have stated that the problems have been enhanced by the number of unofficial pilgrimages. Saudi Arabia requires each pilgrim to acquire one of the 1.8 million available licences to legally access Mecca, the holy city that is central for Hajj pilgrims. These licenses can cost a pilgrim several thousand US dollars.
Usually, the unlicensed pilgrims don’t travel in organised tour buses with air conditioning or easy access to water and food supplies. The Saudi government seemed to suggest the unauthorised nature of many of the trips as the reason for taking so long to issue an official death toll, as this had complicated the process of identification. The statement reads, “Identification completed, despite the initial lack of personal information or identification documents. Proper processes were followed for identification, burial, and honoring the deceased, with death certificates provided.”
Some pilgrims have criticised the poor infrastructure and organisation of this year’sHajj pilgrimage. Pilgrims who were on official tours also spent the bulk of their day walking outdoors in the scorching heat. Speaking to CNN, some witnesses said they saw worshippers losing consciousness and walking past bodies covered in white cloth. Saudi Arabia’s announcement comes as the Egyptian government pledged to revoke the licenses of 16 Hajj tourism firms involved in making illegal pilgrimages to Mecca and refer the company’s managers to the public prosecutor amid fears hundreds of Egyptians are among the deceased people.
The Egyptian government made the decision in a cabinet meeting on Saturday after a report highlighted the dubious nature of how some tourism firms operate. The report reviewed by the cabinet said some operators had not issued correct visas, so holders could not enter Mecca and were rather forced to enter “through desert paths on foot.”
It also accused some firms of not being able to provide proper accommodation for staying, leaving people exposed to the heat, CNN reported. During the meeting, Egyptian Prime Minister MostafaMadbouly offered his “sincere condolences and sympathy” to the families of the deceased pilgrims and pledged to provide them with the necessary support.
Notably, Hajj permits are given to nations based on a quota system and Saudi Arabia requires each pilgrim to acquire one of the 1.8 million available licences to legally access Mecca. Since the cost of one of these licences costs several thousand US dollars, many pilgrims attempt to access the site illegally and they usually don’t travel in organised tour buses with air conditioning or easy access to water and food supplies, CNN reported.
Notably, the timing of the Hajj pilgrimage is based on the Islamic lunar calendar which in 2024 has fallen during scorching temperatures in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims made the journey in extreme temperatures of up to 49 degrees Celsius. During the Hajj pilgrimage, the faithful perform various rituals in and around Mecca, which often involve many hours of walking in the scorching heat every day. The total number of deaths in this year’sHajj could still rise, as governments only know about pilgrims who have registered and visited Mecca as part of their nation’s quota.
Gunmen opened fire on two Orthodox churches, a synagogue and a police post in two cities in Southern Russia
Published Date – 24 June 2024, 08:55 AM
Russia Dagestan Attacks
Moscow: More than 15 police officers and several civilians, including an Orthodox priest, were killed by armed militants in Russia’s southern republic of Dagestan on Sunday, its governor Sergei Melikov said in a video statement early Monday.
The gunmen opened fire on two Orthodox churches, a synagogue and a police post in two cities, according to the authorities.
Russia’s National Anti-Terrorist Committee described the attacks in the predominantly Muslim region with a history of armed insurgency as terrorist acts.Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were declared days of mourning in the region.Dagestan’s Interior Ministry said a group of armed men shot at a synagogue and a church in the city of Derbent, located on the Caspian Sea.
Both the church and the synagogue caught fire, according to state media. Almost simultaneously, reports appeared about an attack on a church and a traffic police post in the Dagestan capital, Makhachkala. Authorities announced a counter-terrorist operation in the region.
The Anti-Terrorist Committee said five gunmen were “eliminated.” The governor said six “bandits” had been “liquidated.” The conflicting numbers couldn’t be immediately reconciled and it wasn’t clear how many militants were involved in the attacks. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks. The authorities launched a criminal investigation on the charge of a terrorist act. Russian state news agency Tass cited law enforcement sources as saying that a Dagestani official was detained over his sons’ involvement in the attacks.
Melikov said in the video statement that the situation in the region was under control of the law enforcement and local authorities, and vowed that the investigation of the attacks will continue until “all the sleeping cells” of the militants are uncovered. He claimed, without providing evidence, that the attacks might have been prepared from abroad, and referenced what the Kremlin calls “the special military operation” in Ukraine in an apparent attempt to link the attacks to it.
In March, gunmen opened fire on a crowd at a concert hall in suburban Moscow, killing 145 people. An affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, but Russian officials also sought to link Ukraine to the attack without providing any evidence. Kyiv has vehemently denied any involvement.
According to an official from Manpada police station, the girl had installed the Snapchat app on her phone. Her father’s prohibition of its use reportedly upset her.
Updated On – 24 June 2024, 09:57 AM
Representational Image
Thane: A 16-year-old girl allegedly committed suicide in Maharashtra’s Thane district after her father asked her not to download a messaging app on her mobile phone, police said on Monday.
The incident took place on Friday night at Nilje in Dombivli area, they said.
The girl had downloaded the Snapchat application on her mobile phone. Her father asked her not to do so, which angered her, an official from Manpada police station said.
The girl allegedly hanged herself from the ceiling of a bedroom in her house on Friday night, he said, adding the family found her dead the next day.
After being alerted, the police sent the body for postmortem and registered a case of accidental death, the official said.
Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar Police has arrested 18 people in connection with the case so far
Updated On – 24 June 2024, 09:57 AM
Economic Offences Unit personnel leave with an accused arrested for the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exams 2024 case, after the latter’s medical examination at LNJP Hospital in Patna. Photo: PTI
Patna: A CBI team is expected to visit Patna on Monday and may take those arrested in the NEET-UG paper leak case to Delhi for questioning, officials said.
The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar Police has arrested 18 people in connection with the case so far, they said.
CBI officers are likely to collect evidence related to the case from the EOU, which had been investigating the matter until the Centre ordered a probe by the federal agency, they added.
The CBI had on Sunday filed an FIR in connection with alleged irregularities in medical entrance exam NEET-UG, which was held on May 5, on a reference from the Education Ministry, amid countrywide protests and litigations by students for a probe into the allegations of paper leak.
“The CBI team is expected to visit the EOU office around 11.30 am and collect all evidence, including the pieces of the burnt question paper that was recovered from a house in Patna, mobile phones of those arrested, SIM cards, laptops, post-dated cheques and reference questions papers provided by the National Testing Agency (NTA),” an EOU officer said.
“All those arrested are in judicial custody in Patna, and the CBI team may take them to Delhi for detailed interrogation by obtaining transit remand from a court here,” he said.
The CBI may file multiple FIRs in connection with the matter to probe the destruction of evidence, and also register disproportionate assets (DA) cases against some of those accused who are public servants, he said.
“A DA case may be registered against arrested accused Sikander Prasad Yadvendu, a junior engineer in Danapur Town Council, as he reportedly acquired huge assets that are disproportionate to his known source of income,” the officer said.
Yadvendu, originally from Samastipur, has been identified as the prime suspect in the case, he said.
“He has a history of involvement in criminal activities. Before becoming a junior engineer in 2012, he worked as a contractor in Ranchi. He was previously implicated in an LED scam worth Rs 3 crore. He has served a jail sentence for his role in that case,” the officer said.
Millions of users in India can now use Meta AI in feeds, chats, and more across apps to accomplish tasks, create content, and explore topics without leaving the app, the company announced.
Updated On – 24 June 2024, 02:03 PM
New Delhi: Tech giant Meta on Monday announced the availability of its artificial intelligence (AI) assistant in India on WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and meta.ai — that is built with the latest ‘Llama 3’ large language model (LLM).
Millions of users in the country can apply Meta AI in feed, chats and more across the apps to get things done, create content, and deep dive on topics, without having to leave the app they are using, the company said in a statement.
“It’s starting to roll out in India in English. You can use Meta AI on WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram to get things done, learn, create and connect with the things that matter to you,” said Meta.
The company first announced Meta AI at last year’s ‘Connect’ event.
The users in India can ask Meta AI in WhatsApp group chat to recommend restaurants with great views and vegan options for you and your friends to consider.
“Ask Meta AI to give you ideas of places to stop on a road trip. Cramming for a test? Ask Meta AI on the web to create you a multiple choice test,” said the company.
One can also access Meta AI when scrolling through Facebook Feed.
“Come across a post you’re interested in? You can ask Meta AI for more info right from the post. So if you see a photo of the northern lights in Iceland, you can ask Meta AI what time of year is best to check out the aurora borealis,” according to the company.
Treaty was signed between then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and former Pakistan President Ayub Khan in 1960 with the World Bank as a signatory to the pact
Updated On – 24 June 2024, 11:21 AM
Representational photo
Jammu: Security has been increased outside the hotel where the visiting delegation from Pakistan is staying in Jammu.
The delegation, which arrived in India on Sunday evening in connection with the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, is scheduled to visit Kishtwar to see the dam sites.
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed between then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and former Pakistan President Ayub Khan in 1960 with the World Bank as a signatory to the pact.
The treaty warrants the two sides to meet once a year, alternately in India and Pakistan. However, the 2022 meeting scheduled to be held in New Delhi was cancelled in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. The last meeting was held in March 2023
It sets out a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between the two countries regarding their use of the rivers, known as the Permanent Indus Commission, which includes a commissioner from each of the two countries. It also sets out a process for resolving so-called “questions”, “differences” and “disputes” that may arise between the parties.
The Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) is a bilateral commission of officials from India and Pakistan, created to implement and manage the goals of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, brokered by the World Bank. It comprises the Indus Commissioners from both sides and discusses technical matters related to the implementation of the treaty.
India and Pakistan have engaged in a long outstanding water dispute over two hydroelectric projects. Pakistan has objected to the building of the Kishanganga (330 MW) and Ratle (850 MW) hydroelectric plants by India, saying that it violates the provisions of the treaty.
India insists on its right to build these projects and holds that their design is fully in compliance with the guidelines of the treaty.
The World Bank had asked both countries to consider alternative ways to resolve their disagreements over the Indus Water Treaty Dispute in 1960.
In 2015, Pakistan requested the appointment of a Neutral Expert to examine its technical objections to India’s Kishenganga and Ratle Hydro Electric Projects (HEPs). In 2016, Pakistan unilaterally retracted this request and proposed that a Court of Arbitration adjudicate its objections.
Pakistan, despite repeated efforts by India to find a mutually agreeable way forward, has refused to discuss the issue during the five meetings of the Permanent Indus Commission from 2017 to 2022.
People are not able to register themselves for benefits of the scheme through the registration portal and the mobile application.
Updated On – 24 June 2024, 04:22 PM
Hyderabad: The much-hyped national scheme for residential rooftop solar, the ‘PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana‘ is facing technical hurdles. People are not able to register themselves for benefits of the scheme through the registration portal and the mobile application.
For the last one month, vendors involved in installation of these projects and giving an impetus to the government scheme, have been struggling. Several of them have complained about the delay in the application process, tracking and executing other works through the central portal. Even in Telangana, people are finding it difficult to register themselves through the portal. It is estimated that over 5,000 applications are pending in the greater Hyderabad area alone.
“We are facing a lot of issues with the PM Surya Ghar scheme in Telangana. Portal is not been working for one month. Subsidies are not disbursed to customers. Portal is not accepting for Apartments and Societies Rs.18,000 per kilowatt scheme. There are a lot of issues and pending problems with the portal,” Telangana Solar Energy Association president Ashok Kumar Goud said.
The inability to register in the portal ultimately has led to delays in project executions. Several leading vendors working in multiple States have blamed the technical glitches in the website for the delays. In fact, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on June 21 wrote a letter to Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi requesting him to resolve the issue at the earliest as the people were suffering.
In fact, All India Renewable Energy Association(AIREA) founder director Amit Deotale on Monday has launched a hunger strike in Nagpur demanding the Centre to rectify the technical issues and restore the normal functioning of the portal.
The National Portal for Rooftop Solar is important for the consumers, vendors, discoms and the government too. This is the centralized system where consumers sitting anywhere in the country can register to get the benefits under the subsidized residential rooftop solar. The consumers use the portal to apply, find and select their vendors and also to get the central subsidies after submitting all relevant documents. The portal also enlists the financiers who are ready to finance the rooftop solar projects.
The “PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana” provides for a subsidy of 60 percent of the solar unit cost for systems up to 2 kW capacity and 40 percent of additional system cost for systems between 2 to 3 kW capacity. The subsidy has been capped at 3 kW capacity. At current benchmark prices, this will mean Rs. 30,000 subsidy for 1 KW system, Rs. 60,000 for 2 KW systems and Rs. 78,000 for 3 KW systems or higher.
Taking a jibe at Opposition, he says India wants debate, diligence, not disturbance in Parliament
Published Date – 24 June 2024, 11:59 AM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets media personnel as he arrives to attend the first day of the Parliament session of the 18th Lok Sabha in New Delhi on Monday. Photo: AP
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who took oath as member of the 18th Lok Sabha on Monday, said people have given his government mandate for a third consecutive term and put a stamp of approval on its policies and intentions. He also said the 18th Lok Sabha begins with a resolve of building a ‘Shreshtha Bharat’ and ‘Viksit Bharat’.
Addressing the media in the Parliament complex at the beginning of the first session of the new Lok Sabha, Modi asserted that his government will take everyone along in fulfilling the aspirations of the people. He also noted that Emergency’s 50th anniversary falls on June 25, and described it as a “black spot” on India’s democracy when Constitution was discarded.
Welcoming new MPs, he said the 18th Lok Sabha commences with a dream of building a developed India by 2047. People expect good steps from the Opposition but it has been disappointing so far, he said while expressing hope that it will fulfil its role and maintain democracy’s decorum.
India needs a responsible Opposition and people want substance not slogans. They want debate, diligence, not disturbance in Parliament, he said in a jibe at the Opposition. The Prime Minister noted that 65 crore voters participated in the just-held parliamentary elections and it was for the second time since Independence that a government was chosen for a third consecutive term. The occasion came after 60 years, he said.
Modi returned to power for a third consecutive term earlier this month. Modi and his Council of Ministers took oath on June 9.
This is the third term of Modi as a member of the Lok Sabha. He retained the Varanasi seat, which he has been winning since 2014.
As Leader of the House, he was the first one to take oath. Earlier in the day, B Mahtab took oath as member of the new House as well as that of Pro-tem Speaker at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Tibetan spiritual leader halted in Switzerland where he received a grand welcome on his arrival at a hotel in Zurich
Published Date – 24 June 2024, 12:22 PM
Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama being welcomed by members of the Tibetan community upon his arrival in New York. Photo: PTI
New York: Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama arrived in New York after a halt in Switzerland’s Zurich on Saturday.
The members of the Tibetan community and his well-wishers welcomed the Dalai Lama HHDL on his arrival in New York City on Sunday.
Dalai Lama left for Delhi from Dharamshala on Friday to head to the US for his knee surgery.
During his stop in Switzerland, he received a traditional Tibetan welcome on his arrival at a hotel in Zurich. His well-wishers and guests watched as the Dalai Lama walked through the hotel lobby. He greeted an old friend as he walked through the hotel lobby in Zurich.
Thousands of Tibetans and well-wishers with bouquets waited on the road to welcome the Dalai Lama as he arrived at his hotel in Zurich. Tibetan artistes performed traditional songs and dances as they waited for him to arrive at the hotel.
While he was leaving from Dharamshala, the leadership of the Central Tibetan Administration, including Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, Tibetan Justice Commissioner Tenzin Lungtok, DIIR Kalon Norzin Dolma, Election and Public Service Commissioner Wangdu Tsering Pesur, Standing Committee Members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, and Secretaries of CTA Departments and Offices, gathered at Dalai Lama’s official residence to see him off.
Moreover, many Tibetans gathered at the Kangra Airport to wish him well. Hundreds of Tibetans and devotees also thronged the streets to pay obeisance to the spiritual leader.
Last week, a bipartisan US Congressional delegation led by Congressman Michael McCaul met with the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala.
Former US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was part of the delegation, “strongly reaffirmed” Congressional support for the people of Tibet.
She also launched a broadside against Xi Jinping, stating that while the legacy of the Tibetan spiritual leader will live forever, the Chinese President will be gone in a few years.
