Miracle 538-Feb 12, 2021

Volume 20 Issue 538-Jamadi ul II 30, 1442 H, February 12, 2021 $1 www.miraclenews.com BC, CANADA First Muslim

Biweekly & Bilingual

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5 Abu Hanifah, ‘Imam e

07 Mayor’s

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10 What options does Biden

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Azam’ 80 - 150H.

have in Afghanistan?

11 Why is Myanmar’s military so powerful?

UAE’s space probe Amal enters Mars orbit

Deliveries of COVID-19 vaccine doses to Canada set to more than quadruple next week

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TTAWA -- A month-long slowdown in Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine deliveries should end next week, with the single biggest shipment of vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech to date and almost two million doses expected in the next month.“We’re approaching something we’re calling the big lift,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday in a virtual roundtable with nurses and doctors from around Canada.

Trudeau acknowledged the struggle with deliveries, and how frustrating it has been for Canada, but he said things will get better in the weeks ahead, and even better than that in April, when Canada is expecting as many as one million doses a week.

But the troubles aren’t entirely over. Mod-

20 FEB 2001-2021

erna’s next shipment on Feb. 22 will now be only two-thirds of what it was supposed to be. Pfizer’s deliveries will only meet the promised number of doses if medical professionals can adjust to extracting six doses instead of five from every vial.

Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, the military commander overseeing Canada’s vaccine distribution, says Pfizer has confirmed it will ship 403,000 does next week, 475,000 the week after that, and then 444,000 doses in each of the first two weeks of March.

“I think it’s very promising,” said Fortin.

Canada’s vaccination efforts have slowed to a crawl since mid-January, when Pfizer slowed production at its plant in Belgium to expand it. Instead of getting 1.15 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine between Jan. 18 and this week, Canada was shipped 339,000 doses.

Christina Antoniou, spokeswoman for Pfizer Canada, says that work is now done and the company is on track to deliver four million doses by March 31, as stated in its contract. Antoniou also said next week’s shipment to Canada has been authorized for export by Europe, which imposed new export transparency controls as it tries to get vaccines to its population as well.

Moderna, however, has confirmed its next shipment on Feb. 22 will be only 168,000, two-thirds of what had been promised.

Moderna, which delivers once every three weeks right now, shipped 180,000 doses last To be Continued at page 7

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Statement: federal transit funding B.C. couple ‘furious’ restaurant used CMMC hosts Online Seminar Conflict in

The feat makes UAE the fifth space agency to reach the planet while its plans for a Mars settlement by 2117. he United Arab Emirates’ first mission to Mars has entered the red planet’s orbit after a sevenmonth, 494 million kilometres (307 million miles) journey, allowing it to start sending data about the Martian atmosphere and climate.

Officials at mission control broke into applause on Tuesday, visibly relieved after a tense half-hour as Amal, Arabic for hope, carried out a “burn” to slow itself enough to be pulled in by the Martian gravity.“Contact with #HopeProbe has been established again.

The Mars Orbit Insertion is now complete,” the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) said.

“To the people of the UAE, to the Arab

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‘Why didn’t you try to stop it?’ PM questions US closely monitoring India-China border Feds to require negative COVID-19

and Muslim nations, we announce the successful arrival to Mars orbit. Praise be to God,” said Omran Sharaf, the mission’s project manager.

Amal had to perform a series of turns and engine firings to manoeuvre into orbit, reducing its speed to 18,000kmph (11,200mph) from more than 121,000kmph (75,000mph).

Tuesday’s announcement makes UAE’s space agency the fifth to reach Mars.

Probes launched by China and NASA just after the UAE’s lift-off in July last year are also set to reach the planet this month.

The Emirates Mars Mission, which has cost approximately $200m, launched the Hope Probe from a Japanese space centre. The Mars programme is part of the UAE’s efforts to develop its scientific and technological capabilities To be Continued at page 10

Pakistan Army conducts successful test launch of surface-to-surface Babur cruise missile

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he army on Thursday successfully test-fired a short range surface-to-surface ballistic missile capable of hitting land and sea targets with “high precision” up to 450 kilometres away, a press release by the Inter-Services Public Relations said. The Babur cruise missile IA was launched from a “state of the art Multi Tube Missile Launch Vehicle”, the media statement said further.

The test launch was attended by National Engineering and Scientific Commission (Nescom) Chairperson Dr Raza Samar, Commander of Army Strategic Forces Command Lt Gen Muhammad Ali, senior officers of strategic plans division, army strategic forces command as well as scientists and engineers of strategic organisation.

Nescom chief Dr Samar lauded the “standard of training and operational preparedness” of the armed forces which “was reflected by To be Continued at page 4

the proficient handling of the weapon system in the field”. He also hailed the contributions of scientists and engineers towards the “enhancement of Pakistan’s strategic capability”.

The armed forces also received congratulations and praise from Prime Minister Imran Khan, President Arif Alvi, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairperson and the services chiefs.

This is the third missile test carried out

over the past three weeks. On January 20,

Alhamdulillah, the Miracle is BC’s first Got any congratulatory message Muslim bilingual and biweekly newsor feedback for the 20th anniversary? paper, and is now is completing its 20th Then please send them as an email reply, Word year in publication. To mark the occa- Document, InPage, or JPG by Feb 15, 2021. sion, a Special edition will be published Please also send your picture (if preferred) on Friday, Feb 26, 2021 at miraclenews@telus.net.

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Jamadi ul II 30,1442 Feb 12, 2021

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PAKISTAN

Army denies ‘backdoor contacts’ ‘Why didn’t you try to stop it?’ PM questions opposition over failure to stop horse trading in Senate polls with opposition

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army on Monday rejected speculation about “backdoor contacts” with opposition politicians and cautioned against dragging the military into political squabbles. Military spokesman Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar, in comments on various private TV channels, said: “Army does not need backdoor contacts with anyone and is doing its job.” The ISPR director general’s remarks come against the backdrop of renewed rumours about contacts between the opposition and the military.

The Pakistan Democratic Movement, a 10-party opposition alliance, plans to start its long march from March 26 to generate public pressure for dislodging the government. A lot of focus in the political arena is, meanwhile, also on the upcoming Senate elections and the mode of voting for the polls.ISPR chief rejects as ‘false and fake’ reports about Iranian intelligence operation in Pakistani territory Maj Gen Iftikhar challenged those behind

the rumours to bring forth any proof about their claims. “Tell publicly who was contacted by whom and who spoke to whom instead of levelling allegations. There is no such thing going on,” he said. He said the army was too important an institution to be dragged into such controversies. “Please keep us out of it, this is not good for anyone,” he asserted. Source: dawn.com

SC bars carrying out death penalty for inmates with mental disorders

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that if a prisoner on death row is unable to comprehend the rationale behind their punishment due to a mental illness, then carrying out the death sentence does not “meet the ends of justice”.The apex court announced the verdict after reserving its judgement on whether mentally ill death-row prisoners can be executed. Headed by Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik, a five-judge bench announced the judgement at the Lahore registry. Other members of the bench included Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah.

The bench had on Jan 7, 2021, reserved its verdict after marathon hearings on three appeals pertaining to as many mentally ill prisoners on death row amid a consensus from the amicus curiae and advocate generals that such inmates should not be executed.

The appeals had been filed on the behalf of Kanizan Bibi, Imdad Ali and Ghulam Abbas who have spent 30, 18 and 14 years on death row, respectively, while exhibiting acute symptoms of mental illness.

The petitioners were represented by Syed Iqbal Hussain Shah Gillani, Barrister Hashim, Barrister Jugnoo Kazim, Maria Kazmi, Qasim Ali Chohan, Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar Sidhu, Dr Faria Munawar and

said that when politicians come to the Senate after spending such vast amounts, they look to make back that amount instead of serving the position or province in any meaningful way.

“Do we want to hold [Senate] elections according to this same system when we know there is a money market set with rates for politicians?” the premier questioned rhetorically. He asked why the PPP and PML-N had backtracked from their stance on open balloting when it was stated clearly in their Charter of Democracy.

“It is easier for the government to gain more members [in the Senate elections] than our seats” but despite that, the PTI was calling for open ballot, he said. “These same people [the opposition] will cry if the PTI gets more senators than its seats,” he alleged. Source: dawn.com

It’s been more than four days since Muhammad Ali Sadpara and two other climbers went missing. But the nation and their family and friends are clinging on to hope.

Bad weather on Monday forced army helicopters to temporarily halt their search — just hours after it resumed for the third consecutive day for Sadpara, John Snorri of Iceland and Juan Pablo Mohr of Chile.

The three mountaineers went missing while attempting to scale K2, the world’s secondhighest mountain.

The three lost contact with base camp late on Friday and were reported missing on

Saturday, after their support team stopped receiving communications from them during their ascent of the 8,611-meter high K2 — sometimes referred to as “killer mountain”.Since then, the entire nation has been praying for Sadpara, often described by his peers as a tough as nails climber with a good-humoured nature. As days have passed and the weather conditions remain a challenge, people are trying their best not to lose hope and are counting on a miracle to being Sadpara back home.Hoping for a miracle Source: dawn.com

Supreme Court Justice Qazi Faez Isa on Wednesday questioned Prime Minister Imran Khan’s stance on granting development funds to lawmakers, observing that a letter submitted by his principal secretary to the top court “did not contain the answers to the court’s questions”.

He made these remarks during the hearing of a case related to the prime minister’s approval of Rs500 million uplift grant to lawmakers which is being heard by a five-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed and compromising Justice Mushir Alam, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan and Justice Isa. “The letter does not have answers to the court’s questions. It seems the prime minister has not read the court’s order properly,” Justice Isa observed.

On Feb 3, Justice Isa, while taking notice of the plan to distribute development funds,

had asked the court office to place the file before the chief justice to constitute a bench to hear the matter.

In the order, Justice Isa had cited Article 5(2) of the Constitution that mandated obedience to the Constitution and the law as inviolable obligation of every citizen and then stated that Article204(2) empowered the Supreme Court to take action against any person who disobeyed any order of the court. Moreover, the oath of office of judges also required them to preserve, protect and defend the constitution, he had said.

Source: dawn.com

Prayers for Sadpara: Pakistanis hope for a miracle as they await mountaineer’s return

Zahid Bhatti.

In its judgement, the court commuted the death sentences of Kanizan Bibi and Imdad Ali to life imprisonment.

Meanwhile, the court directed a fresh mercy petition to be prepared on behalf of Ghulam Abbas, stating that there was nothing on record to show whether mental illness was taken into consideration while dismissing an earlier plea.The petition is to be prepared in accordance with the relevant Prison Rules and submitted to the president.

The court also directed the Punjab government to immediately shift the accused from prison to the Punjab Institute of Mental Health, Lahore, for treatment and rehabilitation. Source: dawn.com

TLP demands to be placed before parliament: PM

LAHORE: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that as decided in a renewed agreement with the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan, his government would take the matter to parliament before April 20, the new deadline set for the implementation of the TLP’s demands.

The TLP had been threatening to stage a sit-in in Islamabad to protest against the PTI government’s failure to implement the agreement reached with it on Nov 16, which included demands like “expelling the French ambassador, severing ties with France and boycotting French products”, within three months through parliament.“We will do it. However, I want to tell the TLP people that no other government has done as much as this government to check this menace. We are not doing it for the TLP but because it is part of our faith. This (blasphemy) is a planned conspiracy, which keeps repeating itself in the West and disturbs peace.

“I was the one who wrote to the OIC, to the United Nations and heads of Islamic states to take up the issue. Only I and (Turkish President

Prime Minister Imran Khan lambasted on Wednesday the opposition parties in the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), saying they should be asked why they didn’t try to stop horse trading in Senate elections despite being in power for 30 years.The premier was addressing the media after attending a ceremony for the second phase of the Ehsaas Kafalat Programme at Kallar Syedan Tehsil in Rawalpindi.

“When the political leadership [of the opposition] knows that money is traded [for Senate elections], why didn’t they make an effort to change it [the system]?” questioned the prime minister. “Because they themselves make money from it,” he added.

“These thieves who call themselves politicians and have made a union in the PDM to protect their corruption, all of them should be questioned [...] your parties have been in power for 30 years, why didn’t you try to stop it [horse trading in Senate polls]?”The prime minister further said he himself had been offered money many times for a Senate seat “not just from one person but from many people”. He stated that members of his parliamentary board also received similar offers and the current alleged price for becoming a senator from Balochistan ranged between Rs500-700 million. He

Recep Tayyip) Erdogan took up the matter on the world forums. Unless 20 to 25 heads of Muslim countries take up and pursue it seriously, international impact required to do the job may not be created,” he said. The prime minister was speaking during an interview to a TV channel after the government held negotiations with the TLP as a result of which the religious outfit agreed to postpone its protest till April 20 and allow the government more time to implement the agreement it had signed last year.

Agreement reached between government and religious outfit to meet demands by April 20 Source: dawn.com

Justice Isa questions PM’s stance on uplift funds for lawmakers after secy’s letter fails to satisfy court

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Struggling midway

Even the government’s own key change claims are on projects and services. The sole big project is the ‘billion trees’, which may give long-run gains. But no project is giving much-needed quick economic boost. CPEC and Karachi are stuck. Peshawar BRT had big delays, cost overruns and technical hitches. In service delivery, the government claims big pluses on the Covid-19 response, the Sehat scheme and Ehsaas. In fact, our Covid-19 death rate is near average regionally. However, cash relief via BISP was apt.

The Sehat scheme is a good one but has issues too. It covered 51pc KP families by 2016 and recently announced the extension of health coverage to all KP residents. Given high disease rates, this means access/ supply issues.

The insurer must pay up to Rs1 million per family yearly in expenses against Rs2,849 premiums from KP. Less lavish market plans

start at Rs50,000 given cost realities and small insured pools. But the captive state insurer may go broke despite a large pool if usage spikes.

The PTI calls Ehsaas a big step-up on BISP with 140 initiatives. Its website shows eight actual programmes (sans one-off Covid relief). Two BISP ones still make up the bulk of its budget. Langar and ration programmes have only data portals for private entities.

Amdan, Loan, Nashonuma and Scholarship programmes, the only new funded ones that partly build on BISP, may do well but are still too new to be judged. Unclear website data hinders review.

Without work on the key governance areas, such work may be of poor quality. So without public hospital reforms Sehat patients may still get poor services.

Given weak actions, outcomes fall below pre-2018 levels on dollar GDP and per capita income, GDP growth, inflation, jobs, tax revenue, fiscal deficit, interest rate, exchange rate, foreign reserves, exports, foreign investment, debt and poverty, arguably more due to government actions than Covid-19 or past-era mismanagement. Outcomes excel pre-2018 levels on trade balance and remittances. But the former has choked GDP growth and is again in the red.

The recent claim of economic spike is iffy. We fell on global indices such as the Corruption Per­­ ception. Like past regimes, some media reports say an inept government has cost billions. Its mandate is iffy given EU-alleged 2018 pre-rigging. Some say it thrives on establishment crutches whose sway has grown. There are big curbs on opposition, media and civil society. Ties with key allies (eg. the US and Saudi Arabia) have cooled. Aims to nab ‘looters’ and looted money have failed.

It is evident it has done worse on the these outcome axes than even the inept PPP and PMLN, which gave major devolution and Fata merger laws, CPEC and tax policy, big power, road and transit projects, BISP; more political freedom, the first civilian transition with clean polls and hand-over; and less deep state sway. Terrorism fell. Foreign ties and economic indices were better. Despite many gaps we were slowly going ahead. But the slogan of tabdeeli has mainly been U-turns and reversals. Given the weak team, I again predict a weak second half. The blame goes to the PTI team and captain but also to those who fixed the pitch.

Courtesy By: Dr Niaz Murtaza

Kashmir as a disputed territory.

Washington clarifies its policy on the issue stays unchanged “I want to be very clear, there has been no change in US policy in the region,” Mr Price said. However, despite the clarification by the State Department spokesman, the tweet was not corrected.

This prompted Pakistan’s Foreign Office to express its reservations about the tweet.

FO spokesman Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said Pakistan was “disappointed” about the reference to Jammu and Kashmir in the State Department’s tweet regarding the resumption of mobile internet in Occupied Kashmir.

“The reference is inconsistent with the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir as recognised by numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions and the international community,” he maintained.

At the photography exhibition, Mr Qureshi once again took a jab at the Arab-dominated Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) by asking it to respect its people’s sentiments about Kashmir.

“I expect the OIC to not overlook the sentiments of the people in their countries. Priorities of governments could be different, but the sentiment of the people is somewhat different. Recognise it, see for yourself how things are moving,” the foreign minister said as he recalled that Pakistan was the founding member of the 57-mem-

ber bloc of Muslim countries.

The OIC has passed several resolutions on Kashmir, but Pakistan has been unhappy with some of the group members for not having actively raised the issue with India and emphasised the need for its resolution. Rather some of the countries, especially Arab monarchies, are promoting their ties with India.

Urging the world to help in resolving the dispute, Mr Qureshi said: “We all have to sit down and find a way out.” He warned that the escalating situation was unsustainable and some “accident” could happen.The foreign minister reminded the world that it could be sucked into the conflict if peace and stability was affected.

In Washington, the clarification about US policy on Kashmir, given at a news briefing on Wednesday afternoon, followed a string of statements by US President Joe Biden and senior officials of his administration, outlining their policies towards the South and Central Asian regions.

The regions include India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and China and the policy outlines indicate a gradual change of emphasis from Pakistan and Afghanistan to China. The statements also show a greater US reliance on India to help counter China’s growing influence in the regions. But the clarification on Kashmir shows that Biden administration is not insensitive to Paki-

stan’s concerns either.

At the briefing in Washington, journalists also asked the US official to comment on Twitter’s decision to block over 500 accounts after the Indian government accused them of making inflammatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I would say generally that around the world we are committed to supporting democratic values, including freedom of expression,” Mr Price said. “When it comes to Twitter’s policies, we’d have to refer you to Twitter itself.”

On Feb 9, President Biden telephoned Mr Modi and underscored his desire to fight together the scourge of global terrorism and to “defend democratic institutions and norms around the world”.

The Indian media, while commenting on the White House readout of the conversation, noted that Mr Biden’s emphasis on “democratic values” was slightly different from the Trump administration’s focus on “security, driven in large measure by growing Chinese … assertiveness” in the region.

But on Tuesday, the State Department did assure New Delhi that in the India-China disputes, Washington would stand by its “friend and allies.”Spokesman Price said the US was closely monitoring the situation along the India-China border and was concerned about Beijing’s “attempts to intimidate its neighbours”.Source::dawn.com

test of the surface-to-surface ballistic missile Shaheen-III. Earlier this month, the army successfully the army conducted a successful conducted the ‘training launch’ of

nuclear-capable ballistic mis­ sile Ghaznavi as part of its annual field training exercise.

Earlier in January this year, the

army had also test-fired an indigenously developed extended-range guided Multi-Launch Rocket System (MLRS). Source: dawn.com

HE PTI’s term is half over. So how has it done?

The quality of a regime’s outcome depends on its actions whose quality, in turn, relies on its team’s quality. Outcomes include political, economic and foreign ones. Actions are in five governance areas: legislation, policy, institutional reform, projects and service delivery. Only major work in the first three areas gives big change but its fruits reach masses mainly via the last two. However, if done without the first three, the two give poor results.

Seeing the PTI’s weak team, I had said earlier that it can’t keep its big promises. The team largely lacks skill. Some of the experience comes from failed actors of the past. New electables, allies or unelected advisers who lack party loyalty dominate the cabinet.

The leadership’s claimed honesty helps little. KP and Punjab have set-ups run by an inept centre.

Local bodies were dissolved.

The government’s work in the three key areas is the weakest.

Despite passing many laws, it has yet to give transformative ones like the PPP’s devolution or the PML-N’s Fata merger laws, or major economic policies like the PML-N’s CPEC. Its main policy is on construction, not industry, which may cause bubbles and non-transparency. Police, court,

tax and state enterprise reforms are on hold. Frequent political transfers have hurt institutions.

The bureaucratic reforms unveiled are largely seen as weak and education reforms as regressive. But IPP contract reforms may yet work.

Halfway into the PTI’s term, true change is still not visible.

Qureshi urges US not to ignore ground realities in held Kashmir

ISLAMABAD / WASHINGTON: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday asked the Biden administration not to overlook the ground realities vis-à-vis occupied Kashmir as he urged the world to help in reaching a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute before it was too late.

He was speaking at a photography and cultural exhibition held at the Foreign Office as part of Kashmir Solidarity Day activities.“I expect the new Biden administration that has always talked of fundamental human rights to stop ignoring the ground realities in held Kashmir,” the foreign minister asserted.

Mr Qureshi’s comment came in the backdrop of the controversy that started with a tweet by the US State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in which Occupied Jammu and Kashmir was referred to as India’s Jammu and Kashmir. The State Department’s spokesman Ned Price later clarified at a media briefing that US policy on Kashmir had not changed and it still considered

Pakistan Army conducts successful test launch .........cruise missile Continued from Page 1

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Jamadi ul II 30,1442 Feb 12, 2021

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i On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Allah said:I have prepared for My righteous servants what no eye has seen and no ear has heard, not has it occurred to human heart. Thus recite if you wish (1): And no soul knows what joy for them (the inhabitants of Paradise) has been kept hidden (Quran 32 Verse 17. (1) The words “Thus recite if you wish” are those of Abu Harayrah.It was related by al-Bukhari, Muslim, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah.

Abu Hanifah, ‘Imam e Azam’ 80 - 150H.

Summarised by: Mir Iqbal Ali M.D.

Legend: SAW=Sallallhu Alaihe Wasallam; RA=Rahmatullah Alaih; Fiqh=Islamic code of particular Madhab; Faqih= a scholar of Fiqh; mam Nu’man bin Thabit bin Zuta bin Mah, popularly known by his title Abu Hanifah was born in Kufah, Iraq in 80 H. He was of Persian ancestry. He is well known for his compilation of Hadis and Fiqh on which is based the Hanafi Madhab. He was quite young when he participated in debates on Islamic topics and became recognized for his intellect and talents. He was encouraged by a great Islamic teacher Shubaii(RA) to join his religious classes and thus started learning at the age of eighteen.

Several Companions of Mohammed RasulAllah(SAW) were still alive and he had met a few of them, although too young to acquire any formal education from them. His father had met Hazrat Ali the Khalifah. He travelled to Medina and Mekkah several times and to Baghdad and met and exchanged views with other learned men and Imams of other Fiqh. He was most dedicated to his teacher Hammad(RA) with whom he spent twenty two years, learning Hadith, Kalam, Fiqh and other aspects of Islamic studies. Later he found Fiqh of great interest and spent most of his life gathering, interpreting and classifying rules and regulations, with Quran as the very first reference, then Hadith, then rulings of the Companions of Mohammed (SAW) and other Ulema, if available on the subject, then taking into consideration the traditions of the Islamic practices, and finally using his own deductions with the knowledge of Islamic law, and giving Fatwas about the issues in question. He always used to tell people after such Fatwas that it was his opinion at the time, that they should seek further opinions from other Faqihs and accept the best solution offered. His compilation is said to have dealt with sixty thousand issues.

He had a staff of thirty to forty dedicated students who spent thirty years doing this work.

Many of his students later became famous for their knowledge, acquired through his teachings and became Imams and Muftis and Qadis in different places, and made great contributions towards Hadith and Fiqh.

After the death of his teacher Hammad(RA) in 120 H., Abu Hanifah(RA) was appointed principal of the school. He was also a businessman, selling clothes and carried on the business for many years while pursuing learning and teaching. He lived during the Ummawi rule for fifty two years and later during the Abbsia rule for eighteen. He served as the Chief Qadi and supervised the courts and many times personally oversaw the proceedings within those courts.

He never hesitated to criticize the judges and was never afraid to openly point out the mistakes of the Khalifah of the time, when he thought they were deviating from Islamic values in their actions.

A few years after the era of Hazrat Ali (RA) Muslims became divided into many sects, and involved in much controversy over many religious issues. Discussions between groups and sects became common and were even encouraged by the rulers, and many learned men of high rank were invited to take part. Abu Hanifa (RA)participated in many such debates and exchanged views with teachers of other sects, notable among them being the Shia and Mu’tazila groups. The compilation and formulation of the Fiqh by Abu Hanifah(RA) was thus very timely, and the most notable written jurisprudence in Islamic history. It preserved

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authentic Ahadith and correct interpretations of the Islamic Law. Abu Hanifa(RA) is said to have compiled five books- Fiqh Akbar, Risalat ul Mu’allim wa Mut’allim, Maktub ba nam Osman Al Batti, Kitab Al Rad ‘Al Al Qadria, Al ‘Ilme Sharqan wa Gharban wa B’adan wa Qarban. It is not known for sure whether these were for his own reference or whether these were ever published. One author thinks they existed until the sixth century. Material from these books was copied by his disciples for their own books, and acknowledged most frequently therein, published, and widely circulated over many centuries, and are available to this day.

Notable among these are writings of Qazi Abu Yousuf(RA), Imam Mohammed bin Hasan(RA) (popularly known as ‘Imam Mohammed’). Zafr bin Hazeel did not publish books but became Qazi of Basra and taught Fiqh based on Abu Hanifah’s writings. Yousuf son of Abu Yousuf wrote Kitab ul Aasar that contains discussions of Fatwas collected in Kufah. Abu Yousuf published at least fourteen books, which are well documented. These consist of subjects dealing with salat, zakaat, fasting, fara’id (compulsory duties), taxation (written for Khalifa Haroon Rasheed), Kitab ul Jawame’ consisting of forty volumes, dealing with the issues which were causing difference of opinions among the various Muslim groups of people, and offered their solutions.

Four other books are mentioned which represent the thoughts and viewpoints of Abu Hanifah(RA). Imam Mohammed (RA) wrote at least eleven books, which are well known by their names. His writings are considered to be of the first rank among books written for the Hanafi Madhab. ‘Kitab Al Mabsoot’ is his biggest book which contains many questions on religious practices, and extensively quotes Abu Hanifah(RA) as well as other collections of Fatwahs. In his book ‘Al Jame ul Saghir’ he extensively quotes Abu Yousuf(RA). ‘Jame ul Kabir’ consists of many quotations of his own and has had much sharah (interpretations) written by at least nineteen ulema (scholars in Islam) whose names are well documented. ‘Al Rid Ala Ahlal Madinah’ was viewed by Imam Shafa’i and given reference to in his book ‘Kitab e Alam’. Another book ‘Kitab ul Asaar’ contains many Ahadith and ‘Asaar’ which were known at the time in Iraq by various Fuqha and resembles the book by similar name written by Abu Yousuf (RA).

Later Abul Fazal Mohammed bin Mohammed and Sarqsi wrote further books based upon the writings of Imam Mohammed (RA).

Further writings count several Fuqha such as Hasan bin Ziad Lu’lui, Isa bin Imam, Mohammed bin Sam’a, Hilal bin Yahya of Basra, Ahmed bin Umr bin Mohir ul Khasaf, Imam Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Salamah Abu Jafar ut Tahawi(RA). ‘Hujjat ul Lahul Baligha’ of Shah Wali ulLah, and the more recent Jawahar e Fiqh from Darul Uloom, Karachi are well known sources of Fiqh in our times. Some other students of Abu Hanifah(RA) became well known Muhadditheen(scholars of Hadith).

Thus through the efforts of Abu Hanifah(RA)

and his students, enormous amount of literature was produced for the Fiqh.

Shibli Nu’mani(RA) writes in his biography of Abu Hanifah(RA) “He subscribed to the doctrine of rationality and beneficence for the rules of the Shariah. It is because of this quality, the Hanafi Fiqh is most in accord with rational principles.There are hundreds of questions relating to ritual duties(ibadat) in which Abu Hanifah’s enunciations show that he gave special consideration to the inner purpose and the benefits likely to accrue from the Sharia. This characteristic is more manifest in his treatment of secular matters.” He for the first time laid down rules regarding transactions and contracts, crime and punishments, adjudication of justice and collecting evidence “.

Rules for marriage were defined and rights of a woman with her right to agree or disagree to a marriage were restored. Women were allowed to give testimony as a single witness, and the rights of the non-Muslims living in Muslim countries were liberalised.

Hanafi Fiqh is described to be the easier

R

Rajab

ajab is the seventh month of the Islamic calendar. The lexical definition of the classical Arabic verb rajaba is “to respect” which could also mean “be awe or be in fear”, of which Rajab is a derivative.

This month is regarded as one of the four sacred months in Islam in which battles are prohibited. The pre-Islamic Arabs also considered warfare blasphemous during the four months.[citation needed] Muslims believe Rajab is the month in which ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib, the first Imam of Shia Muslims and fourth Caliph of Sunni Muslims, was born.

Rajab is also the month during which Isra’ Mi’raj (journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and then through the 7 Heavens to meet ALLAH ) of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad, took place.

Rajab and Shaʿbān are a prelude to the holy month of Ramaḍān.

Fiqh and found followers in many countries of the world, including Iraq, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, North Africa, China and Turkey, and other countries, to name a few.

Hazrat Abu Hanifah(RA) exchanged views with many other learned Imams and Muhaddithin (transmitters of Hadith), and with learned men with Shia belief from Iraq and Persia. He strongly believed that Ahle Bait (relatives of Mohammed SAW) should have the right to be Khalifahs. He had very high regards for Hazrat Ali. When the Khalifahs in Iraq used excesses over the people, he made his displeasure known to them. This sometimes created a feeling that he was not loyal to them. It is said that he supported the revolt of Ibrahim against the rule of Mansoor, the Khalifah of Iraq.

Ibrahim was defeated and killed and Abu Hanifah (RA) entered into the bad books of the Khalifah. It is said that he was not immediately punished, from fear of provoking the masses.

To be continued at page 10

Description

The name of Rajab literally designated to the meaning respected, regarded, and admired. It seems that the word is originally a Semitic one. There are different points about the numeration of the days of the month. Some believe that the month is 29 days and others believe that the month is 30 days. There are two important events during the month, namely the birthday of Ali ibn Abi Talib and the Muhammad’s first revelation in Shia tradition. Just as the month honored before the appearance of Islam, the dignity of that is regarded by the very religion of Islam. Also during the month referred to the forbidding of war. There are also other names for the Rajab, such as Rajab Al-Morrajjab, Rajab Al-Asab.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Prayer Schedule in Greater Vancouver Feb 12-26, 2021 Jamadi ul II 30-Rajab 14,1442 H

Isl. Dt. Day Date Fajar

30 *1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thus Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thus Fri

Sunr Dhur ZawalAsarDhuhr Asar Shafi / Hanfi

Maghrib

Isha

For such Prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times: Quran ,n 4:103 Source: BCMA

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Biden calls India’s Modi, seeks to strengthen Myanmar protesters back on streets regional security through ‘Quad’ grouping despite police violence

US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed in a telephone call to strengthen Indo-Pacific security through the Quad grouping of countries that is seen as a way to push back against China’s growing assertiveness in the region. India, United States, Japan and Australia are members of the Quad, an informal group that Washington has been promoting to work as a potential bulwark against China’s increasing political, commercial and military activity in the Indo-Pacific, diplomats say.Biden spoke to Modi on Monday night in his first call since taking office last month and noted that India-US ties were held together by a shared commitment to democratic values.

“The leaders agreed to continuing close cooperation to promote a free and open IndoPacific, including support for freedom of navigation, territorial integrity, and a stronger regional architecture through the Quad,” the White House said in a statement.China has denounced the Quad as an attempt to contain its development and urged the United States to drop its “Cold War mentality”.Last year, the

four countries held joint naval exercises in the Bay of Bengal after New Delhi dropped its hesitation for fear of antagonising Beijing. Modi told Biden he would work to elevate the strategic partnership between the two countries, the Indian foreign ministry said in its readout of the call.

India is locked in a military standoff with China over their disputed mountainous border since April and public opinion has hardened against Beijing after soldiers were killed in a clash there. Source:dawn.com

The United States is closely monitoring border disputes between India and China and backs their peaceful resolution through direct dialogue, the State Department said on Tuesday, while stressing that it stands with allies and partners like India.“We note the ongoing talks between the governments of India and China,” State Department spokesman Ned Price told a news briefing.“We continue to support direct dialogue and a peaceful resolution of those border disputes,” he said and added: “We are concerned

by Beijing’s pattern of ongoing attempts to intimidate its neighbours. As always, we’ll stand with friends, we’ll stand with partners, we’ll stand with allies.”

India and China have been locked in a military standoff over their disputed mountain-

ous border and Indian public opinion has hardened against Beijing after soldiers were killed in a clash there. Price spoke after a call earlier in the day between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

The State Department said the call’s purpose was “to reaffirm the strength of the US-India partnership” and issues of mutual concern, including Myanmar.

Myanmar’s military overthrew the newly elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1 and detained her and other politicians from her National League for Democracy (NLD).The two also discussed cooperation across the Indo-Pacific, the statement said, adding that they looked forward to expanded regional cooperation, including through the Quad, an informal grouping of the US, India, Japan and Australia seen as a way to push back against China’s growing assertiveness.

New US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed in a telephone call on Monday to strengthen Indo-Pacific security through the Quad.

Source: ctvnews.ca

Angry Indian farmers have abandoned their fields to stage one of the country’s biggest ever protests.Since November, tens of thousands of farmers have been living in tents at sprawling camps pitched on highways outside the capital New Delhi.Large barricades erected by the police and topped with barbed wire stand a few hundred meters from the camp, preventing the farmers from encroaching any closer to the center of Delhi. At times, violence has broken out during demonstrations.

The farmers are fighting new farming laws passed last September, which they say will devastate their livelihoods. The government says the reforms are needed to modernize the country’s agricultural industry.

With negotiations between the government and the farmers’ unions at a standstill, the protests don’t appear to be ending anytime soon.

Here’s what you need to know about the situation.

Why are the farmers protesting the new laws?

For decades, the Indian government has offered guaranteed prices to farmers for certain crops, creating a stable guide to make decisions

and investments for the following crop cycle.

Under the previous laws, farmers had to sell their goods at auction at their state’s Agricultural Produce Market Committee, where they were guaranteed to receive at least the government-agreed minimum price. There were restrictions on who could buy, and prices were capped for essential commodities.

Three new laws, initiated by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, dismantled this committee structure, instead allowing farmers to sell their goods to anyone for any price.Source: .cnn.com

US closely monitoring India-China border disputes, says State Dept

Farmers across India have been protesting for months. Here’s why

YANGON, MYANMAR -- Crowds demonstrating against the military takeover in Myanmar again defied a ban on protests Wednesday, even after security forces ratcheted up the use of force against them and raided the headquarters of the political party of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Fresh protests were reported in Yangon and Mandalay, the country’s two biggest cities, as well as the capital Naypyitaw and elsewhere.

The protesters are demanding that power be restored to Suu Kyi’s deposed civilian government. They’re also seeking freedom for her and other governing party members since the military detained them after blocking the new session of Parliament on Feb. 1.

The military says it acted because November’s election, which Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy won in a landslide, were marred by irregularities. The election commission had refuted the allegation.

The growing protests and the junta’s latest raid suggest there is little room for reconciliation. The military, which held power

directly for five decades after a 1962 coup, used deadly force to quash a massive 1988 uprising and a 2007 revolt led by Buddhist monks.

In Naypyitaw and Mandalay on Tuesday, police sprayed water cannons and fired warning shots to try to clear away protesters. In Naypyitaw, they shot rubber bullets and apparently live rounds, wounding a woman protester, according to witnesses and footage on social media. The reports could not be independently confirmed.

Human Rights Watch cited a doctor at a Naypyitaw hospital as saying the woman was in critical condition. Source:dawn.com

China bans BBC World News for content ‘violation’

The move follows BBC report detailing accounts of alleged torture and sexual violence against Uighur women.

British television channel BBC World News has been barred from airing in China, the National Radio and Television Administration said on Friday, a week after the United Kingdom’s media regulator revoked Chinese state-owned broadcaster China Global Television Network’s (CGTN).In a statement issued on the stroke of the Lunar New Year, the administration said an investigation found BBC World News’ Chinarelated reports had “seriously violated” regulations, including that news should be “truthful and fair,” had harmed China’s national interests and undermined national unity.

The channel, therefore, does not meet requirements for foreign channels broadcasting in China and its application to air for another year will not be accepted, it added.

English-language BBC World News is not included in most TV channel packages in China but is available in some hotels and residences.

In a statement, the BBC said it was “disappointed” by the decision.“We are disappointed that the Chinese authorities have decided to take this course of action,” a BBC spokeswoman said.“The BBC is the world’s most trusted international news broadcaster and reports on stories from around the world fairly, impartially and without fear or favour.”

British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab said the move by China was “unacceptable” and damaged China’s global standing.

“China’s decision to ban BBC World News in mainland China is an unacceptable curtailing of media freedom,” Raab said on Twitter.

“China has some of the most severe restrictions on media & internet freedoms across the globe, & this latest step will only damage China’s reputation in the eyes of the world,” he added.

The US State Department also condemned the decision, calling it “troubling”.

“We absolutely condemn the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) decision to ban BBC World News, the PRC maintains one of the most controlled most impressive least free information spaces in the world. It’s troubling that as the PRC restricts outlets and platforms from operating freely in China Beijing’s leaders, use free and open media environments overseas to promote misinformation,” State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.

“We call on the PRC and other nations with authoritarian controls over their population to allow their full access to the internet and media.”

Reporting on alleged abuses

The move came after the BBC aired a report on February 3 detailing harrowing accounts of alleged torture and sexual violence against Uighur women in Chinese camps.

In a lengthy investigation based on witness testimonies, the BBC had reported allegations of systematic rape, sexual abuse and torture of women detainees by police and guards in China’s western region of Xinjiang.

The region is home to the mainly Muslim Uighur minority and has seen a sweeping security crackdown by Chinese forces in recent years.

The report described torture by electric shock, including anal rape by guards using electrified sticks. Women were subject to gang rape and forced sterilisation, witnesses said.

Meanwhile, British media regulator Ofcom revoked CGTN’s licence to broadcast in the UK on February 4 after an investigation found the licence was wrongfully held by Star China Media Ltd. CGTN has long faced criticism for parroting the Communist Party line in its global broadcasts [File: Bruno Vincent/Getty Images] UK broadcast regulator Ofcom revokes licence of China’s CGTN Ofcom said the current licence holder, Star China Media Ltd, had failed to show it had editorial oversight over CGTN. 4 Feb 2021 Broadcast regulator Ofcom said it had received hundreds of complaints about the BBC’s report [File: Carl Court/Getty Images] BBC apologises over use of racial slur in news reportAfter public outcry, British broadcaster expresses regret for ‘creating distress amongst many people’.

9 Aug 2020 A BBC report said women in the camps were subject to rape, sexual abuse and torture [File: Reuters] US ‘disturbed’ by reports of rape of Muslims in China camps The US warns of serious consequences for atrocities committed against women in internment camps for ethnic Uighurs.

Source: aljazeera.com

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More than half of COVID-19 violation tickets being disputed in B.C. courts

VANCOUVER -- As of Jan. 30, police, bylaw officers and other enforcement agencies in B.C. had issued 377 COVID-19 violation tickets worth $352,000. But only 12 per cent people who’ve been ticketed have paid the fine. Fifty-two per cent have chosen to dispute the ticket in court.

“I think a lot of people who’ve been defying these orders, if they are guilty, it’s because they don’t believe the law is valid or the law is just,” said Vancouver lawyer Kyla Lee. “And so it makes sense to me they have a natural inclination to want to dispute the ticket, potentially to challenge the law.”

If COVID-19 fines for infractions like breaking quarantine or hosting an illegal

gathering aren’t paid within 30 days, they go to collections, unless the alleged offender chooses to dispute the ticket. “Some people may be thinking, ‘You know what? I’m going to delay this or put this off, see what happens with this legislation down the road before I pay it and am deemed guilty of the offence,” said lawyer Sarah Leamon.

While legal arguments about COVID-19 fines have already failed in other provinces, Lee believes some of the people disputing tickets think it could go the other way in B.C. “Obviously, every province has different laws and so there are going to be unique issues that are going to have to be decided in British Columbia,” said Lee.

A favourable court ruling on a single ticket could set a precedent.

“If there is a constitutional challenge to this legislation, it will first of all move slowly and secondly be very likely to impact all or the vast majority of these tickets that have been issued,” said Leamon.

But Lee is skeptical a judge would issue a ruling that would lead to all COVID-19 violation tickets being tossed.

“I don’t think the orders will be struck down or the orders will be found to be unconstitutional,” she said. “So, while we may see some people successful in their disputes, I think probably hoping for something (that has a) anybody who has hope there’s going to be pretty slim chance of happening.” a mass decision that cancels all of them is Source: ctvnews.ca

week. That was only 80 per cent of the promised amount.

To date, Canada has received about 928,000 doses from Pfizer and 515,000 from Moderna.Pfizer will need to ship 450,000 doses a week on average in the last two weeks of March to meet its contract for four million doses by March 31. Moderna will need to ship about 1.3 million doses in March to

meet its contract to ship two million doses by the same date.

Next week also marks the first time Pfizer’s label will say the vials each contain six doses.

The company found it was overfilling its vials with enough vaccine to get that sixth dose, and Health Canada agreed to the change earlier this week.

Getting that sixth dose requires the use of a low dead-volume syringe, which traps less vaccine in the needle and syringe after an

injection, which goes to waste. Canada has now ordered 72 million of those syringes, and two million were delivered last week.

Fortin said those are being shipped to the provinces to be ready for Monday, though no provinces reported having yet received any as of Thursday.

Provincial governments are also concerned about how easy it will be to get that sixth dose, even with the special syringes.

Deputy chief public health officer Dr. How-

As one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, building new transit infrastructure is a massive priority for the City of Surrey.

When it comes to new rapid transit, Surrey has been lagging behind for decades. That is why I wholeheartedly applaud this morning’s announcement by Prime Minister Trudeau. His commitment of $14.9 billion to public transit projects over the next eight years makes good sense. Despite the current malaise of the COVID pandemic, it will not last forever, and things will eventually re-

turn to normal. When that happens, people will once again turn to public transit to get them to and from work or play.

The federal funding announcement today makes good sense both in the short term and the long term. As we work our way through the economic effects of the pandemic, large infrastructure projects will immediately create well paying and stable jobs.

When the transit project is completed, it will be a public amenity that will help our residents travel cost effectively, efficiently with

the added bonus of minimizing our overall carbon footprint.

With today’s announcement by Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Horgan’s promise to fully fund SkyTrain through Surrey all the way to Langley, I am now more confident than ever that Surrey is no longer left behind on rapid transit. Surrey’s new SkyTrain extension is shovel ready, will create wellpaying jobs immediately, and will take more cars off the road with the built-in ridership from the growing cities of Surrey and the

day, which is two deaths a day higher than in the previous year.“This represents the most deaths ever in a single year in this province due to an unnatural cause, and an alarming death rate of 33.4 per 100,000 people,” she said. Deaths due to drug toxicity “far surpass” the number of deaths due to suicides, car crashes, homicides and prescription drugs.

In fact, illicit drug overdoses surpass the deaths from all of those other causes combined, Lapointe said.

B.C. declared a public health emergency nearly five years ago, following a spike in deaths. Lapointe called it a “terrible burden of death” due to a toxic supply. She said when B.C. reaches the anniversary of the emergency in April, nearly 7,000 people will have died. “These are sons, brothers, fathers, daughters, sisters, friends and colleagues.

Thousands of years of life and potential are

gone,” she said.

“We must turn this terrible trajectory around.” Last year’s deaths followed what she described as a pattern throughout the emergency: the majority are dying inside private residences.Most are men, and between the ages of 30 and 59.The communities that saw the highest toll in 2020 were Vancouver, Surrey and Victoria.But Lapointe said the deaths aren’t confined to certain areas or populations.

“People are dying in communities across B.C., from all walks of life, and leaving behind broken-hearted families, friends and colleagues,” she said.Mapping data shows virtually no areas of B.C. are untouched, she said. The majority of B.C. is seeing death rates of more than 30 per 100,000 people.

Fentanyl and its analogues were found in more than 80 per cent of fatal cases. Looking at a five-year period, it’s been in more than

Deliveries of COVID-19 vaccine doses to Canada set to........

Continued from Page 1

Mayor’s Statement: federal transit funding announcement

ard Njoo said Thursday about 1,800 professionals took part in an English-language training session online Wednesday to learn how to do it. There will be a second session Friday in French.

Federal officials did not answer questions Thursday about whether there is a clause in the label change approval or the contract with Pfizer, that would amend the doses being sent if Canada can’t get that sixth dose all the time. Source: bc.ctvnews.ca

Langleys. Let’s get moving on it!

Mayor Doug McCallum Source: Oliver Lum Senior Manager, Communications and Media Relations Office of the Mayor

B.C.’s other health crisis: 2020 the ‘worst year yet’ for fatal overdoses

VANCOUVER -- Last year was British Columbia’s deadliest on record when it comes to illicit drug overdoses, the province’s chief coroner says.In an update Thursday, Lisa Lapointe announced 1,716 people died in 2020 due to toxic illicit drugs.It’s a 74 per cent increase over the 2019 death toll of 984, making 2020 what the coroner’s service calls the “worst year yet” in terms of overdoses.

Lapointe said it equates to 4.7 deaths per

86 per cent of deaths, the chief coroner said.

Cocaine and methamphetamine are the next most common substances found in people who have fatally overdosed in B.C., she said.

Lapointe said the data show the impact of COVID-19 on those facing substance use challenges in B.C.Throughout 2020, doctors and first responders spoke out about the challenges created by the pandemic.

With borders closed, some local dealers were making their own supply, meaning users were getting inconsistent doses.

Additionally, many were using alone due to physical distancing guidelines, or were less likely to go to hospital for fear of contracting the novel coronavirus.

Lapointe said harm reduction measures including supervised injection sites and drugtesting sites are reducing overdoses in 2019, but access has been limited during the pandemic.Source: bc.ctvnews.ca

Coronavirus infections over 108 million worldwide Coronavirus Cases:

Deaths:

Recovered:

80,353,459

Last updated:

February 12, 2021, 06:51 GMT www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?

108,304,103

2,379,007

Coronavirus Cases:

Deaths:

Recovered:

CANADA Last updated:

Coronavirus Cases:

Deaths:

Recovered:

BC;CANADA Last updated:

817,163 72,305

21,088 1,278

758,328 66,603

February 12, 2021, 06:51 GMT

February 11, 2021, 04:30 PM(PT)

https://experience.arcgis.com/

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India will ‘do its best’ to send vaccines Feds to require negative COVID-19 test for to Canada, Modi tells Trudeau those entering Canada at land borders

OTTAWA -- With the possibility for Canada to receive COVID-19 vaccines manufactured in India, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he told Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that his country will “do its best” to see shots sent to Canada.

Trudeau and Modi spoke on the phone on Wednesday about the two nations’ respective vaccine rollouts and the need for international co-ordination on securing supplies.

In a tweet, Modi said that on the call with Trudeau he “assured him that India would do its best to facilitate supplies of COVID vaccines sought by Canada.” The Serum Institute of India has a contract with AstraZeneca to produce doses of its vaccine, to “supply India but also a large number of countries around the world,” and Health Canada is currently reviewing the facilities—described

by AstraZeneca as the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer—as the health agency considers approving the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University for use in Canada.Modi’s office said in a statement following the call that Trudeau spoke with Modi about “Canada’s requirements” of vaccines from India and thanked Modi for supporting Canada’s vaccination efforts, noting the role that the pharmaceutical capacity in India is playing in tackling COVID-19.

According to a readout issued by Trudeau’s office following the Wednesday call, the two leaders discussed “India’s significant efforts in promoting vaccine production and sup-

ply, which have provided vital support to countries around the world,” and “agreed to work together on access to vaccines.” During a press conference earlier on Wednesday, Trudeau was asked about whether he had planned to reach out to Modi about ensuring supplies from India, and he spoke in generalities in response.

“We are continually in contact with our friends and allies around the world on the issues of vaccines, on the issue of fighting COVID. I can highlight that India has been a great partner in fighting COVID, whether it’s helping us with delivery of other pharmaceuticals, or whether it’s working together on potential vaccines,” the prime minister said.

He went on to say the government is also in talks with vaccine manufacturers about ensuring “reliable” supplies of shipments and access to additional doses.

Source:ctvnews.ca

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says starting next week, anyone arriving in Canada by land will also need to show a recent negative COVID-19 test.

Trudeau says the new measure will kick in Feb. 15, the latest move to keep COVID-19 from spreading within Canada from people who travelled outside it.

That is particularly relevant with multiple, more contagious variants of the novel coronavirus now circling, many of them already within Canada. The government began requiring all people arriving in Canada by air to show a negative PCR-based COVID-19 test in early January.

But more people are coming into the country in a vehicle than on an airplane.

The latest statistics from the Canada Border Services Agency show that since the end of March 2.9 million people, excluding truck drivers, entered through a land border crossing, while 2.4 million arrived by airplane.Trudeau said the federal government cannot prevent Canadians from returning to the country at a land border, even without a test, but if they don’t have the required test they can be fined up to $3,000.

Monday will also mark the start of a new plan for how many doses those vaccinating people against COVID-19 can get out of a single vial from Pfizer-BioNTech.

Dr. Supriya Sharma, the chief medical adviser at Health Canada, says that after a review, the regulatory team agrees with the

companies that each vial of their vaccine contains six doses, rather than five. ”Based on its assessment, Health Canada has determined that each vial will reliably contain six doses of vaccine plus the sufficient overfill volume when proper technique is used,” Sharma said Tuesday.

The change means Pfizer will fulfil its contract to ship four million doses to Canada

by March by sending fewer vials.

Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, the military commander overseeing Ottawa’s vaccine distribution program, says next week Canada will get the same number of vials it was expecting, but instead of Pfizer saying those 67,275 vials contained about 336,000 doses, they will count them as 400,000 doses.

The week after that, Canada will get 79,170 vials, which will now be counted as 475,000 doses instead of the previous 395,850 doses.

Source: ctvnews.ca

VANCOUVER -- Peter McCartney and his partner were surprised, then angered, to receive a promotional offer via text from a restaurant they visited in Vancouver’s West End.The message was sent to a cellphone number that they say is rarely shared, but was given to staff at the restaurant on Davie Street a month ago, as part of provincial health guidelines.“We sat and wracked our brains. ‘How could they have gotten the number?’ And the only way we can think of was from contact tracing,” McCartney told CTV News Tuesday. Restaurants are required to get contact details from dinein customers so they can be contacted and traced in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak.But that data is not supposed to be used for other purposes.

“I’m furious,” said McCartney. “We feel a little violated to be honest. You put your name down on a form like that, and expect that it’s going to be used properly and within the law.”

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia has strict guidelines about collecting personal information from customers: “Do not use the collected information for other purpos-

es, such as marketing or analytics,” the rules clearly state.The private information must also be destroyed after 30 days.

“It’s illegal, number one. But secondly, it undermines the trust that customers will have in your business,” B.C. Privacy Commissioner Michael McEvoy told CTV News. “It’s really unfortunate that certain businesses might operate in this way.”

McCartney understands restaurants are struggling, and didn’t want to reveal the name of the small Indian restaurant, but said he’s still angry about getting a message advertising the upcoming event Dine Out Vancouver.

“People need to be able to trust that is happening properly, otherwise they’re going to have reservations about putting their phone number on that contact tracing sheet,” he said.Source: bc.ctvnews.ca

Canada should consider hosting 2022 Winter B.C. couple ‘furious’ restaurant used phone number Olympics, says Green Leader Annamie Paul from contact tracing list to send promotional offers OTTAWA -- Canada should support moving the 2022 Olympics outside China over its “genocidal campaign” against the Uighur Muslim minority, says Green Leader Annamie Paul, and consider offering to play a role in hosting the global competition instead.“If an ongoing genocide is not reason enough to relocate a sporting event, then my question is, what is?” she said during a virtual news conference Tuesday.

She urged the International Olympic Committee, along with Canada and other countries that condemn human rights violations in China, to find another venue. She said Canada should think about offering to host the Winter Olympics, possibly with the United States, because both countries have the needed infrastructure and experience.

“This is the kind of creative solution that Canada used to be known for and can be known for again,” she said.

An open letter signed by 13 MPs, a halfdozen Quebec politicians and others Saturday called for the 2022 Winter Olympics to be moved outside China.The letter demands the International Olympic Committee relocate the global competition to avoid having athletes “tainted” by an event legislators

say would be comparable to the 1936 Berlin games under the Nazi regime, rendering it “The Games of Shame.” Bob Rae, Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, called on the United Nations in November to investigate whether China’s persecution of ethnic Muslim Uighurs in its Xinjiang province constitutes genocide.

A Canadian parliamentary subcommittee concluded in an October report that China’s treatment of Uighurs does amount to genocide, a characterization the country rejected as baseless.China has been accused of using forced birth control to limit Uighur births and detention camps to indoctrinate the mostlyMuslim minority into mainstream Chinese society. Beijing has denied any wrongdoing, saying it is running a voluntary employment and language-training program.

Source: ctvnews.ca

OTTAWA -- A new survey suggests Canadians are split on believing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that anyone who wants a COVID-19 vaccine will get one by September. According to the latest survey from Nanos Research, commissioned by CTV News,

50 per cent of respondents either believe or somewhat believe that all Canadians will be able to receive a vaccine by September 2021, while 47 per cent do not believe or somewhat do not believe in the timeline.

“The outright confidence in hitting that target of September 2021 when it comes to all Canadians getting vaccinated, it’s actually very thin right now,” Nik Nanos, founder of Nanos Research, told CTV’s Power Play on Monday. Despite several delays in vaccine shipments, Trudeau has been adamant that Canada is still on pace with the original plan.“I speak almost every week with CEOs of these vaccine companies, and they have assured me that they will meet their obliga-

Canadians split in believing Trudeau on vaccinations by September: Nanos​survey tions,” Trudeau told reporters last week.

“Those doses will begin to accelerate and come in the hundreds of thousands in the coming weeks.” According to CTVNews.ca’s vaccine tracker, just 2.39 per cent of Canadians had received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as of Monday.

Canadians were also split as to whether they think the federal government should take over control of the vaccine rollout from the provinces and territories, with 48 per cent of respondents either opposed or somewhat opposed to the idea, and 49 per cent supportive or somewhat supportive of it.

Additionally, 60 per cent of Canadians would support the government paying a

premium to pharmaceutical companies so Canada could receive more doses faster.

The survey also asked Canadians’ opinion on travelling to other provinces to receive a vaccine sooner and 70 per cent of Canadians oppose the practice.

Two weeks ago, Great Canadian Gaming Corp. CEO Rod Baker and his wife Ekaterina Baker were each fined $1,150 after allegedly travelling from British Columbia to Yukon and posing as local workers to receive a dose of the vaccine ahead of schedule.

British Columbia’s health ministry has indicated that proof of age and residence would be required to receive a vaccine in the later stages of vaccine rollout.Source: ctvnews.ca

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Jamadi ul II 30,1442 Feb 12, 2021

M I DDL E

EAST

US sells a million barrels of Iranian oil seized under sanctions

A US Department of Justice spokesman said the seized Iranian oil had been sold and the proceeds would go to the US Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund. The United States has sold more than a million barrels of Iranian fuel seized under its sanctions programme last year, a Department of Justice

official said, as another ship with intercepted Iranian crude oil sails to a US port.

The seizures are part of Washington’s tough economic sanctions on Tehran imposed over its nuclear programme and the US designation of a number of Iranian groups as “terrorists”, continuing decades of rancour between the two nations. Iran rejects US accusations of wrongdoing.

Iran: Armed forces member involved in nuclear scientist’s killing Iran celebrates different revolution anniversary under COVID-19 In a new approach last year, the administration of former US President Donald Trump used civil forfeiture procedures to seize some

1.2 million barrels of gasoline it said were being sent from Iran to Venezuela aboard four tankers.

The shipments, the largest seizure by Washington of Iranian fuel to date, were transferred to other vessels and sent to the US, where the fuel was meant to be sold and the proceeds distributed to a fund for US victims of “state-sponsored terrorism”.

Department of Justice spokesman Marc Raimondi told Reuters news agency this week that the sale of the cargoes had been completed, adding that the government was “still working out the final expenses”.

“The petroleum has been seized, and an interlocutory sale has preserved the cash value

Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Wednesday targeted an airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia causing a civilian plane on the tarmac to catch fire, the kingdom’s state television reported, an attack that threatened to escalate Yemen’s grinding war.

No one was hurt in the assault, but the damaged passenger plane at Abha airport served as a powerful reminder of the danger that Houthi rebels pose to Saudi Arabia, which nearly six years ago launched a bombing campaign that has devastated the Arab world’s poorest country.

The Iran-aligned Houthis soon claimed responsibility for the assault, with military

spokesman Yehia Sarea stressing that the Houthis consider Abha airport to be a military, not civilian, target.

“This targeting comes in response to the continued aerial bombardment and the brutal siege of our country,” Sarea said, adding the group attacked with four bomb-laden drones.

Col Turki al-Maliki, the spokesman for the Saudi-led military coalition fighting in Yemen, said forces earlier intercepted and destroyed two drones launched by Houthis toward the country’s south. He condemned the assault as a “systematic and deliberate attempt to target civilians”.

“The attempt to target Abha airport is a war crime and put civilian travellers’ lives in danger,” the coalition statement said, adding that the aircraft was on the ground at the time and that the fire was brought under control.

Photographs later aired by Saudi state television showed the aircraft, a three-year-old Airbus A320 flown by low-cost carrier FlyADeal. It appeared the drone had punched a hole through its fuselage, with scorch marks on the metal. An anchor on state television said there were no injuries on the ground from the fire. FlyADeal did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Source:dawn.com

two movements.

The deal reached on Tuesday in Egypt’s capital provides for an “electoral cases court” and commits to allowing free campaigning and voting.

A joint statement at the end of the two-day session in Cairo said both groups and 12 other Palestinian factions pledged “to abide by the timetable” for the long-delayed balloting and “respect and accept” the results.

The parliamentary and presidential polls – set for May 22 and July 31, respectively – are the first in 15 years.

There has been widespread scepticism the elections will even happen.

Many Palestinians believe they are mainly an attempt by Palestinian Authority (PA)

President Mahmoud Abbas, of Fatah, to show his democratic credentials to new US President Joe Biden, with whom he wants to reset relations after they reached a new low under Donald Trump.

The Fatah-run PA has limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, while Hamas has held power in the Gaza Strip since 2007, the year Israel imposed a devastating blockade on the Mediterranean enclave.

According to the statement, the “electoral court” will be comprised of judges from the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, who will rule in any election-related legal disputes.“This court is responsible for monitoring all matters relating to the electoral process, its results, and the issues arising

of the petroleum, which is now held by the US Marshals Service,” he said. The value of the gasoline was not known but was likely worth tens of millions of dollars based on benchmark European gasoline prices.

Raimondi said the department still needs the US District Court in Washington, DC to enter an order of forfeiture “and then the funds will be transferred to the US Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund”.

The fund was established by the US government in 2015 to award compensation to individuals who suffered harm resulting from the acts of those designated by the US as “state sponsors of terrorism”.

Source: aljazeera.com

Yemen rebel attack on Saudi airport sets plane on fire

Palestinian factions agree on ‘mechanisms’ for long-delayed polls

At the end of a two-day summit in Cairo, Fatah, Hamas and 12 other factions say they have agreed to hold legislative and presidential elections in May and July.

Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas say they have agreed on the “mechanisms” for upcoming legislative and presidential elections, after a rapprochement between the

from it.”It also said “the uniformed Palestinian police, and no one else”, will guard voting sites in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and “their presence will be in accordance with the law”.The two groups also agreed to release detainees held on political grounds in the West Bank and Gaza and allow unrestricted campaigning.

There are 2.8 million eligible voters in Gaza and the West Bank.Abbas, 85, announced in January the dates for the elections, and he is expected to run.The last ballot, in 2006, ended in a surprise win by Hamas in its first participation in parliamentary elections.

Hamas then pushed Fatah out of Gaza when the latter refused to recognise the result of the vote. Source:arabnews.com

The Saudi women’s rights activists who remain behind bars

Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul was the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Badawi is the sister of Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, released from prison on Wednesday, but a team of Saudi agents in its consulate in Istanbul. who was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2012 Al-Hathloul was one of at least a dozen women’s for criticising officials. She was apprehended along several others remain in detention.

Rights groups have welcomed the release of women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul from prison, but several other activists remain behind bars in Saudi Arabia.Over the past three years, Saudi Arabia has detained hundreds of people it sees as dissenters – including activists like al-Hathloul – but it has begun provisionally releasing some as it comes under pressure from the new administration in the United States.

Saudi women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul to stand trial. The detentions cast a spotlight on the human rights record of the kingdom, an absolute monarchy that has also faced intense criticism over

rights activists detained in Saudi Arabia in 2018, with Nassima al-Sadah, a women’s rights activist three of whom are believed to remain in prison: from Saudi Arabia‘s Eastern Province.

Samar Badawi

Women’s rights activist Samar Badawi was arrested in 2018 over charges linked to her human rights activism. Badawi is known for her legal battle with her abusive father, who filed a lawsuit against her after she sought refuge in a women’s shelter in 2008.

She has advocated for the abolition of the male guardianship system, which among other things, grants male custodians the right to prevent their daughters from marrying, studying or travelling without prior consent.

Nassima al-Sadah

Nassima al-Sadah is a columnist and human rights activist who campaigned for civil and political rights as well as for the right of women to drive.

According to Amnesty International, she was banned from participating in municipal elections a fellow activist arrested after security forces raided in 2015. She was also subject to a travel ban prior her home.Al-Zahrani had posted an article written to her detention. by al-Jerawi, where the latter clarified her role as Mayaa al-Zahrani volunteering to help the oppressed by putting them Mayaa al-Zahrani was detained in 2018 for a social in contact with lawyers and human rights groups. media post in support of Nouf Abdulaziz al-Jerawi, Source:irishtimes.com

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Jamadi ul II 30,1442 Feb 12, 2021

A f g h an po l iti c s

What options does Biden have in Afghanistan?

Withdrawing US troops in May could derail the Afghan peace process. So, what can the new US administration do?

By: Ibraheem Bahiss n December 2, 2020, the Afghan government and the Taliban announced an agreement on the procedural framework document that will act as a code of conduct during their peace negotiations. Shortly afterwards, the teams exchanged their respective agenda lists and announced a weeks-long hiatus.

Although the teams resumed their talks on January 6, the sides have made little progress and have only met a few times. It appears both the Afghan sides are waiting for clarity from the Biden administration on their approach to Afghanistan instead of focusing on progress in talks. The administration has thus far issued vague statements regarding a review of the agreement and assessing the Taliban’s progress in fulfilling their commitments.

Despite its shortcomings, the US-Taliban agreement and consequent intra-Afghan negotiations provide a singular opportunity to bring peace to war-torn Afghanistan and end the United States’s longest war. With the peace talks progressing slowly and the May deadline for withdrawal fast approaching, the Biden administration will have to make some difficult decisions.

There are no easy solutions regarding Afghanistan. If the US withdraws before significant progress has been made in intra-Afghan talks, there is a risk the entire process could collapse and result in renewed violence. If the US and NATO decide to keep their troops on the ground beyond the May deadline – as recent reports have indicated – it could result in an abandonment of the agreement and a renewed conflict with the Taliban.

The Biden administration has several policy options to address the crisis.

O

Full withdrawal by May

bered by US air raids, Taliban fighters have been shutting down main highways and pushing government security forces to the confines of urban centres or large military installations. Their success in storming previously impregnable areas has reinforced their perception that Afghan security forces could crumble in the face of a series of focused offensives.

Second, unless a compromise between the two sides is reached, neither the Afghan government nor the Taliban will be in a position to prevent threat projection from smaller terror groups. Hardline armed groups will continue to exploit the security vacuum to operate in the country and possibly plan acts abroad.

That is why it seems less likely the Biden administration will go for this option.

Retaining a residual force

Given the risks a complete withdrawal could bring, the new administration could consider leaving behind a small US military force, focussed exclusively on counterterrorism.

This force would also act as an equaliser in the military theatre and discourage outside interference.

As the US-Taliban agreement stipulates that all non-diplomatic foreign military personnel must leave Afghanistan, the US cannot retain such a force unless they either renegotiate the US-Taliban agreement or completely ignore it.

It is extremely unlikely the Taliban will agree to host a residual foreign force in the foreseeable future. The group has consistently stated that the presence of even a single foreign troop makes jihad an obligation on all Afghans. If international troops remain without some form of agreement, the Taliban leadership will be unable to enforce adherence to the current deal as Hanafi jurisprudence – which the group follows – stipulates that when a central clause of a treaty is abandoned or breached, then it amounts to the abrogation of the entire agreement.

Its military successes in recent years and the political recognition it has received from most regional powers have convinced the armed group that if a political solution fails, it can continue to expand its military operations.

This would likely mean the Taliban will renew attacks on foreign forces and urban centres and potentially provide sanctuary to foreign armed groups again. Even if US airpower is able to prevent a total collapse of the Afghan army, the fighters would continue with their current strategy of confining government presence to major urban centres and ramping up violence in government-controlled areas. To push back against such an escalation, the US would then need to bring its military presence back to the pre-agreement levels.

In other words, a residual force, regardless of its size or scope, would most certainly result in prolonging the two-decade war.

One policy option would be to abide by the withdrawal schedule set up by the Trump administration. President Joe Biden has shown unease with putting US troops in harm’s way in Afghanistan even before the US-Taliban agreement was concluded.

A full US military withdrawal by May, however, leaves two major issues unaddressed.

First, the presence of the US military in Afghanistan has ensured a military equilibrium between the two negotiating sides.

Although the US has reduced its military engagement, its continued presence has prevented the Taliban from tilting the balance of power on the ground in its favour.

In the case of a full withdrawal of foreign troops, unless the parties can make rapid progress in talks – which is unlikely – both sides would seek to exert pressure on each other in the military theatre. Any significant alteration in the battlefield could complicate the peace talks and make political compromise more difficult. Furthermore, the Taliban could abandon the peace process A short-term extension of altogether, perceiving the other side as sig- withdrawal deadline nificantly weaker, and attempt to take power A third option for the US would be to seek by force. a short-term extension of the withdrawal Following the agreement largely unencum-

UAE’s space probe Continued from page 1

and reduce its reliance on oil. Its space agency has a plan for a Mars settlement by 2117. It aims to provide a complete picture of the Martian atmosphere for the first time, studying daily and seasonal changes. Source: aljazeera.com

deadline to address key US policy concerns and accelerate progress in the peace talks. The Biden administration can seek this extension in two different ways: It can either claim that the Taliban has not fulfilled its obligations under the agreement, as some of its officials seem to be doing right now, or seek to renegotiate the agreement without pushing for a residual force.

Suspending the withdrawal by claiming the Taliban have not fulfilled their obligations such as preventing armed groups from being based in areas under their control or failing to reduce violence would provide short-term respite but leave important issues, such as continued commitment to a political process or long-term prevention of “terrorism”, unaddressed.

Based on past behaviour, the Taliban will adopt a literalist approach in fulfilling its obligations and seek to limit the scope of discussions to issues pertaining to nonperformance. It is worth recalling that the group chose extremely precise wording pertaining to their obligations, omitting a clear commitment to publicly cut ties with armed groups. This will enable them to make a case that they have fulfilled their obligations or that they are only required to fully prevent foreign armed groups from operating from Afghanistan after all foreign troops withdraw from the country.

Demands, such as publicly severing ties with al-Qaeda or actively fighting against foreign groups, will be viewed as deviations from the letter of the agreement. Insistence on such new obligations or wider negotiations in this context might be viewed as malignant and risk unravelling the entire agreement.

Actions such as a unilateral extension of the withdrawal deadline by the US will be risky and could provoke the Taliban into retaliatory measures. This could risk serious repercussions that would bring the entire agreement into question and potentially derail the peace process.

A more prudent approach would be to seek a short-term extension through negotiations.

The new US administration can signal that it seeks a revision of the agreement and clarifications. This would be possible given the many ambiguities in the agreement in how certain provisions are worded, including the requirement for reduction in violence by all sides, the areas which fall within the violence-de-escalation provision, the use of international forces to support the Afghan army, and the Taliban’s obligations vis-a-vis foreign groups.

However, there is no guarantee the Taliban will consent to a short-term extension.

There is growing resistance within the Taliban to the ongoing peace process. Other than the release of 5,000 prisoners, all other obligations towards the group remain unfulfilled. As mentioned above, unless progress is made in talks, or other provisions of the agreement are fulfilled, the Taliban might be tempted to step away from the political process and refocus on its military campaign.

To maximise the chances of gaining the Taliban’s consent for an extension, the US should focus its efforts on fulfilling certain portions of the agreement and expediting the intra-Afghan peace process. For example, the new administration can begin delisting Taliban leaders from US sanctions lists and facilitating further prisoner exchanges.

However, even if Washington manages to negotiate an extension, it would not be more than a few months long.

Expediting the intra-Afghan talks

While seeking to postpone full withdrawal, the US should also seek to accelerate the talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government. Otherwise, it risks facing the same dilemma when the new withdrawal deadline approaches.

To avoid this scenario, the Biden administration needs to engage in more aggressive diplomacy and put more effort into building regional consensus to support the peace process.

While the Trump administration made major strides on this front, its advances were hindered by some of its controversial policies, including the trade war with China and the maximum pressure campaign against Iran. India has also remained ambivalent while the EU has, at times, criticised the current approach.

President Biden can seek to involve China and Russia more directly in the peace process in Afghanistan and reach out to Iran.

Building regional support for the peace process is crucial because it would prevent both the Afghan government and the Taliban from playing regional powers against the US. This would allow the Biden administration to use its leverage over the two sides with greater efficiency.

The Afghan government relies heavily on the US for financial assistance while the Taliban knows its political viability will depend on international recognition and assistance guaranteed by the US. Continued US engagement, including the recognition of any new government, financial assistance, and future investments, remains the Biden administration’s strongest leverage over both sides to the conflict.

The success of this approach is far from guaranteed, but if the US cannot negotiate an extension, it will have to choose between a withdrawal in May and a resumption of the conflict. At this point diplomacy still appears to be more useful in resolving the Afghan conflict than the failed military approaches of the past two decades.

Source:aljazeera.com

Abu Hanifah, ‘Imam e Azam’

Continued from page 5

His political opponents in the high places in the Khalifah’s government became successful in having him branded as an opponent of the regime. He was thus arrested. He died a few weeks after being jailed. One version is that he was poisoned while in prison, another, that he was released and died soon after, in Rajab 150 H. Qadi Hassan b. Ammarah bathed his body and stated, “By Allah, you were the greatest Faqih and the most pious man of our time. You

had all the qualities of greatness in you. You were indeed so great that no one after you may hope to reach your level”.

It is said that fifty thousand persons attended the first funeral prayer and the prayer was repeated six times because of the large number of people present. He was buried at Khaizran near Baghdad. In 459 H., Sultan Alp Arslan Saljuqi had a dome erected over his tomb. A Madrasa (religious school) was also built close to it, called ‘ Mashhad Abu Hanifah’. His tomb

is a place for pilgrimage for Muslims, and the Madrasa still continues to function.

Source: There are twenty seven biographies of Abu Hanifah(RA). A few are available in most bookstores. Shibli Nu’mani(RA) wrote ‘Seerat e Nu’man’, translated by Hadi Hassan into English, published by Idara Isha’at e Dinyaat, New Dehli. Professor Abu Zahra of Cairo has written Hayat e Abu Hanifah, an excellent book, with Urdu translation by Prof. Hariri of Faisalabad.

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HEALTH

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

What is a CBC?

around your upper arm to help the vein swell with blood 3. inserts a needle in the your and collects a blood sample in one or more vials 4. removes the elastic band 5. covers the area with a bandage to stop any bleeding 6. Label your sample and send it to a lab for analysis A blood test can be slightly uncomfortable.

When the needle punctures your skin, you might feel a prick or pinching sensation.

Some people also feel faint or light-headed The three basic types of blood cells when they see blood. Afterwards, you may Measuring changes in your blood cell levels have minor bruising, but it will clear up can help your doctor evaluate your overall within a few days. health and detect disorders. The test meas- Most CBC results are available within a few hours to a day after testing. ures the three basic types of blood cells.

A

complete blood count, or CBC, is an easy and very common test that screens for certain disorders that can affect your health.

A CBC determines if there are any increases or decreases in your blood cell counts. Normal values vary depending on your age and your gender. Your lab report will tell you the normal value range for your age and gender.

A CBC can help diagnose a broad range of conditions, from anemia and infection to cancer.

Red blood cells

Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body and remove carbon dioxide. A CBC measures two components of your red blood cells:

hemoglobin: oxygen-carrying protein

For infants

In young infants, a nurse will typically sterilize the heel of the foot and use a small needle called a lancet to prick the area. The nurse will then gently squeeze the heel and collect a small amount of blood in a vial for testing.

hematocrit: percentage of red blood cells in What do the results mean? your blood Low levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit Test results will vary based on your blood are often signs of anemia, a condition that cell counts. Here are the normal results for adults, but different labs may deliver slight occurs when blood is deficient in iron. variations: White blood cells A CBC is not a definitive diagnostic test.

White blood cells help your body fight inBlood cell counts that are too high or too fection. A CBC measures the number and low could signal a wide variety of conditypes of white blood cells in your body. Any tions. Specialized tests are needed to diagabnormal increases or decreases in the numnose a specific condition. Conditions that ber or types of white blood cells could be a could cause an abnormal CBC and may resign of infection, inflammation, or cancer. quire additional testing include: Platelets * iron or other vitamin and mineral Platelets help your blood clot and control deficiencies bleeding. When a cut stops bleeding, it’s * bleeding disorders because platelets are doing their job. Any * heart disease changes in platelet levels can put you at risk * autoimmune disorders for excessive bleeding and can be a sign of a * bone marrow problems serious medical condition. * cancer When is a CBC ordered? * infection or inflammation Your doctor may order a CBC as part of a * reaction to medication routine checkup or if you have unexplained If your CBC shows abnormal levels, your symptoms such as bleeding or bruising. doctor may order another blood test to conA CBC can help your doctor do the following. firm results. They may also order other tests * Evaluate your overall health. Many doctors to help further evaluate your condition and will order a CBC so they can have a baseline confirm a diagnosis. view of your health. A CBC also helps your Understanding the WBC doctor screen for any health problems. (white blood cell) count * Diagnose a health problem. Your doctor A white blood cell (WBC) count is a test that may order a CBC if you have unexplained measures the number of white blood cells in symptoms like weakness, tiredness, fever, your body. This test is often included with redness, swelling, bruising, or bleeding. a complete blood count (CBC). The term * Monitor a health problem. Your doctor “white blood cell count” is also used more may regularly order CBCs to monitor your generally to refer to the number of white condition if you have been diagnosed with a blood cells in your body. disorder that affects blood cell counts.

There are several types of white blood cells, * Monitor your treatment. Certain medical and your blood usually contains a percenttreatments can affect your blood cell counts age of each type. Sometimes, however, your and may require regular CBCs. Your docwhite blood cell count can fall or rise out of tor can evaluate how well your treatment is the healthy range. working based on your CBC.

Getting ready for a CBC

Make sure to wear a short-sleeved shirt or a shirt with sleeves that you can easily rollup.

You can typically eat and drink normally before a CBC. However, your doctor may require that you fast for a specific amount of time before the test. That’s common if the blood sample will be used for additional testing.

Your doctor will give you specific instructions.

Everything You Need to Know About Fasting Before a Blood Test »

What happens during a CBC?

During a CBC, a lab technician will draw blood from a vein, typically from the inside of your elbow or from the back of your hand. The test will take only a few minutes.

The technician: 1. cleans your skin with an antiseptic wipe 2. places an elastic band, or tourniquet,

Purpose of a WBC count

blood cells: * neutrophils * lymphocytes * eosinophils * monocytes * basophils

A normal WBC count

Infants are often born with much higher numbers of WBCs, which gradually even out as they age.

According to the University of Rochester Medical Center (UMRC), these are the normal ranges of WBCs per microliter of blood (mcL): These normal ranges can vary by lab. Another common measurement for the volume of blood is cubic millimeter, or mm3.

A microliter and cubic millimeter equal the same amount.

The types of cells that make up WBCs usually fall within a normal percentage of your overall WBC count.

The normal percentages of the types of WBCs in your overall count are usually in these ranges, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS): Higher or lower numbers of WBCs than normal can be a sign of an underlying condition.

Having a higher or lower percentage of a certain type of WBC can also be a sign of an underlying condition.

Symptoms of an abnormal WBC count

The symptoms of a low WBC count include: * body aches * fever * chills * headaches High WBC counts don’t often cause symptoms, although the underlying conditions causing the high count may cause their own symptoms.

The symptoms of a low WBC count may prompt your doctor to recommend a WBC count. It’s also normal for doctors to order a CBC and check your WBC count during an annual physical examination.

What to expect from a WBC count

A healthcare provider or lab technician needs to draw blood to check your WBC count. This blood sample is taken either from a vein in your arm or a vein on the back of your hand. It only takes a couple of minutes to draw your blood, and you may experience minor discomfort.

The healthcare provider first cleans the needle site to kill any germs and then ties an elastic band around the upper section of your arm. This elastic band helps the blood fill your vein, making it easier for the blood to be drawn.

The healthcare provider slowly inserts a needle into your arm or hand and collects the blood in an attached tube. The provider then removes the elastic band from around your arm and slowly removes the needle. Finally, the technician applies gauze to the needle site to stop the bleeding.

Healthcare providers use a different technique when drawing blood from young children and infants: Providers first puncture the skin with a lancet (a pricking needle), and then use a test strip or a small vial to

Having a higher or lower number of WBCs than normal may indicate an underlying condition.

A WBC count can detect hidden infections within your body and alert doctors to undiagnosed medical conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, immune deficiencies, and blood disorders.

This test also helps doctors monitor the effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiation Complications from a WBC count Having your blood drawn is a simple procetreatment in people with cancer. dure, and complications are extremely rare.

Types of WBCs WBCs, also called leukocytes, are an impor- It can be difficult to take blood from peotant part of the immune system. These cells ple with small veins. The lab technician help fight infections by attacking bacteria, may be unable to locate a vein, or once the needle is inside the arm or hand, they may viruses, and germs that invade the body.

White blood cells originate in the bone mar- have to move the needle around in order to row but circulate throughout the blood- draw blood. This can cause a sharp pain or a stream. There are five major types of white stinging sensation.

Rare complications include:

* infection at the needle site excessive * bleeding lightheadedness or fainting * bleeding underneath the skin (hematoma)

How to prepare for a WBC count

A WBC count requires no specific preparation. You simply schedule an appointment with your doctor or set up an appointment at a local medical laboratory.

Certain medications can interfere with your lab results and either lower or increase your WBC count. The drugs that may affect your test results include: * corticosteroids * quinidine * heparin * clozapine * antibiotics * antihistamines * diuretics * anticonvulsants * sulfonamides * chemotherapy medication Prior to having your blood drawn, tell your doctor about all prescription and nonprescription medications that you’re currently taking.

Understanding the results of a WBC count Abnormal test results are classified by numbers that are higher or lower than the normal range for your age.

A low or high WBC count can point to a blood disorder or other medical condition.

To identify the exact cause of a high or low WBC count, your doctor will take several factors into consideration, such as your list of current medications, symptoms, and medical history.

Leukopenia is the medical term used to describe a low WBC count. A low number can be triggered by: * HIV * autoimmune disorders * bone marrow disorders or damage * lymphoma * severe infections * liver and spleen diseases * lupus * radiation therapy some medications, such as antibiotics Leukocytosis is the medical term used to describe a high WBC count. This can be triggered by: * smoking * infections such as tuberculosis * tumors in the bone marrow leukemia * inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis and bowel disease * stress * exercise * tissue damage * pregnancy * allergies * asthma * some medications, such as corticosteroids After diagnosing the cause of a high or low WBC count and recommending a treatment plan, your doctor will periodically recheck your WBCs. If your WBC count remains high or low, this can indicate that your condition has worsened. Your doctor may adjust your treatment.

If your WBC count shows a normal range, this usually indicates that the treatment is working. Source : healthline.com

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Jamadi ul II 30,1442 Feb 12, 2021

DEWAN-E-KHASS Pakistani & Indian Cuisine King of the Grill

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13

Jamadi ul II 30,1442 Feb 12, 2021

women / L I F E S T Y L E & C U L T U R E

M

By: Asma Shums, ost of us consider ourselves to be responsible people in our roles as employees, partners, children, and parents. But what does being responsible actually mean? It means that you contributed to an event happening either by some action or by doing no action.

We often take responsibility when our action or inactions result in a positive outcome but often struggle when things go wrong. All of us can relate to that but a truly responsible person does what most of us are afraid of: accepting the consequences of their actions.

There are two main misunderstandings with responsibility: being responsible does not mean taking the blame and being responsible is actually a positive trait. When we think of

Be Responsible and Change Your Life

blame, we think of a wrong action or a scapegoat. Being responsible in such situations means accepting the mistake, identifying it, and taking steps to rectify it without looking for a scapegoat to pin it on. Being responsible is also a positive trait even though it looks as a weakness. It is a sign of confidence and awareness. This positive belief leads to positive action, positive outlook, and a better precedent for the people we are close to.

What are the benefits of being responsible?

1. You are more confident. Taking responsibility by admitting a mistake it allows you to look for solutions and developing reliability on yourself to create a negative situation into a positive one. The shift to positivity allows you to think that you can achieve whatever you wish to and develop inner power in the form of self-confidence. The shift is from the fear of making a mistake to a journey where you can

ing member of the Canadian Farm Workers Union and also served as the President of the BC Organization to Fight Racism. Mr. Gill followed his heart and loved to work for seniors, immigrants, youth and the working poor. He was honoured with many prestigious awards including the Order of British Columbia, for the yeoman’s work he carried out in the field of human rights and social cause.

Mr. Gill, devoted his entire life to work for the betterment of the community and even time will never be able to blur the memories of this great man, whom we fondly used to call “The Living Legend”. His firm belief in people’s democratic rights to live a happy, healthy and prosperous life endeared him to all sections of the society.

The staff, management and Board of PICS Society have decided to preserve and honour Mr. Gill’s legacy in the following manner: • Name one of the wings in the “Guru Nanak Diversity Village” facility (his dream project)

learn and be confident that you can improve.

2. You solve more problems. When we are responsible, we have already passed the first step in solving any problems: understanding the cause of the problem which is our action or inaction. Once we overcome our ego and public image, we can now begin to look for solutions and move past the blame game and be a person of answers.

3. You experience better relationships. All of us know a person or two who simply cannot take responsibility for their actions no matter how you approach them with the issues that they have caused. We also have experienced people who admit their mistakes when pointed and how quickly we like them and develop trust towards them. It’s hard to emphasize or feel compassion towards someone who does not accept the breakdown of trust caused by their actions. after him, the citation could tentatively read: “This wing is dedicated to the everlasting loving memory of Dr. Charan Pal Gill, Founder and Founding CEO of PICS Society” 2 • Prominently display a plaque in the reception area of the PICS Head Office recognising Mr. Gill as the “Founder and Founding CEO of PICS Society” • Institute awards to commemorate Dr. Charan Pal Gill – in different categories (this Award Ceremony could be a part of PICS Annual Fundraising Galas) • Create a virtual memorial for Mr. Gill on the PICS website – celebrating his life and saluting his achievements.

We also urge the community to help turn into reality Mr. Gill’s dream project- Guru Nanak Diversity Village-by supporting PICS in realizing the target to fundraise the initial $5 million to launch it. This initiative, envisioned by Mr. Gill as a futuristic community need, will be another milestone in PICS’s endeavour to ensure that our seniors are able to receive Long-Term Complex Care in a culturally sensitive envi-

ronment.

Please call PICS at 604596-7722 Ext.103 to learn about the naming opportunities within the “Guru Nanak Diversity Village” facility and the options to donate.

Many of us, at PICS, feel proud to have been mentored by him and also entrusted with the responsibility of carrying forward his legacy and we all resolve to strive to take it further and make his dream project become a reality.

PICS, in consultation with Mr. Gill’s family, will celebrate his life as part of the next PICS Gala and we hope that by that time, we will leave the current pandemic situation behind to be able to hold this event to memorialize this doyen of social service in a befitting manner.

welcome rules that apply to everyone equally.”

Facebook Canada’s global director and head of public policy Kevin Chan says the tech giant would welcome clearer rules regarding what can - and can’t - be posted online.

(Chris Wattie/Reuters) Chan said Facebook would also like to see stronger privacy legislation and has called for changes in tax provisions such as collecting and remitting sales tax to the government.

However, Chan said it would be a mistake for Canada to try to follow Australia’s attempt to force tech giants to pay news media for their content shared on Facebook.

Facebook partners with Ontario university on ‘global network’ to counter rise in online hate Child sex exploitation is on the rise in Canada during the pandemic “Some of the ideas that we’ve seen discussed, such as the ones proposed in Australia where Facebook would be required to pay for links that are shared on our platform that we don’t control, is going to be unworkable, we wouldn’t be able to make that work because that’s just not how things get shared onto Facebook.”

Legislation on tech giants expected Chan’s comments come as he and Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault are each scheduled to testify separately today before the House of Commons heritage committee on the relationship between Facebook and the government. The hearing was convened following a news report last fall suggesting that the tech giant’s relationship with some Canadian government officials was too cozy.

In his latest mandate letter, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau charged Guilbeault with ensuring that the revenues of web giants are shared more fairly with creators and the me-

dia. Guilbeault is also tasked with making sure social media companies “take action on combating hate groups and online hate and harassment, ideologically motivated violent extremism and terrorist organizations.”

Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault is set to testify today before the House of Commons heritage committee. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) Camille Gagné-Raynault, press secretary to Guilbeault, said the government is planning to introduce two separate pieces of legislation related to tech giants. The first, which they plan to introduce this winter, will address “online harms.”

“For the other one, we are currently exploring options for a made-in-Canada formula that would ultimately lead to a comprehensive, coherent and equitable digital framework for both Canadian news publishers and digital platforms.”

Social media platforms scrutinized Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have been in the spotlight in recent weeks after right-wing demonstrators stormed Washington’s Capitol building. In the wake of the riot, Facebook and Twitter suspended former President Donald Trump’s accounts.

However, as social media giants have exerted more control over what is posted on their sites, those whose content was removed have gravitated to other platforms like Parler, Gab, Telegram or Omega Canada.

CBC INVESTIGATESMilitary intelligence probes far-right activity in Canadian Ranger unit Support for anti-government, pro-gun Boogaloo movement growing in Canada It is not clear whether the Canadian government could impose Canadian laws on sites

that are used by Canadians but which are not located in Canada.

Chan said Facebook has been steadily toughening up its community standards over the past two years, removing groups and individuals that advocate things like white supremacy. More recently, Facebook removed militarized social networks from its platform and QAnon conspiracy sites.

Montreal servers hosted TheDonald, farright site blamed for stirring up violence at Capitol riot Quebec-based conspiracy theorist Alexis Cossette-Trudel booted from Twitter Chan said Facebook is working with Canadian experts like Barbara Perry, director of the Centre on Hate, Bias and Extremism at Ontario Tech University, to identify extremist content and block it. But as Facebook removes things like hate speech, those trying to disseminate it try to find ways to get around Facebook’s systems.

“If we start removing certain people, certain presences on Facebook and Instagram, it is very possible that they evolve their tactics and try to work around our enforcement measures,” said Chan. “This is an ongoing security matter for us and as they evolve, we will evolve.” Source: cbc.ca/news

Lest we forget a Legend

W

ith a sense of utmost grief and sorrow, we announce the sudden passing away of Mr. Charan Pal Gill, Founder and Founding CEO of Pro gressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society, on February 2, 2021.

Mr. Gill was a great human being imbued with extraordinary qualities of head and heart and it was his vision and able leadership that became a driving force behind PICS Society. His tireless efforts made PICS develop into a major community organization in the Lower Mainland offering multiple programs and services to the community, including language and settlement services, employment programs, housing for seniors, second stage transition home for immigrant women, training, and programs for women and youth.

At a very young age, since the day he landed in Canada, Mr. Gill involved himself in community work and social activism. He was a found-

4. You make better decisions. Once the fear of making a mistake and looking bad in front of our coworkers or families is destroyed, we can focus our attention on making decisions outside of our comfort zone.

We cannot please everyone but once we have made a decision, by taking responsibility we can follow through and be true to ourselves.

The ability to take responsibility is a crucial trait we look in our leaders such as politicians and our employers and expect it with our loved ones. By being responsible, you take responsibility for your thoughts, beliefs, goals, mistakes, and achievements and live a much stronger and confident life.

Email info at: asmashums@gmail.com

Facebook calls on Canadian government to set social media rules

P

arliament should adopt legislation on what kinds of content should be allowed, Facebook director says By: Elizabeth Thompson · CBC News Facebook says it would welcome increased regulation by the Canadian government, including rules for what kind of content should — or should not — be allowed on social media platforms.

In an interview with CBC News, Kevin Chan, global director and head of public policy for Facebook Canada, said Parliament should make clear what kinds of content aren’t allowed.

“On this question of content regulation, we think that having platforms make decisions about all these things and in an uncoordinated fashion with different platforms having different postures, we think that’s not sustainable,” he explained. “So we think that public rules by Parliament would help clarify these things and obviously apply across the internet.”

Chan said Facebook already removes content considered illegal in Canada such as hate speech, revenge porn, and content involving child exploitation or terrorism. It also applies other Canadian laws such as removing ads for things like baby walkers that Health Canada has prohibited for sale in Canada.

Chan said Facebook also goes further and removes content that isn’t illegal in Canada such as posts involving nudity, bullying or harassment. While Chan said Facebook has a sophisticated system in place, he said it would welcome a move by Parliament to help draw the line between prohibited and allowable content.

“We would welcome further rules. We would welcome further guidance and we would ...

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Jamadi ul II 30,1442 Feb 12, 2021

INT. POLITICS

Analysis: Why is Myanmar’s military so powerful?

The military has been the most powerful institution in Myanmar since the country’s independence from Britain in 1948.

By Hunter Marston n the early hours of February 1, Myanmar’s security forces detained a number of senior elected political leaders, chief ministers, and activists in the capital, Naypyidaw, and across the country.

Among those arrested were State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint of her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), which won a sweeping victory in national elections on November 8. The military also targeted members of the 88 Generation – a pro-democracy movement which suffered years of persecution after leading nationwide student protests in 1988 that were brutally crushed by the ruling military junta. Later on Monday, military-owned Myawaddy TV announced that the armed forces had taken control of the country’s political institutions and that First Vice President U Myint Swe, now serving as interim president, had transferred full authority – executive, legislative, and judiciary – to Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing for one year. The military tried to justify its coup by alleging widespread voter fraud in the November election and claiming that it has a constitutional mandate to take over in times of emergency.

A separate statement on the military’s Facebook page said that the Tatmadaw, as Myanmar’s military is known in Burmese, would hold “a free and fair general election” at the end of the year, and that it would “perform real multi-party democracy … with complete balance and fairness.”

The move marked the end of Myanmar’s short-lived experience with democracy which began in 2011, when the Tatmadaw, which had been in power since 1962, implemented parliamentary elections and other reforms.

World leaders and international institutions swiftly condemned Monday’s coup, demanding that Myanmar’s military immediately free the political detainees and honour the results of the election.

The military, which views itself as the guardian of national unity, however, is not expected to heed these calls any time soon. It is used to weathering international criticism – most recently over the atrocities it committed against the Rohingya in 2017 – and believes it can rule the country as it pleases.

So what is behind the Tatmadaw’s enduring control over Myanmar’s political system?

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A state ‘born as a military occupation’

The military has been the most powerful institution in Myanmar (formerly called Burma, until the military government changed the country’s name in 1989) since the country’s independence from Britain in 1948.

General Aung San, the architect of Myan-

mar’s independence and the father of detained State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, founded the Burma National Army with help from Japan in the early 1940s. General Aung San was assassinated in 1947, but his legacy lived on in the military, and the Tatmadaw continued to enjoy strong public support in the years to come as the institution that liberated the nation from colonial oppression.

The military enjoyed unchecked control over the country’s political scene from the very beginning. As renowned Burmese historian Thant Myint-U observes in his recent book, The Hidden History of Burma: Race, Capitalism, and the Crisis of Democracy in the 21st Century, “The modern state of Burma was born as a military occupation.”

After a brief period of quasi-democracy, the military led by General Ne Win took control of Burma through a coup d’état in 1962. Following the coup, the military immediately banned all opposition parties and nationalised the country’s major industries and businesses. It also introduced the infamous “Burmese Way to Socialism” – an ideology that resulted in unprecedented economic devastation and Myanmar’s near total isolation from the international community.

In 1988, the Burmese people, led by student activists, staged nationwide protests against economic mismanagement by the military junta and demanded democratic reforms.

The protests were met with a brutal military crackdown, in which as many as 5,000 people were killed.

The military successfully clamped down on the protests, however, it failed to silence the growing calls for democracy and lost nearly all public support. Within the same year, Aung San Suu Kyi founded the NLD and started pressuring the military government to hold elections.

Giving in to domestic and international pressures, the military called an election, which the NLD won by a landslide. The junta, however, refused to recognise the result and instead placed Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest.

The Tatmadaw promised to hold new elections and hand power over to a civilian government after drafting a new constitution, but failed to do so for 18 years.

After ruling the country with an iron fist for almost two decades, the Tatmadaw single-handedly drafted a new constitution in 2008. It then held a controversial constitutional referendum without the participation of any opposition group, and only two days after Cyclone Nargis swept across the country. Despite the NLD denouncing the referendum as “fraudulent” and the international community raising questions about its legitimacy, the Tatmadaw announced that the draft was accepted with overwhelming public support and swiftly put it into effect.

The new constitution preserved the military’s control over the government by reserving 25 percent of all seats in national and local parliaments for serving military officials. This arrangement also gave the Tatmadaw the de facto power to veto any constitutional reforms put forward by civilian legislators.

Under the new constitution, which is still in

force today, the military also maintained its control over the country’s mining, oil and gas industries, thus ensuring a continuous flow of resources. This arrangement gave the Tatmadaw complete financial independence, and allowed it to easily resist any international and domestic calls for reform for years. A report by Amnesty International in 2020 revealed that Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL) had netted $18bn between 1990 and 2010 through military-controlled businesses, which invested the majority of revenue back into the military’s budget.

The military’s sustained repression of ethnic minority groups fighting for basic citizenship rights and tendency to imprison any activist, journalist or politician resisting its authority led to it losing significant public support over the years.

Nevertheless, the Tatmadaw still enjoys some appeal in Myanmar as “the defender of national sovereignty” against perceived external and domestic threats.

Most recently, the claims that the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), an armed group fighting for Rohingya rights, is staging “terrorist” attacks with the help of foreign fighters in the western Rakhine State, increased popular support for the military.

The Tatmadaw’s consequent “clearance operations” targeting Rohingya civilians in 2016-17 was supported by the majority of the Burmese public, despite the attacks being defined as “massacres” and even as “a genocide” by many in the international community.

The defenders of the military in Myanmar overwhelmingly hail from the ethnic Bamar majority, who view themselves as the rightful heirs to Burma’s past kingdoms. The army also “buys” popular support by making lavish donations to the Buddhist sangha, or community, and funding the construction of monastic schools.

Relying on China in the international arena While the military retains a modicum of legitimacy in Myanmar, it has been condemned internationally for crimes against humanity committed against the Rohingya and other ethnic minority groups.

In light of Myanmar’s near pariah status in the international arena in the wake of the Rakhine State crisis, Aung San Suu Kyi increasingly relied on Beijing for diplomatic support in the United Nations. Her government also relied on Chinese investment to complete major infrastructure projects in the country.

The Tatmadaw, however, has long been suspicious of China’s intentions in Myanmar, mainly due to its influence over ethnic armed groups in the country’s north as well as the geo-strategic implications of Chinese port projects for Myanmar’s sovereignty.

Therefore it is not clear whether or not it will move closer to Beijing after Monday’s coup.

But after terminating Myanmar’s short-lived experience with democracy, the military will undoubtedly need a degree of international support to retain power and there are signs that China may be willing to assume the role of the Tatmadaw’s protector.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited

first game was played in 1967, making the SuperBowl 54 years old. At the end of each football season, the final two teams face off in an epic broadcasted game watched by an average of 99.9 million viewers according to last year’s statistics. But what’s happening this year? Well in the midst of a pandemic, the SuperBowl is still moving forward on February 7, 2021. The Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are to face off

with an estimated in-person audience of 25,000 fans. NFL Commissioner, Brian Mcarthy, announced that of those 25,000 fans, 7500 will be vaccinated health-care workers provided with free tickets. He also claimed that all personnel and fans will be required to wear face masks throughout the game. Despite the pandemic, the NFL hasn’t needed to cancel a single game this season, proving the players and league took the

The SuperBowl. What’s Going On?

By: Khadija Nadeem Gr 9 wouldn’t consider myself a sports fan but here I am writing about the SuperBowl. As I’m sure you all know, the SuperBowl is the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL). The

I

Myanmar just weeks before the coup and held a meeting with Senior General Min Hlaing while he was in the country. This led many to wonder whether Beijing was given advanced notice of the Tatmadaw’s plan to seize power.

In a statement following the meeting, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that, “China will continue to back Myanmar in safeguarding its sovereignty, national dignity and legitimate rights and interests.” This could be read as a vague nod of approval for the military to pursue a coup.

While we may never know whether or not China was aware of the military’s machinations leading up to Monday’s coup, Beijing has already signalled it will not condemn the Tatmadaw’s actions, calling the takeover “a major cabinet reshuffle” and referring to Myanmar as a “friendly neighbour”. Indeed, the generals in Naypyidaw are likely assuming that Beijing will continue to support Myanmar regardless of who is in power and that they can count on Chinese economic and diplomatic support going forward.

Meanwhile, the Biden Administration in Washington declined to refer to Monday’s events in Myanmar as “a coup” in its official statement, likely due to its fear of losing influence with Naypyidaw, which it wants to cultivate in its own geopolitical competition with Beijing. This led many to believe that the US and the rest of the international community may once again fail to hold the Tatmadaw to account for its undemocratic actions.

However, the White House threatened to take “appropriate action,” saying that “the military’s reversal of [Myanmar’s democratic] progress will necessitate an immediate review of our sanction laws and authorities.” The Biden administration is likely considering widening US sanctions against high-ranking members of the military, their immediate family, and military-owned business entities such as MEHL. It could, however, aim to use these threats as leverage in any negotiations that occur with Myanmar’s military leaders.

A return to democracy?

For now, all signs indicate that the Tatmadaw is unlikely to allow a return to democracy in Myanmar any time soon. It has pledged to hold new elections within a year and said it will respect the results of that election and transfer power to the winner. But this oneyear timeline appears arbitrary and leaves open the possibility that the military will delay the election once again and hold on to power for a longer term.

With China’s continued support, and only limited pushback from the US and other leading members of the international community, the Tatmadaw has little reason to back down and transfer power to a civilian government which would undoubtedly work to limit its powers.

Source: islamicity.org

healthcare protocols that are allowing the SuperBowl to move forward very seriously.

Although this will be the smallest attendance in the history of the SuperBowl and we’re struggling through a pandemic, it’ll be a celebration to remember regardless.

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Jamadi ul II 30,1442

L O C A L / sports

Feb 12, 2021

CMMC hosts Online Seminar on Conflict in South Asia

n Feb 5th, the Canadian Muslim Media Club hosted a virtual meeting at the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day. The day is observed to show Pakistan’s support towards the people residing in the Indian administered part of Jammu and Kashmir and the efforts of separatists of Kashmir.

This day was proposed by Qazi Hussain Ahmad of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan in 1990.

It was then in 1991 when the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif called for a Kashmir Solidarity Day strike.

The Kashmir Solidarity day was initiated by the Minister of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas of Pakistan in 2004.

The overseas Pakistani community also tries to show that they pay homage to those who died in such conflicts inflicted upon the area.

The two sessions were hosted by Mr. Naveed Waraich (President CMMC) and Mr. Tarik Kiyani (Gen. Sec). In the first session, Mr. Waraich thanked everyone on behalf of media representative team for sparing some valuable time and joining in the dialogue for “Conflict in South Asia” and in particular to express solidarity with Kashmiri brothers and sisters. He emphasized on the responsibility as media representatives to carry on their shoulders to educate people living in BC to lobby and become the voice of the victims of oppression of the Indian government in the occupied Kashmir. He said that Paki-

stani Prime Minister’s speech in UN General Assembly last year summed up the issues in Kashmir and as Muslim brothers and sisters, we as Pakistani Canadians living in the province of British Columbia, are standing with Kashmiris for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue as per UN Security Council Resolution 39 adopted on January 20, 1948.

“We as journalists in particular and from all walks of life in general must emphasize at all venues that Muslims around the world are peace-loving people”, said Mr. Waraich.

Alhamdulillah, Pakistan has been fighting against terrorism and has paid a heavy price in doing so by losing thousands of lives and billions of dollars. Pakistani Army and all levels of government must be congratulated for the continued success against terrorism in Pakistan.

After his speech, he invited few community leaders to express about Kashmir and Conflict in South Asia including Mr. Haroon Khan, Mr.Waqar Farooq Khan, and Mr. Khalid Chohan, Dr. Babra Rana In second session Mr. Tarik Kiyani briefed about the impact of conflict on regional prosperity. He mentioned that Pakistan is in negotiation with India for 70 years. A Resolution was there which was represented by India in 1948, but India doesn’t want to talk about that.

Among the speakers were Ms. Huma Shoaib, Ms. Rabia Nousherwani, Mr. Asad Syed, Chief Guest of the seminar

Consul General of Pakistan Janbaz Khan, Mr. Shaukat Khan, Mr. Shahzad Nazir Khan, Mr. Sajid Hameed, Mr. Sahaf Malik and Mr. Intikhab Ahmed.

In their thought provoking presentations, speakers mentioned that India revoked special status for Kashmir. Violence and war is not the answer in this region, our kids should be engaged politically, create awareness in public and bring facts, and lead a structured campaign.

It was also mentioned that Conflict in Palestine and Kashmir are identical. If in Kashmir the Nuclear weapon was to be used then this whole region will be destroyed. One of the speakers said that this 70 years issue can’t solve in just 2 hours Zoom meeting. We will have to come out

at the ground for a rally. We are united and looking for positive results.

Chief guest CG Mr. Janbaz Khan read the Govt of Pakistan’s policies on Kashmir.

He added that we should continue to highlight human issues especially on Kashmir at each platform. War is no longer a solution for Pakistan and India.

In the end CMMC Sr. VP Mr. Pirzada said that Palestinians and Kashmiris are fighting for their piece of land for more than 70 years, and they paid the price of more than a hundred thousand martyrs and brutal assault on Kashmiris women and children.

Director Mr.Haris Hafiz provided the Zoom technical facility. Mr. Pirzada concluded the event with a dua for those who have lost their lives and those fighting for their rights.

ISLAMABAD: President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan on Tuesday said a strategy was urgently needed to foil Indian plans to change the demography of occupied Kashmir. “If we do not do anything immediately,… couple of years later whatsoever we will do will be too little, too late,” he said at a webinar hosted by the Stra-

tegic Vision Institute on ‘Assessing Pakistan’s Kashmir Policy: A Medium to Long-term Strategy’..The AJK president warned that the situation in occupied Kashmir was changing at a lightning pace since its annexation by India. He said that although massacre of the Kashmiris and human rights violations were continuing unabated in the held valley, the foremost challenge facing the Kashmiris was that of demographic change.

India had after annexing occupied Kashmir on Aug 5, 2019 changed domicile laws and annulled the special rights of the Kashmiris over land ownership and jobs in the disput-

ed region. The Modi government has given nearly two million domiciles to outsiders since the change in the rules.

AJK president urges Pakistani businesses to boycott Indian products Mr Khan expressed worries that millions more would be brought in during the next couple of years to dilute the Kashmiri identity.Speaking about Pakistan’s strategy on Kashmir, he contended that the weakest part of the effort was the political component.

“Our political parties are not adequately interfacing with the rest of the word. Let us reach out to our interlocutors and urge them

to call a spade a spade,” he stressed.

President Khan said the “Indian genociders” needed to be held accountable for the crimes committed against the people of held Kashmir. He regretted that the world had given carte blanche to India by ignoring its atrocities in occupied Kashmir and non-implementation of the UN resolutions. “They are looking at the Kashmir dispute through Delhi’s prism because of economic and strategic considerations,” he maintained and added that by doing so the world was underwriting the ongoing genocide in occupied Kashmir.

Source: images.dawn.com

Mohammad Rizwan’s splendid 104-run knock propelled Pakistan to victory in the first Twenty20 International against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday. It was Rizwan’s highest-ever score in a T20I match and helped Pakistan set a respectable target for the visitors after the hosts suffered a loss early on when captain Babar Azam was run out in the very first over. Earlier, South Africa won the toss and elected to field first against the hosts.

Pakistan innings Pakistan suffered an early loss when their talisman Babar Azam was run out by Bjorn Fortuin on the second ball of the match for a duck.The hosts struggled to find their footing, losing Haider Ali at the start of the sixth over when he was caught out by Jacques Snyman off Andile Phehlukwayo’s ball. Haider was replaced by Hussain Talat at the pitch who tried to swiftly pick up runs, hitting two consecutive fours and scoring 15 runs off nine balls.

He lost his wicket in the 10th over, leaving Pa-

kistan struggling to build momentum.

Mohammad Rizwan brought much-needed stability for the hosts, hitting three sixes in one over to complete his half-century, his second in T20Is.Pakistan lost their fourth wicket in the 13th over as South Africa continued their flawless fielding as Iftikhar Ahmed was caught out by Reeza Hendricks off Fortuin’s ball.Khushdil Shah, who replaced Iftikhar, played it safe before hitting a huge six in the 17th over. He tried to hit another boundary on the next ball but was caught out by Fortuin instead. Faheem Ashraf was caught out by Miller on Phehlukwayo’s ball in the 18th over.

South Africa innings South Africa were off to a solid start, having managed to score 44 runs with zero loss of wickets at the end of five overs.

Haris Rauf ’s over proved to be the most expensive for the hosts as the Proteas scored 18 runs off the six balls.Leg-spinner Usman Qadir took the first wicket for Pakistan as he bowled out Janneman Malan in the seventh over.

He took Jacques Snyman’s wicket too in the ninth over with a brilliantly bowled googly. Faheem Ashraf took the third wicket for Pakistan when David Miller was caught out by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. However, Faheem’s luck ran out in the next over he bowled with South African batsmen hitting three consecutive boundaries.

The Proteas lost their fourth wicket when captain Heinrich Klaasen was caught out by Hussain Talat on Rauf ’s ball. Reeza Hendricks was run out in the 18th over when he misjudged and ran out of his crease while Andile Phehlukwayo stayed out.

The visitors lost their next wicket in the same over as Phehlukwayo was caught out.

Pakistan entered the game after sweeping a twomatch Test series 2-0 against the Proteas and look to be the favourites in the three-match T20 series.

In the lead-up to the ongoing home series against South Africa, the Pakistan team and its management faced a lot of criticism after disastrous offshore series results in Australia (November 2019), England (August 2020) and recently in New Zealand (Dec-Jan 2020-21). At one stage the jobs of

head coach Misbahul Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis were at stake.

However, the home Test series victory against South Africa has come as a breath of fresh air for the PCB, the team and its management.

South Africa hold a slight edge over Pakistan in their head-to-head T20 record. The former have won eight games out of 14 while the Green Shirts came out victorious in six.

Pakistan lost the three-match series 2-1 when they last faced the Proteas in a T20 rubber staged in their backyard in February 2019.

The 2nd and 3rd T20 matches of the series will be staged on Sat and Sun, also at Gaddafi Stadium.

Source: dawn.com

Strategy needed to foil Delhi’s plan to change held Kashmir’s demography

Mohammad Rizwan’s 104-run knock propels Pakistan to victory in first T20I against S. Africa

Pak vs SA: Pakistan clinches 5th spot in ICC Test ranking from South Africa

KARACHI: Pakistan clinched 5th spot in the ICC Test Team Rankings from South Africa after a historic 2-0 series win in Rawalpindi.

According to details, Pakistan earned 8 rating points after beating Proteas in Karachi and Rawalpindi. The hosts were at the 7th position in the charts before the start of series while South Africa was at 5th.

This is the first time since January

2017 that Pakistan team has ranked among top 5 Test teams in the ICC ranking New Zealand is currently at the top while India is at 2nd place followed

by Australia and England at 3rd and 4th respectively.

This is Pakistan’s only second Test series win over South Africa in 12 attempts, having lost eight and drawn three.Pakistan last beat South Africa

1-0 in a two-match series at home in 2003.

Pakistan won the first Test by seven wickets in Karachi.The series against South Africa -- who were touring Pakistan for the first time in 14 years -- is the biggest hosted by the home side since a deadly 2009 militant attack on Sri Lanka’s squad in Lahore halted international tours.

Source: .thenews.com.pk

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Pakistan Last updated:

February 12, 2021, 06:51 GMT

20 FEB 2001-2021