Miracle 546- June 4, 2021 by Mohammad Naseer Pirzada

Volume 21 Issue 546 -Shawwal 23 , 1442 H, June 4, 2021 $1

www.miraclenews.com BC, CANADA First Muslim

Biweekly & Bilingual

THE

05 Cousin Marriage: Re-

07 12

12 ‘Sad but exciting’ to

6 8

visiting A Misguided

break barriers, says Canada is ‘well and truly over the peak

youth given wrong COVID-19 Minimum wage increase a major victory The City of Surrey lowering flags to half

Pakistan to provide arms to Tajikistan, Biden prioritizes U.S. voting rights law as Poverty, stigma behind bodies floating

‘It was devastating,’ chief recalls after remains of 215 children found in Kamloops “It’s a harsh reality and it’s our truths. It’s our history and it’s something we’ve always had to fight to prove.” — Tk’emlups te Secwepemc Chief Rosanne Casimir undreds of pegs, each marking the possible site of a child’s remains, were staked out on the grounds of a former residential school in Kamloops when Tk’emlups te Secwepemc Chief Rosanne Casimir arrived at the site last weekend. The First Nation used ground-penetrating radar over the long weekend in an effort to determine the fate of children who went missing from the school. “It was shared with me that it was children from our community — it was devastating and quite mind-boggling,” Casimir said on Friday. The survey work has uncovered the remains of 215 children on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residen-

tial School. The band has begun reaching out to other First Nations across Western Canada that might have had children sent to the school who never returned home. Casimir said what the nation called “the knowing” about the missing children fuelled the search. “It’s a harsh reality and it’s our truths. It’s our history and it’s something we’ve always had to fight to prove.” The results are preliminary, with a final report expected at the end of June, but more remains could be discovered, she added. The B.C. Coroners Service has been notified and more work will be carried out on the site. One residential school survivor has had flashbacks about his time at the institution since the discovery. To be Continued at page 7

On June 1, B.C.’s minimum wage 120,000 doses of PakVac ready for use will become one of the highest • Drap registers Pfizer vaccine in Canada • WHO gives green light to Sinovac • Lowest positivity ratio recorded since March • 500,000 Sinopharm doses arrive SLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday inaugurated an antisera processing plant and launched 120,000 doses of PakVac produced from the concentrate of Cansino vaccine while the World Health Organisation (WHO) validated

I O

n June 1, B.C. will become the province with the highest minimum wage in Canada. The minimum wage will increase to $15.20 an hour and the lower discriminatory minimum wage for liquor servers will end. Liquor servers will also make $15.20 an hour. That would be the highest minimum wage among the provinces, though still not the highest in Canada. The territory of Nunavut has the highest minimum wage in Canada at $16 an hour.Over the past four years, B.C.’s general minimum wage has increased to $15.20 from $11.35 per hour.“About 80 (per cent) of liquor servers are women, and the

To be Continued at page 4

low liquor wage is a clear example of the gender pay gap we are fighting to eliminate,” said Grace Lore, Parliamentary Secretary of Gender Equity, in a release. “Most minimum wage earners are women, often racialized women and newcomers who face barriers to accessing better-paying jobs. We need to work towards wages that workers can actually live on instead of being held back by.” B.C. premier on June 1 changes to minimum wage, return to part-time school B.C. premier on June 1 changes to minimum wage, return to part-time school – Jun 3, 2020

In addition, live-in camp leader miniTo be Continued at page 7

Saudi minister defends order to turn down the volume on mosques

audi Arabia’s Islamic affairs minister on Monday defended an order to lower the volume on mosque loudspeakers, saying families had been complaining that competing speakers were keeping their children awake.In a circular last week, the Islamic Affairs Ministry said loudspeakers on mosques should not be set higher than a third of their maximum volume. Speakers that are used to broadcast the call to prayer and the signal for prayers to start should then be switched off, rather than continue to broadcast full To be Continued at page 6

Shawwal 23, 1442 June 4, 2021

MANY FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY NEED YOUR DONATIONS www.muslimfoodbank.com/donate Saturday, June 05 Hamper Distribution, Food Drive and Collecting Donation

7 am - 10 am

MFB Warehouse, 104 115th Street, Surrey BC

SUMMER JOB POSITIONS AVAILABLE THROUGH SUMMER JOB GRANT

Personal and Corporate Tax Returns Bookkeeping Audits and Reviews GST, PST and Payroll

We don’t just file your taxes, we look for ways to save you money!

(604) 227-1120

MFBCS to hire individuals through the Summer Job Grant funded by the Government of Canada for 3 part time contract positions on flex schedule and over the summer months. Positions Available ● Caseworker - Social Work (1 positions) ● Co-ordinator Youth Development (1 positions) ● Community Organization Worker (1 positions) Required Skills Familiarity with Google Platform, Salesforce, Microsoft Office/Teams Administrative skills including data entry Working collaboratively with management, individuals and organizations Responsibilities Supporting staff, program leads and management in their day-to-day activities Completing assigned tasks in a timely manner and attending meetings Successful Applicants Must Be: Eligible to work in Canada (Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, etc.) Legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial / territorial Between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of employment. Additional Requirement: Criminal Record Check (Vulnerable Sector) TO APPLY: Apply by sending your resume and cover letter to: MFBSUMMERJOB We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those candidates short-listed for interview will be contacted.

info@advancedtax.ca

www.advancedtax.ca

For more information: 1-866-248-3868

coordinator@muslimfoodbank.com www.muslimfoodbank.com

Shawwal 23, 1442 June 4, 2021

PAKISTAN

Pakistan to provide arms to Tajikistan, says PM Imran as leaders sign MoUs for cooperation in various fields Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday stressed the need to improve defence ties with Tajikistan, as the two countries signed memorandums of understanding (MOU) for cooperation in various sectors, including the sale of Pakistan-manufactured arms to the Central Asian country. The MOUs were signed on the occasion of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon’s visit to Pakistan, who earlier arrived in Islamabad on a two-day visit and was received at the Prime Minister House where he was given a guard of honour. Addressing a joint press conference at the Prime Minister’s Office with the Tajik president after their one-on-one meeting and a ceremony where various MOUs were signed, the premier said: “It is very important to improve our defence ties”. He added that the two leaders had also “discussed and signed MOUs on how to meet Tajikistan’s requirement for the kind of weapons that Pakistan makes.” The prime minister said that in his meeting with the Tajik president, they had discussed a range of topics and the chambers of the two countries had signed agreements that would improve “our trade ties”. The MOUs and agreements signed between the two countries Academic Cooperation Agreement between Tajik Technical University named after academician MS Osimi and Indus University of Pakistan • Agreement on Cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Agreement on Cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Memorandum of Understanding be-

tween Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Tajikistan • Memorandum of Understanding between Agency for State Financial Control and Struggle against Corruption of the Republic of Tajikistan and National Accountability Bureau of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan • Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan for Cooperation in the Field of Prevention and Liquidation of Emergency Situations • Agreement between the Government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in the field of Art and Culture • Memorandum of Understanding between Tajik Institute of Languages, Dushanbe Tajikistan and National University of Modern Languages of Pakistan • Memorandum of Understanding between Technological University of Tajikistan and Comsats University Islamabad • Agreement on International Road Transport • Cooperation Programme between Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tajikistan • Joint Declaration on Next Steps in Building Strategic Partnership for Regional Solidarity and Integration Source: dawn.com

Terrorists won’t be allowed to destabilise peace efforts: Bajwa

QUETTA: Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said the army will make all possible efforts to achieve an enduring peace for sustainable socio-economic development of Balochistan. During a visit to Corps Headquarters here on Tuesday, Gen Bajwa said terrorists would not be allowed to destabilise peace efforts. He said all-out efforts should be made to assist the Balochistan government in ensuring law and order in the province. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, the army chief praised officers and men for their dedicated efforts, continued vigilance and high morale. Earlier on his arrival, Gen Bajwa was received by Corps Commander Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali and given a briefing on the security situation, operational preparedness and border management, including fencing along the

borders with Afghanistan and Iran. The army chief was briefed on the socio-economic initiatives undertaken by the army with the support of the Balochistan government as well as the efforts being made for capacity enhancement of law enforcement agencies to ensure peace and stability.......... Source: dawn.com

PML-N leader and former finance minister Miftah Ismail vowed on Wednesday that his party would “try our best not to let the [government’s] anti-people budget pass”. He made the comment during a press conference in Islamabad in which he criticised the government for the increase in the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) based monthly inflation.Ismail said the party believed incumbent Minister for Finance Shaukat Tarin and other government officials should ask the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to change its programme, adding that the PML-N would “help them and tell them what steps to take”. “This anti-people budget cannot [pass]. Is there any room left to kill poor people further? Is there more room for inflation? If not, come to your senses,” he urged. He claimed Prime Minister Imran Khan

had already “lost credibility and people were tired”, adding that some PTI parliamentarians had also developed differences with the premier due to his policies. “We (opposition) do not have a majority but Imran Khan’s people will not vote for him either now because there is no strength left in his ticket.” .......Source: dawn.com

Will try our best not to let anti-people budget pass: PML-N’s Miftah Ismail

Govt withdraws SC appeal against LHC allowing Shehbaz to travel abroad 120,000 doses of PakVac ready for use Thedecision federal government on Wednesday withContinued from page 1

the emergency use of Sinovac vaccine.

Meanwhile, the country reported the lowest positivity rate since March 1 this year. While the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) registered Pfizer vaccine that had recently reached Pakistan, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) announced the arrival of another 500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine. The launching ceremony of PakVac was held at the National Institute of Health (NIH) which was attended by Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan, NIH Executive Director Maj Gen Prof Aamer Ikram and Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong.Briefing the participants of the ceremony, Prof Aamer Ikram said 120,000 doses were ready for use and the concentrate to produce 900,000 more doses had been procured. “We held clinical trial with and it remained on our priority list,” he added. Drap registers Pfizer vaccine It is worth mentioning here that over 100,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine reached Pakistan last week through Covax facility. Meanwhile, the NCOC data reported 1,771 Covid-19 cases and 71 deaths in a single day, with the positivity rate dropping to 3.72pc — the lowest since March 1 when a ratio of 3.34pc was recorded. There were 443 patients on ventilators with the number of active cases calculated at 57,336 as of June 1.

WHO validates Sinovac The vaccine is produced by Beijing-based pharmaceutical company Sinovac. “The world desperately needs multiple Covid-19 vaccines to address the huge access inequity across the globe,” WHO Assistant-Director General for Access to Health Products Dr Mariângela Simão said in a statement.“We urge manufacturers to participate in the Covax facility, share their knowhow and data and contribute to bringing the pandemic under control,” he added. Meanwhile, the NCOC announced the arrival of 500,000 more doses of Sinopharm vaccine. In a tweet, the forum said: “Today, 0.5 Million doses of SinoPharm Vaccine reached Pakistan via special PIA plane. Next tranche of 0.5 Million doses reaching in few hours from China.” CanSinoBio in Pakistan and also made an agreement with it for technology transfer. We have been aiming to produce as many as three million doses every month as well as the raw material in future,” he added. Replying to a question, Prof Ikram said three million doses meant that three million people would be fully inoculated every month as PakVac was a single dose vaccine. Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Nong Rong said China had cooperated with Pakistan to win the war against the pandemic as his country wanted to eradicate the disease from across the globe. “Pakistan was the first country whom China gifted thevaccine..Source: dawn.com

drew its appeal in the Supreme Court against the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) May 7 decision to grant PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif conditional permission to travel abroad for his medical treatment. Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan informed the court that the government was withdrawing its appeal as Shehbaz had decided to take back his petitions against the government in the high court. The apex court subsequently disposed of the petition. In May, the LHC had granted conditional permission to Shehbaz to travel abroad for medical treatment. However, when the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly attempted to leave the country on May 9, he was stopped by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) which cited “procedural hiccups”. On May 17, the interior ministry placed the opposition leader’s name on the no fly-list. Responding to the developments in court, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that the government’s appeal in the apex court was no longer necessary as Shehbaz’s name had been placed on the Exit Control List and he had withdrawn his petition from the high court. During today’s hearing, a two-judge Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, took up the Ministry of Interior’s appeal against the high court order. Justice Ahsan remarked that the high court did not give the attorney general’s

office adequate time to file a reply. “Was Shehbaz’s Sharif ’s plea fixed for hearing according to the system?” he questioned. The high court registrar replied that it was decided that a decision on the objection would be taken during the hearing. The objection was filed at 9:30am and the case was heard at 11:00am, he said. To this, Justice Ahsan observed that the government’s counsel was given only 30 minutes to prepare. “In the past year, how many cases were heard at 12pm on a Friday?” the judge asked. He further observed that the LHC did not even ask which list Shehbaz’s name had been added to. He questioned whether such a “general order” could be issued. Shehbaz had initially filed a contempt of court petition against the officials of the interior ministry and immigration staff. However, the LHC registrar did not entertain the plea, saying that contempt petitions did not fall in the categories of cases permitted to be instituted during the enforcement of Covid-19 related restrictions.Therefore, Shehbaz’s legal team had moved a civil miscellaneous application, urging the court to get its May 7 order implemented. Source: dawn.com

Shawwal 23, 1442 June 4, 2021

O pinion

Jews & Muslims

EWS and Muslims are both minority communities in the West. Just as Muslims have had to face Islamophobia, Jews have been victims of antisemitism. The politics of the Israel-Palestine conflict, though bound to influence perception, should not make us oblivious to this fact. While both communities have suffered religious persecution and racism at the hands of white supremacists, it is particularly sad when they target each other. On May 18, the official Arabic language account of the Israeli foreign ministry used verses from Surah Fil to justify its bombardment of Gaza. A follow-up tweet implied that the Israeli Defence Forces were righteous and had hence prevailed over Hamas’ falsehood. The tweet not only ascribed false meaning to Quranic verses but was meant to be hurtful as several innocent Palestinian women and children had died. On the other hand, a couple of days earlier, four pro-Palestine protesters were arrested in London for shouting abuse at Jews, including calls for ‘raping their women’. As is often the case, misogyny intersects with racism.

regime — in fact many Israelis feel he manufactured this war to detract from his electoral woes and corruption charges — it is troubling to see those protesting a violation of human rights calling, in turn, for their abuse. Although, in Pakistan, there is a tendency to lump the West as one entity and to consider Western media as a monolith, the reality is far more complex. Like Pakistan, Western countries may be more polarised today than in the past. There is far more willingness to challenge entrenched narratives and confront imperialist and racist histories amongst the younger generations. Europe, in any case, was never as blindly supportive of Israel as the US, and France 24, for instance, covers the Palestinian cause far more sympathetically than CNN. Even in America, however, critiques of Israel have become much more acceptable than they were previously. Those supportive of movements like Black Lives Matter have also begun to say that Palestinian Lives Matter. Some of these people are Jews. Therefore, it is not beneficial to the Palestinian cause to conflate Jews with Israel. Not all Jews are It is not beneficial to the Zionist, and of those who are, Palestinian cause to some are far more sympathetic conflate Jews with Israel to Palestinians than others. Bernie Sanders, a past presidenWhile there is little expectation tial aspirant of the Democratic of humanity from Netanyahu’s Party, is a case in point. His

recent op-ed in the New York Times called for the US to “stop being an apologist for the Netanyahu government”. In his piece, he focused on the rights of the Palestinian people, and lamented the “inequality between Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel”. For his introspective honesty and calls to rethink US military aid to Israel, he has been labelled a ‘self-hating Jew’ by the likes of Alan Dershowitz, a Harvard law professor known for his representation of sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. In Pakistan, we are familiar with such labels. Those willing to introspect are labelled ‘ghaddar’, or worse, ‘kafir’. But while America continues to sell arms to Israel, which it uses to pound Palestinians, it also allows a Palestinian-American congresswoman, Rashida Tlaib, to speak out against US foreign policy. Thus a commitment to free speech and democracy ensures that dissenting voices are heard, even if not yet heeded. In the UK, the head teacher at a school in Leeds was forced to apologise after he described the Palestinian flag as a “symbol of anti-Semitism”. The acceptability of Palestine is gaining ground and Islamophobia is being confronted. Just recently, an inquiry was held on Islamophobia within the Conservative party and the report named Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his junior minister, Zac Goldsmith,

and violence from the Canadian society. Racism is on the rise in Canada. Unfortunately, our all levels of government are only watching and providing lip service only. This must stop. For further inquirganizations in Alberta strongly ies please contact me. condemn this hate inspired attack. We stand in solidarity with our sis- Muslmis Holy Shrine ter and her family. We pray for the Open For Worshipers safety of all people. Two days ago, a Palestinian immigrant was also By Hanif A. Patel, Surrey attacked in Calgary. The attacker In Lower Mainland and part of the used profanity and Islamophobic Province, a large number of Musslurs but police registered the case lims worshipers delighted to learn as a traffic violation. It is obvious that the holy shrines of worshipthat CPS has systematic racism ing are permitted to offer regular which prevents them to see such prayers, contemplation and other attacks without any bias. Today’s ritual services inside. incident with Sister Zaheera Tariq In a coronavirus-blighted period, and her son has also been reported doors of mosques are reopening to C-Train security staff and Calfor worshipers with the first Frigary Police. day prayers after the prolonged six The hate crimes against Muslims months of elapse. and visible minorities are on the Resuming regular prayers at the rise in Alberta and across Canada. Mosque rejuvenates devotee’s “I believe our police deliberately spirit. The joy and pleasure is unignores racism against Muslims imaginable. and visible minorities. The systemAs Congregational prayers ematic racism is deep rooted in the braces a semblance of normalcy, law-enforcement across Canada devotees are sure to be grateful for and in Alberta, which will never be getting permission of prayers to be uprooted by providing lip service performed at sacred places. to visible minorities unless such atIt is a wonderful moment that once tacks are tried as hate crimes”, said again worshipers get an opportuImam Syed Soharwardy today. nity to offer Friday congregational We request all levels of governprayers and other five times salah ment in Canada to take tangible inside the mosque. action in order to uproot racism

as culprits. Johnson has since apologised for his racist cha racterisation of Muslim women in burqas as “letterboxes”. However, Goldsmith, named for his Islamophobic campaign against London mayor Sadiq Khan, remains unrepentant but has had to delete a tweet in support of the Israeli military, as it deviated from the UK government’s official line. In Pakistan, however, one wonders if the support for Palestinians and purported concern for Islamophobia goes beyond domestic political point-scoring. Can the OIC really help Palestinians if Muslims aren’t free enough to ask tough questions of their governments and leaders? Can we ask Prime Minister Imran Khan why he supported Zac Goldsmith when he claims to fight Islamophobia? Can we honestly talk about what role then Brigadier Ziaul Haq played in Black September against the Palestine Liberation Organisation at the behest of Jordan’s King Hussein? Similarly tough questions must be asked in Egypt, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. As long as Muslims remain shackled by authoritarian regimes and are denied the right to question freely there is little hope for the OIC. The writer is a lawyer who lives in London.

Courtesy By: Ayesha Ijaz Khan

AMCIA Women Affairs President Sister Zaheera Tariq and Her Son was Attacked Today in Calgary

By: Imam Syed Soharward

Another Hate Crime in Calgary

(Calgary) Al Madinah Calgary Islamic Assembly’s Women Affairs President Sister Zaheera Tariq and her son were verbally and physically attacked by a man at the Centre Street C-Tran station at about 3:15 PM today. Sister Zaheera Tariq is a Hafizah (memorizer) of the holy Qur’an. She is the founding member of the Green Dome Mosque, Calgary. She is also the principal and the teacher at the Green Dome Mosque, Calgary, N.E. At about 3:15 PM while Sister Zaheera Tariq and her son after getting vaccination at the Telus Convention Centre were returning home, a white man chased them and first pushed her son against the wall. When sister Zaheera Tariq shouted for help, the same man ran after her and tried to grab her hijab. Both mother and her son are shaken by the incident and are shocked that someone could attack them in day light at the downtown C-Train station. Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, Al Madinah Calgary Islamic Assembly and other affiliate or-

THE

MIR A LE

Miracle Media Group Inc.©

Contact Info Mailing and Office Address 9160-136A Street Surrey BC. V3V 7Z8 Canada Ph: 604-690-0400 Fax: 604-582-7809

Founder : Nusrat Hussain Editor in-Chief

M. Naseer Pirzada Sub-Editors: Misbah & Sabeeh Advertising Ph: 604-690-0400 Emails: info@telus.net miraclenews@telus.net Editorial Board : editor@telus.net Mr.Shams Jillani, Mr Aslam Hayat, M.A.L. Naumani, Graphic Design: Design Teams Copyright ® 2001 Miracle Media Group Inc. All Rights Reserved Printed in Canada

Phone: 604-690-0400 Emails: miraclenews@telus.net miraclenewsg@gmail.com info@miraclenews.com

To minimize spread of COVID-19 pandemic all public gatherings were forced to shut down, including prayers. As a result the faithful followers obliged to fulfill their duties at home. As a precaution and abiding the health regulation, people were performing five times prayers at home but they felt in their hearts that they were spiritually missing precious gift of light and blessings from the Almighty. While sincerely fulfilling Almighty’s commandment at own residence, they most eagerly ask the Almighty to remove the calamity from world and promptly open the mosques doors to worship and return human life normal. Although the Friday sermon and Jumma prayers will be speculated in a limited time the joy for devotees is unlimited because they are fortunate enough to participate prayer with masses in the premises of Mosque. People should seriously follow the restricted measure while attending the congregation so everyone stay safe and healthy. Ltrs Cont at Pg 8 & 10

Website: www.miraclenews.com

Contents

Pak. News Opinion Faith News, Cand Local s Cand News Int.News Middle Est Politics Fiji /Somila Health Women Youth Pakistan Urdu

3 4 5 6, 7 6 6 8 9 11 15 10 10 15 16-24

Miracle Media is Member of : National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada important note:

Letters to the editor and Articles do not reflect the opinion of the Miracle media group. We do not publish anonymous letters or the letters of the people who do not disclose their identity to ‘The Miracle.’ A writer can use a pen name or request ‘The Miracle’ to withhold his / her identity. Please include your daytime telephone number for the confirmation of your letter. We regret the inconvenience.

Shawwal 23, 1442 June 4, 2021

N at

I nt

N E W S

Biden prioritizes U.S. voting rights PM Trudeau walking with cane after he sprained his ankle playing Frisbee law as restrictions mount WASHINGTON -- President Joe Biden used the 100th anniversary of Tulsa’s race massacre to make a plea for sweeping legislation in Congress to protect the right to vote as Republican-led governments in Texas and other states pass new restrictions making it tougher to cast ballots. Biden, marking the centennial in Oklahoma on Tuesday, called out lawmakers in Congress -- including two senators in his own party -- for holding up action on voting bills. Invoking the words of the late Rep. John Lewis, Biden said the right to vote is “precious” and must be protected. He vowed that June will be a “month of action” on Capitol Hill as Congress considers the legislation, among the top priorities of his administration. “We’re not giving up,” Biden said about the bill, S.1. “I’m going to fight like heck with every tool at my disposal for its passage.” Republican legislators in state capitols across the nation are pushing what experts say is an unprecedented wave of bills aimed at restricting access to the ballot box. While Republicans say the bills are

OTTAWA -- It wasn’t all fun and games for Justin Trudeau during some time with his family this weekend. The prime minister was spotted Monday walking with a cane after leaving an event announcing federal loans for Black entrepreneurs. Spokesman Alex Wellstead says Trudeau sprained his ankle while playing Frisbee with his children at home over the weekend. There was no word on the severity of the sprain or how long the prime minister will need to use the device, which was nowhere to be seen during the actual announcement. However, Wellstead says the prime minister Canada’s second-youngest prime minister is otherwise feeling fine and following doc- ever in 2015, turns 50 on Christmas Day. tor’s orders.Trudeau, who was sworn in as Source:.ctvnews.ca

aimed at preventing voter fraud, Democrats contend that the measures are aimed at undermining minority voting rights in particular. Most recently, the Texas legislature moved closer to passing a bill that would reduce early voting hours, tighten voter identification requirements for absentee ballots and eliminate ballot drop boxes and drive-thru voting centers. The bill was blocked only when Texas Democrats walked off the House floor on Sunday night, but Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has said he’ll order a special session to ultimately ensure its TORONTO -- The latest coronavirus varipassage. ........Source: ctvnews.ca ant of concern, which experts say appears to be more transmissible and cause more severe symptoms than other variants, could become the dominant strain of the virus in Ontario within weeks, one region’s top public health official warned Wednesday. The variant is one of two in the B.1.617 family, which has largely been responsible for the devastating COVID-19 situation in India in recent months. B.1.617.2, known as the “delta variant” in the World Health Organization’s new naming system, was declared the fourth variant of global concern on May 10. Last week, the Officials have said Japan is considering pro- organization reported that it has been deviding the AstraZeneca vaccine to Taiwan tected in 60 territories around the world. as the island faces a resurgence of infec- That includes Canada, where cases of B.1.617 tions. Japan has approved three foreign- have been reported in every province except developed vaccines and is currently using Nova Scotia. In Nunavut, the variant is beones from Pfizer Inc. and Moderna Inc. It lieved to be behind a COVID-19 outbreak at has no immediate plans to use the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is easier to store and transport than the other two vaccines, which require special freezers, officials said. Suga also introduced a new vaccine strat- Statistics Canada says the economy grew egy adopted Tuesday and vowed to de- at an annual rate of 5.6 per cent in the first velop Japan’s own vaccines and provide quarter of the year.The figure for the first them globally and to improve the clinical three months of the year is better than the testing environment to prepare for future contraction first forecast months ago, but pandemics. Under the long-term strategy, still represents a slowdown from the 9.6 per Japan will aim for the speedy development cent annualized growth seen over the last and rollout of new vaccines. In addition to three months of 2020. a lack of locally developed vaccines, Japan’s The economic boost was aided by the looslengthy drug approval process was criti- ening of public health restrictions that cized as a major obstacle that delayed vac- helped increases in goods-producing and cinations during the pandemic........ services sectors. Source:ctvnews.ca The statistics agency says the quarter ended with an increase of 1.1 per cent in real gross domestic product in March, following the 0.4 per cent registered in February. Housing played a big role in boosting Canada’s economy growth in the first quarter of the year being disrupted. as well. Housing investment soared 26.5 per “Those who want to pray don’t need to wait cent compared with the first quarter of 2020 for ... the imam’s voice. They should be at and “led the recovery,” according to StatCan. the mosque beforehand,” he said, adding “Growth in housing was attributable to an that there were also several television chan- improved job market, higher compensation nels broadcasting prayers. of employees, and low mortgage rates,” the Some Saudi Twitter users welcomed a re- agency said. Construction, which expanded duction in noise in their areas, though others for the third consecutive quarter, also helped said they missed being soothed by prayers. fuel the recovery. This growth was driven One Saudi user, identified as Mohammad by construction of single-family homes and al-Yahya, tweeted: “As long as the reading renovations as Canadians looked to improve

B.1.617: The coronavirus ‘delta variant’ that could spark a fourth wave

Japan gives US$800M to UN-backed COVID-19 vaccine program

TOKYO -- Japan’s prime minister announced Wednesday an additional US$800 million contribution to the UN-backed initiative to provide COVID-19 vaccines to poor countries, a four-fold increase of Japanese funding for the COVAX program. The pledge by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga comes as his government attempts to accelerate vaccinations in Japan, one of the world’s least inoculated countries, only about 50 days before it hosts the Olympics amid a continuing surge in infections. He spoke as Japan co-sponsored a fundraising event for COVAX with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which helps run the program. The program managers are seeking about $2 billion more to reach a target of $8.3 billion for its effort to fund free vaccines for low- and middle-income countries around the world. “Now is the time for us to act,” Suga said, leading a parade of world and humanitarian leaders who announced pledges and commitments on Wednesday. He said the additional $800 million will bring Japan’s contribution to $1 billion, second to the $2.5 billion pledged by the United States. Suga also announced plans to provide 30 million doses of a vaccine manufactured under license in Japan to other countries and regions in need. He did not specify the maker or recipients.

Housing fuels Canada’s economic growth in Q1: StatCan

Saudi minister defends order to turn down the volume on mosques Continued from Page 1

prayers and sermons.

The changes come at a time of wider reform to the role religion plays in public life under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, who has eased some strict social restrictions while allowing no political dissent. It was too early to say for certain how much of an impact the new directive was having on the soundscape in the kingdom. Four residents of the capital Riyadh reached by Reuters on Monday said some, but not all, mosques appeared to have become somewhat quieter. At least one mosque appeared to be broadcasting full-length prayers, as loudly as before. In a video released by state broadcaster Al Ekhbariyah, Islamic Affairs Minister Abdullatif al-Sheikh said the changes were a response to complaints from the public over excessive volume, including from the elderly and parents whose children’s sleep was

the Mary River Mine on Baffin Island. Health officials in Ontario said Monday that there have been 120 positive COVID-19 tests among the 1,000 workers at the remote mine site, and that positive-testing workers had later returned to virtually every corner of Ontario. Dr. Peter Juni, the scientific director of the Ontario government’s Science Advisory Table, told CTV News Channel on Wednesday that the B.1.617 variants are “probably about 50 per cent more transmissible than” B.1.1.7, ....... Source:.ctvnews.ca

of the Holy Quran through loudspeakers has been muted on the excuse that it disturbs a few people, we hope that attention is given to a large segment bothered by loud music in restaurants and markets.” Al-Sheikh said some criticism of the policy was being spread by “haters” to cause trouble. “Enemies of the kingdom want to stir public opinion, cast doubt on the state’s decisions and dismantle national cohesion through their messages,” al-Sheikh said.

Source: dawn.com

their houses or find a larger space.Statistics Canada notes output in the public sector contributed the most to growth serviceproducing industries in the first quarter, including health care.At the end of the quarter, Statistics Canada says overall economic activity was one per cent below the levels seen pre-pandemic in February 2020. Statistics Canada also estimates the second quarter started with a stumble, with a drop in economic output of 0.8 per cent for April, which would be the first decline since April 2020. The agency says April’s decline would leave overall economic activity about two per cent below pre-pandemic levels in February 2020. CIBC chief economist Avery Shenfeld writes that investors are already looking past the rest of the second quarter, hoping vaccinations will pave the way for stronger growth in the second half of the year. Source dawn.com

On June 1, B.C.’s minimum wage will become one of the highest in Canada Continued from Page 1

mum wage pay per day will increase to $121.65 from $116.86; and resident caretaker minimum wage, per month, increases to $912.28, plus $36.56 per suite for those who manage nine to 60 residential suites and to $3,107.42 for 61 or more suites. “When this work began, B.C. had one of

the lowest minimum wages in the country, but was one of the most expensive places to live,” the province said in a statement. “B.C. now has a minimum wage that is the highest of any province and starting next year, the increases for minimum wage will be tied to inflation.” By Amy Judd Global News Source: globalnews.ca

Shawwal 23, 1442 June 4, 2021

l o c a l / c ont

‘It was devastating,’ chief recalls after remains of 215 children Continued from Page 1

Upper Nicola Band Chief Harvey McLeod

attended the school from 1966 to 1968. He recalls speaking with his friends about children who were just gone one day. “We talked among ourselves, the boys and I, my friends and I. We talked about it saying they probably ran away, and we were happy that they probably got home.” McLeod said the discovery of the remains brought back memories of his time at the school. “I was shattered. It just broke me when I heard about it,” he said in an interview. “It’s a secret, or it’s something we knew that may have happened there, but we had no evidence.” The school operated between 1890 and 1969. The federal government took over the facility’s operation from the Catholic Church and ran it as a day school until it closed in 1978. The National Truth and Reconciliation Commission has records of at least 51 children dying at the school between 1914 and 1963. The commission noted in its 2015 report that officials in 1918 believed children at the school were not being adequately fed,

leading to malnutrition. The Crown-Indigenous relations’ ministers said in a statement that the discovery is a reminder of the harms families and survivors continue to suffer. “We are profoundly saddened by this discovery and our thoughts are with Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation, as well as with all Indigenous communities across Canada,” said Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett and Minister of Indigenous Services Marc Miller. “It is said that once you know the truth, you cannot unknow it. Yesterday’s discovery reflects a dark and painful chapter in our country’s history.” They are working with the community and partners such as the B.C. First Nations Health Authority to provide resources and the support needed as determined by the community, the ministers said. Manny Jules, who was chief of the Tk’emlups for 16 years, said he wants an apology from the Catholic Church for its role in operating residential schools across the country. Bishop Joseph Nguyen expressed his “deepest sympathy” on behalf of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops to Casimir and the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation.

“No words of sorrow could adequately describe this horrific discovery,” he said in a statement. B.C. Premier John Horgan said he was “horrified and heartbroken” when he learned of the burial site. The discovery is a tragedy of “unimaginable proportions” and highlights the violence and consequences of the residential school system, Horgan said in a statement on Friday. The head of the First Nations Health Authority said it will provide mental health and trauma support to community members as the search continues. Richard Jock, the authority’s CEO, said the legacy of colonialism leads to modern-day trauma and health issues in Indigenous communities. “This particular event may be seen as historical, but it’s also a continuous trend, I would say, of this power imbalance, if you would, that creates these issues for First Nations people.” Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs said what has been found “is the reality of the genocide that was, and is, inflicted upon us as Indigenous Peoples by the colonial state.”

“There are no words to express the deep mourning that we feel as First Nations people, and as survivors, when we hear an announcement like this,” he said in a statement. “These were children — all belonging to a family and community, and a nation — who were forcibly stolen from their homes under the authority of the Canadian government, and never returned.” Chief Don Tom, the union’s vice-president, noted the first-ever meeting of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs was held on the former grounds of the Kamloops residential school in 1969.Source: vancouversun.com

The City of Surrey will fly flags at half-mast to remember and honour the 215 children whose remains were discovered at the site of a former Kamloops residential school. The heartbreaking legacy of the residen-

tial school system is a dark and shameful chapter in Canada’s history. The flags will be lowered tomorrow at all civic buildings and will fly at half-mast for 215 hours in memory of each young life lost.

Mayor Doug McCallum Oliver Lum Senior Manager, Communications & Media Relations Office of the Mayor

growing affordability challenges as housing, food, transit and other costs rise. The BCFED continues to advocate for the elimination of the unfair hand harvesting piece rate and demand fair pay for farmworkers exempted from the minimum wage. This was a key recommendation of the Fair Wages Commission. While the BC government has committed to tie future minimum wage increases to inflation, the BCFED is calling for the Commission to continue its work to recommend a path to minimum wages that are living wages.

“On June 1, BC workers can celebrate a major milestone in the fight for fair wages,” Cronk added. “Everyone should earn a wage that means they can afford to live where they work and pay for the necessities.” By: Media contact: Jonathan Sas, Communications Director

lescents found its vaccine to be safe and effective, but its use for people under 18 has yet to be approved in Canada. The statement says Vancouver Coastal Health medical officers do not believe the use of Moderna will impact the 12 youth who received the shot. It says the people who administered the shots recognized their error and disclosed it to the clients and their families, and additional education and processes are now in place to help make sure it doesn’t happen again. Vancouver Coastal Health says Pfizer had been the only vaccine available at

its clinics for an extended period, until this past weekend, when Moderna was the primary shot being offered, which led to the errors. “With both a new age cohort and a different vaccine on site, errors were made on May 28-29, in which immunizers used the Moderna vaccine instead of the Pfizer product for adolescents,” it says. Clinics will have dedicated staff and stations for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines where feasible, it says, and new questions to identify youth under 18 have been added to the immunizer’s screening checklist.Source: globalnews.ca

The City of Surrey lowering flags to half-mast in memory of the 215 young lives lost at the former Kamloops residential school Minimum wage increase a major victory for working people in BC (Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC) BC’s minimum wage will be raised to $15.20 per hour on June 1, making it the highest wage of any province. The increase will boost the income of nearly 250,000 workers according to the Government of BC and will coincide with the elimination of the discriminatory server wage. Both changes will help women and racialized workers who disproportionately work in low-wage sectors like the service industry. “The pandemic made clear how underval-

ued certain workers have been,” said BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) President Laird Cronk. “Minimum wage workers, many working on the frontlines through COVID, make the profits for businesses and they deserve a dignified wage.” The raise to $15.20 is a testament to the successful Fight for 15 campaign lead by working people and supported by the labour movement during many years of poverty-level minimum wage rates under the BC Liberals. The latest increase will help to address income inequality and counter

12 youth given wrong COVID-19 vaccine in Vancouver Vancouver Coastal Health is apologizing and says it’s updating its immunization processes after confirming a dozen incidents in which youth were given the wrong COVID-19 vaccine. The health authority says the errors happened Friday and Saturday during the first full week that kids aged 12 to 17 could get their first dose. It says in a statement that 12 youth received doses of Moderna rather than the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in those between 12 and 17 in Canada. It says Moderna recently announced that clinical trials for ado-

COVID-19 vaccines: 70% of B.C.’s eligible adults have received a 1st dose VANCOUVER -- British Columbia health officials say about 70 per cent of eligible adults in the province have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Officials say in a news release that they will be following the National Advisory Committee on Immunization guidelines on mixing and matching vaccines. They say those who got a first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine can now receive either the same one, Pfizer-BioNTech

or Moderna for their second shot. Officials say more information will be given later this week on second doses for those who received AstraZeneca for their first shot.The province reported a new low for daily COVID-19 infection rates this year at 184 cases for a total of 144,473 infections since the pandemic started. There have been no new deaths, and so far, 1,703 COVID-19-related fatalities have been recorded in the province. Source: globalnews.ca

Shawwal 23, 1442 June 4, 2021

s . A sia / M I D D L E E A S T

Poverty, stigma behind bodies Israel, UAE sign tax treaty to boost floating in India’s Ganges River economic cooperation

Villagers along the river say cremation expenses rose during the pandemic, forcing many to immerse or bury the bodies in sand. Lucknow, India – Virendra Kumar, a resident of Ajrayal Kheda village in Unnao district, about 520 kilometres (323 miles) from India’s capital New Delhi, says he had to bury the body of his dead son on the banks of the Ganges River instead of cremating him. “My son Arun Kumar was 18 and was suffering from epilepsy since he was 10. He was sick and denied admission by a private hospital when he suffered a seizure,” the 54-year-old father told Al Jazeera, sitting outside his shanty hut in the village. “So we were getting him treated with a local doctor and the cost of treatment even locally was about 2,000 Indian rupees ($28) a month. Yet he breathed his last on May 9 at home.” Kumar says with a family income of less than $100 a month, he did not have any money left to meet his son’s cremation expenses. “Our main source of income is agriculture and all the savings were used in the marriage of my daughter. We are in debt as well,” he said. “We are Dalits, so you know how poor we are.” The Dalit community, formerly referred to as the “untouchables”, is at the bottom of

India’s complex caste hierarchy and has faced systemic marginalisation and oppression for centuries.“My religion has the custom of burning the dead body and not burying it but it was my poor economic situation due to which I had to perform the burial. The funeral would have required at least 15,000 rupees ($200) but I did not have that money,” Kumar told Al Jazeera. “I could not even do my son’s “Terahvi” (customary community lunch on 13th day of death) and only invited a couple of people from the neighbourhood. It’s eating me from inside.” Kumar says he could not borrow any money from his friends because “everyone is under some financial stress due to the coronavirus lockdown”. Hundreds of dead bodies were seen floating in the Ganges in the northern Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar after a ferocious second wave of the coronavirus pandemic hit India in April. Mass burial sites were also found along the riverbank in Unnao and Prayagraj districts of Uttar Pradesh, as photos of semi-buried bodies, most of them wrapped in traditional saffron cloth, emerged on social media........ Source:aljazeera.com/

. Israeli forces are attempting to reassert their control over Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem by arresting them. Hundreds of Palestinians have been arrested over the past month and a half in occupied East Jerusalem, in what lawyers said was a direct response to the Israeli police force losing its standing. The escalation, which began after Israeli security forces banned Palestinians from accessing the Damascus Gate area, has spread to include violent Israeli repression of sit-ins in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, a “Death to Arabs” march by Israeli settlers, several mass incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a deadly 11-day Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, mob attacks on Palestinian citizens of Israel, and a widespread arrest campaign that has targeted at least 2,000 Palestinians within Jerusalem and the occupied territories. Many of the arrests carried out in occupied East Jerusalem are based on what Palestinians published on their social media, particularly videos where they ridicule Israeli forces. According to lawyer Nasser Odeh, pursuing Palestinians because of what they post on their social media accounts is not new.

“We’ve seen it in 2015-2016 during the Abu Khdeir flare-up,” Odeh told Al Jazeera, referring to the outbreak of protests and escalations the city witnessed following the 2015 murder and burning alive of Palestinian teenager Mohammed Abu Khdeir by Israeli settlers. “After the Israeli government expanded its antiterrorism law in 2016, that gave Israeli forces more power to arrest Palestinians on the back of their social media posts, alleging ‘incitement’ or even ‘association with a terrorist group’.” Currently, this practice has intensified – and based on his experience with such cases in 20152016, some of which had stretched out for years after – Odeh is wary that the arrests will only increase.......Source: ctvnews.ca

Fear barrier broken despite hundreds of arrests in Jerusalem’

COVID-19: Fiji records 29 new cases; nine in Nawaka, Nadi

Fiji has recorded 29 new cases of COVID-19. According to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, six cases were recorded last night plus another 23 cases this morning. The ministry in its daily COVID-19 statement this evening says all these new cases are linked to existing clusters. “All of these cases are stable and are either in isolation facilities or home isolation.” The new cases are linked to the following * Nawaka (Nadi) – 9 * Navy cluster – 15 communities and clusters: The ministry says three patients have recov* Narere – 2 ered and there are currently 258 active cases * Waila – 3 in isolation...Source: fijitimes.com

Israel and the United Arab Emirates signed a tax treaty on Monday, Israel’s Finance Ministry said, describing the move as a spur to business development between the countries after they normalised relations last year. The UAE finance ministry said in October that it had reached a preliminary agreement with Israel on avoiding double taxation. The tax convention, once ratified by ministers and parliament this year, will be Israel’s 59th and go into effect on Jan 1, 2022. It is the first tax treaty reached in the wake of Israel’s normalising relations with the UAE and Bahrain last year. In parallel, Israel has moved to improve ties with Morocco and Sudan. The treaty is based primarily on the OECD model, Israeli Finance Minister Israel Katz said in a statement, adding that it “provides certainty and favourable conditions for business activity and will strengthen economic ties” with the UAE. Under the agreement, tax deductions, dividends and royalties are capped. Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said the treaty will enable significant promotion of investment and trade that will help both countries’ economies. Since a normalisation deal was signed last September, Israeli and Emirati banks and other companies have signed cooperation deals, while also establishing direct flights. The normalisation has, however, created

tensions with other Muslim states, especially in the backdrop of the recent Israeli violence in Palestine.In a meeting of the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) earlier this month, diplomats criticised each other at different points over ties to Israel.“The massacre of Palestinian children today follows the purported normalisation,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in the meeting. “This criminal and genocidal regime has once again proven that friendly gestures only aggravate its atrocities.” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also joined Zarif in criticising the normalisation, though Israel maintains diplomatic ties with Ankara.“There are a few who have lost their moral compass and voiced support for Israel,” he said. “If there are half-hearted statements within our own family, how could we criticise others? Who will take our words seriously?” Source: .dawn.com

Somaliland: Breakaway Somali region votes in parliamentary polls

Voters in Somaliland are casting their ballot in parliamentary and local elections on Monday, highlighting progress in the semiautonomous region of Somalia that over the years has avoided the destructive violence plaguing other parts of the Horn of Africa country.More than one million of Somaliland’s four million people are registered to vote in the elections that have been delayed, with the parliamentary elections being held more than a decade late while the municipal elections are four years late. The region has invited international observers for the elections, including political figures from elsewhere in Africa. Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991 but no country has recognised the region. Despite lacking international recognition, Somaliland has maintained its own independent government, currency and security system. John Githongo, an anticorruption campaigner from Kenya who is in the Somaliland capital, Hargeisa, as an observer, in a Twitter post described the region as “the one Somalia with a bottom-up democracy that seems to organically work.”

Greg Mills, director of a South Africa-based group that is observing the polls, said in a statement that the semi-autonomous region “represents an example of an African country which is committed to democracy and development and deserves the support of every African who wants to see progress on this continent.” Somalia considers Somaliland as part of its territory. Several rounds of talks over possible unification have failed to reach a breakthrough and the region continues to assert its right to independence. Source: aljazeera.com

Inna lillahi wa inallah-e-raji’oon BCMA has lost Brother Hasmat Ali, Continued from Page 4 By Hanif A. Patel, Surrey

In the passing away of Brother Hasmat Ali, BCMA has lost not only an able administrator and an institution- builder but also a visionary volunteer who was an inspirational figure for Canadians. Muslims community owe a debt of gratitude to Hasmat Ali for his contribution to community development and progress in every facet of human life. As a valiant member of an organisation, he served our Muslims community for more than five decades. He fulfilled his responsibility with diligence when he was a chair-

person of Surrey-Delta branch. To raise from ashes the Surrey Jamiah Mosque, accomplished school project, assisted public affairs and other community work under taken by his leadership were admirable. His supreme aim in life was to serve community with honesty and integrity.Surrey-Delta Muslims community will remember him for his sincere devotion, princely sacrifices and great qualities of organisation and inspiration. With the hearts that believe in the judgement and destiny of Almighty, we express our deepest condolences to his family and relatives. May Almighty forgive him and grant Jannatu-firdows. Aamin

Shawwal 23, 1442

po l iti c s

June 4, 2021

Justin Trudeau’s Latest Investment Has Experts in Awe And Big Banks Terrified view was over Royal Bank of Canada called gest opportunity I’ve seen in my entire lifetime to stop Trudeau’s interview from being to build a small fortune fast. I urge everyaired- it was already too late. one to check this out before the banks shut it down.” The Late Show host Stephen Colbert The Late Show host Stephen Colbert invited was left in disbelief as Trudeau pulled out his Trudeau on the show to share any tips he phone and showed viewers how much money had on building wealth and the Canadian he’s making through this new money-making program that now has everyone in Canada Prime Minister dropped a bomb: “What’s made me successful is jumping into whispering. The segment ran out of time benew opportunies quickly- without any hesita- fore Trudeau could elaborate, so we got an tion. And right now, my number one money- exclusive interview with the man himself to maker is a new cryptocurrency auto-trading learn more about this controversial opportuprogram called Bitcoin Era. It’s the single big- nity. Source: investing-rumors.com

(BBC) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made a name for himself as a brash straight-talker who doesn’t mind being honest about everything, including how he makes his money. Last week, he appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and announced a new “wealth loophole” which he says can transform anyone into a millionaire within 3-4 months. Trudeau urged everyone in Canada to jump on this amazing opportunity before the big banks shut it down for good. And sure enough, minutes after the inter-

$27M will soon be available to communities to help locate children who died at residential schools: feds

OTTAWA -- Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett announced Wednesday that the federal government is ready to distribute $27 million in pre-an-

nounced funding to assist Indigenous communities in locating and memorializing children who died at residential schools. Bennett said that by the end of the day, First Nations who want to move forward with burial site searches and commemorations will have information about how to access this funding, “which will be distributed on an urgent basis.” On May 28, the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation in Kamloops, B.C. announced that it had found the remains of 215 children buried at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, using ground-penetrating radar. In the days that have followed this horrific discovery, there have been calls from First Nations leaders, residential school

survivors, and opposition parties for the federal government to fund the research and excavation of all sites of former residential schools for unmarked graves. According to Bennett’s department the funding will be available “for a range of activities” such as supporting communities who want to conduct research, accessing professional archaeological investigation services “to identify and delineate burial sites,” and returning remains home if desired. “Indigenous communities from coast, to coast, to coast are calling for support in this important but challenging work. Our government is here there to support them,” Bennett said. The unspent funding now ready to roll out

the door comes from the 2019 federal budget, as part of what was a $33.8-million commitment to be spent over three years to fund the National Residential School Student Death Register and to help “establish and maintain an online registry of known residential school cemeteries.” Facing questions about why it took years for this money to be made available, the minister said that it took years for the federal government to be “ready” to roll out the funding, spending the other $6.8 million on setting up the death register and online archive of known cemeteries, as well as to engage with Indigenous communities, residential school survivors, and other stakeholders such as archivists......Source: ctvnews.ca

easing of restrictions needs to be done carefully and with Canadians’ safety in mind. “We’re on the right path, but we’ll make our decisions based on the interests of Canadians and not based on what other countries want,” he told a news conference in Ottawa. Trudeau suggested 75 per cent of Canadians need to be vaccinated and daily cases need to continue to decline across the country before his government would be willing to ease travel restrictions. “We all want to reopen, we all want to go back to travelling to see friends, take vacations, go on trips,” he said. “But we don’t want to have to close again, tighten up again because there’s another wave.” The land border has been closed to non-

essential travel since March 2020, and the measure was recently extended until June 21. Trudeau’s words came as Ontario and Quebec reported their lowest numbers of new COVID-19 infections in months. Quebec reported fewer than 300 new COVID-19 cases for the first time since mid-September, with 276 new infections and one more death attributed to the novel coronavirus.........../ In contrast to some other provinces, Manitoba has continued to struggle with high COVID-19 infection rates. The province reported more than 300 new infections on Monday and Dr. Brent Roussin, the chief provincial public health officer, said there health system. This report by The Canadian were still too many people in intensive care, Press was first published May 31, 2021. which he said was putting pressure on the Source: ctvnews.ca

Canada won’t rush reopening border with United States, Trudeau says MONTREAL -- Canada won’t be rushed into reopening its border with the United States to non-essential travel, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday as new COVID-19 case counts continued to drop in much of the country. Calls for a reopening plan have started to intensify as vaccine coverage has increased on both sides of the border. The White House said last week it had not decided when or how to reopen the border with Canada, but business groups and lawmakers including Vermont Gov. Phil Scott and New York Rep. Brian Higgins have urged both countries to come up with a plan. Trudeau said Monday that while many people are eager to see the border reopen, any

Coronavirus infections over 172 million worldwide Coronavirus Cases:

Deaths:

Recovered:

155,086,074

Last updated:

June 03, 2021, 07:13 GMT www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?

172,432,512

3,706,770

Coronavirus Cases:

Deaths:

Recovered:

CANADA Last updated:

Coronavirus Cases:

Deaths:

Recovered:

BC;CANADA Last updated:

1,385,278 144,667

25,612 1,707

1,330,389 140,238

June 03, 2021, 07:13 GMT

https://experience.arcgis.com

Shawwal 23, 1442 June 4, 2021

By: Asma Shums, very season has perks that make it special, but there is something about summer that puts it in a league all its own. Yes, I am saying summer is better than winter and I have got the points to prove it (beyond just the fact that summer isn’t cold). No other season brings people together like summer, and that’s reason alone for putting it at the top of the list. Summer also gets people outside, and with the amount of time we spend at our desks or on our couch, that’s something we all could use more of in our lives. Maybe we can credit the weather, but I think it’s so much more than that. There’s a sort of magic associated with summer that

wome n / y outh T

Why I love Summer Season?

you simply cannot deny. Whether you like going to the beach or having a cookout in the backyard there is always something to do during these amazing months. Plus, you’re more active during summer, which is always good for your health. In reality though, it’s the good vibes that are the healthiest part of it all.

and they are all so refreshing to eat. From cherries to peaches to watermelon, there isn’t shortage of juicy fruit to shop when those warm months roll around. They’re really like summer’s candy, and I just can’t get enough.

3) Outdoor time

While we love winter produce too, so many amazing fruits are in season during summer,

Speaking of getting sunshine, summer is better than winter for the simple fact that you can spend more time outdoors. We’re all for cozy time on the couch, but there’s no denying that time spent outdoors is so important, and essential. Take advantage of the warm summer months to get fresh air, whether that means eating dinner outside, going for a walk, or going to the beach. When you have a beach day, make sure you have a great beach towel to go along with it. Dont forget to practise social distancing and wear your mask!

“There really isn’t enough and the fact that I am the first really highlights that. After entering politics in 2017 following the snap election, Bokhari has had to grapple with abuse including being targeted in an online campaign wanting to ban halal meat; having the address of her children’s schools posted online and being told that she should be “sweeping the streets, not canvassing on the streets”. Women in politics, she says, are “treated differently to men and subjected to more vitriol”. There have been times when the councillor has taken her daughter canvassing and been reprimanded for not staying at home to attend to childcare. “I don’t think it’s meant in a way that’s supposed to make me feel less but it does,” she says. “And that’s the battle I constantly have within myself; reminding myself that I’ve got every right to be doing that, I should be going out, my children are proud of me getting elected. The councillor beams with pride when she recounts how politically aware they are. A mother of two, an 8-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl, Bokhari regularly practices her speeches in front of them and her daughter films her videos for social media. But parenting as a politician is not easy, she says.“It’s very hard to get elected as a woman, firstly; I’m a mother with two young kids. I think this pandemic has really highlighted that there’s definitely more of a pressure on women.” More than three-quarters (78 per cent) of mothers in the UK found it challenging to manage childcare and paid work

during lockdown, according to a poll by campaigning group Pregnant Then Screwed. “I was homeschooling, doing cooking, cleaning, my amazing husband helps out but there was more pressure on me to get things done,” she says. A Muslim woman, she adds, must be “stronger than the average white man” in order to get elected. She frequently sees distinct differences between how she’s treated by some members of the public and people within her field in comparison to white, male colleagues. “You have to possess the resilience of a hundred tigers,” she chuckles. “Women generally find it tough in terms of these types of roles but add the colour, the brown face, the faith, and it’s harder. Bokhari is a qualified teacher, having entered the profession in 1997. She then decided to venture into politics after witnessing, first hand, the devastation that budget cuts were wreaking on the lives of students, parents and teachers. The Londoner is accustomed to historical feats; in 2018, she won her first election, and became the first non-white councillor in West Barnes ward and first Muslim woman elected in the Merton borough. Before that, in 1985, her father, Naz Bokhari, became Britain’s first Muslim headteacher at Ernest Bevin Secondary school for Boys in Tooting. London mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan is among his most famous alumni. “My dad endured a lot. People called him racial slurs in the streets quite regularly and he would often get turned down for jobs be-

1) Vitamin D

Since you’ll be spending more time outside during summer, then you’re going to get more vitamin D than you would during winter. This is great, because a majority of us are deficient in vitamin D, which is an important vitamin that supports everything from your body’s ability to absorb calcium, to muscle movement, to your immune system

2) Fresh Fruits

4) Longer days

Summer means longer days. The sun sets later than usual :) So make use of the extra day light hours to your work, play outside and enjoy your time. Take advantage of the extra day light hours to be outside, while practicing social distancing and enjoy yourself doing gardening, outside activities, exercise and much more! Email info at: asmashums@gmail.com

‘Sad but exciting’ to break barriers, says first London Assembly Muslim woman hopeful

In an interview with The Independent, Liberal Democrat councillor Hina Bokhari tells Nadine White about balancing motherhood with making history – and grappling with discrimination By: Nadine White ina Bokhari has mixed feelings as she’s set to become the joint first Muslim woman to sit on the London Assembly, being second on the party’s local election list for the seat. Though the south London alderwoman describes the historic prospect as “exciting”, she carries an element of sadness about achieving this in 2021. Speaking toThe Independent, the 45-yearold Liberal Democrat councillor said: “It’s a wonderful thing to have the title but it’s also incredibly sad and shocking that it’s the case in 2021.“When I was first elected in 2018 as the first Muslim woman councillor in Merton, I thought politics was more diverse than it is – you hear about these amazing brown, black, ethnic minority women in politics but they’re the minority.

The Bermuda Triangle – What’s Going On? By:Khadija

Nadeem Gr 9

A Letters Cont from Pg 4

t one point in my life, I was absolutely obsessed with the Bermuda Triangle and I’m sure many of you shared that infatuation. Over time I grew less interested but now I’m back and I’ll be sharing some new things I learned with all of you. First off, the Bermuda Triangle is a loosely defined expanse of sea in the North Atlantic Ocean, think of it east

to Florida. What makes it so special though, is that multiple ships or vessels that cross the region or aircrafts that fly over it are said to disappear over mysterious circumstances. The majority of vast populations believe this is linked to paranormal activities and extraterrestrials. In short, aliens. Some people truly do believe in abductions conducted by aliens in space or drownings executed by underwater sea creatures but science has provided

cause of his ethnicity,” Bokhari says. “He would say to me, ‘It’s not what you do that matters, it’s what you do for the generations after you that matters.’ I have to do this for the people behind me who are going to follow, who are watching what I am doing.” Bokhari wants to help usher in a “shift” in what she calls a common view of Muslim women. “There’s this perception that they’re weak, can’t speak for themselves, just do what their husbands tell us. It’s as though because many of them wear hijabs, headscarves, wear modest clothes, they can’t be independent of thought or they’re being made to wear that kind of stuff but actually that’s not the case.” Labour’s Marina Ahmad and Sakina Sheikh, both Muslim women, are also running to become London Assembly members and, if elected, will share this prime feat. “Muslim women are incredibly strong and have been doing amazing things throughout history but we just don’t hear about them. I want people to perceive all women as strong – and as a Muslim woman I can help to change that narrative. “I don’t see that happening if we’re going to keep electing the same kind of people every time. Nothing’s going to change. “The only way things are going to change if you have people like myself who talk differently, see the world differently and have a different voice. I’d love it if some little brown girl came up to me one day and said “you inspired me to get into politics”, that would be a dream.” ”Source: independent.co.uk

much more plausible explanations. Some scientists believe that ships and planes are destroyed by flammable pockets of methane gas which are known to exist in large quantities under the sea. Others suggest rogue tidal waves, geomagnetic anomalies and an extensive collection of other reasonable theories. What truly is the root of mystery surrounding the Bermuda Triangle, we may never know.

ISCC and MAT Stand Shoulder to Shoulder with the Indigenous People of Canada

215 indigenous children’s bodies discovered in Kamloops, B.C. By: Imam Syed Soharward

(Calgary) Islamic Supreme Council of Canada (ISCC) and Muslims Against Terrorism (MAT) express deep concerns over the discovery of 215 remains of indigenous children near the residential school in Kamloops, B.C. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our First Nations brothers and

sisters. We strongly condemn the persecution and genocide of the indigenous people of Canada. At the residential schools, indigenous children were not only abused but also killed. The 215 bodies of Indigenous children found in Kamloops, B.C. is a small evidence of a very large-scale genocide that has to be investigated and exposed. The govt of Canada must establish Inquiry Commission to discover the whole truth.

ISCC and MAT express deep sympathy and solidarity with the families of the victims and the First Nations people. We pray for their families. We also need to make sure that Canada does not repeat its past mistakes. Canada must not support in any shape or form oppression, persecution, illegal occupation, discrimination and violence against any human being at home and abroad. For inquiries, please contact Imam Syed Soharwardy at 403-831-6330. Thanks\]

Shawwal 23, 1442 June 4, 2021

Adeeb

Ayyaz

(Realtor)

PREC

(Realtor)

604 - A2Z 604 518 - 3782 Team 839 - 7863

adeeb.shums@century21.ca ayyazrealtor@gmail.com

NEW LISTINGS

R2584183

$999,000

2021 $599,000

$579,000

61-31032 Westridge Place Abbotsford BC V2T 0C6

R2547077

21511 Exeter Avenue Maple Ridge, BC V4R 2K3 Solid Rancher, on large 7358 Sq. Ft. Mature Lot, in a quality neighbourhood. This home has everything you need. Three good sized bedrooms, entertainment sized living/dining room and the kitchen is large enough to include a cozy dinette. Large cool patio out back, looking out onto a beautiful flat yard with mature landscaping and a look at the mountains. Lots of summer fun out here!

HARVEST at WESTERLEIGH, Conveniently Located Near Parks, Schools and Shopping! This two bedroom, two bathroom townhome has a wonderful OPEN layout with many of the features 9’ Ceilings, Woodgrain Doors with Nickel Hardware, Contemporary FlatPanel Cabinetry, Granite Countertops, Dual Kitchen Sinks, S/S Appliances, and ensuite with spacious walk-in shower and Double Sinks. Plus, Membership to the True Centre

of the community - CLUB WEST! A Private Clubhouse with Fireside Lounge, Pool and Whirlpool, Fitness Studio, Guest Suites, Indoor Floor-Hockey Room, and Theatre Room! Enjoy either your bright southern-exposed deck off the kitchen or the private, ground level back yard, perfect for kids and dogs! 2 Pets(Dogs or Cats)Allowed, Rentals Allowed.

R2574560

214-1061 Marine Drive N Vancouver BC V7P 3M6 Quality Construction Amazing 2 Bedroom State of Art Urban Living! X61 North Facing, 2 decks, Quality Materials & Finishing including Fisher & Paykel Stainless Steel Appliances, Quartz Counter Tops, Gorgeous Wood Cabinets & Gas Range 100% Rentals Allowed, Pedestrian Friendly Neighbourhood with convenient Shopping/Transit/Parks/Restaurants.

Free Appraisal and Legal Fees TERMS 1 Year Our Rates* 2.25%

3 Year 5 Year 2.30% 2.30%

Special Promo

5 years Variable 1.65% 5 years Insured 1.99% * Rates are subject to change without notice

Asma Shums

Mortgage Consultant

* Purchase * Renewal * Pre Approval * 1st & 2nd Mortgages * Self Employed

* New Immigrants * Debts Consolidation * Construction/ Renovations * Commercial Mortgage

Surrey Office: 115-13740 72A Avenue, Surrey BC V3W 1N5 Vancouver Office: 6241 Fraser Street, Vancouver BC V3W 3A2

604-839-7853 ~ asmashums@gmail.com ~ www.a2zmortgage.ca

Shawwal 23, 1442 June 4, 2021

Ayyaz

Adeeb

(Realtor)

PREC

604 - (Realtor) 839 - 7863

604 518 - 3782

adeeb.shums@century21.ca ayyazrealtor@gmail.com

UPDATED SOLD Properties 2021 SOLD $940,000 R2546594 31982 HILLCREST AVE MISSION BC V2V 1K9

SOLD $560,000 R2543995

SOLD $920,000 R2549835

20979 WICKLUND AVE MAPLE RIDGE V2X 8E8

SOLD $564,000 R2541787

27-11464 FISHER STREET MAPLERIDGE, BC V2X 0H8

32-20890 57 AVE LANGLEY BC V3A 8M7

SOLD $929,000

SOLD $1,417,000 R2555598

R2546739

12471 227 STRRET MAPLE RIDGE BC V2X 6K4

SOLD $550,000 R2569290

8-13670 84 AVENUE SURREY, BC V3W 0T6

6537 125A STREET SURREY, BCV3W 6S9

SOLD $950,000 R2555648

8985 VINES STREET CHILLIWACK BC V2P 3X5

SOLD $975,000

R2539866

11927 96A AVENUE SURREY BC V3V 2A5

SOLD $725,000

R2550873

31-7848 170 STREET SURREY BC V4N 6M4

SOLD $770,000

R2560163

167 SPRINGFIELD DRIVE LANGLEY BC V4W 3K8

SOLD $727,300

R2482366

44477 FRESHWATER DR CHILLIWACK, BC V2R 6A3

SOLD $575,005

SOLD $415,000 R2517425

206-12125 75A AVE SURREY BCV3W 1B9

R2580575

#402 5638 201A ST, LANGLEY BC V3A 1T1

SOLD $500,000

R2558602

207-6930 BALMORAL STREET BURNABY BC V7E1J5

Shawwal 23, 1442 June 4, 2021

Ayyaz

Adeeb

(Realtor)

PREC

604 518 - 3782

604 - (Realtor) 839 - 7863

adeeb.shums@century21.ca ayyazrealtor@gmail.com

Properties SOLD $445,000

R2559520

105-12155 75A AVENUE SURREY BC V2W 1B9

SOLD $220,000

V589769

217 8700 ACKROYD ROAD RICHMOND BC V6X 3G2

SOLD $509,000

R2450615

2-5480 PEBBLE LANE CHILLIWACK BC V2R 6B8

SOLD $715,000 R2579897

9160 ARMITAGE STREET CHILLIWACK BC V2P 6R7

SOLD $600,000

R2534554

46095 FIFTH AVENUE CHILLIWACK BC V2P 1M6

SOLD $915,000 R2535413

33835 FERN STREET ABBOTSFORD BC V2S 1G4

SOLD SOLD $698,888 $1,730,000

R2544625

316-8060 JONES RICHMOND BC V6Y 4K5

SOLD $1,529,900

Pre-sale “Parkside at Lynn” by MOSAIC 3 bedroom penthouse

R2554052

18936 55 AVENUE SURREY, BC V3S 6W7

SOLD $2,275,000

R2527043

17511 101 AVENUE SURREY BC V4N 4H2

SOLD $410,000 R2578219

603-620 SEVENTH AVENUE NEW WESTMINSTER BC V3M 5T6

SOLD $538,000

R2525983

403-71 JAMIESON COURT NEW WESTMINSTER BC V3L 5R4

SOLD $951,000

R2538286

12948 72 AVENUE SURREY, BC V3W 2M9

SOLD $286,000

SOLD $685,000 R2494524

2927 BABICH STREET ABBOTSFORD BC V2S 3K4

SOLD $658,900

R2529913

17-162 1639 SURREY BC V0V 0V0

SOLD $999,800

R2233335 15757 92 AVENUE SURREY, BC V4N 3C3

SOLD $820,000

F1122130 203-7837 120A STREET SURREY, BC V3W 0W9

SOLD $1,650,000

R2534993 17737 102 AVENUE SURREY, BC V4N 5V8

R2533939

8040 KNIGHT AVENUE MISSION, BC V2V 6A8

SOLD $1,302,000

R2531908

6189 146A ST SURREY, BC V3S 6N4

Shawwal 23, 1442 June 4, 2021 The B.C. Muslim Association 12300 Blundell Road Richmond, B.C. V6W 1B3

Telephone (604) 270-2522 info@thebcma.com www.thebcma.com

FUNERAL SERVICES Job Opportunity for Full Time Female Licensed Funeral Director The BC Muslim Association is looking for a full time female Funeral Director to generally assist in the Association’s funeral and burial services while focusing especially on aiding in funerals for women. The BCMA was established in 1966 and is the largest Muslim organization in North America. We own and operate Islamic centers and schools in several cities across the province and employ over a hundred part and full-time workers. Among the many services, it serves the Sunni Muslim community by providing funeral and burial services. The Association is requesting that interested women to apply with a: • Covering letter • Resume • One-page maximum letter detailing your personal statement, your long-term vision, why you feel that you are suited for a career in the funeral service and how you would like to serve the BC Muslim Association. Interested applicants must: • be eligible to work in Canada (Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, etc) • have a clean Criminal Record Check (Vulnerable Sector) • have a valid Class 5 driver’s licence The deadline to submit the above mentioned is July 15, 2021. The selected potential female funeral director will be required to enroll in the Funeral Director Program unless she is already a licensed funeral director recognized by the province of BC. The following is a brief description of the process: The applicant must successfully complete a two-year Funeral Director Program. This is a 24-week online theory program with 126 hours of classroom training. As an apprentice program you will need to cover 3,600 hours work hours over the two years in order to be a certified licensed funeral director. During the 2 years of the program you will be compensated for the work/training hours. Course is offered from September to June. The BCMA will reimburse 50% of the related program cost after successful completion of 1st year and the balance after successful completion of the 2nd year. Some conditions shall apply. Due date for Registration for the Program is August 15, 2021. The program pre-requisites are High School Graduation, 19 years of age and older, computer skills with access to internet and personal statement why you feel you are suited for a career in the funeral service. Fees: Registration/Application: $ 100.00 $3,996.00 1st Year Tuition: $ 880.00 1st Year Textbooks: $1,998.00 2ND Year Tuition: $ 300.00 2ND Year Textbooks: Total Program Cost (excluding taxes): $7,274.00 Upon successful completion of the funeral director apprenticeship program and being certified and licensed, BCMA will contract and employ the candidate for a minimum 5-year career opportunity. Salary & Beneﬁts: Compensation commensurate with experience.

DEWAN-E-KHASS Pakistani & Indian

To apply, please email your resume: burial@thebcma.com

Cuisine King of the Grill

Please follow us on Facebook Dewan-E-Khass & www.dewanekhass.com Dewan-e-Khass specializes in exotic Pakistani, Indian Grill and Karahi dishes made by our experienced cook from Pakistan. We invite you to come and taste one of our authentic dishes. We are sure once you taste, you will come again. Owner: Siraj Khan 11am to 10:30 pm. Open 7 Days a Week

604.327.4800

5750 Fraser Street, Vancouver

To apply, please email your resume burial@thebcma.com

15 health / p A K I S T A N Canada is ‘well and truly over the peak of the 3rd wave,’ Dr. Tam says Shawwal 23, 1442

June 4, 2021

‘Things have taken a great turn for the better,’ says Canada’s chief public health officer By:John Paul Tasker · CBC News anada’s chief public health officer said today that strict public health measures and a ramped-up vaccination campaign have pushed the national COVID-19 case count to its lowest level in weeks. In much of the country, the pandemic outlook is improving. Dr. Theresa Tam said the distribution of some 25 million vaccine doses has resulted in a “strong and steady decline” in cases, with totals less than half what they were during the peak of the third wave in mid-April. Roughly 62 per cent of all adults have now had at least one dose of a vaccine, she said, and as a result, “things have taken a great turn for the better.” Over the past week, Tam said, fewer than 3,400 new infections were being reported daily — down from a rate of nearly 9,000 reported new infections each day just six weeks ago. The national “rT” — the metric that tracks the average number of people a single infected person will pass the virus on to — has been trending below 1 for more than a month, which means the pandemic is shrinking in Canada and COVID-19 is “out of a growth pattern in the most heavily af-

Pointing to new federal modelling data, Tam said the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) expects the third wave to continue to decline “as long as we maintain current measures and don’t increase in-person contact rates across the community.” While there are fresh reasons for optimism, Tam cautioned provinces against re-opening too quickly — especially indoor spaces. “While this forecast is very encouraging, it reaffirms that now is not the time to relax our measures. If measures are relaxed, increasing the number of community-wide in-persons contacts, resurgence is likely,” she said. Tam said Canada must follow the

lead of other jurisdictions and only lift restrictions in a “controlled and gradual way” to avoid a fourth wave. British leaders kept the U.K. in a national lockdown for weeks after COVID-19 cases declined dramatically and vaccination rates escalated. That country sustained the most restrictive measures until case rates were several times lower than they currently are in Canada, Tam said. Tam said British public health restrictions have started to relax “slowly and cautiously” only recently, now that 70 per cent of U.K. adults have had at least one shot and 45 per cent are fully immunized. Canada is nowhere near that level of vaccine coverage; just five per cent of all Canadians have received the two required doses. Tam repeated her recommendation that provinces and territories only begin to lift the most restrictive public health measures, such as stay-at-home orders, once 75 per cent of all people over the age of 12 have had a shot and 20 per cent have had a sec-

ing his lawyer to decide whether to appear before the Federal Investigation Agency on Jun 4. The development comes a week after three armed men forcibly entered Toor’s apartment in the capital Islamabad, saying they were from Inter-Services Intelligence. The assailants repeatedly slapped Toor, accusing him of criticising the agency. However, the ISI has distanced itself from the attack, saying it was not involved.Pakistan Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has said authorities are close to arresting the assailants who attacked Toor. But Toor said he was not satisfied with the government’s investigation. In an interview with The Associated Press, he described how one of the assailants injured both his arms by striking them with a pistol after tying his hands and feet. “When one of the attackers put his pistol on

my head, for a second I thought my time is over,” Toor said. He said some of his fellow journalists who spoke out to support him have also being harassed. Among those, Toor said, was prominent Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir, who was taken off air as the host of his popular talk show by Pakistan’s Geo News TV because of an anti-army speech at a rally Friday. Mir told AP on Tuesday he might have used “strong words” against the army but his speech was in response to growing attacks on journalists. He said he attended the rally to express solidarity with Toor and other journalists who had recently been attacked or harassed. Although Pakistan’s government insists it supports freedom of speech, human rights groups often accuse Pakistan’s military and

ing it an attack on the freedom of expression and press. Mir, the longtime host of the popular Capital Talk, had just days earlier delivered a fiery speech in Islamabad calling for accountability for repeated assaults on journalists in the country. He was speaking at a protest against the recent attack on journalist and YouTuber Asad Ali Toor. “Reporters Without Borders is appalled that Hamid Mir [...] has been taken off the air by his TV channel after saying at a protest that those responsible for recent physical attacks on journalists should be identified,” the global watchdog said in a statement on Wednesday. “An autocratic climate is steadily taking hold in Pakistan,” it added. Pakistan is ranked 145th out of 180 countries in RSF’s World Press Freedom Index for 2021. RSF noted that Mir was “suspended summarily”, without any form of proceedings against him. The statement quoted Daniel Bastard, the head of RSF’s Asia-Pacific desk, as saying that it was “extremely disturbing that

a media group has been reduced to censoring its own star journalist simply because he defended his fellow journalists against violence”. “In his programme, Hamid Mir nurtured the flame of democracy and pluralism in Pakistan with courage and abnegation. His disappearance from the airwaves is another step in this government’s progress towards autocracy,” he added. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Geo/ Jang Group said Mir had made a speech “that has resulted in backlash from different segments of society”. “The editorial committee and lawyers will check for violation of policy and law. Meanwhile, ‘Capital Talk’ will be hosted by a temporary host,” it said. Last week, journalist organisations held protest demonstrations against the attack on Toor and growing incidents of violence against journalists. A number of prominent journalists, politicians and civil society activists attended the protest in Islamabad and

fected areas,” Tam said. The number of people experiencing severe and critical illness is also decreasing, though at a slower pace, she said. The average number of patients with COVID-19 being treated in hospital each day has dropped by 34 per cent since the April peak. But where infection rates are still very high — particularly in Manitoba — hospitalization rates are still at a crisis point. “Our efforts have got us well and truly over the peak of the third wave nationally and heading for a much better summer, if we can stay the course,” Tam said.

It’s too soon to relax, says Tam

ond dose. At that level of protection, Canadians can start to gather in small outdoor groups, dine on restaurant patios and safely enjoy outdoor activities, she said. Tam said early indicators suggest that a single dose of a COVID-19 vaccine does offer meaningful protection. There have been few cases reported in people who have received at least one dose and fewer still among those who have received two doses, she said. Of the 20.7 million Canadians who have received at least one dose, just 6,817 of those vaccine recipients have contracted the virus 14 days after vaccination. Tam said that, for maximum protection, Canadians must get the second “immunity-boosting” dose. Source: cbc.ca/news

Pakistani journalist summoned on allegation he defamed army

SLAMABAD: A Pakistani journalist recently beaten by unidentified men in his apartment said on Tuesday (Jun 1) he was summoned by authorities to answer allegations he defamed a key national institution, a term often used for the military. Asad Ali Toor, who works for the Aaj News Pakistani TV channel, said he was consult-

Reporters Without Borders terms Hamid Mir’s suspension ‘another step towards autocracy’

lobal media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has said it is “appalled” by the move to take veteran journalist and TV anchorperson Hamid Mir off air, terming it “another step towards autocracy” in the PTI-led government’s rule. Mir had said earlier this week that he had been informed by the Geo News management that he would “not go on air on Monday” to host his five-days-a-week show ‘Capital Talk’. Sources from the channel’s management had confirmed that Mir had been sent on forced leave for some time. Journalist bodies and human rights organisations strongly condemned the move, term-

its agencies of harassing and attacking journalists. At a news conference Tuesday, Hina Jilani, head of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, denounced the assault on Toor, the removal of Mir as a host of his TV show and other attacks on journalists.“Journalism is not a crime. Dissent is not a crime,” she said. Source: AP/ec channelnewsasia.com

spoke against assaults on members of the media industry. In a strongly worded speech at the protest, Mir accused non-democratic forces of being behind the incident and warned of retaliation if attacks on journalists continued. Toor was severely beaten up by unidentified assailants outside his residence in Islamabad’s Sector F-10 on May 25. The RSF statement also recalled the attack on senior journalist and former chairman of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Absar Alam, who was shot and injured in Islamabad in April, saying “no suspect has been identified in the six weeks since that shooting.” Source: dawn.com/news

PICTURE PICTURE

604-690-0400 miraclenews@telus.net 604-690-0400 www.miraclenews.com

miraclenews@telus.net

www.miraclenews.com

‫‪23‬‬

‫ہم سب‬ ‫مدد کر‬ ‫سکتے‬ ‫ہیں‬ ‫خاندانوں کو پھر سے ساتھ مالنے میں۔‬ ‫ویکسین لگوائیں۔‬ ‫‪Canada.ca/covid-vaccine‬‬ ‫‪1-833-784-4397‬‬

‫‪2021-05-13 10:46 AM‬‬

‫‪72300_4_Vac_ripple_print_10x15_URD.indd 1‬‬

NOTARY PUBLIC (604) 596 1861 # 220-13711

72 Ave. Surrey, BC (Opp. Newton Wave Pool)

Shoaib.surrey@gmail.com

Shoaib Rauf

Notary Public Immigration Consultant Mohamed Salim Contractor Unit #219-7928, 128 St.

(York Business Centre) Surrey. BC V3W 4E8 C: 604.817.3022 O: 604.503.5025 Fax: 604.503.5045

http://www.salimnotary.com/ http://cwics.ca/ www.cwics.team

Emails:salim@salimnotary.com

&:cwics.team@yahoo.ca

15,20

NOOR JAHAN Grocery&Meat Store

5989-Fraser St.(E 44th St.) Vancouver

BCMA Approved Hand Slaughter

Chicken, Meat Beef, Veal & Fish and much more Grocery available Mohammad Lablu

604-301-9090

Coronavirus Cases:

926,695

Deaths:

21,022

Recovered:

852,574

Pakistan Last updated:

June 03, 2021, 07:13 GMT