Miracle 549-July 16, 2021

Volume 21 Issue 549 -Zul Hijjah 06, 1442 H, July 16, 2021 $1

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05 Hajj: The Greater

07 Federal Gov. announc-

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09 No, we can’t fireproof

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6 6

Pilgrimage at Arafat

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towns and cities — Why are Muslim women living ‘in fear

es $1.3B for SkyTrain Canada Day 2021 Celebrated by PCCA-BC Sr. BCMA founding member M.Z Khan passed away

Pakistanis send back record $29.4bn in year Oil climbs on expected draw in crude Green party executive launches membership

Wildfire smoke blanketing parts of Taliban say do not want to fight B.C. prompts air quality warning inside Afghanistan’s cities

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ANCOUVER -- Much of central and eastern British Columbia is under a special weather bulletin warning of smoky skies, as hundreds of wildfires rage out of control in the province. Environment Canada issued the special air quality statement, warning of the smoke for the next few days in areas stretching from the Interior north to Yukon and east to the Alberta boundary.

Four areas in the province also remain under a heat warning, including the Fraser Canyon where the village of Lytton was destroyed by fire last month, with daytime highs predicted of up to 38 C. The BC Wildfire Service says much of the central part of the province is at extreme risk of wildfires with more than 300 fires burning, two dozen of which are highly visible or pose a potential threat to public safety.

Wildfires have also forced closures of major highways in the province, including Highway 97 north of 70 Mile House, and Highway 20 in the Anahim Lake region. The province is asking residents to remain cautious and be responsible in preventing possible fires, after the wildfire service, RCMP and Kamloops Fire responded to five suspicious blazes Tuesday night, all believed to have been human-caused.

Source : bc.ctvnews.ca

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he Taliban do not want to battle government forces inside Afghanistan’s cities and would rather see them surrender, a senior insurgent leader said on Tuesday, as the militants also warned Turkey against extending its troop presence.

The hardline Islamist group has swept through much of the north as foreign troops complete their withdrawal, and the Afghan government now holds little more than a constellation of provincial capitals that must largely be resupplied by air.

As security deteriorates, France on Tuesday became the latest country to call on its citizens to leave — offering them a last flight out of Kabul, free of charge, on Saturday. “The Embassy of France formally recommends to all French citizens to take this special flight or to leave the country immediately by their own means,” the embassy said. On July 1, Germany too had called on its citizens to leave the country.

Earlier, the head of a Taliban commission that oversees government forces who surrender urged residents of Afghanistan’s cities to reach out to them.

“Now that the fighting from mountains and deserts has reached the doors of the cities, Mujahideen (Taliban) don’t want fighting inside the city,” Amir Khan Mut-

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To be Continued at page 4

‘Do more’: PM Imran asks developed countries to help poor nations with ‘unutilised IMF quota’

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rime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday called upon the developed countries to mobilise adequate financial resources to enable developing countries meet the triple challenge of Covid-19 recovery, implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and realisation of environmental objectives. Delivering a keynote address at the United Nations High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development through a video message, Imran Khan said there were synergies in the three challenges which should be utilised to “build back better”. “The high income countries have been able to inject $70 trillion to stimulate their economies. While developing countries on the other hand are estimated to need at least $4.3tr to come out of their crisis and implement this. They have unfortunately so far secured less than 5pc access of this amount,” he regretted.

He recalled that he had proposed the creation of new IMF special drawing rights as an effective way to generate development financing, adding that it was essential that high income countries voluntarily reallocate part of their

unutilised IMF quota and this should be approved urgently. He said he hoped at least $150 billion will be reallocated to finance sustainable development projects in developing countries through the IMF, World Bank and other financial institutions. “The restructuring of high cost debt is another essential instrument to provide fiscal space in development finance for the affected developing countries,” he added.

He highlighted that any common framework for debt restructuring should not involve protracted negotiations that would defeat the purpose of debt relief. At this critical time, he remarked, commitments made to provide concession and grant finance to developing countries, including 0.7 per cent official development assistance (ODA) commitment and the advance window of $50bn must be fulfilled. “Similarly, fulfilment of the commitment made by developed countries to provide $100bn by year in climate finance is vital, including for the success of the COP-26 in Glasgow.”

The prime minister said the accumulated climate finance commitment was To be Continued at page 4

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Zul Hijjah 6, 1442 July 16, 2021

PAKISTAN

Former president Mamnoon Hussain passes away in Karachi at 80 Former president of Pakistan and PML-N loyalist Mamnoon Hussain passed away in Karachi on Wednesday after a prolonged illness, according to his family and party leaders. He was 80.

Hussain served as the 12th President of Pakistan between September 2013 and September 2018. He had replaced Asif Ali Zardari and was succeeded by Arif Alvi. He was diagnosed with cancer in February last year and was under treatment at a private hospital in the city for some days where he breathed his last, according to his former coordinator and PML-N Sindh additional secretary general Chaudhry Tariq. =Hussain has left behind a widow and three sons. The time and place of his funeral prayers will be announced later, Tariq said.

Politicians belonging to various parties expressed grief and condolences at the passing of the former president. President Arif Alvi expressed sorrow over his demise, saying he shared the pain of his bereaved family.

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif also shared sadness over Hussain’s death. “Today, we have lost a valued person who loved Pakistan and had a good character,” a tweet by the PML-N president’s account quoted him as saying.

“He was Nawaz Sharif ’s trustworthy, loyal and ideological companion. He steadfastly

stood by the party through all the highs and lows.“His services for the country and the nation will be remembered for long,” Shehbaz said. Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa expressed his condolences on Hussain’s demise.

“May Allah bless his soul & give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss, ” he was quoted as saying by the ISPR. PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said she was deeply saddened by the former president’s passing. “He was a sincere man who served Pakistan with completely honesty,” she tweeted.Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi tweeted: “My deepest condolences on the passing of former President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain. May Allah grant his family the strength to bear this great loss.”

Source: dawn.com

Pakistanis send back record $29.4bn in year

KARACHI: Overseas Pakis­tanis remitted record $29.4 billion during 2020-21, helping the country meet its widening trade deficit and expected current account deficit in the last month of the just-ended fiscal year. The central bank said that with inflows of around $2.7bn in June (9pc growth year-on-year) and 8pc (monthon-month), workers’ remittances continued their unprecedented streak of above $2bn for a record 13th consecutive month. Data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Tuesday showed that remittances posted a 27 per cent year-on-year growth, which was the fastest rate of expansion since FY03.

This growth in remittances helped improve the country’s external sector position despite the challenging global economic conditions in the past year, said the State Bank, adding that the seasonal pre-Eid related inflows helped to further boost remittances level during June.

Remittances continue their unprecedented streak of above $2bn for 13th consecutive month “Overall, record high inflows of workers’ remittances during FY21 have been driven by proactive policy measures by the government and SBP to incentivise the use of formal channels, curtailed cross-border travel in the face of Covid-19 infections, altruistic transfers to Pakistan amid the pandemic, and orderly foreign exchange market conditions,” said the SBP......

Sacrifices of Kashmiris will not go in vain: Maryam

MUZAFFARABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz has assured the struggling people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) that their sacrifices will not go in vain. Addressing a huge election rally in Hattian Bala on Sunday, she said she wanted to tell the people of occupied Kashmir from a place not too far from the Line of Control that she and Nawaz Sharif stood by them.

Hattian Bala is the central place of three constituencies of AJK assembly, and AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider is contesting from two of them while Minister for Population Welfare Dr Mustafa Bashir is contesting from the third. “We stand by all those mothers who have lost their sons in their quest for freedom. We stand by all those fathers who have shouldered the coffins of their martyred sons. I stand by all those sisters who lost their honour in their struggle for freedom,” Ms Nawaz said, adding: “These sacrifices will not go in vain.

Neither will we forget them nor will we let them be forgotten.”

“Kashmir is my home and like that of Nawaz Sharif, Kashmiri blood circulates in my veins as well,” she said, adding brave people like Nawaz Sharif and Raja Farooq

Haider were required to thwart schemes of converting AJK into a province.

She said Mr Haider would not spare those who steal votes in case they were planning to resort to such tactics in the AJK polls.

She asked Kashmiris to follow Mr Haider because he had changed AJK’s culture and “written a new chapter of loyalty”.

Reiterating her allegations of betrayal of Kashmiris by Prime Minister Imran Khan, the PML-N leader said Kashmiris should ask him as to what he had done to reverse Indian unlawful actions with regard to occupied Kashmir.

Taking constant jibes at Mr Khan, she said at the moment he was the only well-off person in Pakistan because neither did he need to queue up to get wheat flour, sugar and ghee at ever increasing prices, nor did he face load shedding. Source: dawn.com

Over 40 Delta variant cases reported in Karachi in two weeks

KARACHI: More than 40 cases of the Delta variant — a highly virulent Covid-19 strain that has caused devastation in India a few months back — have been reported in the city during the current month. Sources told Dawn the cases also involved a family of five residing in Lyari.

According to the health department data, a copy of which is available with Dawn, 24 cases of the Delta variant were reported last month.

The tests were largely performed at the Aga Khan University Hospital and the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad.

“The surge in Covid-19 across the country, particularly in Karachi is alarming, which indicates that we are in the grip of a fourth wave. The Covid-19 unit at the Indus Hospital is full and the same is the case at other major tertiary care hospitals in the city,” said Dr Samreen Sarfaraz, a senior infectious diseases expert at the Indus Hospital.

Five members of a Lyari family, as many prisoners are among those tested positive for the highly virulent Covid-19 strain She regretted that the crisis had developed at a time when “people are tired of wearing masks all the time. The compliance [with] the standard operating procedures (SOPs) is extremely low and Eidul Azha is around the corner. Huge crowds are thronging cattle markets in complete disregard to SOPs”.

25 to July 9 and tested at the Institute of Virology at Karachi University (KU).

The cases involved several areas of districts East and Central including Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Malir, North Karachi, Shadman Town, Federal B. Area, Surjani Town, Malir, Gulshani-Maymar, Buffer Zone, New Karachi and North Nazimabad.The patients included a male and four female prisoners languishing in the Karachi central prison and women jail, respectively.“A total of 229 randomly selected samples collected from June 25 to July 9 were genotyped at the institute, which accounts for 24 per cent of the total positive samples [received]. Of these samples, 15pc of samples were detected as Delta variants,” said Prof M. Iqbal Choudhary, director of KU’s International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS).

Twelve samples of the Delta variant were received from district East, while 23 were of district Central, he added.

“The hallmark of this variant is increased transmissibility and more disease severity. It might cause a significant reduction in neutralisation of antibodies generated during KU facility confirms 35 cases previous infection or vaccination and reduce The sources said 35 cases of the Delta variant effectiveness of treatments or vaccines,” were detected in samples collected from June he said... Source: dawn.com

NCOC increases number of flights to bring back Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD: While the country has administered over 20 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Tuesday decided to increase the number of flights by 30 per cent to bring back on a daily basis around 3,000 Pakistanis stranded in different countries.

According to a statement issued by the NCOC, over 20m doses of vaccine have been administered since February this year across the country. Over 4m doses have been administered during the current month, with more than 500,000 doses administered in a single day over the past few days.

Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar shared the success story on social media. “For the first time we crossed half a million doses of vaccination yesterday.

5 lakh 25 thousand doses were administered yesterday. Highest ever first dose was also achieved yesterday with 3 lakh 90 thousand first doses administered. The pace will increase further inshallah,” he tweeted.

Over 20 million doses administered since February; 21 deaths, 1,590 cases reported in single day Since a large number of overseas Pakistanis have been stranded in different countries and they may not be able to celebrate Eidul Azha with their families,

the NCOC decided to increase the international flight operation from 20pc to 50pc.

“Decision will be implemented from July 15 and around 2,500 to 3,000 persons will be benefited daily. Advisory has been issued to all the airport managements and relevant departments,” it stated. The NCOC also announced that from August 1 air travel would not be allowed for those who have not been inoculated. Moreover, there will be strict checking on the ways leading to tourist places and vaccination certificates will be checked and verified. It was also decided to get support of all departments, including the army, for implementation of the Covid-related standard operating procedures (SOPs).

A meeting of the NCOC was informed that a number of restaurants had been sealed in Islamabad, Multan, Peshawar and Gujranwala over violation of SOPs as people were sitting there without wearing masks and vaccination certificates.

According to the NCOC data, 21 deaths and 1,590 cases were reported in a single day. The number of active cases, which was around 31,000 last month, reached 39,644 as of July 13. As many as 2,447 patients were admitted to hospitals and 215 of them were on ventilators. Source: dawn.com

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Zul Hijjah 6, 1442 July 16, 2021

O P I N I O N

The new Afghanistan challenge

LAMES from the Afghanistan violence have begun to inch closer to our borders. In one recent incident, a number of troops from the Afghan National Army abandoned their post near the Pakistan border when the Taliban attacked. These ANA soldiers, in a bid to save their lives, crossed over into Pakistani territory where they were duly apprehended. However, they were later handed back to their authorities. This episode is just one of many that is indicative of the spillover of the conflict that may be about to hit Pakistan. Are we ready?

The state should be asking this question of itself. The last few weeks have suddenly seen an uptick in activity pertaining to this issue and there is growing concern in power circles that we may be about to enter into a very dangerous, unstable and unpredictable situation. In the maiden meeting of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Friday, chaired by PPP’s Sherry Rehman, National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf described Pakistan’s broad policy framework on Afghanistan in clear terms: first, efforts being made to facilitate a powersharing arrangement between the Afghan Taliban and the Kabul government; and second, to take steps that minimise the spillover of instability — and the influx of refugees — from Afghanistan into Pakistan.

The first one is not looking too promising. “We don’t control what is happening inside Afghanistan,” he said, adding “the ground situation is overtaking everything else.”

High-level sources have confirmed that in their most recent meetings with Pakistani officials, the Taliban leadership

have shown some flexibility in terms of a dialogue but on one thing they are refusing to budge. They have reiterated and re-emphasised, according to these sources, that they will convert Afghanistan into an Islamic emirate and not continue with the democratic structure — whatever it is worth — that is in place now.

Pakistan’s political leadership has so far not provided any definitive answers to the Afghan crisis.

It is the second aspect — impact on Pakistan — that has now become the focus of the government’s efforts. The marathon meeting of the parliamentary committee of national security — the one briefed by army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and DG ISI Lt Gen Faiz Hameed — spent eight hours on discussing Afghanistan, but many people who participated in that meeting agreed that no solid recommendations emerged from it. The meeting of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Friday saw Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and NSA Dr Yusuf share details of the various policy initiatives on Afghanistan but yet again there was nothing that the committee members added to the existing discourse, and the dilemmas that surround it.

On the issue of refugees various government officials are saying there is a broad consensus that Pakistan should not allow them to meld into the population as was done in the 1980s.

However, the specifics are still being worked out. The following proposals are on the table: (1) Convince the international humanitarian agencies to make camps for the displaced persons on the border with Paki-

stan but on the Afghan side (2) By keeping them on the Afghan side, let the international organisations give them the status of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and not refugee status (3) Allow them inside Pakistan but keep them confined to designated camps (4) Block them from coming into Pakistan regardless of the situation (border fencing, patrolling).

The more realistic assessment is that once the refugees start to converge in the tens of thousands, it would be extremely difficult for Pakistan to block them. The ‘Iranian model’ of keeping them in camps is now a favoured option but even that is not easily accomplished.

There is another aspect. Dr Moeed Yusuf warned on Friday that it would be impossible to figure out who are genuine refugees and who may be TTP or other terrorists coming into Pakistani territory along with them. This poses a grave danger to Pakistan as an influx of these terrorists can once again revive violence that was eradicated with such an effort a few years ago.

In the meeting of the parliamentary committee on national security, the military leadership had framed three key policy questions on the Afghanistan situation for the political leadership to consider. (i) What should be our policy regarding the influx of Afghan refugees? (ii) Should we recognise the Taliban government when they capture Kabul or follow the international community’s decision? (iii) Should we allow US drones and aircrafts to use our airspace to launch attacks on Afghan territory? The political leadership has so far not provided any definitive answers.

One reason perhaps is that the

political parties have not internally debated these questions, and there has been no such debate in parliament. Events are gathering pace and before we know it the answers to these three questions may be forced on to Pakistan. The National Assembly is in session but on Friday it debated matters pertaining to education and exams. The Senate is convening next week. There are no indications yet that the Upper House will attempt to debate these key policy issues on Afghanistan.

To complicate matters further, the relationship between Pakistan and the United States has become testy. Although Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a phone conversation with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday, officials in Islamabad acknowledge there is a strain between the two sides. The speech by Prime Minister Imran Khan on the floor of the National Assembly, in which he used strong words to describe US policy in the region, has ruffled many feathers on the other side. Officials have also said that President Joe Biden’s decision not to call PM Imran Khan at this crucial juncture has not been appreciated by Islamabad.

There is a sense in relevant quarters here that now if Biden does make a call, there’s really nothing much to talk about on Afghanistan because events have taken a life of their own.

The situation is deeply complex and requires a serious national debate. Instead of bemoaning its irrelevance in strategic matters, the elected leadership from both sides of the aisle should grab the initiative and take centre stage.

By: Fahd Husain

‘Do more’: PM Imran asks developed countries to help poor nations...

News Cont from Pg 1

now more than $1tr. “The amount offered for development, cooperation, including ODA cannot be double counted as part of the climate finance commitment, at least 50pc of the climate finance should be allocated for adaptation”.He said this assistance would enable developing countries implement their climate commitments in accordance with common but differentiated responsibilities. He added that Pakistan’s landmark projects such as Billion Tree Tsunami project could

benefit greatly from such support.

The premier said national and international development strategies should target sectors to enable developing countries to respond to the triple challenge. “These include Covid recovery, human development and social protection, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, climate change and digitalisation,” he added. Imran said investment in sustainable infrastructure which impacted 92pc of the SDGs must be made

a central part of development strategies. He said that the UN should initiate a multi-stakeholder dialogue to mobilise $1tr investment required annually in sustainable infrastructure. “Moreover UN development system including the SDG investment fare can make a vital contribution in enabling developing countries to propose viable projects that can attract public and private investment.” Source: dawn.com

Taliban say do not want to fight inside Afghanistan’s cities

News Cont from Pg 1 taqi said in a message tweeted by a Taliban spokesman.

“It is better [...] to use any possible channel to get in touch with our invitation and guidance commission,” he said, adding this would “prevent their cities from getting damaged”. The strategy is one well-worn by the Taliban — particularly during their first rise to power in the 1990s — cutting off towns and district centres and getting elders to negotiate a surrender.

Hours after Muttaqi’s message, a rush hour

capital killed four civilians and wounded 11 others, police said.Muttaqi’s comments came as the defence ministry said Afghan forces had cleared Qala-i-Naw city after days of fighting.

The Badghis province capital saw sustained street fighting last week in the first assault by the Taliban on a major urban centre since foreign troops commenced their final withdrawal in May. The call also came the same day as a video emerged that CNN said it had verified, showing a group of Afghan commandos being gunned down by the Taliban in June after surroadside bomb blast in the centre of the Afghan rendering.... Source: dawn.com

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Zul Hijjah 6, 1442 July 16, 2021

f ait h

Hajj: The Greater

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BY: ALI SHARIATI t is the ninth day of Zul-Hijjah and the greater pilgrimage has started. Where are you? It does, not matter! Wherever you may be - at Masjid-ul-Haram near Kaaba, in your hotel or on the street - now you must depart for the greater pilgrimage.

Wear your Ihram attire and leave Mecca.

How surprising, to leave Mecca behind you!

Was not Qibla, here in Mecca? Yes it was, but the greater pilgrimage commences by leaving the Kaaba! Were you not supposed to depart from your families, homes, lands and etc, in order to come to Mecca and face the Qibla? Yes, you were; however, that was during the lesser Hajj (Umrah). And, why should you leave Kaaba now? Because you are going to start the greater Hajj!

Deciding to go to Mecca is not the total actualization of Hajj nor are Kaaba or Qibla the goals of Hajj. These are misunderstandings on your part. The leader of monotheism (Ibrahim) teaches you that Hajj does not end in Kaaba, but begins the moment you leave the Kaaba. It is not your destination but the point from which you start!

Until now (at Kaaba), you were to become assimilated, ignore your personal interests, overcome your self-centeredness and your limitations and discover “yourself ”. Oh “immigrant” who is going to see “Him” (Allah), from here on you will be pursuing a different path and entering a new land. For Umra and in Miqat you were to leave “your house”, but here for Hajj you must leave the “house of Allah”!

At the verge of complete submission and the peak of your freedom, when you have discovered “yourself ’ - you are now qualified to obey this command: “Leave the Kaaba; and now you are closer to Me than Kaaba!”

Visiting Kaaba during the lesser pilgrimage helped you to achieve self-discovery. Now you are going to approach Allah, not to visit the “house” but to see the “owner”!

Unto Allah is the journeying. Quran 35:18 Kaaba is only the “direction and not the “destination”. You started off by coming “to Kaaba” but you are not to remain “in Kaaba”. Anywhere you stop, you will be lost and dead.

- Oh Hajj who is starting this journey, who is always trying to approach Him, - Oh man, the spirit of Allah, - Oh the good deed, - You came to Mecca,

Ibn Abbas reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “No good deeds are better than what is done in these first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.” Some companions of the Prophet said, “Not even jihad in the way of Allah?” The Prophet said, “Not even jihad in the way of Allah, except for a man who goes out with his life and wealth at risk and he returns with nothing.”Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 969

- Do not stay here.

- Do not stop in the Haram.

To give you direction so that you would not be misled by other Qiblas, Kaaba was your Qibla. However, in Mecca, the Qibla is someplace else. You must decide to go there and start a greater journey than coming to Mecca (i.e. the greater pilgrimage) So, on the day of departure (ninth of ZulHijjah), regardless of where you are, put on your Ihram, turn your back to Mecca and move on ...! What place is holier and more respectful than Mecca?

Upon wearing your Ihram garments and leaving Mecca, you will start traveling toward the east (Arafat) where you must remain until the sunset of the ninth day. On your way back you will make a brief stop in Mashar and then in Mina. Why? We will know shortly!

In contrast to what you were told previously - that is, to go gradually and in a step-bystep manner - now you are to go restlessly and thirstily, like a true lover, all the way to Arafat without a pause! From the morning of the tenth day until the twelfth day (or thirteenth day if you wish) you must remain in Mina. There are no signs to distinguish these three areas from each other. A narrow pass about fifteen miles long joins the valley of Mecca. Along this strait, there are no natural, historical or religious monuments nor indicators which separate one area from the other The borders are only hypothetical stages of your actions.

Another important factor is the emphasis placed upon “staying” at these three “stages”. The reason for this recommendation is beyond a simple pause in Arafat on all of the ninth day or remaining in Mashar only to collect seventy pebbles!

You must stay at Mina on the eleventh and twelfth days; these are the two days following the day of sacrifice (the tenth day). Even though you are almost finished by noon time of the tenth day after offering your sacrifice followed by the stoning of Satan (Ramy: to throw or cast), yet you are to stay at Mina.

As you can see, it is not to remain to reside

Pilgrimage at Arafat

but it is a short stop on your way traveling with the caravan. Along this pass, you stop when they stop and you start to move when they go from one stage to the other. At every stage you enter, stop for a short period and then move one stage! Since Mina is the last stage you will stay there for 3 days. Remember, it is NOT the destination! When do you finish this journey? Where is the caravan’s destination? Never! And, nowhere! So, where are you going? The answer is to eternity, toward Allah! Allah is the Absolute; He is “the eternal”. Therefore, your journey is a movement toward the absolute beauty, the absolute knowledge, the absolute power, eternity and perfection! It is a restless and eternal movement.

On this journey, Allah is not the “destination”, but He is the “direction”. For man, everything is temporary, changing, perishing and dying; yet, this eternal movement is continuous and the direction is always there! Everything will perish save His countenance. Quran 28:88 You started from Mecca and came directly to Arafat. Now you move from stage to stage back to “Kaaba”.

Lo we are Allah’s and Lo’ unto Him we are returning. Quran 2:156 All that is discussed is “movement”, a going movement (turn) and a coming movement (return). There is always a movement “toward” something and not “in” something!

This is why Hajj is an absolute move. It is not a journey since every journey comes to an end. Hajj is an absolute goal and external movement toward that goal. Therefore, it is not a destination that one may reach, but a goal that one tries to approach! This is why on your return from Arafat you are left in Mina behind the wall of Kaaba and not inside the Kaaba. This is what “to approach” not “to reach” means.

In returning to Allah, there are three stages (Arafat, Mashar, and Mina) through which you must pass. They are NOT three places that you visit. It is important to be aware of the emphasis placed upon the periods of stopping at each stage as well as the decision to pursue these stages. What do these three stages signify? Allah Himself has already given them their heavenly names: Arafat means: “Knowledge” and “science”! Mashar means: “Consciousness” and “understanding”! Mina means: “love” and “faith”!

Go from Mecca to Arafat (Lo’ we are Allah’s) and then return from Arafat to Kaaba (Lo’ unto Him we are returning). Arafat represents the beginning of man’s creation. In the story of Adam (creation of mankind on earth), it is said: After Adam’s descent onto earth, he met Eve at Arafat, it was there that they were acquainted with each other”. The descent was when Adam was instructed to leave heaven (after he rebelled). That heaven was not the one which is promised for the hereafter (paradise). It was the heaven on earth as well as Adam’s birthplace. Covered with shrubbery and trees, Adam ate drank, enjoyed himself, lived without any responsibilities and had no Job obligations. He was quite satisfied until Eblis, the angel who also rebelled by not prostrating to mankind, started to inspire evil suggestions to him.

Man inspired by Allah, both the righteous and debauched, was persuaded by Eblis to transgress his “limitations”, to rebel and eat “the forbidden fruit”. Eblis told man that by doing so he would live a longer and more enlightened life. “Wisdom” alone did not affect man; Adam refused to, eat the forbidden fruit. Satan met with Eve who symbolized “love!” And then, Adam agreed to eat “the forbidden fruit”. Both “wisdom and love” influenced the Angel and converted him into “Adam” !Adam was the only Angel who could commit “sin” and then “repent”.

He could “rebel” or “obey”. In this case to “rebel” meant to have freedom, it included the ability to make decisions contrary to Allah’s will. Concomitant with this liberty to decide was the notion of “responsibility” and “consciousness”. As a result, Adam’s state of satisfaction, joy and comfort was replaced by the land of “needs, greed and pains ... or DESCENT.

To be Continued at Page 16

Hajj News 2021: What’s the Latest Update on This Year’s Pilgrimage?

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ast year, Muslims around the world were denied the opportunity of fulfilling the fifth pillar of Islam—namely the Hajj pilgrimage—due to the pandemic.

As the Hajj season imminently approaches, there hasn’t been any definitive answer to alleviate the concerns of would-be pilgrims on whether or not they would be able to travel to Saudi Arabia this year. Muslims around the world understandably fear missing yet another opportunity to perform their religious obligation.

So will pilgrims be able to perform the Hajj this year?

Hajj news 2021 – the current situation It’s been confirmed that this year’s Hajj will be held with the number of pilgrims limited to 60,000. These pilgrims will consist exclusively of Saudi residents and citizens with foreign pilgrims unfortunately barred from performing the Hajj due to the ongoing pandemic.

Only people between the ages of 18 and

Prayer Schedule in Greater Vancouver

65 who have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior and July 16 -30, 2021, Zul Qa’dah 6-20, 1442H are free of chronic diseases will be allowed to perform Hajj this year.

Shafi / Hanfi Isl. Dt. Day Date Fajar Sunr Dhur ZawalAsarDhuhr Asar Maghrib The Ministry of Health stated, “those over the age of 65 are being prevented from per- 6 Fri forming Hajj this year in order to preserve 7 Sat their health during the ongoing pandemic”. 8 Sun

Hajj current requirements and rules

9 Mon

Isha

We do know that entry to Saudi Arabia in 10 Tue terms of Hajj pilgrimage will require all pil- 11 Wed grims to be fully vaccinated. As per Saudi 12 Thus Arabia’s entry rules, the vaccine require13 Fri ments is as follows: 14 Sat 2 doses of Pfizer BioNTech 15 Sun 2 doses of Oxford AstraZeneca 2 doses of Moderna 16 Mon 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson 17 Tue The duration between receiving the last 18 Wed dose (the second dose of a two-dose vaccine 19 Thus or the first dose of a single dose vaccine) 20 Fri must not be less than 14 days.

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

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Zul Hijjah 6, 1442 July 16, 2021

I nt & N a T I O N A L N E W S

Oil climbs on expected draw in crude Canada’s rejections of residency applications on inventories humanitarian grounds spiked in 2020: advocates

LONDON: Oil prices edged up on Tuesday as tight supply and expectations of a further draw in US and global crude inventories provided support, although fears over the spreading Covid-19 variant capped gains.

Brent crude for September rose $0.41, or 0.6%, to $75.57 a barrel by 1225 GMT, after losing 0.5% on Monday.

US West Texas Intermediate crude for August was at $74.38 a barrel, up $0.28, or 0.4%, having fallen 0.6% the previous day.

US crude inventories were expected to fall for an eighth consecutive week, while gasoline stocks also declined, a preliminary Reuters’ poll showed on Monday.

Crude stockpiles have declined steadily for several weeks, with US inventories falling

to the lowest since February 2020 in the week to July 2.

“News of yet another oil stocks draw will likely have a larger effect on the WTI benchmark, but also a residual upswing to support other benchmarks such as Brent,” Rystad Energy analyst Louise Dickson said.

The International Energy Agency said on Tuesday that the global tapping of oil in storage during the third quarter was set to be the biggest in at least a decade and that early June data from the United States, Europe and Japan showed a large stock draw.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Joe Biden did not discuss OPEC+ or global oil prices during an hourlong phone call on Friday, the Kremlin said on Monday. However, reports from around the world of surging infections kept some investors cautious.

The World Health Organisation warned the Delta variant was becoming dominant and many countries had yet to receive enough doses of vaccine to secure their health workers.

Meanwhile, OPEC+ is yet to make progress closing divisions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that last week prevented a deal to raise oil output, making another policy meeting this week less likely, OPEC+ sources said.

Source:..aljazeera.com

TORONTO -- Canada doubled its rejections of permanent residence applications under humanitarian grounds, from 35 per cent in 2019 to nearly 70 per cent in early 2021, according to new data released Tuesday by the Migrant Rights Network. Advocates are calling it a “grave concern” that disproportionately affects racialized, low-wage migrants.

“Permanent residence status is the only mechanism to ensure migrants have equal rights. By doubling rejections, Prime Minister Trudeau is doubling the potential for exploitation,” Syed Hussan, the Migrant Rights Network Secretariat, said during a video press conference on Tuesday.

“The simplest first thing to do is regularize and give permanent residency to all migrants already in the country, including undocumented people. Instead, we see immigration officials arbitrarily doing the opposite,” he said. At issue are immigration applications made under humanitarian and compassionate grounds. These grounds include discrimination in the applicant’s country of origin, having spent a long time in Canada working or volunteering, and raising a child whose life is rooted in this country.

Toronto-based immigration consultant Macdonald Scott called these residency applications on humanitarian grounds “a last resort for women fleeing gender violence, homeless people, and other undocumented families.”

According to newly-released data, in 2019, the Canadian government rejected 35 per cent of 10,600 of such applications. In 2020, this rejection figure spiked to 57 per cent of the 11,000 applications. And between January and March of this year, around 70 per cent of the nearly 9,000 applications were tossed out. Source:.ctvnews.ca

Green party executive launches membership review of its own leader, Annamie Paul

OTTAWA -- Green party executives have taken a first step toward suspending Annamie Paul’s membership in the party she leads. Three senior party sources say Dana Taylor, interim executive director of the Greens’ main governing body, has kicked off a membership review that would suspend Paul’s status and bar her from representing the party while it is underway. The process, as outlined in the members’ code of conduct, could ultimately result in her party membership being revoked altogether.

The sources, who were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about internal matters, say the stated reason for the review is that Paul operation and Development show that in 2018 launched legal proceedings against the party, about $80 billion was delivered, while a UN- an accusation disputed by officials close to commissioned report said in December it was unlikely the $100-billion goal had been met in 2020 amid the economic woes of the coronavirus pandemic.

On Thursday, Guterres asked rich nations and multilateral development banks to allocate half WASHINGTON -- The number of incomof their international climate finance to efforts ing visitors to Canada has been gradually into help poor countries and communities adapt creasing in the days since travel restrictions began easing for fully vaccinated, eligible to worsening extreme weather and rising seas.

Currently, funding to boost resilience is hover- travellers -- and the country’s border agents ing at only about a fifth of total climate finance are expecting more this weekend. for developing nations, with the rest going to The Canada Border Services Agency says inprojects to cut planet-warming emissions by coming traffic last week increased about 25 moving away from fossil fuels and adopting re- per cent after quarantine rules were waived Monday for fully vaccinated Canadians, newable energy......Source: cbc.ca/news permanent residents and others already allowed to cross the border.

But despite the agency’s best efforts to publicize the requirements, roughly half of the people seeking the exemption had to be turned away, said Denis Vinette, vice-president of the agency’s travellers branch. “It’s a question, I think, of folks not understanding the rules,” Vinette said in an interview.

Only Canadian citizens, permanent residents and eligible foreign nationals who have gone two weeks since a full course of one of the four COVID-19 vaccines approved by Health Canada -- Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Oxford-AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson -- are exempt from quarantine.

Canada has exceptions in place for foreign warned of more lightning in the next two days. nationals who are immediate family memLightning strikes are common during India’s bers of a Canadian citizen or permanent resmonsoon season, which runs from June to Sep- ident, as well as a process to allow extended family members and international students tember.

More than 2,900 people were killed by lightning to apply for entry. in India in 2019, according to the the most re- Of those who were denied the exemption cent official figures available. Source:dawn.com last week, most had either had only one

UN chief pressures rich countries to clarify how they’ll help poorer nations tackle climate change Finance ministers say ‘how and when’ of promised $100 billion a year unclear Pressure is growing on rich countries to set out exactly how they will deliver a promised $100 billion a year in funding to help poorer nations tackle climate change, with the UN chief and Britain on Thursday calling for a clear plan.

At a summit hosted by Bangladesh, finance ministers from a group of developing economies particularly vulnerable to climate impacts, known as the V20, urged wealthy governments to outline “how and when” they will meet the pledge between now and 2024.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a video address to the online meeting that “a clear plan” was needed to deliver on the climate finance target through to 2025.

“To rebuild trust, developed countries must clarify now how they will effectively deliver $100 billion in climate finance annually to the developing world, as was promised over a decade ago,” said the UN chief. In 2009, donor governments agreed to increase climate finance channeled to vulnerable nations to $100 billion a year by 2020. Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, they said they would negotiate a yet-higher amount that would kick in from 2025. But the latest figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-

Lightning strikes in India kill 38 people in 24 hours

Lightning has killed at least 38 people across two Indian states over the past 24 hours, officials said on Monday. A majority of the deaths occurred in the western state of Rajasthan, where 11 people died after being struck by lightning near a watchtower at the 12th century Amber Fort, police said.

Senior police officer Anand Srivastava said some of the victims were taking selfies near the watchtower when lightning struck late on Sunday.

Srivastava said at least nine more people were killed and nearly 20 others were injured in separate lightning strikes when the state was lashed with thunderstorms and monsoon rains.

In Uttar Pradesh, 18 people were killed by lightning on Sunday, said Manoj Dixit, a government official. Most of those killed were farm labourers working in fields. Both state governments announced financial compensation for the families of the victims and those who were injured.

The Indian Meteorological Department has

the leader. The code of conduct says legal action against the Green Party of Canada by one of its members automatically triggers a review headed by the executive director.

Taylor and party spokeswoman Rosie Emery both declined to comment, while Paul was not immediately available. Source:.ctvnews.ca

Many visitors still turned away at Canadian border despite looser quarantine restrictions

dose of a two-dose vaccine, had not waited the requisite 14 days after their last shot or had received a vaccine not cleared for use in Canada, Vinette said. “The big thing for folks to understand is what qualifies as a fully exempted traveller under Canada’s definition,” Vinette said in an interview Friday.

“It is about having had one of the four Health Canada vaccines. It’s about having had the full regimens, or both shots, and having had 14 days pass after your second shot.”

Travellers are also required to use the ArriveCAN app or online portal to submit their vaccine information and the results of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than three days before departure.

Air Canada and WestJet are also helping to promote the rules with signage in airports, and airport authorities and provincial public health agencies are also doing their part, Vinette said. Source: cbc.ca/news

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Zul Hijjah 6, 1442 July 16, 2021

L O C A L

Electricity Poles vandalized with Islamophobic Graffiti in Surrey

O

n July 14th, someone vandalized multiple electric poles with islamophobic graffiti, “ ISLAM IS EVIL” throughout Surrey. There were multiple places spanning on King George Blvd from 62 ave (location of Masjid Rahmah) all the way to 74 Ave. This hate crime has shocked the local Muslim community (a hate crime is any criminal offense that is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person’s race or perceived race; religion, or perceived religion).

Canadian Muslim Media Club Members visited these graffiti sites.

Rehma Masjid’s Imam Sheharyar told the media that they already complained to the RCMP and got the file number, but there has been no update about the RCMP visiting sites. Along with Imam Sheharryar, Mr. Tarik Kiyani, Mr. Naveed Warraich, Mr. Naseer Pirzada, Mr. Khalid Chohan, Ms. Saima Naz and many neighborhood kids were at the site and strongly condemned this act. Young Kids helped to raise all “ ISLAM IS EVIL” islamophobic graffiti from the poles.

Muslim community appeals to the law enforcement agency, and hate crime unit to control these types of acts in communities.

$860-million upgrade and expansion approved for Richmond Hospital

The four-phase project includes a new ninefloor patient tower that will add 113 new beds to the hospital. The province has approved a long-awaited major expansion and improvements to Richmond Hospital.

The four-phase project includes a new ninefloor patient tower that will add 113 new beds to the hospital, more operating rooms, an expanded emergency department, and improved outpatient services in a redeveloped second tower.

COVID-19: Do not be afraid to go to hospital if you need care, says Dr. Henry | Vancouver Sun. The eight-year-long project’s estimated cost ballooned from $375 million to $860.8

million due to changes and additions to the plan over the past four years.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said the expansion is long overdue and the cost is appropriate. “This hospital was built in 1964, the year I was born,” he said. “Here in Richmond, they deserve a hospital built for the 21st century and that’s what they’re going to get.”

The hospital’s emergency department will expand to 82 spaces from 60 spaces. The current eight operating rooms will be enlarged with three new ones added to accommodate space for more high-tech equipment. Pre- and postsurgical care spaces will more than double to 69 from 26.

The new tower will also include an intensive care unit, a medical imaging department with four CT scanners and two MRIs, a pharmacy and a short-stay pediatrics unit.

The hospital’s vascular and general surgery consultant, Dr. Daniel Kopac, said the announcement means health-care practitioners “will be able to do more than ‘just manage,’” and patients will benefit.

“I can tell you that it will be a very much needed improvement to the emergency department with the increased space, with the increased number of beds so that patients don’t have to wait in the waiting room,” he said........Source: vancouversun.com

Is B.C.’s COVID-19 death rate really as low as official numbers show?

Ask the B.C. government if they’ve done a good job handling the pandemic, and you’ll often hear a very specific answer.

“The data is overwhelmingly supportive,” said Premier John Horgan last week.

“The next closest of the jurisdictions of our size, of five million people in North America, the next closest to the low mortality rate is Ontario, and their mortalNew report argues there were more than ity rate is twice what ours is.” Horgan, 1,700 unexplained deaths in the province in Health Minister Adrian Dix and governthe 1st wave. By: Justin McElroy ·CBC News ment news releases have all mentioned

B.C.’s official death count compared to other provinces, states and countries in western Europe with more than five million people. That very specific answer is based on a very specific chart — one produced by CBC News since the beginning of the pandemic, measuring official death counts in highly populated jurisdictions that were hit by the first wave at approximately the same time.

It’s a rudimentary metric, and all countries have different ways of gathering data, but it shows a large gap between B.C. and dozens

of other comparable places.

But what if those numbers didn’t paint the full picture?

Excess deaths

A report published last week by the Royal Society of Canada compared the number of official COVID-19 deaths in each province between Feb. 1 and Nov. 28, 2020, with excess deaths — essentially the difference between the total number of deaths and the number that was expected based on past years. .........

Federal government announces $1.3B for SkyTrain extension from Surrey to Langley The federal government is providing up to B.C. Premier John Horgan, Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum and other politicians, $1.3 billion to extend Metro Vancouver’s says the project will create thousands of SkyTrain line through Surrey and Langley.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement in Surrey Friday with the SkyTrain line in the background and several protesters yelling in the plaza behind him.

He says the extension is 16 kilometres long and includes eight stations and three bus exchanges. Trudeau, who was flanked by Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna,

jobs and cut pollution.

In 2018, Trudeau announced federal government funding for a light rail line through Surrey, but a newly elected council passed a motion just months later cancelling the system in favour of a SkyTrain extension linked to other Metro Vancouver cities.

Source: cbc-ca

5th body recovered from site of Kelowna, B.C., crane collapse VANCOUVER -- A specialized team has recovered a fifth body from the scene of the Kelowna, B.C., crane collapse. A spokesperson for the Canada Task Force 1, made up of a team of firefighters, paramedics and engineers, says the body was recovered early Wednesday morning.

Five people died when a crane attached to a high-rise building under construction suddenly collapsed Monday morning while in the process of being dismantled. ”When we arrived on site, we met with the structural collapse engineer already onsite from Kelowna as well as the engineer from the crane company and used them to access their perspective as far as hazards,” said Asst. Chief Dave Boone, director of Canada Task Force 1.“We of course do our own assessment as well…we engage with our own structural engineer,” he explained.

He says the operation was fairly complex with respect to the unsecured load that remained in the building above the victim. He says the team came up with a plan to secure the load.

“Once able to do that, we could remove some debris from the victim and extract the fifth victim,” he said. None of the five have been identified by officials, but Mounties said four were working on the site. The fifth, whose body was buried under the rubble, had been working in a nearby building when part of the crane crashed into it. One of the men who died was Jared Zook, a 32-year-old who had moved from Edmonton to work as a crane rigger.

His parents told CTV News Tuesday, while visiting the site, that Zook loved his job.

Two others were identified in an online fundraiser as brothers Patrick and Eric Stemmer, whose family business, Stemmer Construction, was also involved in the building of Brooklyn

Tower in downtown Kelowna.

The boom of the crane was extended toward the top of the tower, which will be 25 storeys high when completed, when it came crashing down, striking buildings below.

A sixth person was injured in the incident and taken to hospital for treatment of what the RCMP described as non-life-threatening injuries. It is not yet known what caused the collapse, and investigations are being conducted by both the local RCMP detachment and officials with WorkSafeBC, the province’s workers’ compensation board.

Following the collapse, a local state of emergency was put in place, which the RCMP said would be lifted when the area had been secured.

At that time, those impacted would be allowed to go in to get their cars and whatever else was left when the area was evacuated.

Source: bc.ctvnews.ca

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Zul Hijjah 6, 1442 July 16, 2021

b c plan / M I D D L E E A S T

‘More work to be done’: Health minister announces changes Rescuers comb Iraqi hospital as to B.C. emergency services after recent heat wave dozens killed in COVID ward fire

VANCOUVER -- The B.C. government is reconstituting the BC Emergency Health Services board of directors and increasing funding for ambulance service in the province after it faced intense criticism in the wake of the recent heat dome.

Health Minister Adrian Dix announced the changes during a news conference Wednesday, saying that improvements to the system are needed. “The events of the last few weeks make it clear that there’s more work to be done,” Dix said. “Let there be no doubt our emergency health service system must work better for the people who call upon it a The newly reconstituted board will “focus solely on ambulance services,” Dix said, adding it will be chaired by former Vancouver Police Department chief Jim Chu. “The board will be directly accountable to me, with a clear mandate to ensure better service for patients and families who rely on the service, and better supports for workers who deliver the service,” the health minister said. Dix said he’s also ordering the creation of a chief ambulance officer to lead BCEHS,

At least 64 people have been killed in a fire likely caused by an oxygen tank explosion in the COVID ward at a hospital in Iraq’s southern city of Nasiriya.

As rescuers combed the smoke-charred building in search of more bodies, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi held urgent meetings with senior ministers and ordered the suspension and arrest of health and civil defence managers in Nasiriya, his office said in a statement.

The manager of the hospital was also suspended and ordered to be arrested, the statement added. Health sources said the death toll from Monday’s fire could rise as many patients were still missing. Two health workers were among the dead, they said. Health officials at Nasiriya said search operations at the al-Hussain coronavirus hospital were continuing after the fire was brought under control, but thick smoke was making it difficult to enter some of the

burned wards. Initial police reports suggested that an oxygen tank explosion inside the hospital’s COVID-19 wards was the likely cause of the fire.

In April, a fire caused by an oxygen tank explosion at a COVID-19 hospital in Baghdad killed at least 82 people and injured 110 others. Already decimated by war and sanctions, Iraq’s healthcare system has struggled to cope with the coronavirus crisis, which has killed 17,592 people and infected more than 1.4 million. Source: axios.com

UN Human Rights Council condemns the continued use of enforced disappearances in the Syrian conflict.

The UN Human Rights Council has called for those behind “massive scale” enforced disappearances in Syria during the past 10 years of conflict to be held accountable.

The resolution, presented on Tuesday by several European countries, the United States, Turkey and Qatar, decried that Syria’s crisis had entered a second decade “marked by consistent patterns of gross violations”.

The war in Syria has killed nearly 500,000 people since it started in 2011, with all sides in the increasingly complex conflict accused of war crimes. Tuesday’s resolution, forcing businesses to take political sides”.

He claimed this “divide and rule” could cre- adopted with 26 of the council’s 47 memate fear and uncertainty in the private sector bers in favour, six opposed and 15 abstaining, voiced particular concern about the which discourages risk taking. fate of tens of thousands of people who Source:.fijitimes.com have vanished. The text “strongly condemns the continued use of involuntary or enforced disappearances in the Syrian Arab Republic, and related human rights violations and abuses, which have been carried out with consistency, in particular by the Syrian regime”.

It also criticised enforced disappearances

by other parties to the conflict, including the ISIL (ISIS) armed group, but said the Syrian government was the main perpetrator. The resolution voiced alarm at recent comments by the UN’s independent commission of inquiry on the rights situation in Syria indicating “widespread enforced disappearance has been deliberately perpetrated by Syrian security forces throughout the past decade on a massive scale”.

The investigators indicated such disappearances were used “to spread fear, stifle dissent and as punishment”, and tens of thousands of men, women, boys and girls detained by Syrian authorities “remain forcibly disappeared”. ..Source: aljazeera.com

and appointing Leanne Heppell to the position on an interim basis. “Ms. Heppell’s role is to focus solely on ambulance services, working shoulder-to-shoulder with paramedics and dispatchers to deliver the best ambulance service in the world,” he said.

Heppell is a trained clinical nurse specialist, currently serving as chief operating officer for acute care and chief of professional practice and nursing at Providence Health Care, Dix said. nd for the people who answer the call.”.......

Source: bc.ctvnews.ca

Divide and rule claim – Narube offers alternatives to boost private sector

For the private sector to realise its full potential, Unity Fiji leader and former governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji Savenaca Narube has made recommendations to Government in an alternative budget.Mr Narube proposes that: $100 million to help small businesses; Help the cash flow of businesses by releasing over $100m in outstanding VAT returns; Introduce more transparency in the tender process where the minister is required to publish all exemptions from the rules of the tender process; and Remove the long wait for government approval of all matters in starting and operating a business. Mr Narube claims “Government intervenes heavily in the private sector

UN demands accountability over Syria mass disappearances

PM Roble we are committed to responding to the needs of our troops

His Excellency Mohamed Hussein Roble, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, during a visit to Command of the 43rd Division to assess the needs of the troops, praised the country’s defense and operations against terrorist groups.

The Command of the 43rd Division of the Somali National Army operating in Jubaland, based in Kismayo, briefed the Prime Minister on the efforts to liberate Jubaland from terrorism and the needs to be addressed. The Prime Minister praised their success in the fight against the insurgents.

He promised that his government would give priority to addressing the needs of the 43rd Division Command, and the Armed Forces in general.“I visited the 43rd Division

At least 12 killed as bus carrying migrants crashes in Turkey

Command today. The heroes of SNA are to be commended for their selfless dedication in defending the country and the people. We are committed to responding to the needs of our troops with all the equipment, training and support they need. ”Source:.jowhar.com

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The vehicle carrying undocumented migrants in Van province catches fire after tumbling into a ditch.

A minibus carrying undocumented Afghan, Pakistani and Bangladeshi migrants has crashed in eastern Turkey, killing at least 12 people and injuring 26 others, according to local authorities. The crash occurred on Sunday morning in Van province’s Muradiye district near the Turkish border with Iran, where the vehicle caught fire after tumbling into a ditch, two local sources with information on the matter told Reuters news agency. The identities of those killed in the accident were not immediately clear,

both sources said, adding that the owner of the bus had been arrested.

Television broadcasts showed survivors being treated by the roadside as emergency workers sifted through the burnt-out wreckage. Body bags could be seen by the wreckage, and personal items were strewn nearby. Muradiye District Governor and Deputy Mayor Erkan Savar, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Brigadier General Yuksel Yigit and District Gendarmerie Commander Lieutenant Colonel Evren Kaptan were at the scene receiving information from officials.

Migrants, mostly from Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, regularly cross the Iranian border into Turkey on foot before being ferried west to cities such as Istanbul and Ankara.The planned US withdrawal from Afghanistan has given added impetus to young men trying the mountainous route, according to the Ankara-based Center for Asylum and Migration Studies.

In June 2020, more than 60 migrants drowned in Lake Van when their boat sank.

Source: aljazeera.com

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Zul Hijjah 6, 1442 July 16, 2021

C u rr e n t

iss u e s

Transportation Safety Board investigates possibility that a train sparked fire in Lytton the Lytton fire. Normally, the TSB doesn’t investigate unless a transport company files such a report. No cause for the fire that destroyed almost all of the village and killed two people has been disclosed, although local Indigenous leaders say train movement during drought-like conditions made people anxious.

CN Rail has said its trains were not linked to the fire and CP resumed its service through Lytton on Monday.

Enough to go ‘take a look’

Witness accounts, video recordings and physical evidence at fire scene prompted TSB investigation.

The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) says new information it received on the suspected source of a fire that raced through Lytton, B.C., on June 30 has prompted it to launch an investigation into the possible involvement of a freight train. The board says in a statement the information came as a result of investigations by the RCMP and BC Wildfire Service into the cause of the fire.

The TSB says it is not yet known which rail line is linked to the train in question and neither Canadian Pacific Rail nor CN Rail has filed any “occurrence reports” related to

or coming days.” Investigators will likely provide an update in a few days.

Another TSB investigator has been deployed to another fire near rail tracks northwest of the community of Elko, located in East Kootenay near the Alberta-U.S. border.

Train traffic temporarily paused

Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra has ordered all train traffic through Lytton to halt for 48 hours effective immediately.

Meanwhile, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District organized bus tours for displaced residents Friday, saying that while unescorted entry isn’t safe, work has been done to clear a way to permit taking residents through the area by bus.

Federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller said fires across B.C. have devastated many communities and families.

“At this critical juncture, it is imperative that we all listen to the voices of Indigenous leaders and engage meaningfully on a path forward that respects their needs and priorities, while ensuring rail safety and security,’’ Miller said in the Transport Canada statement that ordered the two-day halt to train movement between Kamloops and Boston Bar.

The investigation is in its early stages, according to TSB chairperson Kathy Fox. “Without going into the specifics, it really comes down to first-person witness interviews that were conducted or video recordings and/or physical evidence, that was found on or near the railway tracks, that suggests that a train may have played a role in starting a fire,” Fox told CBC News.

“There’s enough there to at least go in and take a look.” The TSB is working with agencies including the RCMP and BC Wildfire Service. Fox says the TSB is focusing on rail traffic that moved through the Lytton area when the fire started.

She said “a specific CP train” that was in the Some progress against fires area will be examined “in the coming hours More than 200 wildfires are burning in B.C.

as a recent heat wave and parched conditions combined to raise the fire risk in many parts of the province to high or extreme. Lightning also continued to challenge wildfire crews in the province, but the B.C. Wildfire Service reported some progress on at least one of the 15 most-threatening fires in the province. Hundreds of lightning strikes sparked more than half of roughly two dozen new fires recorded across B.C. since Thursday.

But the wildfire service said slightly cooler weather and modest rainfall earlier in the week helped crews build guards around the entire perimeter of a roughly three-squarekilometre fire that forced evacuation orders and alerts near Durand Lake, southwest of Kamloops. Strong winds this week near Lytton also spawned a spot fire on the west side of the Fraser River, but the wildfire service said crews responded aggressively.

It said firefighters, including 40 recently arrived from New Brunswick, are making progress laying guards and protecting buildings along other flanks of the 88-square-kilometre fire that destroyed Lytton.

About 174 fires have been recorded this week, 26 of them in the last two days, the wildfire service said.

Source: cbc.ca/news

Bangladesh factory owner held after fire kills 52 DHAKA: The owner of a factory where 52 people died in a fire was arrested for murder on Saturday as it emerged that children as young as 11 had been working there.

Police said Abul Hashem and four of his sons were among eight people detained over the inferno, which broke out Thursday and raged for more than a day. A separate inquiry has been launched into the use of child labour at the food factory.

Jayedul Alam, police chief for Narayan-

ganj district where the factory is located, said the entrance had been padlocked along with multiple other breaches of safety regulations.“It was a deliberate murder,” the police chief said.

Before his arrest, Hashem told the Daily Star newspaper the fire “may have been a result of workers’ carelessness” and a discarded cigarette could have sparked the carnage.

Emergency services found 48 bodies on

No, we can’t fireproof towns and cities — but here’s how we can make them more resilient Experts point to the wildland-urban interface as the area we need to think about.

More than 200 active wildfires were blazing across British Columbia as of Thursday, with the majority burning swaths of land in the province’s interior.

They’re among the 786 that have engulfed over 1,000 square kilometres of land this year alone, more than three times the 10year average for this time of year.

The already devastating fire season raises the question — is there any way for us to fireproof towns and cities at nature’s edge?

Not exactly, says Kelly Johnston, technical adviser at FireSmart Canada, a national program that helps adapt communities to fire and reduce their wildfire risk. But we can make them more resilient.

“Wildfire is going to be a natural occurrence that communities all across Canada will have to deal with in most cases,” he said. “It’s about learning how to become resilient and adaptive to that particular situation [communities] are dealing with.” In some cases, that starts with keeping a close eye on an area called the wildland-urban interface.

It’s where fire can transition between and through vegetation and human development — for example, a town that borders thick forest.

Interface fires can be fatal and cause tremendous economic and structural damage when fire spreads from forest to town, or vice versa. The 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, for example, spread over 500,000 hectares and consumed 2,400 structures. To this day, it is the largest ever insured loss in Canada.

Keep the ‘fuel load’ low

One way to manage them is by reducing what fire experts call “fuel load” — essentially, combustible material such as vegetation — that can help reduce a fire’s intensity, making it easier to fight and sometimes even cause it to die out. Amy Cardinal Christianson, a fire research scientist with the Canadian Forest Service and a Métis woman from Treaty 8 Territory, says it’s something that Indigenous people in Canada have been doing for thousands of years through cultural burning. “Cultural burning is always for cultural practices or for cultural reasons,” said Christianson. This low-risk activity is performed by communities at times of the year when fire has a low chance of escaping, she said.“But one of the side benefits of that is that you basically reduce fuel load or the litter on the forest floor around communities and in the forest.”

Climate change is causing extreme weather conditions that can make fires burn bigger and spread faster. But failing to manage vegetation also increases risk, because a greater fuel load can mean disaster if and when a fire strike, Christianson said. “With Indigenous fire, lots of times we would use fire to create meadows or kind of open spaces in the forest, what you could call mosaics,” she said.

Without these cleared patches, “you see just these blanketed coniferous, like spruce or fir, forests and you’re almost creating a monoculture, which wildfire loves.”

ter resist fires, and managing the fuel load and how it’s spaced out between buildings and forests. “Addressing how structures are built with regards to materials and design, how they’re situated on the landscape, how the vegetation on the landscape is modified, all that can be incorporated into planning,” Johnston said. He says designating and managing vegetation within a 30-metre zone between wild and urban spaces reduces the likelihood a fire will spread. Interface fires can be fatal and cause tremendous economic and structural damage when fire spreads from forest to town, or vice versa. The 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, for example, spread over 500,000 hectares and consumed 2,400 structures. To this day, it is the largest ever insured loss in Canada.

the third floor of the Hashem Food and Beverage factory in Rupganj, an industrial town outside Dhaka. The fire department said the exit door to the main staircase had been padlocked and highly flammable chemicals and plastics had been stored in the building.

Monnujan Sufian, state minister for labour, said inquiries had begun into the use of child workers at the factory. ....

Source: dawn.com

the forest floor around communities and in the forest.”

Climate change is causing extreme weather conditions that can make fires burn bigger and spread faster. But failing to manage vegetation also increases risk, because a greater fuel load can mean disaster if and when a fire strike, Christianson said.

“With Indigenous fire, lots of times we would use fire to create meadows or kind of open spaces in the forest, what you could call mosaics,” she said.

Without these cleared patches, “you see just these blanketed coniferous, like spruce or fir, Keep the ‘fuel load’ low One way to manage them is by reducing forests and you’re almost creating a monowhat fire experts call “fuel load” — essen- culture, which wildfire loves.” tially, combustible material such as vegeta- Build with fire in mind tion — that can help reduce a fire’s intensity, So how do we manage interface fires? By making it easier to fight and sometimes even changing the conditions in which fire burns in a developed area, says Johnston. cause it to die out.

Amy Cardinal Christianson, a fire research That means building houses that can betscientist with the Canadian Forest Service ter resist fires, and managing the fuel load and a Métis woman from Treaty 8 Territory, and how it’s spaced out between buildings says it’s something that Indigenous people and forests.“Addressing how structures are in Canada have been doing for thousands of built with regards to materials and design, how they’re situated on the landscape, how years through cultural burning.

“Cultural burning is always for cultural prac- the vegetation on the landscape is modified, tices or for cultural reasons,” said Christian- all that can be incorporated into planning,” son. This low-risk activity is performed by Johnston said. He says designating and manBuild with fire in mind So how do we manage interface fires? By communities at times of the year when fire aging vegetation within a 30-metre zone between wild and urban spaces reduces the changing the conditions in which fire burns has a low chance of escaping, she said.

“But one of the side benefits of that is that likelihood a fire will spread. in a developed area, says Johnston.

That means building houses that can bet- you basically reduce fuel load or the litter on Source: cbc.ca/news

10

Zul Hijjah 6, 1442 July 16, 2021

politics

Unvaccinated tourists won’t be welcome in Canada for ‘quite a while,’ PM Trudeau says

OTTAWA -- Amid calls to present a comprehensive border reopening plan before thinking about calling a federal election, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that it’s going to be “quite a while” yet before Canada is ready to welcome in any tourists who are unvaccinated. In response to a question from CTV News about when the tourism sector could start accepting vaccinated or unvacci-

nated travellers from abroad, Trudeau said: “I can tell you right now that’s not going to happen for quite a while.”

“We need to continue to ensure that the safety of Canadians, of all the sacrifices that so many people have made over the past many, many months, are not for nothing,” Trudeau said Thursday during a press conference in British Columbia.The prime minister said he doesn’t want to jeopardize the progress made in the fight against the pandemic by throwing open the border too quickly.

Earlier on Thursday, Ottawa business owners and the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable held a press conference imploring the federal government to put forward a plan that will allow the tourism sector to plan for what their summer travel season will look like.

“Business owners aren’t picky, what they ask for is a plan that they can rely on, a plan that allows for preparation, for rehiring and for retooling, a predictable path forward that creates confidence for the future. And they need lead time to prepare,” said Canadian Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Perrin Beatty. “Canadians need clarity and certainty, which today we don’t have, and the goalposts keep moving. It’s time to pick a goal, and to stick with it.”

Beatty said that because governments typically ease off of major decision making once an election is called, the industry is worried that if a border plan isn’t put in place soon, it may be months before one comes to fruition. The industry stakeholders said that their sector has lost billions in revenue already, and the prospect of being closed

for business for a second summer is hard to think about given the high vaccination rates among Canadians.

“What’s been frustrating and infuriating is being on the government regulated yo-yo, not knowing if you’re going to be open, when you’re going to be open,” said Joe Kowalski, founder of Wilderness Tours. “The people that are making these decisions do not have a clue how the real world works.”

Earlier on Thursday, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said that the Public Health Agency of Canada is currently looking at the data related to the updated policy that came into effect earlier this week, easing up on quarantine requirements for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and select others who are fully vaccinated.....

Source: ctvnews.ca

OTTAWA -- Few would disagree that living through a global pandemic for the past 16 months has been draining.

That no doubt includes the country’s premiers, who were repeatedly forced to make tough calls on shuttering schoools and shuttering large swaths of the economy to curb the spread of COVID-19 and preserve hospital capacity in their provinces and territories. So with speculation simmering that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may trigger an election before long, how much fight do those who usually have a bone to pick with Ottawa have left? ”Everybody is looking for a change, but nobody has the energy to start the movement,” said Alise Mills, a Conserva-

tive strategist and senior counsel with Sussex Strategy Group.

“Every premier in this country has got a few scars and battle wounds, and some are bleeding heavier than others and know that the focus has to be on holding their ground and winning back what they’ve lost during the pandemic.” The current situation appears to be a far cry from two years ago when Conservative premiers joined forces over their opposition to the Trudeau government’s carbon pricing efforts.

They unanimously criticized the Liberal plan to impose a charge on fuel in provinces that either refused to introduce a carbon-pricing plan of their own or implemented one that didn’t meet with federal approval.

The political fight against the carbon tax was coupled with concerns from Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and then newly-elected United Conservative Party Premier Jason Kenney in Alberta about the federal Liberal’s regulatory approach to energy policies, which they said would hurt growth in the oil and gas and other resource sectors.

Signs of the fight Trudeau had on his hands going into the October 2019 election came to vivid life at the Calgary Stampede that July when Kenney invited Moe, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, New Brunswick’s Blaine Higgs and former Northwest Territories leader Bob McLeod for a summit of “like-minded premiers.” Daniel Beland, a political-science professor at McGill University, says Ford and Kenney -- the two biggest players of the Conservative premiers’ group -- have damaged their images by their handling of the COVID-19 crisis and are now among the least popular provincial leaders.

“They didn’t manage the pandemic well, at least that’s how the population perceives it,” said Beland.

Another issue is the question of what motivates premiers to rally together against Trudeau like the fight against the carbon tax did, since that battle is largely over.

The Supreme Court of Canada earlier this year upheld the federal government’s approach, and even federal Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole has since embraced

carbon pricing. “What is really that unifying issue that unifies all the premiers across the board. I’m not sure there is one,” said Shakir Chambers, political strategist and principal at Earnscliffe Strategy Group.

“Even on international travel, you have someone like Jason Kenney that’s pretty much saying, ‘open up the borders,’ but then you have Doug Ford that’s saying, ‘you know what, not just yet.”’

One outstanding request all premiers agree needs to be filled is Ottawa giving provinces billions more in health transfers.

The leaders say the federal government’s payments only contribute to 22 per cent of the actual cost of delivering health care.

They want to see that share boosted to 35 per cent, which would provide an extra $28 billion a year.

Canada’s premiers are not scheduled to meet in any official capacity until October in Winnipeg, where Pallister, who now chairs the group, says long-term health care funding will be a priority.

Source: 660citynews.com

OTTAWA -- Canadian party leaders worked their way around the country this week, in what some see as a sure sign the pandemic is near its end, but also as proof that a federal election is on its way.

But with the fixed-election date still more than two years away, does a pre-election campaign that looks like a pre-election campaign and smells like a pre-election campaign, actually qualify as a pre-election campaign?Not according to Canada’s newest election law.The Election Modernization Act of 2018 would normally mean politicians can glad-hand -- or elbow, in pandemic times -- to their hearts’ content in the summer before an election. But they can only spend a limited amount on advertising. This year, that act does not apply. That’s because by the fixed-election date law, Canada’s next federal election isn’t supposed to be held un-

til October 2023. But a minority Parliament like this one, where the governing Liberals are outnumbered in the House of Commons by opposition MPs, can fall. Or, a prime minister can head to Rideau Hall and ask for an earlier election.

Lori Turnbull, the director of the school of public administration at Dalhousie University, said the Election Modernization Act that set the pre-election period advertising limits only applies to the summer months before a fixed-election date, not when an election happens earlier.

That loophole might be having an effect. The Conservatives spent millions advertising in May and June of 2019, including during the costly air waves of the NBA playoffs, when the Toronto Raptors made their historic run to win the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. The Conservatives said they made those

buys knowing they had money to spend that they couldn’t put toward advertising in July or August of that year, as the election was set for Oct. 21.

But during the recent Stanley Cup run by the Montreal Canadiens this year, no party made a move to lay down ad cash to get in front of that captive audience. It appears this time they are saving their big spends for closer to the expected election call in August, because they can.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not fallen for multiple attempts by reporters to bait him into saying an election is coming. The more than $6 billion he announced over the last week for light rail projects, child care, and climate action? It’s all just “something we’ve been talking about and working on for a long time,” he said Wednesday when asked if this was a pre-election tour.

Turnbull says there are no rules preventing leaders from campaigning before a campaign, and she added, there probably shouldn’t be.

“To me, it’s clear now this is gearing up for an election and this is exactly what we would expect from campaign-style behaviour and pre-campaign behaviour,” said Turnbull. “I don’t think we can start to to outlaw prime ministers and political leaders being political.”........Source: ctvnews.ca

If an election were called, how much fight do Conservative premiers have left?

Pre-election spending limits on party ads don’t apply without fixed voting day

Sr. BCMA founding member M.Z Khan passed away. Inna Lillaahi wa Inna Ilayhi Rajioun

T

he BCMA family announces with great sorrow the passing of brother Mohammed Zainal Abideen Khan. He was known to the community as MZ Khan. In 1964, he became the chairperson of Islamic Center of Vancouver, a pioneer Muslim volunteer organization and he served with Pakistan Canada Association as well.

In 1965, he was one of the founding members of the BC Muslim Association. As a civil engineer, he oversaw the construction of the Richmond Jamea Masjid—the first purpose-built masjid in British Columbia. The BCMA management had

no hesitation in assigning him BCMA Member Number 0001. Brother Khan’s dedication to the community was unparalleled and his legacy will Insha Allah remain forever.

May Allah accept his deeds, forgive him and grant him Jannatal Firdous. May Allah also give patience to his friends and families. from The BCMA office.From: The Miracle Media

Everyone must accept destiny. May Allah forgives his sins and grants him Jannah.

The loss is so irreparable. Be patient, and Allah will make the path easy for his family and friends Inshallah, Ameen

11

Zul Hijjah 6, 1442 July 16, 2021

Adeeb

Ayyaz

(Realtor)

PREC

(Realtor)

604 - A2Z 604 518 - 3782 Team 839 - 7863

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

NEW LISTINGS

2021

R2584183

$849,000

R2596766 10-15168 66A Avenue Surrey BC V3S1X2

5 bedroom 2236 sq ft

This large townhome has it all! Entrance off the main level with 9’ ceilings opens up into your, living, dining and upgraded kitchen with resurfaced cabinets, new countertops and backsplash, with lots of storage space and optional gas hookup. Small balcony off the kitchen perfect for bbq’s leads into your own backyard. 3 large bedrooms upstairs, master bedroom with private balcony, walk-in closet & en-suite. Downstairs you will find a large 2 bedrooms + kitchen & a rec room with separate entry from the outside. Close walking distance to schools, golf courses, parks

$579,000 61-31032 Westridge Place Abbotsford BC V2T 0C6 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 Flat-Panel 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.

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* 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

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12

Zul Hijjah 6, 1442 July 16, 2021

Ayyaz

Adeeb

(Realtor)

PREC

604 518 - 3782

604 - (Realtor) 839 - 7863

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

UPDATED SOLD Properties 2021 SOLD $940,000 R2546594

SOLD $920,000 R2549835

20979 WICKLUND AVE 31982 HILLCREST AVE MISSION BC V2V 1K9 MAPLE RIDGE V2X 8E8

SOLD $560,000 R2543995

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 6537 125A STREET MAPLE RIDGE BC V2X 6K4 SURREY, BCV3W 6S9

SOLD $550,000 R2569290

8-13670 84 AVENUE SURREY, BC V3W 0T6

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

SOLD $596,305

(Pre Sold)

43-6388 King George Blvd SURREY BC V3X 3J8

SOLD $596,305

(Pre Sold)

46-6388 King George Blvd SURREY BC V3X 3J8

SOLD $577,500

R2570801

167 SPRINGFIELD DRIVE LANGLEY BC V4W 3K8

1109-5811 N0. 3 Road Richmond BC V6X4L7

SOLD $727,300

SOLD $635,000

R2482366

44477 FRESHWATER DR CHILLIWACK, BC V2R 6A3

R2574425

46383 Cora Avenue Chilliwack BC V2P 7K9

SOLD $575,005

SOLD $415,000 R2517425

206-12125 75A AVE SURREY BCV3W 1B9

SOLD $649,000

Exclusive Listing

211-2356 Welcher Av Port Coquitlam BC V3C 1X5

R2580575

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

SOLD $575,005 R2580575

402-5638 201A Street

Langley BC V3A 0L8

SOLD $500,000 R2558602

207-6930 BALMORAL STREET BURNABY BC V7E1J5

SOLD $899,999 R2587180

32070 Holiday Avenue Mission BC V2V 2N1

SOLD $550,000 R2536822

1003-6611 Cooney Road Richmond BC V6Y 4C5

SOLD $435,000 R2583365

202-7161 121 Street Surrey BC V3W 1G8

13

Zul Hijjah 6, 1442 July 16, 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 $698,888

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 $1,730,000

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

316-8060 JONES RICHMOND BC V6Y 4K5

18936 55 AVENUE SURREY, BC V3S 6W7

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

SOLD $1,529,900

SOLD $2,275,000

SOLD $1,650,000

R2544625

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

R2554052

R2527043

17511 101 AVENUE SURREY BC V4N 4H2

SOLD $1,490,000

R2588741 6183 146 Street Surrey, BC V3S 3A1

R2534993 17737 102 AVENUE SURREY, BC V4N 5V8

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

R2533939

8040 KNIGHT AVENUE MISSION, BC V2V 6A8

SOLD $1,302,000

R2531908

6189 146A ST SURREY, BC V3S 6N4

SOLD $1,250,000 R2548366 11749 96 Avenue Surrey, BC V2T 5B8

14

Zul Hijjah 6, 1442 July 16, 2021

local

DEWAN-E-KHASS Pakistani & Indian 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

15

Zul Hijjah 6, 1442 July 16, 2021

women / yout h

By: Asma Shums, They say change is as good as a holiday.

And it’s common to associate positive change with the idea of gaining some-

Focus on creating MORE with less…

thing.

It’s human nature to want more out of life.

And if we want something badly enough, we’ll make a change to get it. In our pursuit of happiness and fulfilment, wanting something better often results in gaining more.

And that can equate to more stuff.

But there’s a different way to go about creating positive change…

Less is more!

Ever noticed how liberating it can feel to spring clean your living room or do an office tidy up? Giving away the things you no longer need rather than holding onto them for a rainy day. Clearing the dust from the air.

Reducing the clutter in your life, both mentally and physically, leads to simplicity and clarity. It creates a lightness of being as good as any holiday. More room to move — in your head and in your lounge.

And this idea of clearing away the clutter can be applied to both your business life and your personal life. Think about how much better your decisions are when your mind is

clear. How much more productive you can be when your focus is straight as an arrow, because there’s no physical or mental obstacles getting in the way.

Simplifying our life has to do with changing our mindset about — and our relationship with — our things…

As simple and as complicated as that.

What do you have to gain from decluttering your life, your mind, your relationships, your office or your home?

Apart from more room to breathe and focus, you’ll have more space in your life to live it more freely. So, bring out the feather duster and the goodwill box and get to it! :) Email info at: asmashums@gmail.com

Gandhiji made 3 monkeys • One has hands on eyes • One has hands on ears • Ona has hands on mouth All these 3 together works when mobile comes in hand

Ottawa announces dates for national summits on Islamophobia, antisemitism

M

Ps unanimously backed call for summit on Islamophobia following London, Ont., attack.

The federal government has announced that two emergency national summits — one on antisemitism and one on Islamophobia — will take place on July 21 and July 22 respectively. Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Youth Bardish Chagger made the announcement in a media statement on Friday. “We must actively listen to the voices of communities directly affected by racism,” Chagger said in the statement. MPs voted unanimously in favour of a motion calling

for a national summit on Islamophobia in June, following the attack in London, Ont., that killed four members of a Muslim family as they were out for an evening walk.

The government announced it would hold an additional summit on antisemitism on the same day that motion passed. Former justice minister Irwin Cotler, now Canada’s special envoy for preserving holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism, will participate in the summit on July 21.Members of all levels of government have been invited to hear from leaders of the Jewish and Muslim communities. Source: cbc.ca/news

Why are Muslim women living ‘in fear’ in this Canadian city?

Recent verbal and physical attacks on primarily Black Muslim women in Edmonton, Alberta draw urgent call for action.

Canada – Dunia Nur was out buying paint when it happened. The community organiser in Edmonton, Alberta was speaking Somali to her aunt on the phone when a man at the shop aggressively told her to “speak English”. When she tried to get out of the situation, he blocked her path.

“He was offended at the fact that I was speaking my language,” Nur, a Somali Canadian and the president and co-founder of the African Canadian Civil Engagement Council, told Al Jazeera. “I tried to move and then he blocked me.” While the recent incident did not escalate further, Nur said it left her feeling unsafe, especially as it took

place shortly after a Muslim family was run down by a driver in London, Ontario in a deadly attack that police said was spurred by anti-Muslim hate.

It also came amid a string of verbal and physical attacks against predominantly Black Muslim women in and around Edmonton since late last year – a reality that Nur said has left many members of the community feeling afraid to leave their homes.

In late June, two sisters, Muslim women who wear hijabs, were attacked by a knife-wielding man who hurled racial slurs at them on a path just outside the city. In other instances, Muslim women have been knocked to the ground while out on a walk or threatened while waiting for public transit. The city says Edmonton police have received reports of five incidents involving Black women

wearing hijabs since December 8, 2020, and the police force’s hate crime unit arrested and laid charges against a suspect in each case.

But Muslim community advocates say incidents often go unreported.

“We had a town hall meeting where many women came out and actually stated that they have previously been attacked with knives, they have been told to go back to their homes, they have experienced a lot of gender-based violence and hate-motivated crimes – it just went unreported,” Nur said.

“Muslim Black women are being attacked and they are being attacked because of antiBlack racism and they’re being attacked because of Islamophobi[c] rhetoric and they are being attacked because they are women… I feel like right now we’re at a point that we’re not sure what’s going to happen to us when we go outside.” Source: aljazeera.com/

Pakistani singer Arooj Aftab makes it to Barack Obama’s Summer Playlist

P

akistani singer Arooj Aftab’s music has left quite an impression on former US president Barack Obama. Her song ‘Mohabbat’ from the album Vulture Prince has been featured in Obama’s 2021 summer playlist.

Obama has been sharing playlists of music he has enjoyed listening to during the summer for the past couple of years. This year’s playlist is titled Barack Obama’s Summer Playlist. “With so many folks getting together with family and friends, there’s a lot to celebrate this summer,” he said. “I put together a playlist of some of the songs I’ve been listening to lately — it’s a mix of old and new,

household names and emerging artists, and a whole lot in between.”Aftab’s song ‘Mohabbat’ has been mentioned alongside songs from artists such as Stevie Wonder, The Rolling Stones and Rihanna. The singer was delighted to be included in the list and shared the news on her Instagram.

“Well this has been wonderful to wake up to!” she wrote. “Thank you barack Obama.”

Celebrities such as Riz Ahmed, Mira Sethi, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy and Natasha Noorani were quick to congratulate Aftab on social media for being featured on the playlist.

Source: dawn.com

16

Zul Hijjah 6, 1442 July 16, 2021

h ealt h

Healthy Living!

Our lifestyle can have a big impact on how we feel. When we don’t take care of ourselves, we can experience a number of problems, including sleep difficulties, fatigue, low energy, trouble concentrating, and increased tension and stress. These problems can leave us vulnerable to anxiety. Making healthy choices will help you feel better.

Remember, the goal of developing a healthy lifestyle is to help us function at our best, not to eliminate anxiety (because anxiety plays an important adaptive role – without it we would not survive). (for more information on anxiety, see What is Anxiety?). Having a healthy lifestyle puts us in a better position for managing anxiety. Here are some ideas for building a healthy lifestyle.

Set a routine

Establish a routine by setting specific times for meals, work, housework, quiet time, and bedtime. We feel more secure when there is some predictability to our day. It also helps us get things done and reminds us to take time for ourselves. Having a routine can help you to set the stage to better manage your anxiety.

Regular exercise

Regular exercise can have a positive impact on both your emotional and physical health.

In fact, exercise is one of the most powerful tools for managing stress and anxiety.

However, it can be hard to start a regular exercise program. So, start small and work your way up. Aim for at least 20 minutes of physical exercise 3 to 4 times a week. You’ll be more likely to stick with a program if you choose something you enjoy (such as skiing, hiking, gardening, or dancing). Try joining a gym, signing up for an exercise class, or finding a workout buddy. Find little ways to increase your physical activity. For example, park further away from the door, or take the

stairs. For ideas on how to set goals around exercise, see Guide to Goal Setting.

Eat healthy

Having a well-balanced and healthy diet can make you feel better. Eat consistently throughout the day and don’t skip meals.

Your diet should include a variety of foods.

Wondering how to eat healthier? Try to reduce your salt and sugar intake, eat more fruits and vegetables, and drink more water.

Aim for 3 meals a day and 1 to 2 snacks. For more ideas on how to improve your diet talk to your doctor or a dietician, or refer to the Canada Food Guide.

Get a good night’s sleep

Sleep difficulties can contribute to anxiety problems and make it difficult to cope. Aim to get about 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night.

However, this is just an estimate. People differ on how much sleep they need and this amount can change with age. If you are experiencing sleep problems talk to your doctor. For more information on dealing with sleep problems see Getting a Good Night’s Sleep.

Establish social supports

the couch watching television. What makes a difference is “deep” relaxation, which is the opposite of what your body experiences when it is under stress. For more information about various relaxation exercises, see How to do Calm Breathing and How to do Progressive Muscle Relaxation.

you may have a problem with drugs or alcohol, talk to your doctor.

Reduce stimulants

ing with your problems. However, it can be hard to know which problems to tackle and exactly how to go about solving them. For more information, see How to Solve Daily Life Problems.

Get a check-up

Make sure you are taking care of your body.

While not common, there are a few medical conditions that can present with some of the same symptoms seen in anxiety and Manage your time depression. It is a good idea to ensure your Learning to manage your time more effec- symptoms are not a sign of an underlying tively can reduce stress. Use a day planner to medical condition. See a doctor for regular schedule your activities. This will help you check-ups. see if you’re taking on too much, and help Solve problems you make time for the things you need to do. Problems are a common source of stress Remember to schedule some time for relax- and can contribute to anxiety. Therefore, it ation and fun activities each day. is important to start identifying and dealExcessive caffeine can lead to sleep problems and heightened anxiety. Try to reduce your caffeine intake. This includes coffee, some teas, soda, and chocolate. If you drink a lot of caffeinated beverages, it’s better to gradually reduce the amount of caffeine that you have every day. Smoking is also a strong stimulant. In addition to the health benefits, quitting smoking may also leave you less prone to anxiety.

It is important to have people in your life that you can count on. It helps to be able to talk to a friend when you have had a bad day or are struggling with a problem. Having a good social network has been linked to greater well-being. Having at least 1 good supportive friend can make a difference. Unfortunately, it can be hard to make friends.

For more information, see Self-Help Strategies for Social Anxiety and Effective Com- Avoid alcohol and drugs munication – Improving Your Social Skills. As you may already know, it is not a good idea to use alcohol or drugs to help you cope Learn to relax Using relaxation strategies can help lower with anxiety – this just leads to more probyour overall tension and stress levels. How- lems. If you have problems with anxiety, try ever, relaxation is more than just sitting on to avoid using drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with negative feelings. If you think that

Reduce stress

Sometimes life’s demands become too much.

Stress can have a negative impact on your health. Look for ways to reduce stress. Deal with problems, lean on supports, and take time for self-care. For instance, plan some time for yourself each day to read a book, go for a walk, watch a favourite TV program, or relax. You can also reduce stress by giving yourself a little extra time to get to places so that you’re not rushing. Try giving yourself an extra 5 minutes – it can make a big difference! Source: anxietycanada.com

Hajj: The Greater Pilgrimage at Arafat

Continued from Page 5

It was the beginning of a new life for the conscious, rebellious and responsible individual (Adam) who was the victim of pains, needs and greed. An exile and feeling lonely, he was in the prison of this earth. Experiencing apprehension over the separation, Adam expressed his complaints in the language of faith, knowledge Gnosticism, art, literature ... and life! He accepted the burden of rebelling, the “natural apprehension of sin and the “instinctive desire for repentance” ... How does Hajj relate to this? It is a living example of man’s creation or his repentance.

It encompasses self consciousness which includes the feeling of being a stranger and exiled. Consequently, what emerges is a decision to “return”!

The conversion of the “Adam in heaven” to the Adam on this earth” exemplified the character and behavior of mankind today.

It was a portrayal of the rebellious, aggressive and sinful man who was swayed by Satan and Eve. Although he was expelled from heaven, exiled onto earth and subdued by nature, Adam nevertheless ate from the fruit of “the forbidden tree” What was the outcome? Adam acquired the wisdom, consciousness and insight of a rebel! Opening his eyes and finding himself naked, Adam entered the state of “knowing” himself.

As was said previously, the descent from “Kaaba” to “Arafat” represents the beginning of Man’s creation. The time of man’s creation was simultaneous to the creation of “knowledge”! The first spark of love emitted during the meeting of Adam and Eve promoted their mutual understanding of one another.

It was the first sign of knowledge! Adam knew his wife of the opposite sex who was of the same origin and nature that he was from.

Consequently, from a philosophical point of view, man’s existence was contemporaneous with the existence of knowledge; from a scientific point of view, man’s history started with knowledge!

How strange! During Hajj, the first move is initiated from “Arafat”. The “stop at Arafat” occurs in the daytime beginning at noon of the ninth day when the sun is shining at its most. This time is designated so that you may gain consciousness, insight, freedom, knowledge and love in the sunlight!

At sunset, the stop at Arafat is over. Nothing can be seen in the dark. As a result, neither acquaintances nor knowledge prevail!

With the setting of the sun in the plain of Arafat, people migrate to the west along with the sun. They continue on until they reach Mashar, the land of consciousness”. They stop there too.

The stage following “knowledge” is that of “consciousness”. How strange, first “knowledge” and then “consciousness”? People take it for granted that consciousness precedes knowledge; but the creator of these two states of mind demonstrates the opposite sequence! Adam met Eve (who was of the opposite sex). They shared their views, communicated their thoughts and attained mutual understanding. Their “individual” life was terminated by the establishment of a family (which introduced social life) and the creation of a “conscious love”! Furthermore, the unity of two human beings began with knowledge; the evolution of knowledge contributed to man’s consciousness. This gave birth to science which increased the understanding and in turn, enhanced man’s consciousness. Where did this lead? To more scientific progress!

When “objectivity” and the relation of an “idea” to the external world is based on “reality”, then wisdom will grow comprehension will improve and man’s spiritual power will flourish Mina (love)!

- It would have been theological and metaphysical idealism had Arafat (knowledge) been preceded by Mashar (consciousness)!

- It would have been a materialistic and scientific life but idle with a spiritless civilization and aimless progress had Arafat

(knowledge) been the only stage!

- And, it would have meant the lack of our present understanding of our faith had it been only Mashar (consciousness) and Mina (love) without Arafat (knowledge)!!!

But in this religion of Islam, man. a creature who was made of the meanest material of earth and who came to power by being the trustee of Allah, commenced his actions with knowledge. He comprehended the facts of this world by an objective method. Following this, he gained his consciousness.

During the last stage, he created love. These stages are enacted by going from Arafat to Mashar and from there ascending to the peak of human qualities and perfection (i.e. to Mina) or to ... Allah!

Realism? Yes, but as the principle not the aim! It is a foundation from which you strive for the ideal and metaphysical! Since according to the Islamic concept man is made partly from mud and partly from the spirit of Allah, YOUR will and decision help you to migrate from “mud” to the “spirit of Allah”.

This is what you will exercise when you pass the three stages of Arafat, Mashar and Mina!

In light of the concept which was just discussed, the meaning and beauty of the following words may be expressed: Faith: Way! Knowledge: Awareness!

Prophecy: Guidance! Umma: A decided group! Imam: Leader and guide! Shaheed and Shahid): The traffic signs! Ibadat: Acts of devotion or to pound and smooth the way! Righteousness: To train yourself as a responsible rebel, to avoid things that remind you of yourself and the causes of your stagnation! The way of Allah: The way to sacrifice yourself and your world for the people!

Prayer: To present yourself to Allah, to call Him, to ask Him, to tell Him your needs, wishes, loves and hates, to suggest to yourself and the others Dikr: To bear in mind, to think Hajj: To decide!

You have arrived at Arafat which is the far-

thest distance from Mecca. It is a dry plain all covered by smooth sands. In its center you can view the small rocky hill of Jabalal-Rahmah from which the prophet Muhammad (S) gave his last message (farewell speech) to his followers during his final journey to Mecca. Arafat is a wonderful city which you visit for one day; it is gone with the wind after sunset prayers. There you will encounter a society of all the races so united as one nation without borders. It is as if the whole world is gathered at this plain under the white tents that extend from one horizon to the other - where distinctions are minimum, aristocracy is too mean and manmade beauties are ugly!

You ask yourself - What am I supposed to see here? What am I supposed to see here? What work is to be done? The answer NOTHING! You are free to do whatever you want! You may spend the day swimming in this great ocean of mankind or you may even sleep all day! But “remember” that you are at Arafat! There is nothing to “see” here. As Andre Gide’ has said, “The glory should be in your look and not in what you are looking at”. Let your instincts and nature blossom under the clear sun of Arafat. Lastly, in contrast to what man has done throughout history, do not run away from the sunshine, the light, the freedom and the crowd. Always appear with the people ...

In the past, you lived under oppression and were kept ignorant as moss in stagnated waters ...! Now, Oh “man”, come out of your tent, draw yourself into this deep ocean of people and let your “ego” burn under the glowing sun of Arafat! Only for one day, Oh “man ‘, be as a candle, burning and illuminating the hearts of these people! Do not be like wax and melt in the hands of the oppressors. Do not be a puppet.

In any case, you are entitled to spend this day as you wish. What you are requested to do is only to stop and then leave the plain (Arafat) at sunset! Source: islamicity.org

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Zul Hijjah 6, 1442 July 16, 2021

L ocal / pakistan

Canada Day 2021 Celebrated by PCCA-BC

n behalf of our Pakistani Canadian Cultural Association of BC and our volunteers, I want to thank all of you for giving us the honor to get together on this auspicious day, the Canada Day. I am hesitant to call it a celebration amid discovery of hundreds of indigenous unmarked graves and many lives lost during the pandemic of COVID. We also are remembering the Canadian Pakistani family who lost their lives in London Ontario due to racism.

On this Canada Day, we celebrate this day by spreading awareness about our Canadian ancestors, acknowledging their pain and by taking responsibility to weave the threads together to make this society more strong and healthy.

Canada is the best country in the world and one of its main strength is diversity where we are striving towards inclusive attitudes and encourage the adoption of tolerance, peace, love and acceptance.

PCCA-BC was formed to promote these values and culture.

Most of you have been equally been involved in this effort for the past decade or so and for that, I thank you all for always standing with us. Let me thank our Chief Guest Consul General Janbaz Khan all our respected

local Pakistani Canadian organizations, their represented were present to mark this event in the history of PCCA. I thank all our federal and provincial representatives also the respected community members our entire media our sponsors and our City Mayor honorable Doug McCollum.

I congratulate well deserving community members who received the awards on Canada Day being our true heroes during tough COVID times for being there for community. Congratulations Mr. Asad Gondal, Mohammad Yakub & Zeeshan Khan.

This was our first event during COVID restrictions and we wanted to bring our more community members to this event but we had to limit the numbers.

Now when the restrictions are being lifted slowly and our community members getting vaccinated we will be bringing more colorful events throughout the rest of the year.

Our Team, thank the management of the Taste of Lahore for arranging a delicious dinner and organizing a great event for us. Thank You and we hope our community would also keep supporting our business.

Happy Canada Day Naveed Waraich, President PCCA-BC

Raza Bashir hails Canada’s support to mitigate pandemic effects, combat polio in Pakistan

PRESS RELEASE Ottawa; July 10, 2021 Pakistan High Commissioner to Canada Raza Bashir Tarar has lauded the Canada government for its generous support to Pakistan to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and combat polio in Pakistan.

“We appreciate the help and value the cooperation Canada has extended to us,” he said while speaking at a farewell meeting arranged by Global Affairs Canada for him following completion of his tour of duty in Canada. The event was moderated by Christopher Gibbins, Executive Director Afghanistan and Pakistan while Paul Thoppil,

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Assistant Deputy Minister Asia Pacific, Global Affairs Canada was the host.

Heads of Missions of the State of Qatar, People’s Republic of China, the State of Kuwait in Canada as well as Chief Representative of the Palestinian General Delegation in Canada and Representative from Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Canada also attended the virtual farewell and spoke about their associations with High Commissioner Raza Bashir Tarar and his services and strength of bilateral relations between Pakistan and their respective countries.

In his speech, Raza Bashir Tarar thanked Global Affairs Canada for the “extremely useful interactions” he had with them during his tenure in Canada. He said both Pakistan and Canada had similar views on a range of issues, including climate change and Security Council expansions. He said Pakistan admired Canada’s commitment to mitigating the ill-effects of climate change and combating Islamophobia and standing up against racism and hateful ideologies.

He also appreciated inclusiveness and tolerance in the Canadian society, saying Canada would likely continue to remain a global des-

tination for the immigrants. He said Canada was also host to a sizable and vibrant diaspora of nearly half a million Canadian Pakistanis who were actively engaged with Pakistan. The community had done very well in Canada as was manifested by a number of MPs of Pakistani origin in Pakistan doing a great work for their constituents and for bilateral relations b tween Pakistan and Canada.

Speaking on the occasion, Paul Thoppil, Assistant Deputy Minister Asia Pacific, Global Affairs Canada expressed appreciation and gratitude for the sincere and diligent efforts made by High Commissioner Raza Bashir Tarar for strengthening Canada-Pakistan relations since his arrival in Canada in February 2019. He lauded the High Commissioner for vigorously engaging with the Canadians to cultivate a range of relationships within the diplomatic and political circles and the Pakistani community and providing Pakistan and its people an excellent representation in Canada.

He noted that during the last two years, the number of interactions between leaders and senior officials of both countries had grown,

and in 2020 alone, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Prime Minister Imran Khan had two fruitful discussions on the phone besides similar interactions between the Foreign Ministers and Trade Ministers of both countries.

He said the Canadian government was grateful to Pakistan for its support in facilitating Canada’s unprecedented global repatriation efforts which included repatriation of over 6,000 Canadians from Pakistan since March last year. He said Canada was pleased to have supported Pakistan’s COVID-19 relief efforts, including its donation of ventilators and related consumer goods.

He thanked the High Commissioner for his direct and frequent engagements with the Global Affairs division of Canada and for offering insights into priorities of Pakistan’s foreign policy, ever-evolving situation in Afghanistan and the progress on the peace process. He said his country was looking forward to the upcoming Canada-Pakistan structured consultations on a range of global and regional topics including Afghanistan, bilateral trade, investment and human rights issues.

Youngest Pakistani on Everest now headed to K2

AHORE: The country’s youngest mountaineer to summit the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest, is now on his way to the second highest peak, K2. On Saturday, Shehroze Kashif, 19, set off from Skardu for Askole from where he is scheduled to reach the K2 base camp site after around a five-day trek.

“This is a 30-day expedition to one of the most difficult mountains in the world that I’m undertaking now. I’m the only Pakistani in this group of around five people going on this journey with Summit Karakoram and a Nepalese organiser.

God willing, on being successful I’ll become the

youngest climber in the world to summit K2,” shared a pumped Shehroze with Dawn over the phone from Skardu.

Upon reaching Everest exactly two months ago, on May 11, Shehroze had become the fourth youngest mountaineer in the world to have summited the world’s highest mountain. Before reaching the 8,848.86-metre peak, the teen also had the honour of being the youngest Pakistani to have climbed the 8,047-metre Broad Peak at the age of 17, which earned him the title of ‘Broad Boy’.

Source: dawn.com

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