Miracle 610-Nov 17, 2023

Volume 23- Issue 610- November 17, 2023- Jamadi ul I, 3, 1445 H, $1 www.miraclenews.com BC, CANADA First Muslim

Biweekly & Bilingual

THE

SMH installs portable

Can we have a girlfriend

03 in Islam?

04 as waiting area

Pro-Palestine demon04 stration in Surrey Whiterock Muslim 14 Association’s new Masjid

Top 10 health care issues

04 in Canada

Why should I get a COV-

16 ID-19 vaccine this fall?

06 Guilbeault,

Poilievre point fingers over Senate stays trial court pro06 IHC ceedings against Imran in Indonesian President 08 Joko Widodo urges Biden

OIC, AL members slam Israel, but differ on response

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ummit rejects Tel Aviv’s claim it’s acting in self-defence, demands UNSC’s binding resolution against Jewish state • Proposals about disruption in oil supply to Israel fail • Iran sees Israeli army as ‘terrorist organisation’ Cont. @ page 9

• Islamabad urges unconditional, immediate ceasefire RIYADH: Muslim leaders on Saturday condemned Israeli forces’ “barbaric” actions in Gaza but declined to approve punitive economic and political steps against the country over its ongoing atrocities in Gaza.

The Royal Canadian Mint unveils the first US announces third round of sanctions targeting Hamas coins bearing the face of King Charles III

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he Royal Canadian Mint unveiled the first coins bearing the face of King Charles III on Tuesday at its Winnipeg manufacturing facility.

Marie Lemay, the president and CEO of the Mint, introduced the effigy that will soon adorn one side of Canadian coins and which will also be pressed onto a loonie for the first

time.“This is a big day for us at the Mint,” said Lemay during the unveiling. “Today, a new chapter in Canadian history begins.”Lemay said it normally takes between a year to 18 months to circulate a new design on coins. However, the Winnipeg team worked tirelessly to meet the “ambitious timeline.” To uphold longstanding traditions, the King’s profile faces left, opposite to the direction his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, faced. This change of direction is to differentiate one monarch’s reign to the next. The description surrounding the King’s effigy is also different, changing from “Regina,” meaning “Queen” in Latin, to “Rex,” meaning Cont. @ page 5

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S Treasury Department has said that the sanctions were jointly coordinated with the UK and target Hamas financing. The United States and the United Kingdom have announced jointly coordinated sanctions targeting the Palestinian armed groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). In a statement on Tuesday, the US Department of the Treasury said that it was imposing a third round of sanctions on Hamas, targeting the group’s leadership and and the mechanisms through which Iran provides support to the group and the PIJ. “Hamas’s actions have caused imCont. @ page 7

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Jamadi ul I, 3, 1445H November 17, 2023

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Jamadi ul I, 3, 1445H November 17, 2023

f ai t h On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah swt) said: When Allah decreed the Creation He pledged Himself by writing in His book which is laid down with Him: My mercy prevails over my wrath.

It was related by Muslim (also by al-Bukhari, an-Nasa’i and Ibn Majah).

Do Islamic Courts Allow DNA Evidence?

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HE USE OF DNA fingerprinting, or genetic print, in criminal investigations is a novel legal usage (nâzilah) about which Muslim scholar-jurists (fuqahâ’) are divided in their opinion.

The fuqahâ’ differ as to the kinds of cases in which a genetic print may stand as reliable evidence.

In Western countries, DNA use in adjudicating legal disputes is common, including many European courts of law that have approved its admissibility. Muslim countries, as in other matters, have now begun following suit, employing the genetic print to establish guilt. For this reason, it is now very important for Muslim legal experts and judges to familiarize themselves with DNA finger printing on a technical level and then to establish to what extent it might be considered authoritative in determining, for example, paternity—or in crime investigation as a basis for deciding culpability and administering the ḥudûd-punishments.

Advances in the medical sciences, particularly in forensics, have given us the capability of exploring and deciphering the contents of a human cell and visualizing the genetic prints of chromosomes. Identical twins apart, no two persons ever carry identical genetic prints (though the actual finger prints of identical twins differ, since finger prints are formed by the interaction of genes and the developmental environment of the uterus). The genetic print is extracted from one’s basic biological material, obtained from blood, semen, hair root, bone, saliva, urine, amniotic fluid surrounding fetuses, the cell of a fertilized

ovum, and body cells.

A sample size equal to a pinhead suffices for establishing a genetic print.

The Fiqh Academy of the Muslim World League, headquartered in Makkah, has adopted the following definition of the genetic print: “The genetic print is the distinct genetic structure that points to, and is unique to, the identity of each human being.” (See the decisions of the Fiqh Academy of the Muslim World League).

Genetic prints are found in the nucleus inside each of the human body cells. The human body comprises trillions of cells, each one containing a nucleus that controls and determines the cell’s life and function.

Each nucleus contains the genetic material—from the characteristics common to human beings as a whole, to those shared among related ethnicities, to the characteristics peculiar to the individual.

The material root of the genetic print is found in the form of amino acids (DNA) known as chromosomes or nucleic acid.

Half of a human being’s chromosomes come from the father, and half from the mother. (In addition, there are chromosomes engendered by a process known as neo-mutation, but this does not concern us here). Genetic qualities transfer from the genes that are found in the chromosomes (there are 100,000 genes in each single chromosome). Hence, if two chromosomes are randomly investigated, a vast number of genetic qualities could be determined, which raises the accuracy rate of the degree of genetic correspondence, or noncorrespondence, to 99.9 percent, the reason being, as stated, that no two humans (save identical twins) ever share all of their genetic qualities at this percentage.

Usages of Genetic Print

It is by the will and grace of Allah that humans are able to detect the principles governing genetics, to arrange and classify their elements, both universal and particular, and to know how to benefit from these principles. Allah says: And they do not comprehend any of His knowledge except what He wills (Sûrat Al-Baqarah, 2:254).

The following are the areas in which DNA genetic printing may be utilized [in agreement with the current opinion of most fuqahâ’]: Paternity: (a) Sorting out inadvertently misidentified newborns in hospitals; (b) determining the identity of a missing child; (c) deciding actual paternity of a child attributed to someone when another comes forward with clear proof of a paternity claim, or (d) the rare case of a woman impregnated by two men (through concurrent fertilization of two different ova), as in cases of gang rape.

Identity: (a) Establishing the identities of prisoners of war—or others, like abducted children—who have been gone for an excessively protracted period of time; (b) identifying corpses deformed beyond recognition; (c) verifying the identity of claimants of blood affiliation with a certain ethnic group or person (such as the descendants of the American founding father Thomas Jefferson through his slaveconcubine).

Culpability: Establishing criminal guilt from the DNA traces left by criminals (i.e., a body cell, semen, saliva, hair, cigarette butt, blood) as in the cases of rape, fornication, murder, theft, child kidnapping, etc.

One famous case wherein DNA fingerprinting technology was employed to establish guilt is that of the American President Bill Clinton, in his scandalous involvement in an extramarital sexual relationship with then White House intern Monica Lewin-

sky. The president’s denial of the affair was refuted when evidence showed the existence of the president’s genetic print in the seminal smear found on Lewinsky’s dress.

Another relevant incident occurred in Saudi Arabia, cited by members of the Fiqh Academy of the Muslim World League during their fiqhî discussion about the use of DNA fingerprinting to establish guilt.

The story is as follows. A woman claimed her father had impregnated her. The accused father, 60 at the time, was known as a kind, caring father, so many thought the woman was framing her father to deflect the charge away from the real culprit. In the interest of the fetus’ health, the judge delayed the use of DNA fingerprinting until after the woman delivered her child.

When the baby was born, the DNA analysis showed the baby had no possible biological relation to the father. Strangely, however, DNA analysis also established that the baby did not relate biologically to the woman (its putative mother). Investigators suspected foul play. For if the refutation of the father’s paternity of the baby could be natural, the negation of any biological affiliation between the woman and her own child was not!

Investigators consulted the hospital’s register of babies born on the same day as that of the woman’s child and found that 30 babies were born that day. The babies’ families were contacted, DNA tests conducted, and the sought-after baby was identified and found genetically related to both the female plaintiff and the accused father. It was also found that the baby whom the claimant woman thought was hers was in fact a foundling brought to the hospital the same day of her delivery and surreptitiously given to her in place of her biological baby in an evil bid to cover the crime and the truth of the baby’s paternity.

Source: aljumuah.com

Can we have a girlfriend in Islam? that good men and women are those who marry, do not have fornicating relationships and as a very close friend. Such friendship often leads to haram. In the Qur’an, Allah mentioned

do not have “paramours” or Akhdan see An-Nisaa’: 25, Al-Ma’idah: 5). Akhdan are “sweetand mixing. Islam strictly prohibits adul- hearts” or for a man a “mistress” and for a woman a “lover”. The Prophet, peace and blessings tery and blocks all doors that may lead to be upom him, is reported to have stated that “whenever two strangers of the opposite gender it. In this context, the Prophet, peace and are alone with each other, Satan becomes the third one between them.” (At-Tirmidhi)” So it blessings be upon him, considered hungry is not allowed for a Muslim boy to have a girlfriend or for a Muslim girl to have a boyfriend. and lustful looks at a person of the oppo- Howsoever pure your intentions may be, the danger is that it will lead you to sin. Or at least site sex as “the Zina of the eye,” accord- you will be alone with each other and spend more time together. Thus, you should be friendly ing to his saying, “The eyes also commit with your classmates, boys and girls both; but do not take a girl as your intimate friend. Of Zina, and their Zina is the lustful look.” course, homosexuality is also forbidden in Islam. So do not take a boy either as your intimate (Reported by Al-Bukhari) Actually when friend in the “gay sense” of the word.

To be Coninued at Page 7 Islam prohibits something, it closes all the avenues of approach to it. This is achieved by prohibiting every step and every means leading to the Haram (unlawful).AccordNovember 17-1 Dec, 2023-Jamadiul I 3-17-1445H ingly, whatever excites passions, opens ways for illicit sexual relations between Isl. Dt. Day Date Fajar Sunr Zawal Dhuhr Asar Maghrib Isha a man and a woman, and promotes in- 3 Fri decency and obscenity, is Haram.” Allah 4 Sat says in the Quran chapter 24-Light (An- 5 Sun Nr), verse 21: “ O ye who believe! Fol6 Mon low not Satan`s footsteps: if any will follow the footsteps of Satan, he will (but) 7 Tue command what is indecent and wrong. “ 8 Wed Also in chapter 2-The Cow (Al-Baqarah), 9 Thus verse 208: “O ye who believe! Enter into 10 Fri Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the 11 Sat footsteps of the evil one; for he is to you 12 Sun an avowed enemy. Muslims should have 13 Mon good relations with all people, males as 14 Tue well as females, at school, at work, in you 15 Wed neighborhood etc. You should be kind and courteous to everyone. However, it is not 16S Thus allowed in Islam to take a non-mahram 17 Fri person or persons of the opposite gender For such Prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times: Quran ,n 4:103 Source: BCMA

Prayer Schedule in Greater Vancouver

Question 30943 :

Aslm..Can we have a girlfriend??

IS it acceptable in islam?? I love a girl and I want to marry her but my parents don’t knw if i love that girl. For this one of my friend is passing my message to my girlfriend! is it HALAL?? Ma’asslm.

Answer:

I

Bismilahir-Rahmanir-Raheem. slam teaches us that a male and female can build up a good relationship founded on marriage. All those stories of media and movies are not helpful to make a person comply with the teachings of Islam. As far as male and female interaction is concerned, Islam dictates strict rules: It forbids all forms of ‘dating’ and isolating oneself with a member of the opposite sex, as well indiscriminate mingling

4

Jamadi ul I, 3, 1445H

BC News

November 17, 2023

Pro-Palestine demonstration in Surrey begins weekend of action

By CityNews Staff, Posted November 3, A large demonstration disrupted traffic in Surrey early Friday evening.

RCMP say between 600 to 700 people gathered in Surrey for a ‘Day of Action for Palestine Protest,’ and a preview of the National Day of Action taking place on Saturday to support Palestinians and call for a ceasefire in the Middle East. Mounties say the demonstration, which began at the Surrey Civic Plaza, moved onto a busy street.

“It was thought that this was to just be at the Civic Plaza, but the protesters began to march in the Surrey City Center area along King George Boulevard, causing traffic disruptions,” Sgt. Duane Honeyman told CityNews.

Police told CityNews that all demonstrators returned to Civic Plaza around 8:15 p.m. and then cleared out of the area shortly after that.

Earlier Friday, a car drove through a Palestinian solidarity rally that had closed a major

intersection in East Vancouver for over an hour in the morning. Vancouver police say they launched an investigation into the incident. Demonstrations are expected in Nanaimo and Victoria Saturday, and a multi-faith gathering is expected at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

David Mivasair, rabbi and member of Independent Jewish Voices, says it’s important for the Jewish community to stand in solidarity at demonstrations this weekend.

“It’s really significant for Jews to show up because part of the narrative that’s being pushed in Canada and other countries is that somehow, by our Canadian government supporting Israel, it’s supporting the Jews – we need to make it clear that’s not true, it’s a lie,” he said. “It’s important for us to get out in public and do everything that we can to kind of balance that picture. Some Jews think one way, other Jews think a different way.” Source: vancouver.citynews.ca

Surrey Memorial Hospital installs portable as waiting area for pediatric ER

: By Liza Yuzda and Hana Mae Nassar Posted November 8, 2023 1:45 pm. Last Updated November 8, 2023 2:21 pm.

Using portables for kids in B.C. isn’t just happening at schools — Surrey Memorial Hospital has installed a temporary emergency waiting area at its pediatric wing, preparing for a potential surge in patients.

Kevin Falcon continues to oppose all of David Eby’s actions to tackle housing availability and costs for people, siding again with real es-

Fraser Health confirms to CityNews that the portable was installed in anticipation of what could be a spike in “pediatric volumes this winter.” he health authority explains the portable is designed to be a space “dedicated to kids and their families to help ensure the best possible experience – especially during times when visit numbers are high.”

“This waiting area will provide a sense of comfort, care and reassurance to all children and their family members, during this stop on their care journey.”

The health authority says the COVID-19 pandemic and respiratory illnesses, such as

RSV, have highlighted the importance of being prepared for potential spikes in patients needing care, especially during the colder months. “In the province, we are starting to see an increase of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and influenza. While it is difficult to predict the severity of winter surges, Surrey Memorial Hospital still prepares to handle surges to ensure that patients have the best possible access to care and experience with the health care system,” Fraser Health said in an email Wednesday.

Local doctor applauds Fraser Health taking proactive measures Dr. Anna Wolak, a family physician in Vancouver, says the use of the portable isn’t something to be concerned about. She tells CityNews she’s pleased to see more proactive action being taken.

“Over the last three, four years, all we’ve seen

Falcon opposes Eby’s action on housing (yes, again)

tate investors and speculators who benefit from high prices.

Yesterday, Falcon said he will vote against three pieces of legislation: A bill to speed up approvals for new housing developments by simplifying municipal processes and ensuring key infrastructure and amenities are funded A bill to build more middle class homes by eliminating cumbersome zoning processes for small multi-unit developments in single

family neighbourhoods; A bill to encourage housing construction near transit.

It’s the latest in Falcon’s iron man streak of opposing Eby’s action on housing: Last week Falcon’s MLAs voted against a bill to turn shortterm rentals like AirBNBs into long-term housing. Falcon also argued for an exemption for special events like Taylor Swift concerts, an idea that was widely mocked online as “tone-deaf ”;

Voted against legislation that stopped stratas from banning rentals in their buildings and ended unfair age restrictions; Voted against legislation to set municipal targets for more housing construction; Has opposed the speculation and vacancy tax since it was introduced;

Opposes the BC NDP’s cap on rent increases;

Said a flipping tax isn’t needed

BC Green Party removes deputy leader for ‘unacceptable’ social media activity

The deputy leader of the BC Green Party has been removed after liking a social media post that compared Dr. Bonnie Henry to Nazi doctor Josef Mengele. Leader Sonia Furstenau announced the move in a statement on Twitter Wednesday night. “Today, I was made aware of Dr. Sanjiv Gandhi, deputy leader, liking a tweet with an inappropriate comparison between our provincial health officer and Mengele. I find this unacceptable and I have removed Dr. Gandhi as deputy leader and accepted his resignation as a candidate,” she wrote. Gandhi

is reactivity, reactivity, and it’s always one or two steps behind. Now, Fraser Health is actually thinking,” she said. “This is what we saw last year. We know that it put a crunch on the emergency room. We don’t know what it’s going t look like this year, but let’s prepare for the worst and start getting portables set up and start getting space available, so we’re not caught with our hands behind our back.” The other important note, Wolak says, is respiratory illness numbers are starting to rise. Given how such viruses are often transmitted, she says it’s a good idea to give people more space, to help ventillate waiting areas. “Hopefully, then, it does not put us into the crunch of the triple-virus epidemic that we saw in the winter last year,” Wolak added.Source: vancouver.citynews.ca

was named deputy leader in January. He is former chief of pediatric cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at BC Children’s Hospital and has been an outspoken critic of the government’s health-care policy, including its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Green Party had vetted Gandhi’s candidacy, said Furstenau, at a Thursday news conference where she spoke about his removal.

“We do not as a party tolerate hateful rhetoric,” she said. “This party continues to condemn rhetoric that aligns with extreme or hateful narratives, particularly any minimiz-

ing of the Holocaust.” In a statement Thursday, Gandhi said he liked the September post “inadvertently” and in error, and that he has since “unliked” it. “We can be passionate and aggressive in criticizing the government, but personal attacks are categorically wrong, as was my misplaced ‘like,’” his statement says.

“As the subject of considerable racism in my own life, I know that words matter, and I do not condone the belittling or demonization of any group of people for any reason, including those based on race or religion. I am sorry for the harm I have caused.” The deci-

after his former Housing Critic Mike Bernier called it a “very scary thought” after he flipped three houses in four years.

Falcon also claimed yesterday that housing costs only started rising under the BC NDP, despite MLS data showing that prices in Greater Vancouver rose four times faster under Falcon’s government than they have under the BC NDP. By: BC NDP Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon:

sion to withdraw his candidacy was made in consultation with Furstenau and because of the impact the controversy would have on the campaign trail... Source: bc.ctvnews.ca

Arsonist receives conditional sentence for setting destructive 2016 White Rock fire Fire displaced dozens of residents and caused millions of dollars in damages .

A man who admitted to setting a fire that caused millions of dollars in damage and displaced dozens of people in White Rock, B.C., will not serve any jail time. James Adrian Dyer was given a conditional sentence Tuesday of two years less a day for the May 15, 2016 arson in the city’s Five Corners neighbourhood. He’ll serve two years

of probation once that sentence is complete.

Dyer pleaded guilty in June to two arson charges for setting the fire, court records show. The blaze began in an under-construction condo and quickly spread to surrounding homes and businesses, displacing more than 100 residents. The City of White Rock had to issue a boil water advisory after firefighters drained municipal supplies trying to extinguish the blaze.

Phil Lemire, then-chief of the White Rock Fire Department, told CBC News at the time that it was the biggest and most catastrophic fire he had seen in his decadeslong career.

Police have said it was apparent from the beginning that the fire was intentionally set, but it took nearly seven years before charges against Dyer were approved in February 2023.Source:cbc.ca/news

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Jamadi ul I, 3, 1445H November 17, 2023

PAKISTAN’S official position on the Pales­tinian struggle has been relatively consistent since 1948.

Despite occasional recent murmurs about a softening towards Israel, no actual step was taken. Part of this consistency is explained by the unity of support for Palestine across Pakistan’s political and cultural spectrum. And this point of agreement stretches back through different time periods in the country’s history.

The bulk of Pakistani society’s support for Palestine comes from ideals of pan-Islamic nationalism and Muslim religious and cultural affinities. In its simplest form, the sentiment can be explained as empathy for an oppressed Muslim population. It gains further encouragement by similar shared sentiments for the Kashmiri population, which is a closer and politically more salient issue for the country.

Within this type of solidarity for Palestine (as with Kashmir), there are two parallel trends. The first is found in the politics of Islamist political actors and supporters, such as the Jamaat-i-Islami, which see the struggle as a religious one, veering into a civilisational clash against enemies of Islam (the West, Zionism etc).

This is probably the dominant strain within the country now, popularised since the 1990s through a large apparatus of religious and social organisations.

Most Pakistanis today interpret the conflict through this lens.Why not they think? An earlier form of Muslim solidarity can be found in the musings (and fantastical writings) of the first generation of Urdu-language intellectuals and officials, especially between the 1950s

Why is the City of Richmond Still Sleeping?

By: Mahmood Awan, Richmond am asking the Mayor, Council and the City of Richmond to demand the Canadian government to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

This week, Burnaby Councillor Daniel Tetrault brought forward a motion to ask the Canadian government to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and to increase the flow of humanitarian aid. The motion passed unan-

I

opinion

Why we should care ?

But throughout the preceding seven decades, Pakistani leftists and progressives maintained their own tradition of support for the Palestinian struggle. In a recent online collation, translator and academic Haider Shahbaz listed a number of Urdu-language publications from prominent progressives such as Fahmida Riaz, Kishwar Naheed, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, and Amjad Islam Amjad expressing solidarity with Palestinians through their works and translations. The underlying basis of this solidarity rests less in shared religious attachments and more so in universal humanism, democratic emancipation, and the collective struggle against imperialism and racial oppression across the Third World. In this interpretation, Zionism is cast as a contemporary agent of colonial occupation, similar to the experiences of many parts of the world in the 19th and early 20th century.

The progressive interpretation of the struggle, while nowhere near as widespread as the Islamist one,

is still around in Pakistan. Activists, intellectuals, and civil society organisations with diametrically opposed views to the mainstream stand with and alongside everyone else because they interpret the struggle through a universalist lens.

The outcome of shared solidarity among diverse segments, regardless of divergent understandings, reveals a deeper fact about the Palestinian struggle — that of a shared concern with oppression and injustice. As a friend and colleague recently put it, ultimately the humiliation of any one person is the humiliation of everyone. It is a powerful lesson, and one that allows us to transcend the differences of how we arrive at its conclusion.

As Pakistanis cast their shared concern for the Palestinians through clear and simple interpretations of injustice, it should serve as a starting point to extend empathy in other directions. If humiliation is to be widely and rightly opposed in Gaza and the West Bank, then it can offer a lesson in opposing humiliation of people closer to home.

The mass deportation of Afghans offers precisely one such issue.

Journalistic coverage has already revealed many problems in the implementation of this callous directive.

People who were born in Pakistan, and have a right to Pakistani citizenship by law, are being sent back to a country they have never called home. Others who have lived and built entire lives here are summarily being rounded up and forced to leave. Quite a few are being sent back despite having a legal right of residence. And there have been a number of cases where ethnicity (Pakhtun) is malignantly being

conflated with citizenship (Afghan).

All of this is being done on the pretext of national security, even though the evidence to suggest that refugees and descendants of refugees pose any sort of risk is nonexistent. The real reason then is to obtain geostrategic leverage over a neighbouring country and to demonstrate ‘intent’ and ‘seriousness’ of a securitised state. It is a manoeuvre designed as a response to domestic and regional political issues faced by the state, at the mere cost of a million or so lives.

Recent polling by Gallup shows why empathy needs to be extended domestically. More than 80 per cent of respondents agree with the government’s deportation orders of Afghans, even though only a third reside in areas with their presence.

This means that this sentiment is likely being driven not by personal experience but by a mix of partisan support for the government and general xenophobia whipped up by the media and some political parties.

Expressing solidarity with a dispossessed population, many of whom have no home to return to, is not an unreasonable sentiment. The principle of humanitarian support is a worthy one and one that will help produce a society that takes care of its most vulnerable.

And if those who see the world in cultural-civilisation terms need a reason, those being sent back are Muslims too. While Pakistanis rightly express support for the Palestinians, it would be useful to learn the core lesson embedded in their struggle.

Courtesy By: Umair Javed The writer teaches politics and sociology at Lums.

imously. If Burnaby can pass such a motion, every other city in Canada must do the same.

I am asking people, organizations and elected officials to call for a ceasefire in preventing thousands of more needless deaths of innocent victims. Why isn’t the City of Richmond at the forefront of condemning the humanitarian crisis in Gaza where over 10,000 casualties have occurred including the slaughter of over 4,000 children. How can this be labeled as self defense?

Entire generations of Palestinians have been exterminated in this conflict. A long time ago, the lessons taught by the Holocaust were “never again,” but now the aggressors are the Jews themselves who were

welcomed by Palestinians in their time of need. This time it is Israel and not Hitler who are committing the same atrocities against the Palestinians again and again that they experienced.

Many Jewish organizations are condemning Israel’s attacks on Gaza while our city stands with Israel. Is the City unaware of protests in the hundreds of thousands across the globe asking for Israel to stop massacring thousands of innocent victims?

Not only is the City of Richmond not stepping up, they have stated their support for Israel by lighting up the ‘Together’ statue at the Minoru Centre for Active Living in Israel’s blue and white colors.

On one hand, the city promotes the houses of worship along the highway to heaven and the harmony it creates and on the other hand, they are stating their support for Israel and therefore the killing of innocent victims.Unbelievable!

Are the Palestinians not deserving of our empathy? What more must Palestinians do to prove themselves in their most crucial hour of need?

How many more must die on both sides of the conflict? Is Muslim blood cheap and Israeli blood worthy of billions of dollars in military aid?

We will be watching for a response from the City of Richmond and we will remember.

Email: mawan20@hotmail.com

and 1970s. Exchanges between Qudratullah Shahab and Mumtaz Mufti, about the former’s ‘secret mission’ on a fake Iranian passport to Israel, and a night spent in Masjid Al-Aqsa dreaming about Palestinian liberation, are good examples of this trend. Over the years, this form of Muslim modernism (modern statecraft with a Muslim cultural touch) has diminished, replaced by civilisational views about the conflict popularised by Islamist actors.

If humiliation is to be rightly opposed in Palestine, then it can offer a lesson in opposing humiliation of people closer to home.

Canada on ‘the razor’s edge’ of a recession, warns economist

News Coninued from Page 1 person for the Mint, said there are The last time the Mint changed the Canada in early December. no “significant costs” to designing a Canadian coins to honour a new All Canadian coins still in circula“King.”

Another change is that the initials of the artist will also appear on the obverse. During the 10-minute unveiling ceremony, Lemay activated the machine to print the first $1 coin depicting King Charles III’s effigy. While Canada is not obligated to put the monarch on its money, it is a tradition that dates back to 1908, when the Mint began producing coins during King Edward VII’s reign. Alex Reeves, a spokes-

new effigy. “Replacing dies to keep supplying the marketplace with new coins and engraving new designs on coins are routine aspects of our operations,” he told CTVNews. ca over email on Tuesday.

Earlier this year, the federal government instructed the Mint and the Bank of Canada to replace the image of the late queen with one of the King on all coins and the $20 bill, following the King’s accession to the throne in September 2022.

monarch was 70 years ago when the late queen was crowned, making this another historic transformation.

Other Commonwealth countries have also moved to replace images of the queen, including Australia, which is expecting about 10 million of its dollar coins to circulate

by Christmas.

According to the Mint, a small number of 2023-dated coins with the King are going to circulate in

tion with the queen are considered legal tender.

THE PROCESS TO CREATEA NEW DESIGN Since 1990, Canadian coins have featured a royal effigy designed by Canadian artists, according to the Mint’s website. Dora de PederyHunt’s work was featured from 1990 to 2002, and Susanna Blunt’s from 2003 until now...

Source: bc.ctvnews.ca

THE

MIR A LE

Miracle Media Group Inc.© Contact Info Mailing and Office Address 9160-136A Street Surrey BC. V3V 7Z8 Canada

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Contents

Faith 3 Locals 14 Ediorial/Opinion 5 Pak/Can. News 6, Int.News /M.East 8 Politics 10 Health 10 Women 4 Youth Sports Pakistan/ 15 Urdu 16-24

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

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NAT&INT.NEWS Guilbeault, Poilievre point fingers over Bilawal advises Nawaz to ‘focus on Lahore’ as PMLSenate pressure to pass farm fuel bill N supremo arrives in Quetta to woo electables November 17, 2023

Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault is calling out Pierre Poilievre’s push to pass a bill seeking to scrap the carbon tax on farm fuels, saying that if the Conservative leader had “any sense of moral decency,” he would “admit” the fuel price currently only applies to a small percentage of farm fuels. “First and foremost, people should remember … we’ve already excluded 97 per cent of fuels used on farms,” the minister said. “Because at the time when we when we put in place carbon pricing in Canada … we realized that there was no alternatives for these applications.” His remarks come amid brewing parliamentary discontent over Conservative MP Ben Lobb’s private member’s bill seeking to eliminate the carbon price on propane and natural gas for some farming equipment and on the heating and cooling of some farm buildings, namely barns and greenhouses. The bill has been before Parliament since 2022, clearing the House

in March 2023 with the backing of the Bloc Quebecois and NDP. It still needs to clear third reading before becoming law, a step that’s been delayed until at least the Senate’s next sitting date on Nov. 21 when senators are set to resume debate on the bill.

As it nears passage in the Senate, Bill C-234 is drumming up controversy amid heightened attention on the Liberals’ climate plans, given Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent changes to the carbon pricing plan, including a pause on the pollution price of home heating oil...

Source:ctvnews.ca/

‘We are in a crisis’: 1 in 10 Torontonians now rely on a food bank, new report finds

Annual Who’s Hungry report calls on all levels of government to step up to curb trend One in 10 people in Toronto are now relying on food banks, twice as many as the year prior, a new report finds.

Food bank usage has smashed another record this year, with more than 2.5 million visits between April 2022 and March 2023 — a 51 per cent increase from the year before — and there are no signs of slowing down, according to this year’s Who’s Hungry report from Daily Bread and North York Harvest food banks. Daily Bread and North York Harvest indicate in the report they are anticipating Toronto food bank visits in 2023

will surpass three million visits.

“We are in a crisis as a city,” Ryan Noble, executive director of North York Harvest Food Bank, told CBC Toronto. “We’re in real danger as a community, when we have one in 10 of our residents needing to turn to food banks.” He said many food banks that North York Harvest and Daily Bread Food Bank distribute food to are a loose network of volunteers and people who are trying to do their best to respond, but a 50 per cent increase isn’t a pace they can sustain.

The report lays out a roadmap for politicians at all levels of government to follow to break the troubling trend of growing food bank use, central among them, asking governments to improve social assistance programs and rates and invest in affordable housing.

original attack.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday that Silver’s remains were identified on Monday in Israel. “Last month, I had the chance to meet with one of her sons. I learned of her warmth, her compassion, and her lifelong commitment to building bridges between Israelis and Palestinians. Vivian dedicated her life to peace, that bright light was extinguished on October 7,” Trudeau said. “Her courage, commitment and compassion exemplifies what it means to be a Canadian, what it means to be engaged in the world in positive ways. She will be deeply missed, may her memory be a blessing.”

The number of Canadian citizens reported to be officially missing has changed over the course of the war as more deaths have been confirmed. GAC first stated that two Canadians were still missing on Oct. 17. This is the first change in the number of those missing since then. Global Affairs specified in its Tuesday update that they were “aware of the deaths of seven Canadian citizens and one with deep connections to Canada.” Federal officials have previously stated(opens in a new tab) that they consider the death of Tiferet Lapidot, an Israeli woman with Canadian family, to be a Canadian casualty, bringing the total number of Canadian deaths to eight...Source:ctvnews.ca

Constitution and warned the PML-N to not expect loyalty from those who had betrayed their founder. Questioned about the PML-N’s outreach during a press conference in Mithi today, Bilawal said everyone had the right to go to every province and conduct their politics.“I think Nawaz has been advised that because there have been difficulties created for the PML-N in Lahore, so he has been pained to go to other provinces for seats.

Source: dawn.com/

IHC stays trial court proceedings against Imran in cipher case

The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday halted proceedings against PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the cipher case, stressing the need for the court to be informed about the “circumstances” that prompted the trial to be conducted in jail.

The IHC division bench, comprising Justice Social assistance funding not enough Mian­gul Hassan Aur­angzeb and Justice Saman Brigitte Martin knows the difference ade- Rafat Imtiaz, passed the orders on the ex-prequate government assistance funding makes mier’s intra-court appeal against a single-memfirsthand.She was among the one in 10 Torontonians using a food bank reflected in the 2023 report. Source:montreal.ctvnews.

Global Affairs confirms death of Canadian in Israel, says only one Canadian still missing

Following the confirmation of Canadian peace activist Vivian Silver’s death, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) now says only one Canadian is still missing amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

For the past four weeks, GAC has reported that two Canadians were missing. This changed in its Tuesday update, in which the agency also confirmed the death of an eighth person connected to Canada.

Although the agency did not provide further information on this person’s identity, nor whether or not they were previously believed to be missing, the changes appear to be referring to Silver, whose death was confirmed by family on Monday. Silver was originally believed to have been one of the 239 hostages taken by Hamas in the Oct. 7 attack, but her son Yonatan Zeigen told CTV News that his family had learned that she was killed(opens in a new tab) in the

PPP Chairman Bilawal BhuttoZardari on Tuesday advised PMLN party supremo, Nawaz Sharif to “focus on Lahore” for the upcoming general elections and try to remedy the city’s woes as the ex-premier arrived in Quetta in an effort to form strategic alliances in all provinces ahead of the Feb 8 polls.

The PML-N has been engaging Sindh-based political parties in what appears to be an attempt to create an alliance against the PPP in the province.

At a recent meeting, the PML-N had agreed to a demand of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) to support a constitutional reform package that would include a legal cover for the local government and disbursement of funds to districts through a provincial finance commission.

In response, the PPP has mainly targeted the MQM-P for demanding changes to the

ber bench’s decision that had approved Imran’s jail trial. The cipher case pertains to a diplomatic document that the Federal Investigation Agency’s charge sheet alleges was never returned by Imran. The PTI has long held that the document contained a threat from the United States to oust Imran as prime minister. The former premier and his aide Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who is also behind bars, were indicted in the case on Oct 23.

They have pleaded not guilty.

The IHC has endorsed Imran’s indictment, disposing of his plea against the same, but had also instructed the special court judge to ensure a “fair trial”. During the hearing today, PTI chief Imran Khan’s lawyer, Salman Akram Raja, and the Attorney General Mansoor Awan were present in the court. At the outset, Awan informed the bench that the federal cabinet had approved Imran’s jail trial, adding that a copy of the relevant notification would be presented.

Source: dawnnews.com

Magnitude 4.9 earthquake hits South Sudan-Uganda border

November 13, (YEI) – A 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck the South Sudan-Uganda border area on Monday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said.The quake was at a depth of 8 km (4.97 miles), the EMSC said, without further details. Earthquakes occur as a result of tectonic plates, the uppermost layer of the earth’s

solid shell, colliding. Earthquakes can also result from the sudden energy releases in the earth’s solid shell which create seismic waves that result in the ground shaking.

Earthquakes constitute one of the most deadly naturally triggered disasters in the world. In September 2016, a huge earthquake measuring a magnitude of 5.7 occurred on the Richter scale and struck Uganda and other countries in the Lake Victoria basin region.The deadliest earthquake on record killed 655,000 people in Tangshan Province in China in 1976. The Tangshan earthquake had a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale. SourCE: sudantribune.com

Somalia:President Hassan Sheikh Deni is “ready” to meet President Hassan Sheikh, but he declined Deni is “ready” to meet President Hassan Sheikh, but he declined. The president of the Puntland administration, Said Abdullahi Deni, has agreed and is ready to meet the president of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, the UN office in Somalia announced, President Hassan Sheikh, but he declined, according to sources told Somali Times. Deni said this after he recently met the UN Special Envoy for Somalia Catriona Laing in Garowe. In May of this year, the members of the National Consultative Council except for Puntland – issued a statement and a new agreement focused on democratization. The president of Puntland was absent from that meeting and the previous one held by the in March. “I was happy

to hear that the Said Deni is willing and able to talk to the President Hasan Sheikh Mohamoud and he is actually thinking a lot about what kind of issues should be put on the table to make sure that they are there.” Puntland is not ,” said the UN official, Catriona Laing said....

Source: somalitimes.co.uk

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Jamadi ul I, 3, 1445H November 17, 2023

M uslim M A TT E R S

Surrey engages community in making city more accessible

the Accessibility Action Plan. We and services, information and communi- Newton Recreation Centre – want to hear what priorities are cation methods. The goal is to create a city November 21, 11am–3pm most important to you and en- where everyone feels welcome by making 13730 72 Avenue, Surrey sure that everyone, regardless of improvements to City programs, services Museum of Surrey (Cloverdale age or ability, can access and enjoy and facilities, ensuring they are accessible to Christmas Tree Festival) – everything our vibrant city has to all, regardless of age or ability.

November 25, 1pm–4pm All community members, including those 177110 56A Avenue, Surrey offer.”

As of September 1, 2023, the draft who support individuals facing accessibility Semiahmoo House Society (South plan became available on the City challenges, are invited to help the City pri- Surrey) - November 28, 10am–1pm website in accordance with the oritize actions that will shape a more acces- 15306 24 Avenue, Surrey Surrey, BC – The City of Surrey is seeking Province’s Accessible British Columbia Act. sible future by participating in the following Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex public feedback on its draft Accessibility Ac(Fleetwood) – November 30, 4pm–7pm tion Plan with the goal of enhancing accessi- The plan was developed with input from the engagement opportunities: Surrey Accessibility Leadership Team and Take the online survey before Decem16555 Fraser Highway #100, Surrey bility, removing barriers and creating a more the City’s internal accessibility committee to ber 8, Attend an in-person engagement The City recognizes that some people may inclusive community. Feedback through engagement opportunities will help prioritize ensure it aligns with provincial accessibility pop-up: Surrey Libraries (City Centre need alternate ways to provide feedback.

Branch) If you require accommodations to provide actions and guide enhancements in the plan requirements.

The plan commits to accessibility and outNovember 16, 11am–3pm feedback, please email inclusion@surrey.ca over the next three years. lines actions across five key areas.

To be 10350 University Drive, Surrey or call 604-502-6325.

“This plan reflects our commitment to creating a more accessible Surrey,” said Mayor updated every three years, it includes short- City Hall (Senior’s Holiday Concert)– From: Jennifer Sundram Communications Specialist, City of Surrey Brenda Locke. “I invite you to help shape term, long-term and ongoing actions, affect- November 17, 11am–2pm ing our buildings, public spaces, programs 13450 104 Avenue, Surrey

Al-Shifa Hospital staff burying bodies in mass grave at Gaza City complex

Hundreds of patients remain trapped amid battles between Hamas and Israeli forces.

• Palestinians call for ceasefire to allow patients and newborns to leave Gaza’s largest hospital.

• Fuel crisis prevents more aid from

rolling into the territory.

• We l l - k n o w n doctor from AlShifa Hospital killed in reported airstrike.

Palestinians trapped inside Gaza’s biggest hospital were digging a mass grave on Tuesday to bury patients who died under Israeli encirclement, and said no plan was in place to evacuate babies despite Israel announcing an offer to send portable incubators.

Israeli forces have surrounded Al-Shifa Hospital, which they say sits atop an under-

ground headquarters of Hamas militants.

Hamas, Gaza’s ruling Islamist group, denies fighters are present and says 650 patients and 5,000 to 7,000 other displaced civilians remain trapped inside the hospital grounds, under constant fire from snipers and drones.

It says 40 patients have died in recent days, including three premature babies whose incubators were shut down when power went out. Health officials in Gaza warned the only way to save three dozen newborns trapped there would be to call a ceasefire and transport them out of the besieged territory.

Ashraf Al-Qidra, Gaza’s health ministry spokesperson, reached by telephone inside the hospital compound, said there were about 100 bodies decomposing inside. Other reports said there were about 150 bodies.

“We are planning to bury them today in a

mass grave inside the Al-Shifa medical complex. It is going to be very dangerous as we don’t have any cover or protection from the [International Committee of the Red Cross], but we have no other option,” he told Reuters. ”The men are digging right now as we speak.”

One of the remaining doctors at the hospital who regularly updated journalists on the worsening conditions inside was killed in a reported airstrike on the weekend, his sister said Tuesday. She said Dr. Hammam Alloh and three of their relatives died in a home that was a 10-minute walk from the hospital.

Israel announced on Tuesday that it was offering portable, battery-powered incubators so the babies could be moved. But Qidra said that so far no arrangements had been established to carry out any such evacuation.

Source: cbc.ca/news

Alberta school trustee who compared LGBTQ2S+ community to Nazis resigns after board disqualifies her A school board trustee who posted a meme to social media in August comparing the LGBTQ2S+ community to Nazi Germany has been disqualified from her position for violating sanctions, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools said in a media release on Tuesday afternoon. As a result of the disqualification, Monique LaGrange resigned from her post, RDCRS said in the release.

Its board of trustees decided to disqualify LaGrange from her post after it found she contravened sanctions issued in late September

and further violations of board policy and the Education Act, according to RDCRS. ”As the chair of the RDCRS Board of Trustees, I affirm our unwavering dedication to fostering a safe, secure, caring, respectful and inclusive learning environment for our students, staff and community members,” board chair Murray Hollman said in the release. “Regrettably, as a result of trustee LaGrange’s violation of the sanctions placed on her on September 26, 2023, as well as her additional violations of Board Policy and the Education Act, the board

made the challenging decision to disqualify trustee LaGrange.” LaGrange’s Aug. 27 post — widely criticized(opens in a new tab) by groups including parents, students, LGBTQ2S+ entities, the Alberta Teachers Association(opens in a new tab), the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center and some Alberta government figures but also supported by others — showed a picture of children waving swastika flags above a picture of children waving Pride flags, with the caption “brainwashing is brainwashing.”

Source:edmonton.ctvnews.ca/

US announces third round of sanctions targeting Hamas said in a statement, including the electricity and cutting off fuel supplies to well as individuals and entities who allegNews Coninued from Page 1 Office group’s political leader in Gaza and the com- Gaza’s more than 2.3 million residents. edly act as conduits for Iranian funding. US mense suffering and shown that terrorism does not occur in isolation,” US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in the statement.

“Together with our partners we are decisively moving to degrade Hamas’s financial infrastructure, cut them off from outside funding, and block the new funding channels they seek to finance their heinous acts.”

Britain added sanctions on four Hamas senior leaders and two financiers, the Foreign

mander of its military arm. The fresh sanctions against Hamas come more than one month after the group launched a deadly assault on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli authorities. Israel has vowed to eliminate the group, launching a ground offensive and hammering the Gaza Strip with air strikes, severely restricting food, water and

If your friend, not girlfriend, is interested in Islam, by all means help her to become Muslim. Give her the Islamic books and ask her to attend Islamic meetings and lectures.

Let her accept Islam by her own will. Do not force her or put any pressure on her to become Muslim. May Allah bless you and keep you on the right path. Shedding more light on this, the eminent Muslim scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Hanooti, member of the

North American Fiqh Council, states: A friendship wth the opposite sex is not of Islam. It used to be of the Jahiliyyah (preIslamic era) style of life. A friendship of the two sexes can never be safe or sex-free. I agree that in some exceptional cases, it could be innocent. But, a law is usually amended for social regulations. There is no law to be customized for a certain person or few

Coninued from Page 3

Palestinian authorities in Gaza say more than 11,200 people have been killed in the Israeli assault, including more than 4,600 children. About 70 percent of people in Gaza have been displaced by the fighting after the Israeli military ordered people in northern Gaza to move south, but Israel continues to bombard the southern end of the Strip. The latest sanctions focus on Hamas leaders, as

Can we have a girlfriend?

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US would continue to work with other countries to “disrupt these terrorist financing channels”.

In a press release, the Treasury Department said that the US has designated Mahmoud Khaled Zahhar, who it calls a “senior member and co-founder” of Hamas.

Source: .aljazeera.com/

should feel seduced to build up an unhealthy relationship. If there is a possibility in any kind of action that it could lead by some percentage into catastrophe, no one will ever take that risk. I can say what you call friendship could have some percentage of leading into haram. How would you go to that risk whereas if a doctor says to you an operation of a certain organ could lead you into death?

You would say I don’t want to risk my life, but I will take the pain. Wassalam and Allah

people. The Qur’an and Sunnah guidance for the sexes dealing with each other has a main major issue for which Islam has set principles and rules to govern. It is the desire and lust. The Qur’an prohibits anything that motivates one’s heart in a seductive way towards the other. The Qur’an tells a woman when she speaks to a man to speak in a way that doesn’t show any interest in him lest he knows best. Source: /www.islamicity.org/qa/

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Indonesian President Joko Widodo urges Biden to help end Gaza ‘atrocities’

Widodo calls for a ceasefire ‘for the sake of humanity’ as he sits down with US president at the White House. Indonesian President Joko Widodo has pressed his United States counterpart Joe Biden to do more to end

“atrocities” in Gaza and help bring about a ceasefire. The two leaders’ talks on Monday were overshadowed by the month-long Israel-Hamas war in which the US has given Israel its full support. Widodo, who is popularly known as Jokowi, attended a joint summit of Arab and Muslim leaders in Riyadh at the weekend which condemned Israel and called for a ceasefire.

Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim country and has seen large protests in support of the Palestinians as well as a boycott of businesses seen as linked to Israel.

“Indonesia appeals to the US to do more to stop the atrocities in Gaza,” Widodo said in the Oval Office as the two presidents met in the White House in front of a roaring fire.

Source: Dawn.com

Police in England arrest man on suspicion of manslaughter after death of ex-NHL player American Adam Johnson, 29, suffered slashed neck during Challenge Cup game.

Police in England arrested a man Tuesday on suspicion of manslaughter in the death of American ice hockey player Adam Johnson, whose neck was cut by a skate during a game.

Johnson, 29, was playing for the Nottingham Panthers against the Sheffield Steelers in an Elite Ice Hockey League game Oct. 28 when the blade cut his neck.

South Yorkshire Police did not name the suspect or provide his age. He was in police custody. The player who cut Johnson’s neck was Matt Petgrave, 31, a Toronto native who plays for Sheffield.

Both players land on the ice. Petgrave im-

mediately got to his feet. Johnson rose more slowly and as he is helped off the ice, his jersey is covered in blood. He later died at a local hospital. ”Our investigation launched immediately following this tragedy and we have been carrying out extensive inquiries ever since to piece together the events which led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances,” Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall said.

Source: cbc.ca

. The former PM has called Gaza ‘a prison camp’ and advocated for a two-state solution, but he is also a staunch backer of Israel.

The unexpected return of former United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron to British politics during Israel’s war in Gaza and pro-Palestinian protests in Britain has sparked questions over the implications for the UK’s policies towards the Middle East.

Cameron, now foreign secretary, has previously called the Gaza Strip “a prison camp” and advocated for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, but he has also

been a staunch backer of Israel. On October 9, as Israel announced a “total” blockade on Gaza and pummelled the enclave in retaliation for a surprise attack two days earlier by the armed Palestinian group Hamas, the 57-year-old made his pronouncement in favour of Israel. “I stand in complete solidarity with Israel at this most challenging time and fully back the Prime Minister and UK Government in their unequivocal and steadfast support,” he said on X, including the blue and white Israeli flag in his post. Hundreds of thousands of protesters have marched in London in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza over the weekend as a small number of far-right groups staged counterprotests.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sacked Home Secretary Suella Braverman on Monday after she drew anger for accusing police of being too lenient with pro-Palestinian protesters...

Source:aljazeera.com

Soft loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have been made even more affordable for Small Islands Developing States (SIDS). The new lending terms, effective October 1, 2023, was announced in Suva this week during an official meeting between

Minister of Finance Prof Biman Prasad and ADB president Masatsugu Asakawa, who is on an inaugural visit to Fiji to meet with the Government.The new terms include a one per cent interest rate, a 10-year grace period, a 40-year maturity, and principal repayments of two per cent a year for the first 10 years after the grace period and four per cent a year thereafter.“ADB is a long-standing partner in development with the Pacific and is committed to continuously refining its differentiated approach to helping SIDS build resilience amid intensifying vulnerabilities,” Mr Asakawa said. Source: fijitimes.com

Australian senator Mehreen Faruqi says she won’t ‘shut up’ on Gaza

The Greens politician says she sees ‘no point’ in being in parliament ‘if we remain silent in times of such grave injustice’.

Australian senator Mehreen Faruqi has been leading protests in the national parliament calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza

conflict. As deputy leader of the Australian Greens, Faruqi says that she is bringing the “peoples’ protests into parliament”. With 11 senators, the Greens form part of the crossbench in Australia’s upper house but the party’s calls for a ceasefire have been opposed

by Australia’s centre-left Labor government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Albanese’s government has made little change to its position since abstaining from a United Nations General Assembly vote calling for a humanitarian truce last month.

Al Jazeera spoke to Faruqi about support for a ceasefire in Australia and what potential she sees for a change in the Australian government’s position. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Source:aljazeera.com

Iran hangs three members of Sunni Muslim armed group for bomb attacks

Iran has executed three members of a Sunni Muslim armed group who were found guilty of carrying out a bomb attack targeting the country’s powerful Revolutionary Guard.

The trio was sentenced to death for the 2019 bombing in the country’s southeastern province of SistanBaluchistan. The judiciary’s Mizan Online website reported on Monday that they were executed by hanging.

According to the judiciary, the men were sentenced to death after they were found guilty of bombing attacks targeting a police station and a patrol vehicle in Zahedan, the capital of the province. A suicide bomber killed 27 Revolutionary Guard members and wounded 13 others, in one of the boldest attacks on Iran’s most powerful military institution.

They were also found guilty of being members of the Sunni Jaish al-Adl (Army of Jus-

tice) group, which was formed in 2012 and is blacklisted by Iran as a “terrorist” organisation. The group claimed responsibility for the attack at the time.

Provincial Chief Justice Ali Mostafavinia added that the defendants were also convicted for “receiving military training, transferring and hiding bomb-making materials”.

Jaish al-Adl and its affiliate groups, based in neighbouring Pakistan, have been accused of committing cross-border attacks against Iranian forces...Source:aljazeera.com

CAIRO -- Fighters from a paramilitary force and their allied Arab militias rampaged through a town in Sudan’s war-ravaged region of Darfur, reportedly killing more than 800 people in a multiday attack, doctors and the U.N. said. The attack on Ardamata in West Darfur province earlier this month was the latest in a series of atrocities in Darfur that marked the monthslong war between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, RSF. Sudan has been engulfed in chaos since in mid-April, when simmering tensions between military chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan and the commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, ex-

ploded into open warfare.The war came 18 months after both generals removed a transitional government in a military coup. The military takeover ended Sudan’s short-lived fragile transition to democracy following a popular uprising that forced the overthrow of longtime strongman Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. Source:abcnews.go.com

They have let the nation down big time and the buck must stop with them’.

In the wake of Bangladesh’s disastrous World Cup campaign, The Daily Star’s Al-Amin communicated with former BCB president and Member of Parliament, Saber Hossain Chowdhury. Saber, who oversaw Bangladesh’s first qualification for the ICC World Cup in 1999

and the country’s subsequent elevation to a Test-playing nation, expressed his frustration with the state of the sport in the country, putting the current cricket board on the dock for its lack of professionalism, accountability and nepotism. Following are the excerpts of the interview: The Daily Star (DS): Bangladesh made their World Cup exit with only two wins against seven defeats. How disappointing was the result to you? Saber Hossain Chowdhury (SHC): Acutely disappointing. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), head coach Chandika Hathurusingha and even the players were fuelling expectations prior to the World Cup that we would make it to the semifinals.

The shocking reality is that we were the first team to be out of the race for a top-four finish; we lost to one of the two qualifiers (Netherlands).

Source: thedailystar.net

What does David Cameron’s return to UK Sudan: More than 800 Sudanese reportedly politics mean for the Middle East? killed in attack on Darfur town, UN says

Bangladesh: ‘Enough is enough’: Saber calls for entire board to resign

Fiji: Improved lending rates

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C urren t a f f airs

OIC, AL members slam Israel, but differ on response

News Coninued from Page 1 told AFP the decision to merge the meetings

came after Arab League delegations failed

The outcome of a joint summit of the to reach an agreement on a final statement.

Arab League (AL) and the Organisation Some countries, including Algeria and Leb-

anon, proposed responding to the devastation in Gaza by threatening to disrupt oil supplies to Israel and its allies as well as severing the economic and diplomatic ties that some Arab League nations have with Israel, the diplomats said.

However, at least three countries — including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which normalised ties with Israel in 2020 — rejected the proposal, according to the diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity.

In a statement issued from Gaza, Hamas called on summit participants to expel Israeli ambassadors, form a legal commission to try Israeli war criminals and create a reconstruction fund for the territory.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said a lack of concrete punitive measures against Israel would render the summit toothless.

“If we do not have real tools for pressure, then any step we take or speech we give will have no meaning,” said Mr Assad, who was welcomed back into the Arab fold this year after an extended rift over his country’s civil war. He said no Middle Eastern country should engage in any “political process” with Israel, including developing economic relations, until a lasting ceasefire is reached.

Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said “it is a shame that Western countries, Regional divisions The Arab League and the OIC, a 57-mem- which always talk about human rights and ber bloc that includes Iran, were originally freedoms, remain silent in the face of the onmeant to meet separately. Arab diplomats going massacres in Palestine”.

of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) highlighted regional divisions over how to respond to the Israeli attacks even as fears mount that it could draw in other countries. The summit took place against a backdrop of wid­e­s­ pread anger in the Middle East and beyond over Israel’s aerial and ground offensive in Gaza, which has killed more than 11,000 people, mostly civilians and many of them children. The final declaration of the summit rejected Israeli claims that it is acting in “self-defence” and demanded that the United Nations Security Council adopt “a decisive and binding resolution” to halt Israel’s aggression. It also dismissed out of hand any future political resolution to the conflict that would keep Gaza separate from the Israelioccupied West Bank. Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who before the conflict was considering establishing formal diplomatic ties with Israel, told the summit he “holds the occupation (Israeli) authorities responsible for the crimes committed against the Palestinian people”.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, on his first trip to Saudi Arabia since the two countries mended ties in March, said Muslim nations should designate the Israeli army a “terrorist organisation” for its conduct in Gaza.

Crimes against humanity

Caretaker Prime Minis­ ter Anwaarul Haq Kakar, in his statement, strongly condemned the incessant and brutal Israeli aggression and the inhumane blockade of Gaza that has resulted in death, destruction and displacement. He said the Israeli occupation forces were in clear violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, and their indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force amounted to war crimes and crimes against humanity. He called on the international community to hold Israel accountable for its crimes.

PM Kakar underscored the urgency of bringing an end to Israel’s campaign of terror with an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, lifting of the siege of Gaza, and rapid and unhindered humanitarian and relief assistance for the people of Gaza.

He underlined that the root cause of the current situation was the perennial settler colonialism and denial of the right of selfdetermination to the Palestinian people.

He reaffirmed Pakis­tan’s solidarity and support for the Palestinian people and for their right to self-determination.

Iran president in Riyadh

Mr Raisi’s visit to Riyadh made him the first Iranian president to set foot in Saudi Arabia since Mahmoud Ahmadi­nejad attended an OIC meeting in the kingdom in 2012.

In addition to addressing the summit, he held a face-to-face meeting with Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi state media said on X, formerly Twitter.

Iran backs Hamas as well as Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Huthi rebels, placing it at the centre of concerns the war could expand.

Source: https://www.dawn.com/

Economic cost of deporting Afghans

T

he widespread departure of illegal aliens, spurred by the caretaker government’s abrupt decision to crack down and deport individuals lacking valid documents in Pakistan, has the potential to leave lasting impressions not only on the country’s political landscape but also on its domestic economy.

Official circles and some economists downplay the potential adverse impact on Pakistan’s economy from the exodus of illegal immigrants. However, many business leaders in the smaller provinces, fearing a dangerous ethnic dimension, are concerned that the decision could further contract the already fragile economies of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a vital source of cheap labour begins to dwindle.

Shortly after assuming office in August 2023, the Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar government urged illegal immigrants to voluntarily depart from Pakistan by the end of October, with the deportation drive set to commence in November. This decision, ostensibly driven by security concerns, is reportedly linked to broader counter-terrorism actions. “The repercussions of this policy are expected to be concentrated in KP and Balochistan, housing three-fourths of the 1.7 million unregistered immigrant population. Predominantly Afghans (99 per cent), these individuals are recognised for their involvement in tend-

ing to fruit orchards, working in coal and marble mines, and facilitating cross-border goods trade in KP and Balochistan. In Punjab and Sindh, illegal aliens serve as a source of inexpensive manual labour in public works and construction industry,” noted an independent observer.

Since many of their efforts are invisible, such as picking trash and making tea, they hold little value for the authorities The government’s decision faced opposition, with a group of politicians and rights activists filing a petition in the Supreme Court. International bodies, including the Amnesty International and United Nations Commissioner for the Rights of Refugees, also criticised, urging Pakistan to reconsider and reverse the decision. While the country’s elite business circles largely remained silent, certain Pashtoon and Baloch business leaders voiced profound concerns, fearing the decision could worsen challenges for the already fragile provinces. They also expressed resentment at being excluded from decision-making forums on this matter.

Lacking pertinent data or a comprehensive study on the subject, drawing definitive conclusions is difficult. However, an informal survey based on brief interviews suggests a potential impact on the domestic market that may be more significant than officials are willing to acknowledge.

Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani expressed confidence in the government’s handling of the issue of illegal immigrants in Pakistan. According to a 2023 report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 99pc of the refugee population in Pakistan is Afghan, with approximately one-fourth, 700,000 out of 3.7m Afghans

having crossed into Pakistan following the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2022.

Foreign Minister Jilani asserted, “the progress in implementing the policy to extern illegal immigrants from the country is deemed satisfactory. Foreigners possessing valid documents need not worry. The policy specifically targets undocumented illegal aliens who evade our legal system. Their undocumented status denies them both the legal rights and responsibilities enjoyed by registered Afghans.

“In an effort to alleviate the challenges faced by this group, the government has outlined a designated timeframe, during which unregistered foreign nationals were facilitated in returning to their country of origin.

‘The undocumented illegal Afghans were making no contribution to economic activity and thus their departure will have no impact on the economy,’ Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani “Even after the expiration of this period, stringent directives have been issued to law enforcement agencies, emphasising the importance of showing compassion and ensuring the dignified repatriation of illegal aliens.” Addressing a query over the phone regarding the potential economic impact of the said policy, the federal minister remarked, “The undocumented illegal Afghans were making no contribution to economic activity, and thus their departure will have no impact on the economy.”

Some experts deemed the government’s fundamental outlook flawed. “One wonders how long we will continue to view the world through security blinkers, impairing our vision. All the lofty rhetoric prioritising the economy amounts to nothing when key policy decisions are made without due consideration of the economic repercussions,” noted an analyst.

A top economist did not foresee a lasting economic impact but expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the

illegal immigrant issue.

Dr Dur e Nayab, Joint Director, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), echoed this sentiment. When approached she stated, “Economically, I don’t anticipate a significant impact on any sector of Pakistan’s economy, as locals with similar skill sets can fill the void. It’s the socio-political consequence that worries me.”

Badruddin Kakar, Senior Vice President, Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed disillusionment with the government’s immigration policy and its harsh implementation, which instilled fear in Afghans in Pakistan. Speaking over the phone from Quetta, he stated, “We know of instances where law enforcement agencies overstepped their mandate and harassed poor Afghans. In Balochistan, reports suggest early signs of a shortage of miners and skilled farm workers tending orchards. Policymakers in Islamabad seem to be cut off from the reality of the restive province.

“It would be wrong to consider all Afghans similar. Like any community, there are horizontal and vertical divisions among Afghans. The burden of the current policy will be borne disproportionately by poor Afghans. The rich ones can buy their way around any policy.”

Ajmal Kakar, a PIDE researcher with expertise on the subject, argued that Afghans’ contribution remains invisible as they operate in the informal economy, beyond the government’s radar. He emphasised, “Just because the contribution is hard to quantify, it would be unfair to assume that it doesn’t exist. Even roles such as rag pickers, private guards, small-scale chai wallas and roti makers serve a purpose and cannot be summarily dismissed as worthless.”

High-level sources in the economic hierarchy confirmed their exclusion from the decision-making process when the government decided on immigrants.

Source: dawn.com

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Jamadi ul I, 3, 1445H November 17, 2023

HEALTH/POLITICS

Top 10 health care issues in Canada

By: Pharm Somtochukwu

The health care issues in Canada, call for serious concern since health care is one of the pillars of development in every nation.

When Canada is compared with other highly industrialized countries, it devotes a high percentage of its gross domestic product to its health sector. Canada’s healthcare system is a point of Canadian pride. We hold it up as a defining national characteristic and an example of what makes us different from Americans.

Introduction to healthcare issues in Canada In Canada, a historical debate has taken place about the healthcare system’s sustainability; since the beginning, this debate has mostly been public and has become intertwined with opposing ideological positions on how the system should be financed. Canada’s healthcare system has gained great support in the country, but at the same time has faced many healthcare challenges. However, in this article, we discuss the health care issues in Canada currently. There is no doubt that Canada is highly regarded, although Canada’s healthcare system is expensive and faces several challenges.

Health care issues in Canada • • • • • • • • • •

es is a challenge in the Canadian healthcare

Over the past 10 years, total annual healthcare spending in Canada has increased by more than $10 billion. It reached $172 billion in 2008, or $5,170 per person, outpacing inflation and population growth annually. Canada’s universal health care system is perceived as threatened by rising costs.

This popular and successful program has largely kept costs under control while maintaining quality and ensuring equity.

However, its success demonstrates the limits of medical care; remaining health problems are less amenable to improvement by merely improving access to traditional services.

A widening view of health implies a larger health role in other policy arenas, and a larger group of legitimate participants; coordinating an evolving and expanding system becomes increasingly difficult.

The Canadian government has expressed concern over funding increases allocated to healthcare that have failed to result in a measurable improvement in health status.

As a consequence of this concern, across federal and provincial jurisdictions, we’ve seen growing interest in performance accountability not just in healthcare but across the public sector as a whole.

High cost of health care services Chronic/communicable diseases Aging population Chronic/communicable Longer wait time diseases fall among the health Geographical disparity Lack of pharmacare/medicare care issues in Canada Medical care offered in homes can be more drug plan efficient and comfortable than hospital visAccess to a personal doctor its. Today, however, the healthcare landscape Shortage of medical technology is increasingly one of the chronic diseases.

Lack of access to new drugs Diabetes, dementia, heart failure, chronic Health policies and ethics lung disease, and other chronic conditions

High cost of healthcare servic- characterize the health-care profiles of many Canadian seniors.

Hospitals are still needed, to be sure but increasingly, the population needs community-based solutions.

Another major challenge for Canadian health care is the narrow scope of services covered by provincial insurance plans.

In the same vein, communicable diseases pose a great threat to the health care system in Canada.

Communicable as well as contagious disease is a disease transmitted from person to person(s), or from animal to person and is also considered as one of the common health issues in the present world community.

These diseases are classified considering some factors like the caustic agent, mode of transmission, the duration of infestation, and others.

Aging population among the health care issues in Canada

As one advances in age, the tendencies of deteriorated health become pronounced because of the decreased immune system.

Longer wait time among the health issues in Canada There is a great dissatisfaction over the wait times which has been recurrent during the last decade.

In 2006, Dr Brian Day was quoted in a New York Times article, saying, “This is a country where dogs can access a hip replacement in one week, but humans must wait between two and three years” (Krauss, 2006).

In April 2007, former Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that the provinces and territories would have their wait times guaranteed by 2010 for some areas, which would be prioritized by the provinces.

For the last few years, provincial Ministries of Health have published the wait times for receiving care in emergency rooms and by specialists on their website.

Why should I get a COVID-19 vaccine this fall?

For instance, Ontario’s Ministry of Health offers web surfers a list of wait times for emergency rooms, surgeries, magnetic resonance imaging, and computing tomography.

In two and a half years, wait times had remained almost the same, but they were still high. Moreover, they continue to be higher than the projected target.

Likewise, according to 2013 data from the Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey, Canada had the longest wait times for seeing a family doctor of the 11 developed countries in the OECD: Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States...

Conclusion on the Top 10 health care issues in Canada

As earlier stated, the Canadian healthcare system is among their top priorities. It operates a Universal, cheap, and accessible, Canadians have shown that their health care is on par with the nations around the world to truly take care of their own.

Furthermore, not considering these problems faced by the health care system in Canada, they implore different ways to make sure they remain on the edge of success above these challenges.

A good healthcare system is everyone’s desire that’s why every nation strives to uphold an effective and efficient healthcare system.

Source: https://idealmedhealth.com/

Staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines is one of the best ways to help protect yourself from becoming very sick and requiring hospitalization from the COVID-19 virus. The updated COVID-19 mRNA vaccines targeting the XBB.1.5 variant are expected to produce a strong immune response to currently circulating COVID-19 variants.

Reading the room in Canadian politics,

By: Scott Tibballs

W

ho is voting? Well, your landlord is. So are the folks who try to kill all developments because they’ll affect neighbourhood character’ I moved to Canada because I was privileged enough to be able to afford it, and stayed because Canada treated me well by giving me opportunity, community and purpose. I passed the citizenship test with full marks and swore the oath proudly, and because of that, my Canadian friends haven’t passed up the opportunity to joke that I am more aware of the rote details of Canadian history, culture and political systems than most of them are. They have a point in that the details are fresh in my mind—details that have made me think pretty critically about the discourse online, offline and politically

these last few years.

We have all heard a lot from people banging on about their rights as Canadians (vaccinations, masks, truckers, the whole lot), but citizenship comes with more than just rights—it comes with a list of responsibilities, too, such as the obvious “obey the law,” the much-maligned jury duty—and voting.

With the level of engagement online and surrounding political discourse, I’d expect the average Canadian to be champing at the bit to vote at every opportunity, but the situation on the ground is anything but, with real political engagement (voting, rather than complaining) in Canada being “low energy” at best.

The numbers say it all—voter turnout in the 2021 federal election was 62.6 per cent.

Only 17.2 million of 27.5 million voters bothered to turn up, leaving 10.2 million votes on the table. Or, to put it more colourfully—if “didn’t vote” had been a ballot option, Canada’s prime minister would be an empty chair.

It doesn’t just go for the federal elections though—despite all his popularity in 2020, John Horgan’s NDP came second to the number of voters who didn’t bother by a country mile, while here in Whistler, only 3,124 of Whistler’s 9,152 voters had a say about who should be mayor in 2022.

Now, we don’t have an election coming up soon, but looking at those numbers and cross-referencing them with the quality

of engagement and anger, online and off, about political issues, it’s a confusing read on “the room” that is Canada right now.

It’s hard to even find an issue to blame or a politician to wear some community frustration—sadly, polling suggests many are taking out their frustrations on Canada’s immigration system—but I propose a pretty obvious solution to feelings of disenfranchisement and anger about Canada’s direction and standing in the world: Look inwards, and think about how comfortable you are with letting politics be dominated by the unrepresentative few who vote.

But who is voting? Well, your landlord is.

So are the folks who try to kill all developments because they’ll affect neighbourhood character. So are people who own multiple short-term rental listings as an investment when Canada’s economy is being hamstrung—no, poisoned by a housing crisis brought about by a fundamental lack of enough affordable housing.

It goes by age group, too. To pull some quotes from Elections Canada’s brief analysis of the 2021 turnout, “in 2021, turnout gradually increased with age groups, from 46.7 per cent for ages 18 to 24 to 74.9 per cent for ages 65 to 74, and then declined to 65.9 per cent for those aged 75 and over,” it reads. Young people are traditionally less likely to own property because they’re at an earlier stage in life, and therefore are more likely to be hit hard by a shortage of hous-

ing, but also represent the least engaged portion of the electorate. Their absence from the discourse is part of the problem we face today, because the voices are just not there to be heard.

I can offer no solutions to Canada’s current problems—I would sooner leave that to those much smarter than I am, but also I’d argue such a low level of political engagement across all levels of government is a huge part of the problem.

It means that overall, discourse is degraded and patchy. Cheap solutions and virtuesignalling policies are the first port of call for those more interested in theatrics and posturing than hard work (such as the unsavoury dog whistling about migrant numbers as a talking point). With so few engaging with mayors, councillors, MLAs and MPs for so long, is it any wonder things have gone wonky?

Years and years of that is what has led us to where we are today, with a whole bunch of problems. I am not so pessimistic to claim it was intentional, but an unbalanced approach can cause all sorts of unintended issues down the road—and here we are, down the road.

The problems facing Canada today will not be solved in a hurry, but maybe, just maybe, turning up to vote when you’re asked to will make a difference over time. As a new Canadian, I know I plan to.

Source: https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/

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Jamadi ul I, 3, 1445H November 17, 2023

L ocal even t Whiterock Muslim Association’s new Masjid has been inaugurated

Report in Urdu at Page 16

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Jamadi ul I, 3, 1445H November 17, 2023

pakis t an

Imran also ‘arrested’ in Toshakhana, Al-Qadir cases

ISLAMABAD: PTI Chairman Imran Khan, who is already imprisoned in Adiala Jail in the cipher case, has also been arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Al-Qadir Trust case and Toshakhana reference.

The accountability watchdog arrested the former PM on Monday after Accountability Court Judge Mohammad Bashir ratified the arrest warrants and directed the Adiala Jail superintendent to execute them.

Earlier during the hearing, the judge asked the NAB prosecutor about the status of Mr Khan’s pleas to revive his bail petitions in the two cases.

NAB’s Deputy Prosecu­tor General Sardar Muza­f­far Abbasi said the pleas were pending in the Islam­abad High Court (IHC) and there was no restraining order issued so far.

Judge Bashir then asked about the further legal course. To which the NAB’s prosecutor said that under the law, the accused is required to be produced before the court within 24 hours of arrest.

He added that arrest warrants for undercustody suspects had been issued in the past, and the court might order Adiala Jail SP Jail to execute the warrants.

In response to another query regarding the Special Court (Official Secrets Act), Mr Abbasi said the Special Court judge has also accorded his approval.

The prosecution pleaded for Mr Khan’s custody “to conclude the investigation in both cases”.

Subsequently, the accountability judge permitted NAB to arrest and investigate the PTI chief.

The NAB has filed the reference against Mr Khan for allegedly misusing his authority as prime minister while retaining state gifts from Toshakhana.

In August, Mr Khan was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment by an Islamabad trial court in a separate Toshakhana case. The case, filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), had accused Mr Khan of not mentioning the details of state gifts in

his tax declarations.

Later, the IHC set aside the sentence and ordered his release. However, he was not freed as he was undergoing trial in the cipher case.

In the Al-Qadir Trust case, the PTI chairman and his wife have been accused of receiving billions of rupees and hundreds of kanals of land from Bahria Town owner Malik Riaz for allegedly legalising Rs50 billion that were identified and returned to Pakistan by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA).

The former prime minister is also accused of misleading the federal cabinet by concealing facts and documents related to the settlement agreement reached with the NCA. The

money received from the UK was supposed to be deposited in the national exchequer, but it was credited into the Supreme Court’s account against the Rs450bn penalty imposed on Bahria Town for illegal land acquisition in Karachi.

On May 9, NAB arrested the PTI chief in the Al-Qadir Trust case, which sparked countrywide protests by his supporters during which public and private properties were ransacked. Source:.dawn.com/news

‘Not crime to make mistakes’: Babar Azam under pressure after Pakistan crashes out of World Cup

Captain Babar Azam was described as “depressed” and under pressure to save his job on Sunday after Pakistan crashed out of the Cricket World Cup, failing to make the semifinals for a second successive tournament. A 93-run loss to England sealed Pakistan’s fate, ending the 1992 champions’ already slim hopes of squeezing into the last four.

Former captain and ex-chairman of the

cricket board Ramiz Raja said that 29-yearold Azam was “depressed” over the reaction at home. Fans’ anger would have been made more acute by seeing arch-rivals India sweeping to eight wins out of eight, becoming the first team to reach the semi-finals.

Pakistan lost five of their nine games including a seven-wicket mauling by India in front of more than 100,000 fans in Ahmedabad.

That was India’s eighth victory in eight World Cup games against their neighbours.

Pakistan also lost to Afghanistan for the first time. Azam made 320 runs at the World Cup with four fifties at an average of 40 and remains the world’s second-highest-ranked batsman. He has almost 13,000 runs in all international cricket. However, it was his captaincy in India which was questioned when he faced accusations of lacking aggression in field settings.

“I get behind Babar. Babar is very, very close

to me. He’s a young guy that needs to be taken on the journey, he needs to be shown the ropes,” said team director Mickey Arthur.

‘Time to grow’ Azam has been captain of the Test and ODI teams since 2020.

“He’s still learning all the time. We know he’s a very, very fine batsman. He learns every day with his captaincy,” added Arthur.

“We have to allow him the time to grow. And in order to do that, you make mistakes. It’s not a crime to make mistakes as long as you learn from those mistakes,” he said.

Despite the despondency of fans at home, Azam and his team found sympathy in India. Only a smattering of fans — mostly expatriates — were at the venues as visa complications effectively meant a ban on those wishing to cross the border.

As a Pakistan squad playing in India for the first time in seven years, they were virtually

confined to hotel rooms once playing and training commitments were completed.

Security details would accompany players and squad members if they wanted to venture outside their hotel.

Arthur compared the situation to touring “in Covid times”. Raja believes that Azam may become the first victim of bloodletting in a cricketing environment often plagued by infighting. “There’s so much pressure on him that he may leave the job,” Raja told the BBC’s Test Match Special.

“Back home there has obviously been a massive backlash, as expected. The Pakistan media have targeted certain players, especially Babar Azam. “It’s just a World Cup so you have to take the heat somehow. The problem with this team is it has the potential to play modern-day cricket but they have been a bit shy and timid with their approach,’ Raja added. Source: .dawn.com/news

Pakistani fisherman becomes millionaire overnight after selling rare fish

H

aji Baloch, who lives in the impoverished Ibrahim Hyderi fishing village, and his workers caught the fish known as golden fish or “Sowa” in the local dialect from the Arabian Sea on Monday.

A fisherman in Pakistan’s Karachi city became a millionaire overnight after auctioning a haul of rare fish which has many medicinal properties. Haji Baloch, who lives in the impoverished Ibrahim Hyderi fishing village, and his workers caught the fish known as golden fish or “Sowa” in the local dialect from the Arabian Sea on Monday.

“The entire catch was sold for some 70 million rupees at the Karachi harbour

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

on Friday morning when fishermen auctioned off their catch,” Mubarak Khan of the Pakistan Fishermen Folk Forum said.

The Sowa fish is considered priceless and rare since substances from its belly are said to have great healing and medicinal properties. A thread-like substance from the fish is also used in surgical procedures. The Sowa fish is considered priceless and rare since substances from its belly are said to have great healing and medicinal properties. A thread-like substance from the fish is also used in surgical procedures. The Sowa fish is considered priceless and rare since sub-

missile launches by Ha- to prevent the camp from serving as To be Coninued from Page 9 combined mas and Israeli forces. Then, in July, a safe haven for Jenin Brigades and

sidered by experts and intergovernmental institutions to be illegal under international law. The Israeli military also escalated its operations, including raiding the al-Aqsa mosque twice in one day, wounding thirty-five in a Ramallah operation, and firing missiles from a helicopter at the Jenin refugee camp. In May, Israel battled Gazan militants for five days, with nearly two thousand

Israel deployed nearly two thousand troops and conducted drone strikes in a large-scale raid on the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, killing twelve Palestinians and wounding fifty. Israel, which lost one soldier in the operation, claimed all those killed were militants. While withdrawing, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the incursion was “not a one-off ” incident; Israel intends

other militant groups. Hamas responded to the raid by carrying out an attack in Tel Aviv and launching missiles at Israel.

The October 2023 conflict between Israel and Hamas marks the most significant escalation of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict in several decades.

Soirce: cfr.org/global-conflic

stances from its belly are said to have great healing and medicinal properties. A thread-like substance from the fish is also used in surgical procedures. The Sowa fish is considered priceless and rare since substances from its belly are said to have great healing and medicinal properties. A thread-like substance from the fish is also used in surgical procedures. The Sowa fish is considered priceless and rare since substances from its belly are said to have great healing and medicinal properties. A thread-like substance from the fish is also used in surgical procedures.

Source: indianexpress.com

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More Pictures at Pg 14

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&:cwics.team@yahoo.ca

BARNEY’S PIZZA & FRIED CHICKEN

Delicious Food For Every Mood

New Items: Malai Botti, Full Chargha, Tandori Fish BUSINESS HOURS: Unit 348- 8140-128th Street, Surrey11 am to 11 pm, Sun-Thu

778-565-4416

Second

Location Open BUSINESS HOURS:

12 pm to 12 am, Sun-Thu 12 pm to 2 am, Fri & Sat

Unit 105-12889 84th Ave, Surrey 11am to 12 pm, Fri & Sat ARSHAD SOHAL Tuesday Closed

604-773-3883