Miracle 622-May 3, 2024

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protest camps emerge at 2 more B.C. universities

Pro-Palestinian protesters have set up encampments at two more British Columbia universities, as a wave of demonstrations at North American postsecondary institutions continued to spread.

The University of Victoria confirmed Wednesday that a protest site had been established on campus, saying the school was “taking a calm and thoughtful approach” to minimizing disruptions stemming from the encampment in its quad. “We encourage thoughtful, rea-

soned and academic discourse on current issues and maintain that these discussions must take place in an environment free from discrimination, harassment and hate speech of any kind,” a statement from the university said. “Out of an abundance of caution, campus security may be monitoring access to buildings near the demonstration and may ask people for information prior to entering these buildings.”

Photos on social media show tents with Palestinian flags and signs with slogans, although no barriers had been set up around

Cont. @ page 5

Poilievre kicked out of Commons after calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ‘wacko’

OTTAWA - Testy exchanges between the prime minister and his chief opponent ended with the Opposition leader and one of his MPs being ejected from the House of Commons on Tuesday -- and the rest of Conservative caucus walking out of the chamber in protest. The unusually tense events saw Speaker Greg Fergus caution both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to rephrase their comments to avoid making direct accusations about the character of another MP. Fergus issued a warning to Poilievre after he referred to Trudeau as “the guy who

spent the first half of his adult life as a practising racist,” referring to photos that emerged during the 2019 election of Trudeau dressed in black and brown face. Fergus warned Trudeau after he said Poilievre was “showing us exactly what shameful, spineless leadership looks like,” and accused him of shaking hands with “white nationalists.” The tense backand-forth came as Poilievre and the Conservatives were attacking the Liberals for having allowed British Columbia to allow the decriminalization of hard drugs like heroin and fentanyl in public places, which the provincial NDP government is now

Areminder for Surrey commuters: the King George Skytrain Station is set to close for six weeks for maintenance starting Saturday, April 27.

TransLink says during the closure, there will be no service to or from the station. The Expo Line will end at Surrey Central Station. The station is expected to reopen in mid-June. The transit provider says a full closure is required for efficiency and safety of the work. It adds the work includes removing parts of the rail to replace turnout, a mechanical device that guides trains.

“Over time, these components need replacement. This section of track has been in use since the station first opened 30 years ago,” TransLink said in a release. TransLink says multiple infrastructure upgrades in and around the station will also take place — including cable installations, elevator inspections, asset repairs, and station cleaning.

It says buses will continue going

to King George Station during the closure but with some changes to help commuters get to Surrey Central Station. Additional buses can be expected every 15 minutes between King Geroge and Surrey Central stations from 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. on weekdays. Bus routes that normally end at King George will stop at the station but also extend northbound to Surrey Central Station. Buses that include a stop at King George Station will maintain their regular stops and routes. TransLink says staff will be available to help commuters on the scene. However, commuters should add in 15 minutes to their travel times. Source:vancouver.citynews.ca

AstraZeneca admits its Covid vaccine ‘could cause blood clots in rare cases’

ASTRAZENECA, the pharmaceutical giant which virtually became a household name during the Covid-19 pandemic, has admitted that its Covishield vaccine could cause rare side effects, including blood clots and low platelet count. The pharma giant is being sued in a class action over claims that its vaccine, developed with the University of Oxford, caused death

‘No

*IHC asks FIA for proof that ex-PM ‘lost’ document *Maneka seeks ‘partisan’ judge’s recusal in Iddat case

ISLAMABAD: In a fresh twist in the cipher case, the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday observed that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has nothing on record to prove that former prime minister Imran Khan retained the confidential diplomatic cable, and that it went

Abu Umamah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, when the Muslim falls ill, Allah Almighty inspires the angels, saying: O angels, I have detained My servant with My confinement. If I take his soul, he will be forgiven. If I heal his body, he will be forgiven as if he had no sins.”

Source: al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr lil-Tabarānī 7701

Benefits of Surah Kahf – Meaning, Theme, Revelation & Benefits

urah Kahf is the 18th chapter of the Quran, which is greatly esteemed for its theme and context. It contains 110 verses, each meant to guide people and pull them out of the darkness.

S(Surah al-Kahf: 28)

When facing Fitnah due to religion, the solution is to exhibit patience and surround oneself with the righteous, providing strength to endure.

It begins by introducing the fundamental theme of the Surah: Allah revealed the Quran as a guide for humanity. Meanwhile, it serves as a Book of warning for the disbelievers.

Later, this Surah instructs Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) not to grieve too much over those who choose a life of disbelief over a life of righteousness.

The Meaning of Kahf Al-Kahf means “The Cave.” It contains a story of the people of the cave. Hence, it derives the name from that account. This Surah was revealed in Makkah during the early period of the Prophet (PBUH)’s life.

The Theme of Surah Kahf

This Surah mentions four stories: The People of Cave The Companion of Two Gardens Musa and Khidr Dhul Qarnayn.The seemingly disparate stories in Surah Al-Kahf all share the underlying theme of Fitnah, which the chapter explores through various aspects of life.

Fitnah of Religion (Story of the People of the Cave)Fitnah of Wealth (Story of the Man with Two Gardens)Fitnah of Knowledge (Story of Musa and Khidr)Fitnah of Power (Dhul Qarnain).

Each of the four stories in Surah Al-Kahf illustrates how religion, wealth, knowledge, and power can lead to Fitnah, and guides how believers should navigate these challenges.

Fitnah of Religion – The Method to Deal With It Is Mentioned After the Story And patiently stick with those who call upon their Lord morning and evening, seeking His pleasure. Do not let your eyes look beyond them, desiring the luxuries of this worldly life. And do not obey those whose hearts We have made heedless of Our remembrance, who follow ˹only˺ their desires and whose state is ˹total˺ loss.

Question 26333:

Can I do umrah without mahram?

ANSWER:

Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto;

It is permissible for a woman to go for Hajj/Umrah if she can travel in a safe company where she can feel reasonably secure and protected. Islam is a religion that is wholly based on mercy and compassion; its teachings are aimed at protecting the weak and the vulnerable. It is therefore with the specific intent of safeguarding a womans honor, dignity, and reputation that the Prophet (PBH) forbade women from undertaking long journeys without a mahram. Since the true intent

Fitnah of Wealth –The Way to Deal With It Is Mentioned In The Following Verse Wealth and children are the adornment of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are far better with your Lord in reward and in hope. (Surah al-Kahf: 46)

To handle Fitnah related to wealth, it’s crucial to understand the transient nature of worldly life and the everlasting nature of the Hereafter.

Fitnah of Knowledge

In the story of Musa (peace be upon him) and Khidr, Musa believed himself to be the most knowledgeable person on earth. Allah then showed him that there was someone who knew more.

When traveling with this man, Khidr, Musa (AS) could not be patient with his actions and understand their wisdom. This story teaches us that it is important to maintain humility and avoid being deluded by one’s own knowledge.

Moses assured ˹him˺, “You will find me patient, Allah willing, and I will not disobey any of your orders.” (Surah al-Kahf: 69)

Fitnah of Power

Dhul Qarnayn was gifted with a vast empire that spanned from the east to the west. Despite this power, he remained sincere to Allah and did not let it corrupt him. He even helped the people of a city who were afraid of Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog).

To handle Fitnah related to power, one must be sincere in their actions towards Allah, as exemplified by Dhul Qarnayn. Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Shall we inform you of who will lose the most deeds?

˹They are˺ those whose efforts are in vain in this worldly life while they think they are doing good! (Surah al-Kahf: 103-104)

Ending Of the Surah

Surah Al-Kahf concludes by emphasizing

of the prohibition is safety and protection, women are allowed to travel in a safe company accompanied by elders and reputable Muslim men and women. That is why we read in the sources that the Mothers of the Faithful such as `Aishah and Umm Salamah(r.a), themselves well known for their deep knowledge of Islam and expertise in Islamic jurisprudence, traveled without mahrims in a safe company. They traveled in a group under the protection of older men. Once `Aishah(r.a) was asked whether a woman can travel without a mahram. Her answer was, Can everyone find a Mahram? In other words, if she has a genuine need to travel, she may do so if she can be reasonably assured of her own safety. Based on the above considerations, a number of jurists and scholars belonging to the Maliki and Shafi`i schools, as well as others, have considered it permissible for women to travel in a safe company. As regards your question, the following is the fatwa issued by the prominent Muslim scholar, Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, in this regard: The principle in Shari`ah is that a woman is not to travel by herself;

the ultimate solution to all forms of Fitnah: to keep the hereafter in mind.

“So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.” (Surah al-Kahf: 110)

Want to Learn Surah Kahf With Meanings?

The Virtues and Benefits of Surah Kahf Surah Kahf has numerous benefits for those who recite and study it regularly. Some of the benefits are:

Protection from Dajjal (Antichrist): Surah Al-Kahf is said to protect a person from the trials and tribulations of the Antichrist, Dajjal, who will appear at the end of times.Increase in Knowledge:

The Surah contains several stories and lessons that are meant to increase one’s knowledge and wisdom.Increase in Iman (faith): Reciting Surah Al-Kahf regularly can help increase a person’s faith in Allah and strengthen their relationship with Him. Protection from the trials of life:

The Surah contains lessons and guidance on how to face the trials and tribulations of life with patience, perseverance, and faith in Allah.A source of inspiration: The stories of the Surah serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for believers to continue on the path of righteousness. Mercy from Allah: It is narrated that whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, will be granted mercy from Allah and will be protected from the trials of the Dajjal. Increase in rewards: Reciting Surah AlKahf regularly is said to increase a person’s rewards and bring them closer to Allah. Benefits of Reading Surah Kahf on Friday It is narrated by Abu Saeed al-Khurdi, who said:“Whoever reads Surah al Kahf on the

night of Jummah, will have a light that will stretch between him and the Ancient House (Kabah).” (alJaami)

This Hadith highlights the immense power of reciting Surah Al-Kahf each Friday night. It states that the recitation of the Surah brings light to the reader and creates a beam of light connecting them to the Kaaba, regardless of the distance. Reciting the Surah on Friday night is believed to bestow blessings and mercy from Allah.

Moreover, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “One who memorized the first ten verses of Surah al Kahf will be secure against the Dajjal.” (Muslim) Dajjal is a significant figure in the end times, known for causing destruction and turmoil worldwide.

Many people with weak faith may be tempted to follow him. During this time, believers will seek Allah’s protection. To be safe during this period of destruction, it is recommended to memorize the first ten verses of Surah Al-Kahf and recite them whenever possible.

Along the same lines, Hazrat Ibn Mardwiyah Al Daiyaa (RA) said that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in a hadith: “Whoever reads Surah al Kahf on Jummah (Friday), he is immune for 8 days from all Fitnah that will happen. When the Dajjal comes out, he will be immune to him.”

In summary, Surah Al-Kahf delivers the message that Allah protects those who remain righteous and stay on the correct path and is abundant with many virtues.

Concluding Remarks

To sum up, Surah Al-Kahf serves as a weekly reminder of the trials and tests of life, offering examples of how to handle them with faith and righteousness.

The Surah concludes by emphasizing that only true belief and good deeds will bring us success in the Hereafter. It also leaves a word of caution about the consequence of failing this test which some people may reap in the form of everlasting punishment.

Source:learnreadquran.com/

Prayer Schedule in Greater Vancouver

Hajj and Umrah: Without Mahram

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh confirms his party will support the Liberals’ federal budget

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh on Wednesday ended any speculation his party would pull out of its deal with the minority Liberal government by finally agreeing to support the government’s budget.

Singh said his party wanted time to digest the document, which was tabled April 16, but is ultimately voting in favour of it because of shared initiatives that it proposes. That includes creating a national school lunch program and providing free birth control and diabetes medicine for anyone with a health card. “These are things that would have never been in the budget if not

for us,” Singh said. The Conservatives and Bloc Québécois have previously said they wouldn’t support the budget.

The minority Liberals needed the support of at least one other party to get the budget passed. In 2022 the NDP agreed to a supply and confidence deal with the Liberals, promising to support the government on key votes in exchange for the Liberals moving on key NDP asks, including pharmacare and dental care. On Wednesday, Singh said he still has concerns about the disability benefit in the budget, worried it will be clawed back by provinces, and that not

enough people will receive it. He also said the budget doesn’t provide enough help for Indigenous communities.

He raised those issues with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“We’re not going to let them off the hook. I’ve received openness to responding to the concerns I’ve raised and now we’re going to hold them to account,” Singh said.

He wouldn’t say if he made specific demands to Trudeau, or if he got any concessions from the Liberal government.

“Well I laid out my concerns,” Singh said...

Source:https://toronto.citynews.ca/

On Day 1, only about 15% of B.C. dentists have signed on to new federal plan

As of May 1, the new federally-run Canadian Dental Care Plan provides coverage for nearly two million low-income seniors. Joining the program is optional for dentists. Dr. Robert Toews at Foundation Dental in

New Westminster didn’t hesitate to sign up.

“As soon as I heard the program was going to happen, I realized we are going to help a lot of people in the community who don’t get access to care on a regular basis, and that’s inspiring,” said Toews, who saw his first patient who was covered under the new plan on Wednesday. Dr. Jordan Galpin at Burrard Dental Clinic in Vancouver also signed on right away. “When you have a patient come in and you know they need certain work, and the biggest limiting factor is they can’t afford it, it’s frustrating for the patient and frustrating for the clinician,” said Galpin. ”So I’m excited that when we

see cases that need to be done, we can offer that, and price is no longer a major limiting factor.” But those two clinics are in the minority. According to the BC Dental Association, only about 15 per cent of providers in the province have signed onto the new program. “Unless the program demonstrates that it’s not going to cost more to the private practice to execute, dentists will not want to sign up,” said Wendy Gaudet, the director of City Care Dental in Surrey. Concerns about cost aren’t the only thing keeping 85 per cent of BC dentists on the sidelines. Gaudet says the new program appears to be modelled after a similar plan for indigenous peo-

ple that dentists found difficult to navigate. “They’re taking a program that didn’t work well for First Nations and they want to execute this and somehow help 9 million Canadians, and I think it’s going to be the classic over-promise under-deliver. This program is not going to provide the care people think they are going to get,” said Gaudet, who added she wants to see how it works for the 15 per cent of B.C. dentists who have signed on before making a decision. ”Before I sign up as a private practice, we want to wait and see,” Gaudet said. Galpin says the program, which is being operated by Sun Life, appears to work fine. Source:bc.ctvnews.ca/

B.C. man awarded $5,000 in damages in first-of-it-kind intimate image case

In a first-of-its-kind case, a B.C. tribunal has ruled on a dispute involving the nonconsensual sharing of intimate images, awarding damages and issuing orders that the photos be destroyed and taken offline. The province introduced the Intimate Images Protection Act (opens in a new tab)earlier this year giving the Civil Resolution Tribunal the jurisdiction to address these types of claims to provide an alternative to the more difficult, lengthy and potentially costly options of trying to pursue redress through criminal or civil court.

The tribunal published its first decision online Tuesday(opens in a new tab) in a case where a “nearly nude” image of a man shared during a “flirtatious” exchange of

direct messages was publicly posted by an anonymous account on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

The plaintiff, identified by the initials B.D.S., brought the claim against a man who is identified by the initials M.W. This man, the decision says, was not responsible for the public social media post but was found to have shared images B.D.S sent him in a “private, intimate chat” without permission.

B.C. premier invokes Taylor Swift as province launches services to take down intimate images B.C. proposes new law to combat sharing of intimate images online without permission. Amanda Todd sextortion case sets precedent, but more needs to be done, experts say “The internet does not forget.

While M.W. did not post them, by sharing the images he lost control of them. Even if the images are removed from X, it is impossible for B.D.S. to be certain they will never resurface because it is impossible to know if anyone has copied them,” tribunal vicechair Eric Regehr wrote in his decision. What is a ‘nearly nude’ image? The first question the tribunal had to answer in the case was whether or not the images B.D.S. shared were intimate ones – which the legislation defines as ones that “depict or show the applicant as engaging in a sexual act, nude or nearly nude, or exposing their genitals, anal region, or breasts.”

In the images, B.D.S. was shirtless but wearing underwear, he was not engaging in a

sexual act nor was he exposing any of the body parts listed, the decision noted. “Nearly nude” is not precisely defined in the law and so Regehr was left to interpret its meaning and decide if it applied in this case.

Source:bc.ctvnews.ca

Health authority confirms cockroaches at B.C. hospital, insists they ‘do not bite’

The Vancouver Island Health Authority is downplaying what staff describe as a cockroach infestation in a medical unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital.

Sources tell CTV News several patient rooms, the nursing station, the medication centre and the sluice room were full of the pests earlier this month – with cockroaches crawling on walls and burrowing into laundered linens – and that management asked staff to collect them. “These bugs do not bite and do not transmit disease,” wrote a spokesperson for Island Health, confirming

the insects are German cockroaches.

“A pest control contractor was immediately contacted and continues to visit the site twice a week to monitor traps and advise.”

The spokesperson said there have been no cockroaches spotted at the hospital since April 22 – last Monday – but that the pest control measures are still ongoing.

Health-care workers said they are “emotionally distraught” at finding the creatures on patients, and described at least one manager being dismissive of the insects, even though they observed dozens of cock-

london Drugs stores remain closed after ‘cybersecurity incident’

No timeline for reopening after abrupt closure on Sunday of more than 80 stores across Western Canada.

All London Drugs stores remained closed across Western Canada on Tuesday morning, two days after the B.C.-based company announced it was dealing with a “cybersecurity incident.”

A statement issued by the company at 7:20 a.m. PT Tuesday said its stores “will remain temporarily closed ... until further notice while continuing to provide customers with urgent pharmacy care.”

“London Drugs is currently working with leading third-party cybersecurity experts to bring our operations back online in a safe and secure manner.”

The retail and pharmacy chain, which has more than 80 stores across B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, said it closed its stores “out of an abundance of caution” while it employed experts to investigate the incident. ”Our investigation is currently assessing the extent to which any data has been compromised in the incident. In the event our investigation determines that personal information was impacted, we will notify affected individuals in accordance with privacy laws,” the statement said.

The retailer offered no timeline for when its stores may reopen.

“Recognizing the impact these closures have

had on our customers and employees across Western Canada, it remains our priority to continue working around the clock to have all stores fully operational,” London Drugs COO and president Clint Mahlman said in the statement Tuesday.“We appreciate everyone’s patience and support during this very difficult time and will provide updates as available.”The company said pharmacists were standing by for urgent needs.

The company’s phone lines also remain down, but it said customers can go to their local store in person where staff would be available to assist them.

Canada Post confirmed Monday that offices located inside London Drugs stores are be-

roaches.

“What I’ve heard is that the cockroaches have been like climbing on bedding and on curtains in between patient rooms and just like very visible and that is disturbing,” said BC Nurses Union president, Adrian Gear. She is urging the health authority to take the situation seriously and try to determine how so many of the pests were able to infest that area of the hospital. “Saanich Peninsula Hospital remains a safe place to access care,” insisted the VIHA spokesperson.

Source:bc.ctvnews.ca/

ing affected by the closure, but said customers who have parcels waiting for them can collect them at the stores.

If customers have to pay any postage fees, they will have to pay in cash, Canada Post said.Source:cbc.ca/news

IT was about two weeks ago that students at Columbia University in New York City set up an encampment on the campus’s South Lawn. Students for Justice in Palestine, along with other affiliated groups, said that it was establishing a ‘liberated zone’ and a ‘People’s University’ in protest against the fact that all universities in Gaza have now been destroyed. Everybody knows what happened in the days that followed: Columbia’s president, the Egyptian-born Manouche Shafik, sent in the New York police to clear the encampment. It was a move that backfired, mostly because the subsequent images showed heavily armed police officers in kevlar vests dragging teenage girls in keffiyas. The youngsters had been peacefully protesting. Since then, the encampments have spread like wildfire across the US. Over the weekend, hundreds of people were arrested at campuses all across the country.

The obvious discussions around the protests have centred on how they show a groundswell of support among young Americans for those suffering in Gaza. However, the protests represent something more than just that in terms of what they say about the American political system and the place of young people in it. In a superficial sense, the tenacity of the protesters and the fact that they are so many of them present a conundrum for both the Republican and the Democratic parties. In the case of the former, right-wing politicians from Senator Lindsey Graham to ex-Trump adviser Steve

the encampment’s perimeter. Security officers can be seen in some pictures watching protesters.

An official at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo confirmed Wednesday a camp site had been set up on its campus too.

The university said in a statement that it is “monitoring the situation on our Nanaimo campus and [is] in contact with local RCMP.”

and serious injury in dozens of cases. “It is admitted that the AZ vaccine can, in very rare cases, cause TTS (Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome). The causal mechanism is not known,” the company said in court documents, The Telegraph reported. Covishield was developed by the BritishSwedish company in collaboration with Oxford University, and produced by the Serum Institute of India. It was widely administered

New era of realisation

Bannon have made elite universities, in fact universities in general, a target of their criticism. To enhance the Republican appeal to a rural population, a large section of which does not attend university, they have criticised the institutes for promoting socially liberal ideas and suppressing conservative speech. Ironically, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, who visited Columbia last week and demanded that pro-Palestinian speech be suppressed, is one of the people to have criticised the lack of free speech at universities.

The Democrats do not know what to do with the pro-Palestinian protesters either. This is because both party politicians have long taken huge caches of cash from Jewish lobbyist organisations such as the AIPAC to run their campaigns. However, to come to power, many Democratic politicians, President Joe Biden chief among them, have relied on young voters. So while they would like to ignore the protesters and young people in general, the fact that two-thirds of the 18-29-year age group, polled by the New York Times in 2023, said that Israel should stop its killing of Palestinians, is threatening their hopes of staying in power. Forty eight per cent of the same age group said that Israel was intentionally killing civilians.

The fear in the American political system is indicative of the shifting demographics of leadership, for which Washington is largely unprepared.

Neither party has a plan as to what to do about it and it is

An encampment has entered its third day at the University of British Columbia’s Point Grey campus in Vancouver, where protesters stockpiled food, water and other supplies in preparation for a prolonged stay. In Quebec, a judge rejected an injunction request from two students at Montreal’s McGill University to move a protest camp further away from school buildings, citing limited evidence of potential harms to students if the

in over 150 countries. Some studies conducted during the pandemic found the vaccine was 60 to 80 per cent effective in protecting against the novel coronavirus, according to The Independent. But one of the complainants alleged that the vaccine caused him a permanent brain injury after he developed a blood clot, preventing him from working. While the company has contested these claims, the court submission marks the first time it has admitted that the vaccine can cause side-

reflected in their hand-wringing over the protests.

The fear in the American political system is also indicative of the shifting demographics of leadership, for which Washington, D.C., is largely unprepared. The students who are protesting at the campuses reveal the racial and intellectual demographics of the future. They are a mix of Asian, South Asian, Middle Eastern, African American and other minority groups, who are inching out white students with lower test scores and less dazzling resumés. Generationally, they could not be farther from the make-up of the current politicians in Washington, who are on average over 60 years old and have little idea of the inclusive worldview that these students have. The fear of both Democratic and Republican politicians relates to what to do about Gaza on one level, but on another level, it is about what will happen when this generation, graduating from the world’s top universities and expected to lead both politics and business, is in power.

In this sense, the student protests and the politics they reveal are indicative of the end of an era. For a long time, US foreign policy prided itself on its ruthless realpolitik whose architect Henry Kissinger died last November. Now a younger generation is calling into question the blatant hypocrisy that has been visible to the rest of the world for decades. What is the logic of saying we should support Ukraine where an indigenous population is fight-

encampment remained in place. McGill University remained neutral in the injunction request but had asked police to help to dismantle the camp, with authorities saying they were evaluating the situation and “advocating for a peaceful outcome.” Protest camps at Columbia University in New York and the University of California-Los Angeles have resulted in clashes, either between attendees and police or counter-protesters.

effects that are characterised by blood clots and a low blood platelet count in humans. “Further, TTS can also occur in the absence of the AZ vaccine (or any vaccine). Causation in any individual case will be a matter for expert evidence,” it added. The admission by AstraZeneca runs counter to the company’s insistence in 2023 that it would “not accept that TTS is caused by the vaccine at a generic level”, according to The Independent. Scientists first identified a link be-

ing against Russia, but not Gaza whose native population is being bombed and starved asked one student protester on TikTok. As a new era of realisation dawns, it is clear that it will become increasingly difficult for America to maintain its nonchalant attitude towards international law.

As for those who say that the students’ demand that their respective universities divest from businesses that support Israel and its war on and occupation of Arab land will never prevail, there is the case of Portland State University. The university has decided to pause donations from military contractor Boeing in line with students’ demands.

Israel has reportedly bought arms from Boeing. While such successes are unlikely to be frequent, it does reflect that at least in some cases the encampments may force universities to, in the words of the protesters, “divest and disclose” their ties.

The protests, and the fact that so many minority students at elite American universities are pro-Palestine and willing to risk arrests and suspensions for the cause, reveal that a shrinking number of white Americans will make up the leadership of the future. Not only will the American future be more racially diverse, it is also likely that it will have a politics that will be remarkably different from the worldview that currently prevails in Washington. The furore on campuses is likely to spread in the next few weeks leading up to college graduations, which will likely be disrupted as well.

Generation Z it appears, has had it with the aging remnants of realpolitik and may succeed in ushering in a new era in US foreign policy.

Courtesy by: Rafia Zakaria

In Victoria, protest group Free Palestine B.C. said in a post on Instagram that protesters are demanding the university “divest from all investments” connected to companies with Israeli business interests.

The post also said protesters are demanding that the University of Victoria “cease partnering with Israeli academic institutions that constrain Palestinian rights.”..

Source: vancouversun.com/

tween the vaccine and a new illness called vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT) in March 2021.

The UK government has indemnified AstraZeneca against any legal action but has so far refused to intervene, according to The Telegraph.According to the Council for International Organisations of Medical Sciences, “very rare” side effects are those reported in less than 1 in 10,000 cases.

Source: Dawnnews

Students participating in the pro-Palestinian encampment on McGill University’s downtown campus drew sighs of relief Wednesday around noon, when news arrived that a Quebec Superior Court judge had rejected an injunction request that would have forced them to leave.

Highway

The group has been on campus since Saturday, beginning with about 20 tents scattered on the front lawn near the Roddick Gates on Sherbrooke Street and growing to an area of about 4,000 square metres by Wednesday evening. They say they are determined to stay put until the university divests from companies with business interests in Israel. “It’s excellent news. I think it shows we’re on the right side of history and that fights for equality and justice end up prevailing,” said Rima Khreizat, a recent graduate of Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), who has been joining the group during the day.

Khreizat said it was important for her to participate because she is from southern Lebanon, where family members of hers had lost their homes and been displaced by Israeli bombardments in recent weeks. Source:bc.ctvnews.ca

in southern China kills at least 36 people

BEIJING - A section of a highway collapsed after heavy rains in southern China, sending cars tumbling down a slope and leaving at least 36 people dead, authorities said Thursday. The Meizhou city government said that 23 vehicles have been found in a pit after a 17.9-metre (58.7-foot) long section of the highway gave way about 2 a.m. on Wednesday. Thirty other people had injuries, none of them life-threatening, a government statement said. Parts of Guangdong province have seen record rains and flooding in the past two weeks, as well as hail. A tornado killed five people in Guangzhou, the provincial capital, last weekend. Some villages in Meizhou flooded in early April, and the city had seen heavy rain in recent days. The ground beneath the highway appeared to have caved in, along with the

section of the road above it. Witnesses told local media they heard a loud noise and saw a wide hole open up behind them after driving past the section just before it collapsed. Video and photos in local media showed smoke and fire at the scene, with highway guardrails slanting down into the flames. A pile of blackened cars could be seen on the slope leading down from the highway.

Source: ctvnews.ca/

US ‘expects accountability’ from India, says State Dept

WASHINGTON: The US State Department stated on Tuesday that it expects India to address the alleged involvement of senior Indian officials in assassination attempts within the United States. “We continue to expect accountability from the government of India based on the results of the Indian inquiry committee’s work, and we are regularly working with them and inquiring for additional updates,” said the department’s principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel

during a news briefing in Washington. Patel also emphasised that the United States continues to “raise our concerns directly with the Indian government at senior levels”. However, he declined to “parse into this further” from a public podium and deferred further inquiries to the Department of Justice. A Washington Post report on Monday presented the clearest link yet between India’s government and a thwarted assassination attempt targeting a Sikh activist in the US last year. The report also outlined the involvement of Indian intelligence officials in other assassinations in Canada and Pakistan. Responding to another question about defence cooperation between the United States and Pakistan, Patel stated that the two allies shared a common interest in addressing threats to regional security.

Source:dawn.com

liberal MP says she’s leaving politics over disrespectful dialogue, threats, misogyny

Pam Damoff has represented Oakville North-Burlington since 2015.

Liberal MP Pam Damoff says she won’t run again in the next federal election after reporting she has experienced misogyny and disrespectful dialogue in politics, along with threats to her life. In a media statement, Damoff said she’s proud of her time in politics but it’s no longer for her. She has represented Oakville North-Burlington, a riding west of Toronto, since 2015. Damoff announced her planned exit with a letter posted on her Facebook page. She said the current tone of politics is being driven by a desire for socialmedia clips and “likes” — a drastic change in how politicians interact with each other and the public. “Unfortunately, the toxic drive for social media likes and clips among elected

officials has hindered constructive conversations, exacerbated difference between us and diminished our capacity to show empathy towards each other,” Damoff said in the statement.“The threats and misogyny I have experienced as a member of Parliament are such that I often fear going out in public, and that is not a sustainable or healthy way to live.”..Source:cbc.ca

IMf promises Pakistan ‘immediate’ release of $1.1bn loan after key meet

Pakistan seeks another long-term IMF programme to support its ailing economy but experts say the focus must be on reforms. Islamabad, Pakistan – Cash-strapped Pakistan is poised to receive a $1.1bn loan tranche from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after a key meeting of the international lender’s executive board on Monday, even as economists have warned that

The Canadian economy lost momentum after a roaring start to the year, reinforcing economists’ expectations that the Bank of Canada is on track to cut interest rates in the coming months. Statistics Canada reported Tuesday that real gross domestic product rose 0.2 per cent in February. That followed a 0.5 per cent gain in January.

“Today’s GDP report confirmed our expectations that the January surge in output was temporary, and in no way marked an inflection point for the growth backdrop in Canada that remains very weak,” said RBC economist Claire Fan in a client note. Looking ahead, the federal agency says its advance estimate for March indicated that real GDP was essentially unchanged for the month. Based on the preliminary figure, the Canadian economy grew at an annualized rate of 2.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2024. Although the economy continues to expand, economists say the latest data reinforces the idea that the growth is sluggish as

Authorities deployed more than 40,000 police officers across the city after banning protests in Taksim Square.

Police in Istanbul have used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters who tried to break through a barricade to reach the city’s Taksim Square in defiance of a ban on May Day rallies. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said 210 people were arrested on Wednesday. More than 40,000 police were deployed across the city, blocking even small side streets with metal barriers after Presi-

An application for recusal in the case of former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho has been denied.

Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo denied this application when they appeared before him with defense counsel Devanesh Sharma. Instead, Justice Temo set the sentencing date to next Thursday.

Mr Sharma asked the court to show mercy for the two men.

The recusal application is for Justice Temo to

the country needs deep reforms to reduce its dependence on overseas financial assistance. Late on Monday night, Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance and the IMF confirmed that the lender had approved the “immediate disbursement” of a $1.1bn tranche that completes a total loan of $3bn agreed to under a deal inked last year. But the approval came with firm words from the IMF. “To move Pakistan from stabilization to a strong and sustainable recovery the authorities need to continue their policy and reform efforts, including strict adherence to fiscal targets while protecting the vulnerable; a marketdetermined exchange rate to absorb external shocks; and broadening of structural reforms to support stronger and more inclusive growth,” the organisation said in a statement.. Source: Dawnnews

higher interest rates weigh on consumer and business spending decisions. That will likely land as good news for the Bank of Canada, which is looking for continued evidence that the economy and inflation are responding to tighter monetary policy. Governor Tiff Macklem said earlier this month that the central bank is already seeing the right conditions to begin lowering its policy rate from five per cent. But he said he wants to see those conditions sustained to ensure inflation is in fact heading down to the bank’s two per cent target.

Source:https://www.ctvnews.ca/

dent Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on the eve of May Day that the annual protests would not be allowed to take place in the square. Tall metal barriers were put up around the square – a traditional focal point of protests in Istanbul, where authorities have banned rallies since 2013, when it was the focus of demonstrations against Erdogan’s government. On X, Yerlikaya said that “210 people were detained in Istanbul after failure to heed our warnings and attempting to walk to the Taksim Square and attack our police officers on May 1 Labour and Solidarity Day.” Police clashed with demonstrators near city hall in the Sarachane district, firing tear gas and rubber bullets to stop protesters from breaching barricades, the AFP news agency reported.. “We have demonstrated our will to celebrate May Day at Taksim Square. We have legal grounds,” Arzu Cerkezoglu, secretary general of the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions of Turkey (DISK), told AFP...Source:https://www.aljazeera.com/

excuse himself from presiding over the

Israeli ground operation in Rafah would be ‘tragedy beyond words’: UN

“The world has been appealing to the Israeli authorities for weeks to spare Rafah, but a ground operation there is on the immediate horizon,” said Griffiths UNITED NATIONS, United States:

A ground operation by Israeli troops in the southern Gaza city of Rafah would be a “tragedy beyond words,” the UN’s humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said in a statement on Tuesday. “The simplest truth is that a ground operation in Rafah will be nothing short of a tragedy beyond words. No humanitarian plan can counter that,” Griffiths said, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to launch an offensive on Rafah, which has become a refuge to some 1.5 million Palestinians.

With Hamas weighing a truce plan proposed in Cairo talks with the US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators, Netanyahu vowed to launch the assault on Rafah “with or without a deal.”

Washington has joined calls on Israel from other countries and humanitarian organizations to spare the city for fear an army incursion would lead to massive civilian casualties. “The world has been appealing to the Israeli authorities for weeks to spare Rafah, but a ground operation there is on the immediate horizon,” said Griffiths.

“For the hundreds of thousands of people who have fled to Gaza’s southernmost point to escape disease, famine, mass graves and direct fighting, a ground invasion would spell even more trauma and death.

“For agencies struggling to provide humanitarian aid despite the active hostilities, impassable roads, unexploded ordnance, fuel

shortages, delays at checkpoints, and Israeli restrictions, a ground invasion would strike a disastrous blow. “We are in a race to stave off hunger and death, and we are losing.”

The war in Gaza started after Hamas’s October 7 attack on southern Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed at least 34,535 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. Palestinian militants also took some 250 hostages on October 7. Israel estimates 129 remain in Gaza, including 34 believed to be dead. Source: https://www.arabnews.com/

Demonstrators, counter-protesters clash at UCLa campus over Israel-Hamas war

New York mayor says nearly 300 people arrested in Columbia campus raid; 30 arrested after clashes in Wisconsin.

Mounting tensions on U.S. campuses boiled over on Wednesday when pro-Israel supporters attacked an encampment of pro-Palestinian and anti-war protesters at UCLA, hours after police arrested activists who occupied a building at Columbia University and flattened a tent city on its campus. Police deployed in force on the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) campus on

Wednesday morning after Israel supporters attacked a camp set up by pro-Palestinian protesters. Witness footage from the scene, verified by Reuters, showed people wielding sticks or poles to attack wooden boards being used as makeshift barricades to protect the pro-Palestinian protesters. Police were responding to UCLA chancellor Gene Block’s request for support, Zach Seidl, Los Angeles deputy mayor of communications, said on the social media platform X.

The Los Angeles Police Department said on X it was responding to UCLA’s request “due to multiple acts of violence within the large encampment on their campus,” to restore order and maintain public safety. By 5 a.m. they had erected a metal crowd barrier in front of the encampment and the area was quiet. Footage from the early hours showed mostly male counter-demonstrators, many

of them masked and some apparently older than students, throwing objects and trying to smash or pull down the wooden and steel barriers erected to shield the encampment.

Some yelled pro-Jewish comments as proPalestinian protesters tried to fight them off.

“They were coming up here and just violently attacking us,” said pro-Palestinian protester Kaia Shah, a researcher at UCLA.

“I just didn’t think they would ever get to this, escalate to this level, where our protest is met by counter-protesters who are violently hurting us, inflicting pain on us, when we are not doing anything to them.”

White House condemns violence, occupation

The clashes at UCLA, in New York and elsewhere are part of the biggest outpouring of U.S. student activism since the anti-racism rallies and marches of 2020.

There have been confrontations with law enforcement and more than 1,300 arrests. In rare instances, university officials and protest leaders struck agreements to restrict the disruption to campus life and upcoming commencement ceremonies. This is all playing out in an election year in the U.S., raising questions about whether young voters — who are critical for Democrats — will back President Joe Biden’s re-election effort, given his staunch support of Israel. Source: https://www.cbc.ca/

Students in lahore protest outside US consulate against Israel

LAHORE: Hundreds of students from different universities on Tuesday held a protest demonstration outside the US consulate against Israeli aggression in Palestine. Male and female students were wearing keffiyehs (a Palestinian national symbol) to express unwavering solidarity with Palestinians and condemn the ongoing genocide perpetrated by the state of Israel with the support of the US. The students were carrying Palestine flags and placards inscribed with slogans against Israel and America and in favour of Palestine. The protest was led by the Progressive Students Collective (PSC) and joined by diverse groups of students, social and political activists, academics, artists, and concerned citizens from all walks of life, united in their demand for justice and freedom for Palestine. PSC spokesperson Ali Abdullah Khan highlighted the

staggering human toll inflicted by Israel’s relentless assault on Gaza. “Israel’s aggression has claimed the lives of over 34,000 innocent civilians, including more than 5,000 students and 300 educators, while leaving Gaza’s educational infrastructure decimated,” Khan said. “It is unconscionable that the US continues to provide billions in military aid to Israel, enabling these atrocities to persist unchecked. Today, we stand outside the US consulate to express solidarity with our counterparts at Columbia University and across the US, and to call upon the Pakistan government to unequivocally condemn this genocide.”

PSC Vice President Hammad Kakar emphasised the urgent need for concrete action from the Pakistani government.

“We demand that Pakistan take decisive steps to support the Palestinian cause,” Ka-

kar asserted. “This includes pursuing legal avenues such as bringing Israel before the International Court of Justice, endorsing the ‘boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement’, and championing pro-Palestinian student protests both domestically and internationally. To further this cause, we announce the formation of a national-level Palestine Solidarity Committee to mobilise students nationwide against this injustice.”

He said: “The Pakistan government has recently endorsed a two-state solution for Palestine, which goes against the wishes of the Palestinian people and the longstanding position of Pakistan on the issue. It is therefore important for Pakistan to support the call for the complete independence of the Palestinian people and the formation Palestine state.”

Former PSC vice president Ali Raza concluded the rally with a call to dismantle the

complicit international order. HRCP chairperson Asad Butt said the world economies especially the US was only focusing on war as 60pc of US economy based on weapon trade. He said all the wars were being fought to improve the profit of arms dealing and these capitalist economies were running on war business.

Source: dawn.com/news

Iraq makes same-sex relations punishable by up to 15 years in jail

Amendments to anti-prostitution law also enable courts to sentence trans people to three years in prison.

Iraq’s parliament has passed a bill making same-sex relations punishable by up to 15 years in prison, in a move condemned as an “attack on human rights”.

Transgender people will also be sentenced to three years in jail under the amendments to a 1988 anti-prostitution law, which were adopted during a session attended by 170

out of 329 lawmakers on Saturday.

A previous draft had proposed capital punishment for same-sex relations, in what campaigners had called a “dangerous” escalation. The new amendments enable courts to sentence people to between 10 and 15 years in prison, according to the document seen by AFP, in a country where gay and transgender people already face frequent attacks and discrimination. They also set a minimum seven-year prison term for “promoting” same-sex relations and a sentence ranging from one to three years for men who “intentionally” act like women. The amended law makes “biological sex change based on personal desire and inclination” a crime and punishes trans people and doctors who perform gender reassignment surgery with up to three years in prison. Homosexuality is taboo in Iraq’s conservative society, but there had not previously been a law that explicitly punished same-sex relations. Members of Iraq’s LG-

BTQ+ community have been prosecuted for sodomy or under vague morality and antiprostitution clauses in Iraq’s penal code.

“Iraq has effectively codified in law the discrimination and violence members of the LGBTI community have been subjected to with absolute impunity for years,” said Amnesty International’s Iraq researcher, Razaw Salihy.“The amendments concerning LGBTI rights are a violation of fundamental human rights and put at risk Iraqis whose lives are already hounded daily.”

The amendments also ban organisations that “promote” homosexuality and punish “wife swapping” with a prison sentence of 10 to 15 years. Lawmaker Raed al-Maliki, who advanced the amendments, told AFP that “the law serves as a preventive measure to protect society from such acts”.

He said passing the new amendment had been postponed until after the visit of the Iraqi prime minister, Mohammed Shia’ alSudani, to the US earlier this month.

The US and the EU oppose the law and “we didn’t want to impact the visit,” he said.

“It is an internal matter and we do not accept any interference in Iraqi affairs.”

LGBTQ+ Iraqis have been forced into the shadows, often targeted with “kidnappings, rapes, torture and murders” that go unpunished, according to a 2022 report by Human Rights Watch and the IraQueer non-governmental organisation.

Iraqi politicians and social media users have increasingly resorted to anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, which stokes further fear among members of the community.

Human Rights Watch’s Iraq researcher Sarah Sanbar said the new law change “is a horrific development and an attack on human rights”.“Rather than focusing on enacting laws that would benefit Iraqis – like passing the draft domestic violence law or draft child protection law – Iraq is choosing to codify discrimination against LGBT people,” she said. Source:theguardian.com/

Canada: Heatwave forecast to persist across western regions through at least May 16

Heatwave forecast across parts of western Canada through at least May 16. Associated wildfires causing poor air quality in the region.

Event

High temperatures are forecast across to persist in parts of central and northern Alberta and central, northeastern, and southern British Columbia through at least May 16. Daytime temperatures of more than 30 C (86 F) are forecast across parts of northern Alberta and the central and southern interior of British Columbia May 15 and up to around 29 C (84 F) in parts of central Alberta and northeastern and southwest-

After 12 years and $34 billion, the Trans Mountain expansion project is nearing the finish line

The odyssey of developing and building the Trans Mountain expansion project in Western Canada is finally nearing the finishing line as sections of the pipeline begin filling with oil. The first export shipment will happen before Canada Day, the federal Crown corporation said, although Alberta’s premier

ern British Columbia. Environment Canada has issued red heat warnings for parts of central and northern Alberta Province and western British Columbia. Special weather statements for high temperatures have been issued for parts of central, northeastern, and southern British Columbia.

Dozens of wildfires have broken out in recent weeks amid the hot and dry conditions in Alberta and British Columbia and smoke from the fires is spreading across much of the prairies, causing a decline in air quality across large parts of west-central Canada. Special air quality statements have been issued for parts of central and northern Alberta, central Manitoba, far southern Northwest Territories, and central and northern Saskatchewan provinces. Officials could update and possibly extend the coverage of weather alerts over the coming days. The high temperatures may result in in-

expects it could become operational as soon as May. The Trans Mountain is Canada’s only oil pipeline to the West Coast. The project will transport oil from Alberta to the West Coast and triple the amount of crude that is shipped on an existing pipeline, from 300,000 barrels per day to 890,000 bpd. Canadian oil prices are expected to increase once the new project is completed. Court challenges, regulatory

rather, it is obligatory upon her to have as her companion her husband or a mahram. This ruling is founded on what was reported by Al-Bukhari and others from Ibn `Abbas (ra) that Allahs Messenger (PBH) said: A woman is not to travel except with a mahram, and a man is not to enter upon her except if she has a mahram. And also on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (ra) the Prophet (PBH is quoted to have said: It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to travel a distance of one day and one night without a mahram with her. Abu Sa`id narrated that the Prophet(PBH) said: A woman is not to travel a distance of two days without her husband or mahram with her. And Ibn `Umar narrated that: She is not to travel for three nights, except if she has a mahram. Apparently the differences in narrations are because of the different questioners and the questions posed. Abu Hanifah preferred the last hadith of Ibn `Umar and was of the opinion that a mahram is not

Saudi state provides all facilities for pilgrims to perform Hajj and Umrah based on Saudi Vision 2030: Writer Faten Ibrahim Hussein

MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah announced that women coming to Saudi Arabia can now perform their pilgrimages without a mahram, or male guardian. This announcement, including others, came during a press conference held at the Kingdom’s Embassy in Cairo, according to state agency SPA. The event was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Osama bin Ahmed Nugali and senior officials from the ministry and embassy. Hajj and Umrah Services Adviser Ahmed Saleh Halabi said that it is now permissible for a woman to perform Hajj or

creased energy and water demand and a heightened risk of heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Authorities are advising the general public to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, wear loose and light clothing, and stay hydrated.

Hazardous Conditions

The extended period of oppressive heat and dry conditions may produce ideal circumstances for wildfire growth throughout the region. Heatwaves also pose a threat to vulnerable groups - such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, and those with respiratory illnesses - due to the increased possibility of heat stroke or heat exhaustion during prolonged exposure to high temperatures. These health risks could also extend to relatively healthy individuals during significant heatwave events.

Transport and Utilities

Very high temperatures may warp rail tracks and force passenger and freight trains to operate at reduced speed. Road surface damage is also possible, and overheated vehicles may worsen traffic problems in urban areas where congestion is already a problem. Commercial trucking disruptions might occur as very high tempera-

hurdles, multiple protests and constant delays are all part of the history of the project, which began more than a decade ago.

Then there’s the cost.

When the federal government stepped in to purchase the project six years ago and rescue it from life support, the estimated price tag was $7.4 billion. Today, expenses are $34 billion.

Source:cbc.ca/news

tures stress vehicles, making tire blowouts more common. Major flight disruptions are unlikely, but general aviation disruptions are possible, and some airfreight carriers could reduce cargo loads. High temperatures could lead to an increased demand for electricity, which might trigger localized brownouts or blackouts, exacerbating hazardous conditions when air conditioning is no longer possible.

Advice

Monitor local media for weather updates and related advisories. During heat waves, remain indoors in air conditioning when possible. If outdoor activities are necessary, frequently rest in shaded areas; avoid activity during the hottest times of the day. Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Avoid alcoholic beverages, which are dehydrating - drink bottled water or water that has been boiled. Wear loose-fitting, lightcolored clothing. Cotton fabrics are more cooling than synthetics. Promptly seek medical attention if signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke develop. Charge batterypowered devices in the case prolonged electricity outages occur.

Resources: Environment Canada

Source:https://crisis24.garda.com/

Hajj and Umrah: Without Mahram

needed except in travels in which prayers are shortened (also reported by Ahmad).

But what is the ruling on a woman, who does not find a mahram to accompany her in a legitimate travel, whether obligatory, preferred or permitted? And there is within her reach a group of protective men, or trustworthy faithful women, and the roads are safe?

The jurists have researched this topic whenever they discussed the obligation of Hajj upon women, and they kept in mind the Prophets injunction prohibiting a woman from traveling without a mahram.

Their thoughtful opinions include the following:

1. They prohibit traveling without a mahram, even for the obligation of Hajj.

And there is no exception to this rule.

2. There are those who make an exception for older women who have passed the age of being subject to temptation.

3. Some of them make the exception that as long as the woman is with trustworthy and

Umrah without a mahram, accompanied by “trustworthy women or secure company to perform Hajj or Umrah. This is the view of the Maliki and Shafi’i scholars.”

He continued: “The supervisor of fatwa at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in Egypt, Abbas Shoman, declared last March that a woman is allowed to perform Hajj and Umrah without an accompanying mahram,” Halabi continued. “Allowing women to perform Umrah without the condition of a mahram makes life easier for them because many have difficult social conditions and may not find a mahram, or it may cost them a lot, while they are eager to perform Umrah,” Hussein said.“Fortunately, the fight against all forms of social and economic corruption played a positive role in this,” she added.

faithful women, then the travel is permissible. Furthermore, some conclude that it is enough for just one free trustworthy and faithful Muslim woman.

4. And some concluded that the roadway must be safe. Every woman can perform Hajj without a mahram as long as she will be safe.

A mahram is not a condition in the obligatory Hajj. His justification for this is his saying: Because she goes out with women, and with all those whom she is safe with. Ibn Siyrin even said: With a Muslim it is okay. What is well-known with the Shafi`is is that it is conditional that there be a husband, mahram, or trustworthy faithful women. What was reported by Al-Bukhari is that during the final Hajj of `Umar ibn Al-Khattab (ra), he gave permission to the wives of the Prophet (PBH) to perform Hajj. So he sent with them `Uthman ibn `Affan and `Abdur-Rahman. This act is considered to be a consensus, for all of them, `Umar,

When corruption is stopped, she explained, security is established.

“Security has extended throughout the Kingdom and in all means of transportation and at ports, giving women full protection. Moreover, strong infrastructure has been established in legislation, including the antiharassment system,” she said.

“These are deterrent penalties for anyone who may contemplate breaking the law. In addition, surveillance cameras are obligatory in vital areas, including airports, border crossing ports, the Grand Mosque, the Prophet’s Mosque and others. Thus, a woman is safe, especially when she is in good company with other women.

“There are many women who come to the Kingdom to work without a mahram, and

`Uthman, `Abdur-Rahman Ibn `Awf and the wives of the Prophet (PBH)agreed to it, without any objection. Second is what was reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim from the hadith of `Ada Ibn Hatim that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told him about the future of Islam and how its light will be spread throughout the earth. Among what he mentioned is: The day is near when a young woman will travel from Al-Hira (a city in Iraq), going to the Sacred House with no husband accompanying her. She will fear none but Allah. This information does not only prove that this will happen, but proves its permissibility, because it was mentioned in a phrase praising the spread of Islam along with its sense of security. family in that country to avoid the likelihood of temptation or mischief the woman may face....(Edited version) Wassalam and Allah knows best.

Source: islamicity.org/qa/

there are no significant incidents, thanks to the security we live in…There is no fear for women to come without a mahram because the reason for that no longer exists.”

Source: https://www.arabnews.com/

POLITICS/ INFORM a TION

What Trudeau’s podcast appearances say about the liberals’ next ballot box question

By Stephanie Taylor, The Canadian Press

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau knows Canadians aren’t listening.

He knows his defence against Conservative attacks over his signature climate policy isn’t working, at least not yet.

But he plans to keep trying. And while he’s at it, his office is trying something new to get the Liberal government’s message out.

Trudeau recently appeared on four podcasts as he travels the country talking up the Liberals’ latest budget, which he’s pitching as a plan to inject more economic fairness into society for those under 40 — a cohort that has kept Trudeau in power since 2015 but is increasingly turning to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.

The interviews vary widely in substance and length — from 30 minutes to nearly an hour — and the podcasts reach very different audiences. At one end of the spectrum, Vox’s “Today, Explained” is broadcast across U.S. public radio stations. The other is YXE Underground, which focuses on the stories of Saskatoon’s unsung community leaders.

The prime minister’s availability to such a smaller market came as a surprise: when Trudeau’s team initially reached out, the show’s host thought it was a scam and deleted the email. As Trudeau tries to reignite the support of millennial and Gen-Z Canadians, he is opening up about more than just policy and his political challenges.

The Canadian Press listened to the string of interviews to get a sense of Trudeau’s thinking, as the clock ticks down to the next federal election. Trudeau’s commitment to

fighting climate change through consumer carbon pricing is a major theme.

Poilievre and the majority of premiers pummelled Trudeau leading up to a long-scheduled increase to the levy on April 1, which added about three cents to the cost of a litre of gas. They argued the Liberals were badly exacerbating the cost of living.

“When (the) gas price goes up by 20 cents people say, ‘Oh it’s the carbon tax,’” despite it only accounting for three cents, Trudeau told The Big Story. “And we actually increased the carbon rebates at the same time,” he said. “The context is people are looking for things to be frustrated about, because they’re feeling frustrated, and it’s a very easy target.” While the anti-carbon price message may be winning the day, Trudeau is banking on a belief that that will change come election time. “Right now, we’re a long way from an election. It’s easy for people to be frustrated about a whole bunch of different things. My choice as leader is, ‘OK, do I bow down to that even though I think it’s wrong?’” said Trudeau. “I think people are wrong to be worried about this. I understand why they are.” In the meantime, he is launching frequent attacks at Poilievre, who has promised to use “technology, not taxes” to tackle climate change, for the lack of an actual plan. And he keeps talking about how Canadians end up getting their money back through rebates, with the lowest income earners benefiting the most — though he admitted he must “patiently wait” for the message to land. “Nobody’s actually hearing that yet,” the prime minister said. “But I will keep say-

ing it and keep showing it so that by the time a year-and-a-half comes and people make a choice, they will be more informed about what the alternative is.”

If he simply wanted to do what was popular he would take a different path, Trudeau said. But that would come at a cost.

It would mean the time he spent away from his kids and what his family sacrificed during his time in politics “won’t have been worth it,” he said, his voice cracking with a hint of emotion. Polling over the past year has shown the Liberals consistently and significantly behind Poilievre’s Conservatives. Recent surveys taken after the release of the federal budget don’t show any sign of a turnaround. Speaking to Vox, Trudeau characterized the challenge ahead in the context of a broader fight against the rise of populist and authoritarian leaders.

“Democracy is definitely under threat,” he said. He took pains to characterize it as a ballot box question when Canadians next head to the polls, a contest that is slated to take place by October 2025 at the latest.

“Canadians are going to have to choose over the next year-and-a-half what kind of country we are,” Trudeau said.

“Are we a country that believes in evidence and science? Are we a country that looks out for each other and believes that government has a role to play in making sure that people are protected, that the world works responsibly?” Or, Trudeau went on, “Do you go down a path of amplifying anger, division and fear, government gets out of the way and lets people fend for themselves?”

He said, as he has said before, that he is ready for that fight. But when it’s time to lay down arms, he told Freakonomics Radio, he plans to return to his roots.

“I’d still be a teacher,” he said. “I will look to teach again in one way, shape or form.”

Trudeau also addressed a French-language interview he gave last month in which he said he thought about quitting every day. One comment was translated into English as, “It’s a crazy job I’m doing.”

He told the podcast host that his description of his role in French was better translated as “a job for crazy people.”

When it comes to his personal life, Trudeau said he remains Catholic and faith is a part of who he is, “even though I probably haven’t done as good a job at passing that on to my kids as a good Catholic should.”

And while the prime minister who legalized cannabis said he’s tried weed before, “it’s never been my thing.”

He’s more of a “beer and bourbon kind of guy,” and “even then, not too much.”

Source: vancouver.citynews.ca/

Poilievre kicked out of Commons after calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Continued from Pg 1

asking Health Canada to reverse.

The Conservatives argue the policy has caused great harm.

Trudeau ignored that issue completely, responding to each question about drugs by accusing Poilievre of associating with farright extremists. He said a person who does so is not fit to be prime minister.

He made the remarks after videos circulated online of Poilievre last week stopping at what protesters described as an anti-carbon price protest in Atlantic Canada.

The scene featured expletive-laden flags

bearing Trudeau’s name.

At one point, videos show Poilievre exiting a trailer belonging to one of the protesters. Its exterior featured many images, including a symbol belonging to the far-right online group Diagolon.The trouble in the House

began to escalate when Fergus ejected Conservative MP Rachael Thomas after she said he was “acting in a disgraceful manner.”The tense exchange continued after her departure, with Trudeau saying Poilievre is a “19year” politician who made a choice to associate with that encampment.

“Any leader that needs the support of a far-

right white nationalist group to fundraise and get closer to power does not deserve elected office,” the prime minister charged. Poilievre said the prime minister’s words were only his “latest distraction” from his own “extremist policies.” “When will we put an end to this wacko policy by this wacko prime minister?” Fergus then drew the line. “No, no,” he said. “That is not acceptable.”

He asked Poilievre to withdraw his comments, saying they were unparliamentary. Poilievre didn’t withdraw, but said he would replace the word with “extremist,” which Fergus also rejected.

Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash

Air Canada has temporarily walked back its decision to charge a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares. Under the old policy, customers with fares that didn’t offer free seat selection prior to check-in would be randomly assigned a seat at the time of check-in, with the option to change that seat to another available seat for free. However, some Air Canada customers received notices earlier this month stating the airline would soon charge passengers with standard or basic fares to change their automatically assigned seats during check-in. A Facebook account be-

longing to Ontario-based travel agent

Kerry Berlinquette shared an image(opens in a new tab) of a notice she received on April 18. “We’re introducing a new seating assignment process for Standard or Basic Fares,” the notice reads.“When customers enter the check-in flow, our system will automatically assign a seat free of charge for those who have not purchased a seat in advance … If they wish to change their automatically assigned seat, they can easily do so for a fee.”

The notice, which stated the change would take effect April 24, triggered a wave of

News of Honda’s historic $15-billion deal to construct its first comprehensive electric vehicle supply chain in Ontario is rousing local residents and officials about the potential boost to business and jobs in the area.Honda Canada announced Thursday alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug

complaints by angry consumers on Facebook, X and Reddit. That stinks. It was bad enough you had to fight for a seat 24 hours before flight. Just another money grabber,” one Facebook user wrote in a comment on Berlinquette’s post.

“It’s frustrating when traditional airlines behave like budget airlines,” a Reddit user wrote on April 24. “They have eliminated free checked baggage and now they have also removed the option of selecting seats for free during check-in. What will be next?” Air Canada would not be the first Canadian carrier to charge a fee for seat

Ford that it will build four new manufacturing plants in Ontario, including an electric vehicle assembly plant and a standalone battery manufacturing plant at its current facilities in Alliston, Ont., a small community of 23,000 residents between Toronto and Barrie. The Japanese company already employs 4,200 people in its existing Alliston facility, but statements from Honda and both the federal and provincial governments say the facility’s two new plants will produce up to 240,000 vehicles per year and create more than 1,000 “well-paying

He then said he would replace it with “radical,” which Fergus did not accept either. He asked the Conservative leader to “simply withdraw” the comment. When Fergus asked Poilievre for a final time to take back his comment, the Conservative leader said, “I simply withdraw and replace with the aforementioned adjective.” Fergus then ordered him to leave the chamber and not participate in further debate Tuesday, either in person or virtually. Much of the Conservative caucus exited at the same time, and all of them eventually left before question period was over... Source: ctvnews.ca

selection after check-in. However, the airlines that charge a seat selection fee, such as Flair and Porter, tend to be low-cost carriers that offer more affordable base fares than Canada’s flag carrier.

Source:www.gotquestions.org/

manufacturing jobs” once fully operational in 2028.“The opportunities for the local residents are going to be absolutely staggeringly fantastic,” said Richard Norcross, mayor of New Tecumseth, which comprises the communities of Alliston and nearby Beeton and Tottenham. He says Honda has been a pillar of the community since the first Accord rolled off the assembly line in 1986, and said substantial donations from the company have helped the local hospital make expansions and buy new equipment. Source.gotquestions.org/

Investment to include 4 new EV plants, including 2 in Alliston, Ont.

AI and Islam: Navigating the Path Between Progress and Ethics

BY: MUHAMMAD MUMTAZ ALI

APRIL 20,

2024

As technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), continues to advance, it sparks debates about its potential impact on humanity. While some see it as a solution to challenges such as diseases and disasters, others raise concerns about the ethical and societal implications. This discussion delves into the intersections of AI, transhumanism, and Islamic perspectives, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach.

The Role of AI in Modern Society AI, touted as a groundbreaking technology, holds the potential to transform various aspects of human life. In the 21st century, information technology has become a primary source of power in society, influencing cultural development, economic growth, scientific advancement, and community progress. The dependence on technological development raises questions about the source of information, human knowledge, and values. Muslim professionals and scholars acknowledge the dual nature of AI, with both positive and negative implications for life and societies. Approaching AI as a technological challenge, they advocate for a critical and selective utilization of this evolving technology. Despite its potential benefits, there are concerns about the misuse of AI, especially in instilling values contrary to Islamic principles, such as apostasy, radicalization, and terrorism.

Philosophical Foundations: Transhumanism and AI

In understanding the broader context of AI, it is crucial to recognize the underlying philosophies that have shaped its development. Modern Western philosophies, including rationalism, scientism, positivism, and transhumanism, have influenced the trajectory of technological advancements, leading to the creation of AI.

Transhumanism, a philosophical and intellectual movement, envisions the transformation of ordinary humans into beings with extraordinary capabilities. At its core, transhumanism advocates for the enhance-

ment of human capacities through advanced technologies like AI. This philosophy raises questions about the ethical and moral implications of merging human and machine. Islamic Worldview and AI

Islam is presented as a worldview and a Way of Life (al-Din). It provides a distinct perspective on the role of humanity and technology. In Islamic teachings, humans are considered creations of Allah SWT. Humans tasked with the roles of ‘abd’ (obedient beings) and ‘Khalifah’ (vicegerents).

The purpose of science and technology, according to Islam, is to aid mankind in fulfilling their responsibilities while maintaining harmony with the environment.

The worldview of modern science and technology is influenced by speculative Western philosophies. It diverges from the Islamic perspective. The unending competition for technological development, fueled by material gain and military supremacy. It challenges the Islamic ethos of using knowledge and technology for the benefit of humanity within the framework of truth and reality.

The Intersection of AI and Transhumanism AI, as a field of study in computer science, extends beyond being a mere technology. It embodies a philosophy. Particularly in the context of transhumanism. Understanding the importance of AI requires delving into the principles of transhumanism. They seek to enhance human capabilities and overcome biological limitations using advanced technologies.

Transhumanism’s goal is to merge technology with human beings. Thus, creating a hybrid of human and machine. This has significant implications for society. As AI is integrated into the human body. The prospect of transcending current biological limitations raises ethical, moral, and existential questions.

Transhumanism’s Impact

Transhumanism, the philosophical foundation of AI, goes beyond the simulation of human intelligence. It aims to transform ordinary humans into ‘posthuman’ beings with augmented capabilities. That is achieved through the fusion of technology,

particularly AI, with the human body. This movement anticipates a future where humans evolve into intellectually and physiologically superior beings.

AI, Transhumanism, and Islam: Bridging Perspectives

Muslim professionals and scholars, possessing Islamic Revealed Knowledge (IRK), must recognize the philosophical underpinnings of AI and its potential impact on human lives. As AI is not inherently incompatible with Islam. A critical approach is essential to ensure alignment with ethical and moral principles.

Addressing concerns raised by transhumanism is crucial for Muslim intellectuals. Distinguishing between the use of technology for health, general conveniences, and the implantation of technology in the human body becomes essential. Hence, the concept of ‘transhuman, is’ a hybrid of human and machine. It challenges the fundamental understanding of human existence in Islamic teachings.

Islam’s Embrace of Science and Technology

Contrary to misconceptions, Islam encourages the exploration of nature and the acquisition of knowledge. The Islamic worldview emphasizes gratitude to Allah SWT for the signs in the natural world. However, the modern pursuit of scientific and technological advancements often lacks this spiritual and ethical foundation, leading to a divergence from the true purpose of science and technology in Islam.

AI: A Challenge to Divine Authority?

The development of AI, rooted in the phi-

losophy of transhumanism, challenges the concept of divine authority. Transhumanists envision a future where humans, with the aid of AI, become god-like super-humans. This ambition to overcome the limitations set by a higher power raises profound theological questions and clashes with the Islamic understanding of submission to Allah

The True Purpose of Science and Technology in Islam

For Islam, the aim of science and technology is to help humanity maintain its true position as ‘abd’ and ‘Khalifah.’

This necessitates the development of science and technology within the framework of truth and reality, aligning with the principles outlined in the Quran and Sunnah. The pursuit of knowledge in Islam is guided by a deeper purpose — recognizing the signs of Allah SWT, submitting to Him, and following His teachings.

The intersection of AI, transhumanism, and Islam prompts a nuanced exploration of their implications. While AI presents opportunities for progress, its alignment with ethical and moral principles is paramount. Transhumanism’s vision of merging technology with humanity challenges fundamental Islamic concepts, necessitating careful consideration by Muslim intellectuals. As the world navigates the evolution of technology, a harmonious integration with Islamic principles ensures that advancements serve the genuine needs of humanity while respecting divine authority.

Source:https://www.islamicity.org/

woman serving house arrest for faking pregnancies, scamming doulas faces new charges

Kaitlyn Braun, 25, in custody for ‘deceptive pregnancy support’ charges last month, Hamilton police say. Source: cbc.ca/ A Brantford, Ont., woman sentenced in February to house arrest for faking pregnancies, harassment and fraudulently seeking the services of numerous doulas is in custody and facing new charges, Hamilton police say. Allegations between April 17 and April 18

International

By: Taslim Haq

Tspurred an investigation into 25-year-old

Kaitlyn Braun this week, police said Wednesday. “It was reported that Braun falsely solicited support related to pregnancy and childbirth from unsuspecting victim(s),”

says a Hamilton Police Service media release Wednesday. Braun was arrested Tuesday in Brantford and remains in custody following a bail hearing Wednesday morning. She’s charged with:

* Obtaining by false pretence.

* Harassing communications.

* Alleged breach of conditional sentence order.

It’s unclear if there are multiple victims.

Police said in an email to CBC Hamilton it won’t be sharing any victim information. “We urge anyone with information to come forward to our detectives — that would include anyone who may have been victim that hasn’t reported to police,” the service said.

Refugees Support Foundation (IRSF) to aiding newly arrived refugees by providing essential items.

he International Refugees Support Foundation (IRSF) has been established in 2022. It is dedicated to aiding newly arrived refugees by providing essential items such as food, groceries, clothing, blankets, furniture, and other household supplies to address their immediate needs. With a significant influx of refugees from regions including Afghanistan, Syria, Sudan, and other countries.

IRSF endeavors to offer culturally appropriate assistance, including clothing tailored to individual backgrounds. With many refugees being of Muslim faith, IRSF acknowledges their specific religious and cultural needs. As a result they cater to the demand for Qurans and prayer rugs, recognizing the significance of these items within the community.

Throughout Ramadan 2024, IRSF diligently continued its Ramadan Grocery program to accommodate the increasing demand due to

rising arrivals and food insecurity.

During this Ramadan, over 950 refugees were provided with food packages, distributed through major weekly events, supplemented by minor distributions, and direct deliveries throughout each week. These distributions were conducted at various Muslim community centers, including the Guildford Islamic Cultural (April 20)Center and Masjid Al Huda, fostering community connections.

On April 6th, IRSF extended its support by distributing Eid packages at the North Delta Islamic Centre at 11146-84th Ave.

These packages included groceries as well as gifts for both children and adults, aiming to provide assistance and joy to as many refugees as possible. Despite facing resource limitations, IRSF remains unwavering in its dedication to empowering refugee families and nurturing a supportive community. Through the collaboration of community support and volunteer engagement, the organization aims

to broaden its impact and offer more substantial assistance to those in need.

Recognizing the diverse circumstances of each refugee family, IRSF is committed to providing tailored assistance to meet individual requirements. IRSF goes above and beyond by supplying necessities such as baby formula and wheelchairs for seniors, catering to specific needs.

IRSF operates on the principles of respect and compassion, endeavoring to offer essential assistance to help refugees rebuild their lives with dignity and hope, making a lasting and positive impact. Understanding the importance of language and cultural integration for effective communication and societal integration, IRSF guides and encourages refugees to enroll in English language programs. Furthermore, securing employment is vital for refugees to achieve self-sufficiency.

In January 2024, IRSF organized a workshop in Richmond, BC, in collaboration with local

doctors, to assist foreign qualified medical doctors in navigating the process of obtaining Canadian licenses.

Expressing gratitude for any support received, Ms. Nusrat Haq, representing IRSF, emphasized the organization’s belief that every individual and family deserves the opportunity to thrive. By tailoring assistance and addressing specific needs, IRSF aims to make a meaningful difference in the lives of refugees.

To learn more about IRSF and explore opportunities for contribution or volunteering, please visit www.irsfcharity.org or email at irsfcharity@gmail.com.

The organization’s appeal for support and volunteers highlights the community’s potential to create a compassionate and inclusive environment, enabling refugees to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

Ustadh Nouman ali Khan, renowned arabic teacher visited Vancouver for Quran week

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan, renowned Arabic teacher and founder of Bayyinah Institute, visited Vancouver for Quran Week. The event, co-hosted by Simon Fraser University’s Muslim Student Association was held at the Burnaby campus. In this seven day series, he is conducting a deep study and exploration of Surah Qalam. Using historical texts and relating contemporary references, Ustadh Khan has a unique way of teaching Quran that resonates with many regardless of their age.

Reported: Misbah Naseer

The Vancouver Chapter of Muslims Achieving Excellence (MAX) Mentors kicked off their 2024 mentorship program on April 25 through a successful speed mentoring event in Vancouver. The event brought together seasoned professionals and eager learners for an evening of insightful conversations and networking opportunities.Haziq Masood and Misbah Naseer, co-leads of the Vancouver chapter welcomed all the participants and explain the program’s purpose. Participants then en-

gaged in rapid-fire mentoring sessions, where they had the chance to connect with mentors from various industries and backgrounds. From career advice to industry insights, mentees gained valuable knowledge and guidance to advance their professional journeys. The event concluded on a high note, with participants expressing gratitude for the enriching experience and newfound connections and excited about the next steps of their mentorship journey. The MAx mentors program pairs early-

career professionals (0-5 years of experience) and newcomers with experienced professionals in the community for one on one mentorship. The program is offered in 3 Canadian cities (Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver) and 1 US city, Texas. As the demand for mentorship continues to grow, initiatives like these play a crucial role in nurturing talent and driving innovation in the professional landscape and strengthening the Muslim community. Reported: Misbah Naseer

Special: Seva at a Very Difficult Time. a Brave Noble Step By Rai Kalha

Guru Gobind Singh Ji in appreciation and gratitude for the seva and hospitality at a difficult time (in Aurangzeb Raj) gifted. Ganga Sagar is a symbol of fearless love and respect of humanity!

Ganga Sagar to Rai Kalha, a Muslim Chief at Raikot, Ludhiana in 1705. Noora Mahi servant of Rai Kalha brought the news of martyrdom of Baba Zorawar Singh,

9 bricked alive) of Guru Sahib & Mata Gujri ji from Sarhind.

Rai Azizullah Khan

The present custodian of Ganga Sagar is Rai Azizullah Khan (9th generation of Rai Kalha III), grandson of Khan Bahadur Rai Inayat

khan and the heir of the Rai Family who have kept this sacred gift of Guru Gobind Singh ji with great respect and care for more than 300 years. More info @ www.gurusgangasagar.com. Email: azizrai@gmail.com

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W o MEN /Y o UTH

USC vetoed a Muslim student’s graduation speech for her pro-Palestinian views. Why?

By: Mohammed Zain Shafi Khan

When Asna Tabassum, a hijabwearing Muslim, was announced as the valedictorian for the University of Southern California class of 2024, my initial reaction was the thought of my south Asian mother saying, “What are you doing? Why aren’t you valedictorian?” But what followed was pride. Then the university announced last week that it would no longer allow Tabassum to speak at commencement. After pro-Israel groups mischaracterized Tabassum’s pro-Palestinian views as “antisemitic”, the USC administration claimed that security concerns made her speech untenable.

“I am not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred,” Tabassum, a friend of mine, wrote in a statement. “I am surprised that my own university – my home for four years – has abandoned me.”

USC has not just abandoned an accomplished student, but also nearly 1,000 Muslims on campus. I happen to be one of them. Right now, the reality of being a Muslim

student is intertwined with the university’s decision to rescind Tabassum’s well-earned honour. We were teased by our institution, taunted even, as they refuse to publicly stand by their choice. USC has not just abandoned an accomplished student, but also nearly 1,000 Muslims on campus. I happen to be one of them.

Right now, the reality of being a Muslim student is intertwined with the university’s decision to rescind Tabassum’s well-earned honour. We were teased by our institution, taunted even, as they refuse to publicly stand by their choice.

As a Muslim, the lack of support scares me. My hijab-wearing friends have been called terrorists and spat at; my Palestinian peer has had their car broken into and their Qur’an torn and I am judged for wearing a keffiyeh to class or having a sticker on my laptop that reads “Free Palestine”.

When Arab and Muslim students are directly affected, the university’s silence makes its position clear.

When the office of the president can release a statement condemning Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October, but not one condemning Israel for killing tens of thousands of Palestinians, it makes the university’s position clear. And when the university refuses to publicly support its choice for valedictorian, again the school’s position is clear.

Understandably, students and faculty are upset and angry. Last Friday, 11 members of the USC advisory committee on Muslim life resigned “in protest against the university administration’s decision to revoke Asna Tabassum’s valedictory address at com-

mencement”.

This committee was convened by the president “to consider a number of tangible solutions to support Muslim students, faculty and staff”. But now, when USC cannot support one student, I doubt it wants to support any of us. Source: theguardian.com/ USC student’s graduation speech cancelled in Israel-Gaza hate row

By Max Matza ,BBC News

The University of Southern California (USC) has cancelled a student’s graduation speech amid backlash over her social media activity on Israel.USC cited “substantial risks” to campus security in the decision to halt the Muslim student’s address.

But Asna Tabassum said she was the target of “a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice”.

Ms Tabassum is the 2024 valedictorian, a student picked out for high academic scores and involvement in campus life. The decision to cancel her speech came after claims that her social media activity was antisemitic. A debate about free speech on US college campuses has intensified since the Israel-Gaza war erupted last October. Ms Tabassum’s Instagram account links to a website that criticises Israel and calls for its “complete abolishment”, instead arguing for a “one-state solution... in which both Arabs and Jews can live together”.

The website also claims that “Zionism is a racist settler-colonial ideology that advocates for a Jewish ethnostate built on Palestinian land”. Pro-Israel groups called for the university to reconsider her selection as valedictorian.

One campus group, Trojans for Israel, said that although it “strongly supports the right to free expression - including informed criticism of the Israeli government... rhetoric that denies the right of the Jewish people to self-determination or calls for the destruction of the only Jewish state in the world must be denounced as antisemitic bigotry”.

In a statement on Monday, Ms Tabassum said she was “shocked” and “profoundly disappointed” by the university’s decision.

“I am not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred. I am surprised that my own university - my home for four yearshas abandoned me,” she wrote.

“By cancelling my speech, USC is only caving to fear and rewarding hatred,” added Ms Tabassum, who studied biomedical engineering with a minor in resistance to genocide, according to a profile on the college website.

Ms Tabassum later told the BBC’s US partner CBS News that she had not been presented evidence for the security fears.

Source:bbc.com/news

Girls in hijab experience overlapping forms of racial and gendered violence

By: Scott White, CEO | Editor-in-Chief

World Hijab Day recognizes the millions of Muslim women and girls who wear the traditional Islamic headscarf.

Around the world, Muslim girls in hijab are experiencing unique forms and heightened rates of gender and race-based violence and discrimination. Overt violence against girls and women in hijab have captured global attention, evidenced most recently in the violent Canadian attacks on women in hijabs in Alberta and the horrific murders of the Afzaal family in London, Ont.

Violence against hijabi girls is often situated in structural oppression, including gendered Islamophobia and white supremacy. Understanding the underpinnings of this violence is key to imagining more just and equitable futures for girls and young women in hijab. Islamophobia: The term Islamophobia has

often been used and understood in different ways. While often used interchangeably, some have argued that the term anti-Muslim racism, rather than the term Islamophobia, better encapsulates the systemic nature of anti-Muslim hate and violence. Sociologist and Muslim studies scholar Jasmin Zine has outlined how Islamophobia in Canada is comprised of systemic oppressive networks and industries that are both fueled by and fuel anti-Muslim racism.

Zine explains that an “industry behind purveying anti-Muslim hate” distinguishes Islamophobia from other forms of oppression.

According to Zine, this well-funded, lucrative and often transnational industry is comprised of media outlets, political figures and donors, white nationalist groups, think tanks, influencers and ideologues that support and engage in “activities that demonize and marginalize Islam and Muslims in Canada.”

A young girl in a pink hijab watches a sunset

Understanding the underpinnings of violence is key to creating more just and equitable futures for girls and young women in hijab. (Shutterstock)

Gendered Islamophobia: Islamophobia and anti-Muslim racism is part of the fabric of institutions. Critics of laws such as Bill 21 in Québec and similar measures in France have argued that Mus-

lim women who wear the hijab are most affected. These measures reflect narratives that position Muslim girls and women as oppressed victims in need of rescue, as well as Orientalist tropes in the form of the “save us from the Muslim girl” narratives.

As Muslim women in hijab, we grieve horrific violence alongside our communities.

Violent attacks highlight how anti-Muslim racism is often situated at a nexus of antiBlack racism, xenophobia, white supremacy and patriarchy.

We know that anti-Muslim violence is often aimed at girls and women in hijab.

Yet, academic literature on hijabi girlhood is relatively scarce. Two years ago, we put out a call to the international academic community seeking papers and creative submissions on the experiences of girls and young women in hijabs.

The girl in the hijab:

Two years later, our new special issue, called The Girl in the Hijab, has now been published in the international journal Girlhood Studies. It comes at a time when antiMuslim, anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian racism are on the rise around the country and around the world.

The special issue includes academic articles written by mostly Muslim women and creative works produced by hijab-wearing girls

themselves. Both types of work provide insight into the current global landscape of hijabi girl experiences.

Cultural politics lecturer Noha Beydoun explores the events surrounding the donning of the American flag as a method of protest. She finds that this phenomenon gained popularity because it worked to conceal complicated U.S. histories regarding Muslim immigration and broader imperial interests. Beydoun’s analysis evidences that the “American flag as hijab for girls and women reinforces the larger constructs it seeks to resist.”

Gender studies professor Ana Carolina Antunes highlights how unconscious bias and microaggressions hinder a positive sense of belonging among hijab-wearing students and impacts their academic success. This study also reveals that anti-Muslim sentiment in schools affects the everyday experiences of Muslim girls, leading to disconnection from the school community. Among the central themes in the special issue is how women and girls resist gendered and Islamophobic discrimination in their everyday lives. Hijabi girls resist oppressive narratives through their everyday actions and activist engagements. In Antunes’s study, girls asserted their right to occupy space in the educational environment.

Source: https://theconversation.com/

Justice Minallah says state has to protect judges, independence of judiciary

Justice Athar Minallah on Tuesday said the state had to protect the country’s judges and the independence of the judiciary.

He made the remarks as a six-member Supreme Court (SC) bench resumed hearing a case pertaining to allegations made by six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges regarding interference by the country’s security apparatus in judicial matters.

Headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, the bench included justices Minallah, Mansoor Ali Shah, Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Musarrat Hilali and Naeem Akhtar Afghan. The proceedings were streamed live on the SC’s website and its YouTube channel. In late March, six IHC judges — out of a total strength of eight

— wrote a startling letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) members, regarding attempts to pressure judges through the abduction and torture of their relatives as well as secret surveillance inside their homes.

The letter was signed by judges Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Babar Sattar, Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Saman Rafat Imtiaz.

A day later, calls had emerged from various quarters for a probe into the investigation, amid which CJP Isa summoned a full court meeting of the SC judges.

In a meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

and CJP Isa had decided to form an inquiry commission, which was later approved by the federal cabinet. In late March, six IHC judges — out of a total strength of eight — wrote a startling letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) members, regarding attempts to pressure judges through the abduction and torture of their relatives as well as secret surveillance inside their homes. The letter was signed by judges Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Babar Sattar, Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Saman Rafat Imtiaz.

Source:.dawn.com/

COaS Munir, UK counterpart discuss measures to further elevate bilateral defence relations

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir met his British counterpart General Sir Patrick Sanders, where the two discussed measures to further elevate bilateral defence relations, the military’s media affairs wing said on Wednesday. In the meeting, which was also attended by CGS-designate of the UK Army General Sir Roland Walker, both sides “discussed matters of professional interest and measures to further elevate bilateral defence relations”, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

News

Continued from Pg

missing from his possession.

1

The observation was made by an IHC division bench comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, which had resumed hearing appeals filed by Mr Khan and his foreign minister at the time, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, against

By: Farkhanda Shamim,

Miracle’s new contributor from Saudi Arabia

A terrifying tale of karma….

The piercing alarm wailed in the cold air and pulled her back from the realm of the dead. Her eyes flew open to the white ceiling, mind totally numb and foggy trying hard to process the whats and wheres, a natural consequence of such rude awakening. Bless the brain, though, that never takes long summing up one’s whole life within a matter of seconds rather quite efficiently. Sabrina sighed groggily and grabbed the phone from the nightstand to cut off the thundering alarm and just then made a huge mistake of clicking the pop up message and had instantly regretted it as into her eyes was staring a boy of 5 with his face full of tears, one arm fully bandaged sitting on the hospital bed surrounded by the medical paraphernalia crying pitifully into the camera. A family of five had encountered a fatal road accident the previous night. The words below the image had thus read. The boy, his two siblings and their father had survived but not the mother. Ohh, God! She gasped, her hand instinctively covering her mouth. As if not enough, the cell began to beep announcing an incoming call. “Have you seen the boy?”, a familiar voice from the other end had fired away as soon as the receive icon was punched. She took some deep breaths and replied in affirmative. “It has happened. That woman is dead. The boy in the hospital is her son. All is over.” Suddenly, all the noise vanished, muted ever so quietly as if a powerful hand had silenced it. “What?” Sabrina could hear own whisper coming from far away. “That woman”….. She tried to utter the words but the line was already dead leaving her in a state of total shock or was it fear gripping her heart squeezing it at intervals. She was scared; her mind was going numb as the events of the past months began to unfold before her very eyes in a quick succession. It was a story of perfect betrayal, a triangle

The army chief thanked Gen Sanders, the chief of general staff (CGS) of the UK Army, for his services in enhancing bilateral military ties and felicitated Gen Walker on his nomination as the UK Army’s next CGS, the statement added. COAS Munir and Gen Sanders addressed the opening session of the sixth Pakistan-UK Regional Stabilisation Conference at Islamabad’s National Defence University on Tuesday, the ISPR said. The UK Army’s CGS-designate also attended the event. The conference is a flagship defence

and security dialogue between Pakistan and the UK, held alternately in the two countries, the statement noted. It brings together a “formidable corpus of subject matter experts in diverse domains, including diplomats, defence officials, intellectuals and civil society representatives”. In connection with the conference, a 30-member UK delegation led by Standing Joint Force Commander Major General Tom Bateman was visiting Pakistan from April 29 to May 3, the ISPR said...

Source:.dawn.com/

‘No evidence that cipher was in Imran’s custody’

their conviction in the cipher case. Earlier, defence counsel Barrister Salman Safdar had submitted a report of the foreign ministry to the IHC containing details of the cipher’s distribution. The report revealed that almost every recipient of the cipher, including the former army chief and the chief justice,

returned the confidential document after a case was registered against Imran Khan.

While special prosecutor Hamid Ali Shah was explaining the movement of cipher from the foreign ministry to the PM Office, Justice Farooq asked if there is any record available with FIA, the prosecuting agency,

Beware! They always come back.

of love where an intruder had jolted a perfect married life of an innocent and sincere woman. A typical everyday tragedy.

Arrival of a newneighbor whose viciousness and sin was about to sully the lives of many. Her husband had stayed busy working on outer city projects which was fine as he was declared as ‘a poor, ugly fool’, ‘a weakling with an ‘inadequate financial resources’, hated by his wife with an indescribable passion. She had befriended the innocent victim with the smiles and sweetness, all the while harboring an evil design to snatch her husband of 13 years and a father of three. She had the audacity to rob the life of the very woman who always reached out to lend a helping hand, made time to listen to her made up grievances, tried to support her financially and socially.

Yes, that satanic neighbor was about to launch a savage attack on the married heaven of the same woman, her benefactress because ….well….because she considered her friend husband a worthy catch and because she deemed herself a great player at the controlling game. The attack was vicious, brutal and successful. Husband fell head over heels in this newlyfound toyed love which had paved its way to his vane heart through talk, then messages and calls leading way to the private secret meetings.

For the poor victim wife it was a roller coaster of thousand emotions beginning with the first stage of confusion, then doubt, then investigation, confirmation, and finally the ugly stage of realization hitting her with power similar as a fiery moving train. She was the proverbial deer caught in the headlights. And so there began a war of survival and defense. Efforts of communication and reasoning with her husband turning into teary pleads had failed miserably. No logic and convincing could pull her husband away from the swirling quicksand of the sinful evil. All cries fell on deaf ears.

All pleas and entreaties of wife’s sincere love, children’s safety and well being, happy memories of the wedded bliss, were met with a muted aggressiveness and why?

Well, because two selfish and mean people had decided to build their new castle of joy upon the wounded and broken, definitely a path of Machiavelli. They forgot the supreme power of the heaven to whom the poor wife had decided to direct her pleas of help and rescue. Day and night, week after week, her hands she had raised to the heaven, weeping miserably invoking the force of the highest to redeem her family from such devilish threat. Hours turned into days and days into weeks and months, her anguish folding and doubling, mind going crazy over the pain that she was unable to share with her own family for fear of the consequent volcanic feud and the resulting insult and shame that would mar and taint her children’s life but no ease seemed to be in sight.

Will of fight was weakening and sinking into hopelessness. Just when she was at the pinnacle of torment, thinking miserably to end her sorry existence, the Hand of Supreme moved in action swiftly and quietly as He had promised, “Then leave Me alone with those who reject this message: by degrees we will punish them from direction they perceive not.” (68: 44)

Sabrina had jolted into present, gasped and touched her parched throat. How many times since childhood everybody comes across the messages, ‘Just as you sow, so shall you reap’,or ‘He who digs well for others falls into it himself’. ‘What goes around, comes around, but how many of us actually take pain to comprehend the real spirit of such reminders and then how many of us sincerely make effort to avoid such paths of evil. Very few do, dear readers.

Most of us just go with the flow and as soon as the opportunity presents itself, we jump headlong into the oceans of sin, cruelty, de-

that proves Mr Khan retained the cipher. “Is there any record of cipher’s movement that it was handed over to the prime minister by the principal secretary?”, asked the chief justice.

Source: Dawnnews

ception, usurpation and encroachment like the neighbor in the story, turning blind eye to the system of the universe where blade of justice is always on the move.

Just as she was congratulating herself on her approaching victory, she had met a fatal road accident. Surprisingly, all survived but she.

The car had hit a truck just as she had wished for her husband to die with sneers and hatred.

The police was perplexed at the angle of the accident and were astonished to see a thousands of glass shards impeded in every part of woman’s body turning her into a torn, gashed, broken and bleeding mess which had made it impossible for the first police batch to move it out of car.

The rescuers had to face a great challenge to accomplish the task of moving the dead woman’s body into the ambulance. It was a scary scene that many of the police and bystanders would remember for life. Thus came the help of Providence to the innocent, sincere woman whose happiness, peace, security and joy was the price she had paid for being kind and trusting or shall we say, thus came to an end, the saga of the evil mind who dared to hurt the trusting hearts, planning to snatch away all and ended up losing all what she had, body and soul. The coroner announced, the death came so fast that woman couldn’t even take a second breath. Sabrina read this with beating heart and feared that woman might have found no time to repent neither to her friend nor to God whose boundaries she had rushed to violate.

PICTURE

PICTURE

Separate arrangements for Sisters