Categories : News

Kidnapping and ant-Shiite rhetoric stirs Malaysian debate about Saudi-inspired ultra-conservatism

Allegedly kidnapped, forty-three-year old Malaysian activist Amri Che Mat, a foreign exchange trader and mountain climber, has not been heard of since he went missing in November 2016.

Asri attacks missing Amri, says Shia Islam threatens ‘national security’

The Perlis mufti admits to being part of a 20-member team who had gone to the activist’s house in 2015. SEPANG: Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin today launched an attack on Amri Che Mat, a day after the missing activist’s wife named his state fatwa office and Islamic authorities as among those she suspected of involvement in her husband’s disappearance.

Scotblood – First Minister visits Edinburgh Donor Centre

Today First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP visited the Edinburgh Donor Centre, to thank donors and staff for their efforts during the busy festive season. During the visit she also met with representatives from the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society (SABS), who have been working with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) to encourage more people to give blood, especially members of the Muslim community.

Shining a spotlight on hate speech in Saudi textbooks

Advisers to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and public relations teams in Western capitals have vigorously promoted the energetic royal as a “courageous reformer,” but a new U.S. congressional initiative around Saudi textbook reform could put this narrative to the test.

Bahrain arrests 47, charges 290 in mass crackdown

DUBAI: Bahraini police said Sunday they had arrested 47 people on charges linked to terrorism, including plots to assassinate “public figures,” as well as filing charges against another 290. The government accuses Tehran of training “terrorist cells” in the tiny island state. Iran denies involvement.

Bahrain ruling on Nabeel Rajab jail term condemned

Human rights groups have roundly condemned a ruling by a Bahraini court to affirm a two-year jail sentence of activist Nabeel Rajab, saying the verdict “illustrates the corruption” of the kingdom’s justice system. Rajab had been found guilty in July of “spreading rumours and untruthful information” against the government in TV interviews.

Pakistani politics risk aggravating problems and heightening regional tension

Credit: Balochistan Police Self-serving Pakistani politics threaten to aggravate the country’s myriad problems that have strained its relations with the United States and could heighten tension in the restless, key geo-strategic region of Balochistan, a vital node bordering Iran in China’s Belt and Road initiative and the earmarked home for the People’s Republic’s second foreign military base.

Dozens killed in Kabul suicide attack

At least 40 people have been killed and 30 wounded in a suicide attack in the Afghan capital, Kabul. A Shia cultural and religious organisation and media offices of the Afghan Voice agency were hit. The interior ministry told the BBC a suicide blast was followed by another two explosions in the area.

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Imminent execution of six in Saudi, Six sentenced to death in Bahrain VOB.ORG

There are fears among the inhabitants of East Arabia that the execution of six Shia Muslims from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia may be imminent. Yesterday they were transferred from a prison in the Eastern city of Dammam to the capital, Riyadh, where executions often takes place.

Opinion | It’s time for the U.N. to sanction Saudi Arabia

Ripples of reform from Riyadh have been attracting positive press for the Saudis in Washington. The government recently pledged to permit women to drive, allow movie theaters into the country and to teach physical education to girls in schools. These are important steps, especially for gender equality.