Categories : News

Pakistan’s lurch towards ultra-conservativism abetted by Saudi-inspired pyramid scheme (Part 1)

Saudi funding, a pillar of the kingdom’s more than 40-year long public diplomacy campaign, the world’s largest dedicated effort of its kind, has helped weave ultra-conservatism into significant segments of Pakistani society as well as key branches of government and the state that have fostered an environment capable of sustaining itself, expanding its reach, and spawning institutions that target specific societal groups.

Explosion hits Syrian evacuation convoy in Aleppo

An explosion near a bus convoy waiting to enter the Syrian city of Aleppo killed or wounded several people on Saturday, pro-government media outlets, pro-opposition activists and a monitor reported. A military media unit run by Damascus ally Hezbollah said a suicide attacker had detonated a car bomb near the convoy.

See also BBC News

Saudi Arabia Wants to Disappear History and Deny Religious Pluralism

It is with utmost concern that the Baqee Organization learnt of Saudi Arabia’s plans against its own Shia Muslim community as it is preparing to demolish yet another religious historic site in the name of absolutism and intolerance.

In Bahrain, Confrontation for the Sake of Confrontation

The Trump administration has decided to remove any conditions regarding human rights from sales of F-16 fighter aircraft and other arms to Bahrain. The rationale for doing so is the idea that hard power considerations ought to come before softer concerns for the rights of someone else’s citizens.

Bahrain king approves military trials for civilians

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa on Monday approved a constitutional amendment granting military courts the right to try civilians accused of terrorism. Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa on Monday approved a constitutional amendment granting military courts the right to try civilians accused of terrorism, state news agency BNA said.

Dozens injured as blast rocks market in Parachinar – The Express Tribune

At least 10 people were killed and scores injured as a blast rocked Parachinar’s local market on Friday. The blast occurred near Parachinar’s Shandak Bazaar, which according to eyewitnesses killed at least 10 people. Political administration has declared emergency in all markets and hospitals in nearby areas.

See also alJazeera
and the BBC
and Dawn
and Express Tribune

ISIS Threatens Iran in New Video | The Iran Primer

On March 27, the Islamic State group released a rare Farsi-language video threatening Iran. The nearly 40-minute clip, issued on social media by the group’s Diyala Province in neighboring Iraq, is titled “The Farsi Land: From Yesterday ’till Today.”

Rex Tillerson to Lift Human Rights Conditions on Arms Sale to Bahrain

The State Department on Wednesday notified Congress of its intent to proceed with the sale without the conditions, according to Micah Johnson, a spokeswoman for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Congress now has two review periods to examine the sale and raise any objections.

18-year-old Mustafa Hamdan dies after security forces shooting – Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain

24 March 2017 – Mustafa Hamdan, 18, died this morning at the Salmaniya Medical Complex, two months after security forces shot him in head and rendered him comatose. We, the undersigned, consider Hamdan’s death an extrajudicial killing by the Bahraini Government. We condemn state violence employed against peaceful protesters, the …

UMAA v. Trump

On March 23, 2017, Muslim Advocates and our partners, the Southern Poverty Law Center and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, filed UMAA v. Trump to challenge President Trump’s second Muslim ban.

See also:
https://www.splcenter.org/seeking-justice/case-docket/universal-muslim-association-america-inc-et-al-v-donald-j-trump-et-al
http://au.org/tags/umaa-v-trump