Hindu Far-Right Groups Call for Economic Boycott
In India's Haryana state, there has been a rise in calls from Hindu far-right organizations to boycott Muslim businesses and keep Muslims out of villages. This comes after deadly communal violence broke out in the state, causing tensions between different religious groups.

Violence Erupts in Nuh District
The violence started in Nuh district on July 31 during a religious procession organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. The procession was reportedly attacked, resulting in the deaths of six people, including two security guards. The clashes quickly spread to other districts, with a mosque being set on fire in Gurugram and the deputy imam being killed.

Protests and Boycott Ultimatums
Following the violence, various Hindu groups organized protests. During one demonstration in Nuh, a speaker from the Hindu far-right group Bajrang Dal gave an ultimatum to local businesses. He demanded that they fire any Muslim employees or face a boycott. This ultimatum was met with support from hundreds of followers.

Concerns Over Structural Violence
Lawyer Shahrukh Alam, who has challenged hate speech in court, believes that the economic boycott calls against Muslims are part of a pattern of structural violence against them. He argues that these demands violate the rights guaranteed to all citizens in the Indian Constitution and promote discrimination.

Legal Action and Protests
Police officials have registered cases against those promoting enmity between different groups and rioting. However, concerns have been raised about the lack of action from the police during these protests. In April 2023, the Supreme Court ordered states to register incidents of hate speech without waiting for complaints to be filed.

Support for Boycotts and Unconstitutional Actions
More than 50 village governing bodies in Haryana have issued statements banning the entry of Muslim traders in their areas. These statements have received support from prominent right-wing influencers. However, legal experts argue that these actions are against the law and undermine the integrity and equality promised in the Indian Constitution.

Legal Petition and Farmer Protests
Lawyer Kapil Sibal has filed a petition with the Supreme Court against the calls for economic boycotts of Muslims. Additionally, farmers in Hisar district gathered to protest against the unconstitutional letters banning Muslim traders. Leaders from various religions were invited to discuss the situation and advocate for peace.

Source: Aljazeera

Have you ever wondered why some societies separate men and women?

In an Islamic context, separating genders is based on the idea of modesty and maintaining proper interactions between men and women. It's important to know that different Islamic scholars and cultural practices may have different views on this topic. Let's explore some of the benefits associated with a separated-gender society in an Islamic context.

Preservation of Modesty

Modesty is highly valued in Islam for both men and women. In a separated-gender society, physical segregation helps reduce opportunities for inappropriate interactions. This creates a more modest and respectful environment.

Protection of Honor

Separation is seen as a way to protect the honour and reputation of individuals and families. Minimizing interactions between unrelated men and women, reduces the risk of illicit relationships or misunderstandings.

Focus on Religious Observance

Separation can create an environment that allows individuals to focus more on their religious duties and worship without distractions or attractions.

Avoidance of Temptations

Minimizing interactions between unrelated men and women helps reduce the risk of temptation and potential sins.

Respect for Privacy

Gender segregation is seen as a way to uphold the privacy and personal space of individuals. Everyone's personal space is respected.

Preserving Family Values

Advocates argue that maintaining separate spaces for men and women fosters stronger family values and reduces the risk of extramarital relationships that could threaten the family unit.

Cultural and Social Norms

In many Muslim-majority societies, separated gender spaces have become ingrained cultural norms. They are accepted as a way to maintain social order and harmony.

In a small town in France, a young Muslim named Izzeddin Hamdi did something incredibly brave. He risked his own life to save 17 people from a burning building, including a baby!

The Terrifying Fire
It all happened on a Friday in Romans-sur-Isere, a town in southeastern France. Suddenly, a fire broke out in a two-story building. The flames were spreading fast, and everyone inside was in danger.

A Hero Emerges
But then, out of nowhere, Izzeddin Hamdi, who works as a baker, appeared on the scene. Without thinking twice, he rushed into the burning building to rescue the people trapped inside. Can you believe it?

A Daring Rescue
Even though the fire was raging and the smoke was thick, Hamdi didn't hesitate. He climbed up a ladder and entered the building through a window. One by one, he helped 17 people escape from the flames. He even saved a baby! What an incredible act of bravery!

A Hero's Recognition
Word of Hamdi's heroic actions quickly spread throughout the neighbourhood and on social media. People couldn't stop praising him for his courage and selflessness. Many even suggested that he should receive the Legion of Honor, which is the highest award in France.

The Firefighters' Perspective
When the firefighters arrived at the burning building, they were amazed by what they saw. The flames were already 5-6 meters (16-20 feet) high. Baptiste Devis, one of the firefighters, expressed his admiration for Hamdi's bravery.

An 18-year-old Afghan citizen was injured when several men broke into a refugee shelter, shouting xenophobic taunts. The perpetrators fled when other residents arrived.

Four masked men have attacked a refugee shelter in the town of Sebnitz in the eastern state of Saxony, police said on Sunday.

According to police, the group first entered the building through its back door, after which they held an 18-year-old Afghan citizen against a wall.

The four attackers then threw objects at a 16-year-old resident of the house. Police said that the suspects called out xenophobic slogans while carrying out the attack.

The men fled the home after additional residents arrived at the scene of the attack.

The 16-year-old was unharmed in the incident, while the 18-year-old was treated on the scene.

Police searched the area but did not manage to apprehend any suspects.

The security wing of the Dresden police force said it was investigating the crimes of dangerous bodily harm, verbal abuse and trespassing.

A top US rights envoy in Bangladesh said Thursday that conditions remain unsafe for the return of ethnic Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, with Washington pledging further aid for the crisis.

Bangladesh is home to around a million members of the stateless minority, most of whom fled a 2017 military crackdown in neighbouring Myanmar that is now subject to a genocide probe at the International Criminal Court.

“We support efforts to create the conditions for eventual, safe, dignified, informed and voluntary return of Rohingya — conditions that do not currently exist,” the US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya told reporters in Dhaka.

Zeya, speaking after talks with Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, commended Dhaka for “reaffirming their commitment against forced return” of Rohingya people.

Bangladesh and Myanmar have discussed efforts to begin repatriating Rohingya refugees to their homeland, where they have been subject to decades of persecution and are denied citizenship.

“Obviously, we will not do anything to harm the refugees or Rohingyas that we have, who have been welcomed in Bangladesh,” Momen said.

Dozens have been killed in Rohingya camp clashes between rival insurgent forces this year, with Human Rights Watch on Thursday warning of “surging violence by armed groups and criminal gangs”.

The United States is the biggest donor to Rohingya humanitarian efforts, contributing more than $2.1 billion in aid to Rohingyas and host communities in Bangladesh.

Funding cuts forced the United Nations food agency to cut rations to refugee settlements twice this year, with aid workers warning that the move would likely worsen the already precarious security situation in the camps.

Zeya on Thursday announced a further $74 million in aid, including for Rohingyas refugees in Bangladesh and in camps in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

The US diplomat also met Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discussed “the need for free and fair elections” due in January 2024./AFP