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The English website of the Islamic magazine - Al-Mujtama.
A leading source of global Islamic and Arabic news, views and information for more than 50 years.
At the Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon, there have been clashes between two groups called the Palestinian Fatah movement and some other armed groups. These clashes started again on Saturday, even though they had agreed to stop fighting on Friday. Can you believe it?
People at the camp heard gunshots and explosions on Saturday morning. It's really sad that the fighting started again, especially after they had agreed to a cease-fire. According to the United Nations, 14 people have been killed and more than 40 others have been injured since the clashes first began on July 29. That's a lot of people affected by this violence.
Efforts for Peace
Even though the fighting is happening, there are some people who are trying to make things better. The President of Palestine, Abbas, received a phone call from Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati. They talked about what's happening at the Ein el-Hilweh camp and how they can stop the fighting.
Abbas wants everyone to stop fighting and have a "complete and comprehensive cease-fire." He really wants to solve this problem and work together with the Lebanese government. It's important to follow the laws and work together to make things better.
About the Camp
The Ein el-Hilweh camp is the biggest out of the 12 Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. It was established in 1948 and has around 50,000 registered people, according to the United Nations. But some people say that there might actually be around 70,000 people living there. That's a lot of people who need help and support.
Overall, there are about 200,000 Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, spread across these 12 camps. Most of these camps are controlled by different Palestinian groups.
The US State Department recently expressed its strong disapproval of the desecration of religious texts, calling it "abhorrent." This statement was made in response to the desecration of the Quran outside the Turkish Center in New York.
While the State Department did not provide specific details about the incident, they emphasized their support for freedom of expression, which is a fundamental aspect of democracy and protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution. However, they also condemned acts of hate and acknowledged the harm they can cause to individuals.
Continued Concern for Attacks on the Quran
The State Department reiterated its deep concern over acts of desecration to the holy Quran, echoing previous statements on the matter. They emphasized their commitment to addressing anti-Muslim hatred wherever it occurs.
President Joe Biden has also expressed his dedication to combating Islamophobia, stating that it is a priority for his administration. He believes that standing up against anti-Muslim hate is crucial for a country founded on freedom and justice for all.
Creating an Inclusive Environment
The State Department's statement emphasized the importance of creating a more inclusive environment for religious minority groups. They called for peaceful and open dialogue when addressing attacks on the Quran.
Incident at the Turkish Consulate General
During the incident at the Turkish Consulate General in New York, an individual kicked and threw the Quran onto the ground. The security personnel at the Turkish Center promptly intervened and removed the individual from the premises.
A powerful earthquake, the deadliest in decades, has hit Morocco, causing widespread destruction and claiming the lives of over 1,000 people. The earthquake, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, struck a mountainous area near Marrakesh, a popular tourist destination.
The earthquake has caused immense devastation, with the majority of casualties occurring in the Al-Haouz and Taroudant provinces. More than 1,200 people have been injured, with 721 in critical condition. The international community has expressed condolences and offered assistance to Morocco. Algeria, a neighboring country and regional rival, has even lifted its ban on Moroccan flights to facilitate aid delivery and medical evacuations.
Support from Kuwait
The Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, has sent a message of condolences to the Moroccan King, expressing deep sorrow for the victims and their families. The Kuwaiti government has also directed relevant entities to prepare food supplies for the people of Morocco. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, will coordinate the delivery of relief supplies to assist those affected by the earthquake.
Assistance from Local Charities
The Minister of Social Affairs in Kuwait has instructed local charities to organize a donation campaign to help the earthquake victims in Morocco. The Kuwait Red Crescent Society has expressed readiness to provide assistance and necessities to those affected by the disaster. They have also reached out to the Moroccan Red Crescent Society to offer support and express their wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured.
Safety of Kuwaiti Citizens
All Kuwaiti citizens in Morocco have been confirmed safe, with no reported injuries. The Kuwaiti embassy in Morocco has been in contact with local authorities to ensure the well-being of Kuwaiti nationals. The embassy has reassured the public that all Kuwaiti citizens present in Morocco are accounted for and unharmed.
Rescue Efforts and Damage
The earthquake caused significant damage in several cities, including Rabat, Casablanca, and Essaouira. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to find survivors in the rubble of collapsed buildings. The Moroccan army has set up a field hospital in one of the affected villages and deployed resources to support the rescue operation. Experts have noted that the earthquake is the strongest ever recorded in Morocco and the most powerful in the region in over 120 years.
Witness Accounts
Residents and tourists have shared their experiences during the earthquake. Many were terrified and sought safety as buildings shook violently. Some people slept outside due to fear of aftershocks. Witnesses reported collapsed structures, including a minaret in Jemaa el-Fna square. The earthquake has left people in shock, with some losing family members and others describing the chaos and devastation they witnessed.
Response and Assistance
The Moroccan authorities have mobilized all necessary resources to provide assistance to the affected areas. The regional transfusion center in Marrakesh has called on residents to donate blood for the injured. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has postponed a scheduled match indefinitely. The USGS PAGER system has issued a "red alert" for economic losses, indicating extensive damage.
Despite the immense challenges caused by this earthquake, the international community stands united in offering support and aid to Morocco during this difficult time.
A nine-year-old boy was forcibly restrained by a police officer at a special education primary school in southern Belgium, local media reported Thursday.
The incident took place Tuesday in the city of Nalinnes when police were called to the school to "calm down a 9-year-old child who was being difficult," The Brussels Times reported.
Video footage filmed by the boy’s mother shows a police officer restraining him on the ground, said the report.
"The management restrained him initially before calling in our services. We don't just walk into schools. The child was difficult and the mother was not responding to calls from the school," said Commanding Officer of the Germinalt police zone Alain Bal.
The mother said she received an urgent call to pick up her son from school and when she arrived, she found the police intervening, saying “I had the image of George Floyd in my mind.”
Floyd, a Black man, was killed on May 25, 2020 by Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin, who kneeled on his neck for nearly 10 minutes until he died.
The mother added that her son had suffered a nervous breakdown because he was exposed to racist insults from a student who called him "a dirty Black."
She said this happened for the second time in a week.
An investigation has been launched into the incident following the mother's complaint.
The UN children's agency UNICEF warned Thursday that children are migrating through Latin America and the Caribbean in record numbers, accounting for a larger share of the migrant population than other regions in the world.
''Gang violence, instability, poverty and climate-related events are, alarmingly, gripping the region and pushing more children from their homes,'' said UNICEF Latin America and the Caribbean Director Garry Conille.
''More and more children are on the move, of an increasingly young age, often alone and from diverse countries of origin, including from as far away as Africa and Asia.”
According to UNICEF, more than 60,000 children crossed the Darien jungle between Colombia and Panama in the first seven months of 2023, half of them below the age of 5, making it the year with the most child crossings on record.
The number of refugee and migrant children apprehended at the southern border of the US has also been on the rise, it said.
More than 83,000 children entered the US in the first seven months of 2023, according to US Customs and Border Protection.
Globally, children make up 13% of the migrant population, but in this region, about one in four people on the move -- 25% -- is a child, up from 19% in 2019, according to UNICEF.
It warned of the physical risks along irregular migration routes, especially for children, including violence, exploitation and abuse.
UNICEF called for more funding to meet the humanitarian needs of refugees and migrant children in the region.
Clashes erupted late Thursday between the Palestinian Fatah movement and other armed groups at the Ain al-Helweh refugee camp in Lebanon.
Machine guns and shelling were used in the clashes that took place at the Palestinian refugee camp located near the southwestern Sidon city, according to Lebanon’s official National News Agency.
The Ain al-Helweh camp, the largest of 12 Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, witnessed clashes on July 29.
The clashes between Islamic groups and Palestinian security forces affiliated with the Fatah movement left 11 people dead and more than 40 others injured, according to UN figures.
Established in 1948, Ain al-Helweh is the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon with 50,000 registered people, according to figures released by the UN, while unofficial statistics put the camp’s population at 70,000 people.
The total number of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon is estimated to be about 200,000, distributed among 12 camps, most of which are under the control of the Palestinian factions.
Gamal Khattab
Did you know that engineers often look to birds for inspiration when designing new technology? One great example of this is the Japanese train called the Shinkansen, also known as the bullet train. Before it became the sleek and fast train we know today, it had a big problem. When it reached speeds of 200 miles per hour and entered a tunnel, it created a super loud noise called a Sonic Boom. This noise could be heard by people who lived 15 miles away from the tunnel!
The Solution
Engineers wanted to fix this noise problem, so they started looking at how birds are able to fly so smoothly and quietly. One engineer noticed something amazing while watching a Kingfisher bird dive into the water to catch fish. Even though the bird was moving from air to water, which are very different in density, it didn't cause any disturbance on the water's surface. How was this possible?
The Kingfisher's Secret
The engineer realized that the shape of the Kingfisher's beak was the key. The beak allowed the bird to move through the water without creating any big waves or splashes. It had a special design that helped it overcome the difference in density between air and water. This design allowed for a smooth flow, just like how the bullet train needed to move smoothly through the tunnel.
Applying the Bird's Design
The engineers took inspiration from the Kingfisher's beak and applied it to the front of the bullet train. They made the front of the train smoother and more aerodynamic, just like the beak. And guess what? It worked! The noise from the train decreased a lot, and its speed even increased by 10%. Plus, it used 15% less electricity!
A Sign of Intelligent Design
This incredible engineering feat shows us something important. The theory of evolution can't fully explain the amazing abilities of birds and their complex biological systems. Birds are so smart and well-designed that humans try to copy their designs to improve our own technology. This is evidence that birds and other organisms were created by a powerful and wise God, who knew exactly what they needed to survive and thrive.
There has been an outbreak of cholera in Burundi, a country in Africa. The Health Ministry of Burundi announced this on Wednesday. So far, there have been 15 reported cases of cholera in the western part of the country. This area is known for having water shortages, which makes it more prone to cholera outbreaks.
Cholera causes severe diarrhea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration. Cholera is usually spread through contaminated water or food. When people drink or eat something that has the cholera bacteria in it, they can get sick.
What is Being Done?
The Ministry of Public Health and AIDS Control is taking action to help the people affected by cholera. The patients with cholera have been taken to a hospital in the municipality of Bujumbura, and there are other treatment centers available too. The Ministry is asking everyone, including health authorities, residents, and other stakeholders, to work together to fight against cholera. They are also urging people, especially those living in the affected areas, to follow hygiene rules to prevent the spread of the disease.
Why Does Cholera Happen in Burundi?
In the western part of Burundi, there are often water shortages, especially during the dry months from May to September. This makes it easier for cholera to spread. Earlier this year, two people died from cholera in the Bujumbura health district, particularly at the Kajaga beach on Lake Tanganyika.
Cholera in Africa
Cholera is not only a problem in Burundi but also in other countries in Africa. According to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been cholera outbreaks in 15 countries in the African Region. In the latest outbreak, six countries, including Burundi, have been affected, with over 200 new cases reported. However, the WHO says that the situation is getting better and they are keeping a close eye on it.
What Can We Do?
It is important for countries to be prepared and take preventive measures to stop the spread of cholera. This includes keeping a close watch on communities and border crossings to prevent the disease from spreading across borders. As individuals, we can also do our part by practicing good hygiene, such as washing our hands with soap and clean water and making sure our food and water are safe to consume.
The principal of a high school in Lyon, France recently sent a student home for wearing a kimono, a traditional Japanese garment. However, the principal later admitted that the student's outfit was not an abaya, as initially claimed, but rather a long coat of a religious nature.
Discussion with the Student
The 15-year-old student was called in to discuss the incident with the principal and her family. Accompanied by her mother and sister, she explained that her outfit did not represent any religious affiliation, despite being a Muslim herself.
Principal's Response
The principal responded by stating that the school's regulations cover all outfits that show a religious affiliation, not just abayas. According to the principal, when a student arrives veiled in the morning, it is clear what their religious affiliation is.
Similar Incident
It was discovered that at least one other student from the same high school faced a similar measure for wearing a kimono.
Legal Action
The family's lawyer, Maitre Nabil Boudi, has filed a complaint for discrimination based on religious affiliation. He emphasized the humiliation and religious discrimination experienced by his client and called for urgent intervention from the judicial authority.
Student's Experience
The student shared that she was reprimanded in front of her entire class by a member of the educational staff. When taken to the principal's office, she was asked to remove her kimono under the ban imposed by the Ministry of National Education. Refusing to comply would result in her being prohibited from attending classes. The student refused, stating that her outfit was not illegal as it was not an abaya. The principal then informed her that she could not be accepted in class wearing that outfit.
The Uttar Pradesh Police have taken legal action against the district president of the ruling BJP's Minority Morcha in Maharajganj. The leader, Masoom Raza Rahi, has been accused of assaulting a 17-year-old Dalit girl and causing the death of her father.
The Allegations
According to the complaint filed by the minor girl, Rahi assaulted her on August 28. When her father tried to intervene, the BJP leader attacked him, resulting in severe injuries that led to his death.
The Background
The Dalit girl and her family were living as tenants in Rahi's property. Unfortunately, this incident took place within the premises where they resided.
The Charges
Rahi has been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder, assault with intent to outrage a woman's modesty, wrongful restraint, voluntarily causing hurt, insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace, and criminal intimidation. Additionally, charges have been invoked under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
It is important to note that these charges are serious and carry severe consequences if proven guilty.
This case highlights the importance of justice and the protection of vulnerable individuals in the Indian society. It is crucial that everyone, regardless of their background, is treated with respect and dignity. The legal system should now investigate the allegations against the BJP leader, and appropriate action will be taken based on the evidence presented.