Ankara, 22 Dec. 2019 (Anadolu News)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Sunday expressed concerns on the controversial citizenship law affecting the Muslim minority in India.

"It expresses its concern over the recent developments pertaining to both the issue of citizenship rights and the Babri Masjid [Mosque] case. It reiterates its call to ensure the safety of the Muslim minority and the protection of Islamic holy places in India," the OIC said in a written statement.

India's Supreme Court in November handed over the site of the 16th century Babri Mosque to Hindus for the construction of a temple.

Noting that it is closely following recent developments, the General Secretariat of OIC said in a statement that it "reaffirms the crucial importance of upholding the principles and obligations enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and relevant international covenants that guarantee the rights of minorities without any discrimination".

The Muslim bloc also warned that any action contrary to these principles and obligations may lead to "further tensions", as well as may have "serious implications" on peace and security across the region.

The OIC was founded on Sept. 25, 1969 in Morocco in reaction to an arson attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem in August of that year. It has 57 member countries and is headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

India's Citizenship Amendment Act, passed last week, grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Christians from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh but blocks naturalization for Muslims.

Muslim leaders believe the new law will be linked to a nationwide exercise where every citizen would be asked to prove Indian citizenship.

Kabul, 22 Dec. 2019 (AlJazeera News)

Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani is on course for a second five-year term after preliminary results showed him winning 50.64 percent of the votes in the September 28 elections.

The Independent Election Commission (IEC) announced the results on Sunday, putting Ghani's nearest rival Abdullah Abdullah second with 39.52 percent of the 1.9 million votes in the election marred by protests and allegations of fraud.

Former Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar is currently third with 3.85 percent of the votes.

"We have completed our duty responsibly and with honesty," IEC chairperson Hawa Alam Nuristani said in a news conference in Kabul where the preliminary results were announced. The results, originally scheduled to be announced on October 19, have been repeatedly delayed with IEC officials citing technical issues, allegations of fraud and protests from candidates.

Chief Executive Abdullah's supporters blocked several election offices across the country, preventing election workers from a ballot recount for more than a month.

"There were several reasons as to why the preliminary results have taken so long," IEC spokesperson Zabih Sadaat told Al Jazeera. "The main reason was the opposition parties conducting sit-ins and protests outside our offices in seven provinces. We were not able to do our job."

Claiming fraud in the election, Abdullah's team announced on Sunday that it would not accept the results and lodge complaints with the IEC.

"We would like to make it clear once again to our people, supporters, election commission and our international allies that our team will not accept the result of this fraudulent vote unless our legitimate demands are addressed," read a statement from Abdullah's team.

Candidates have the right to file any complaints they may have before final results are announced.

Afghanistan's Unity Government, formed by the United States, has seen Ghani and Abdullah share power over the last five years following a standoff in the wake of allegations of fraud in the controversial 2014 polls.

Ankara, 20 Dec. 2019

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) said Friday there is reasonable basis to investigate alleged war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories.

"I am satisfied that there is a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation into the situation in Palestine," Fatou Bensouda said in a statement.

"In brief, I am satisfied that war crimes have been or are being committed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip," she added, without naming Israel.

ICC on Jan. 16, 2015 had opened a preliminary examination over alleged war crimes committed by Israel in Palestine.

"Specifically, I have sought confirmation that the territory over which the court may exercise its jurisdiction, and which I may subject to investigation, comprises the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza," she said.

Palestinians have long sought to carve out their own nation in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip -- territory captured by Israel in the 1967 war -- as a way to end decades of tensions.

The two-state solution has long had broad international support, including from the U.S., until President Donald Trump came to power in 2017 and made a series of pro-Israel policy shifts.

KUALA LUMPUR

The leaders of Muslim countries around the world underlined the importance of solidarity and unity between Muslim nations during a summit in the Malaysian capital on Thursday.  

At the opening ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur Summit, leaders sent common messages on problems facing the Islamic world, including the development of Muslim societies, increasing Islamophobia, the rise of Islamic civilization as well as economy and cooperation.

In an opening speech, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: "The fate of the world's 1.7 billion Muslims is no longer in the hands of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council."

Erdogan asserted that a lack of action was the biggest problem facing such platforms that gathered the Islamic World, and was also the reason behind a lack of progress on the Palestinian issue, as well as an inability to protect against resource exploitation and sectarianism.

Erdogan stressed that Turkey did not and would not give in to internal and external pressure to silence it, including through a coup attempt, economic terror and slander.

"As they try to silence Turkey, we insist on calling attention to Palestine, Gaza, the Rohingya, Libya, Somalia and Syria," he stressed.  

'World is bigger than 5'

Erdogan reiterated that the world is bigger than five, referring to the five permanent UN Security Council members, whose veto power could prove catastrophic for smaller nations.

"The world is bigger than five" is a famous slogan repeatedly used by Erdogan to criticize the permanent council members -- China, France, Russia, the U.K. and the U.S.

Referring to Turkey’s fight against the terror groups YPG/PKK and Daesh, he said: "In spite of efforts to legalize terrorism, we are fighting against all terror organizations without exception."

Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring on Oct. 9 to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

Under two separate deals with the U.S. and Russia, Turkey paused the operation to allow the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from a planned Syrian safe zone.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people.

Turkey also recognized Daesh/ISIS as a terrorist organization in 2013. Since then, the country has been attacked by Daesh/ISIS terrorists numerous times, including 10 suicide bombings, seven bombings and four armed attacks which killed 315 people and injured hundreds. 

'Muslims are in state of crisis'

Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur Summit, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad pointed out that the Muslim world is passing through "a state of crisis".

"Understanding the problems and their causes may enlighten us on the way to overcome or mitigate disasters that have befallen the Ummah," he added, referring to the religious community of Muslims around the world.

Mahathir, who is also a chairman of the summit, said the objective of this year's event was "not to discuss religion, but the state of affairs in the Muslim world".

"We all know that the Muslims, their religion and their countries are in a state of crisis. Everywhere, we see Muslim countries being destroyed, their citizens forced to flee their countries, forced to seek refuge in non-Muslim countries. Many thousands died during their flight, and many more were refused asylum," he said.

"We are attempting to start small. And if these ideas, proposals and solutions are acceptable and prove to be workable, then we hope to take it up to the larger platform for consideration."

He underscored the successes of historical Muslim countries in building developed civilizations, underlining that today, no Islamic country could be described as developed, leaving the ummah unguarded.

"While we may not have been able to fully dissect all that had caused our pain and anguish, we are mostly in agreement that it is our inability to keep up with the progress and development of the non-Muslims that has left us in the lurch," he said.

"Due to that, Muslims the world over suffer and as many are dependent on the mercy and charity of the non-Muslims. To my mind, we have no choice but to develop and progress as fast as possible," he added.

"We are not discriminating, or isolating anyone. We are attempting to start small in moving forward toward solving our problems," said Mahathir. 

'Muslim world is facing emerging challenges’

Speaking at the event, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani stressed the importance of sovereignty of Muslim countries.

Rouhani praised the nation and government of Malaysia for organizing this summit and creating a valuable model of peaceful, cultural diversity as well as taking new steps for bridging the east and west of the Muslim world.

"The Muslim world is facing emerging challenges at the national and international level which have impeded development and progress," Rouhani said.

Of them, cultural and identity crises are among the most significant challenges, he said.

The future roadmap in combating this crisis would hinge on joint efforts to compensate for underdevelopment in information and communications technology as well as establishing national and regional communication networks and increasing the share of Muslim nations in the digital economy, he added.  

He regretted the death and destruction in Palestine, Syria and Yemen and turbulence in Iraq, Lebanon, Libya and Afghanistan, which he said were the result of a combination of domestic radicalism and foreign interventions. 

He criticized the U.S. for using economic sanctions as a tool to extend its hegemony, urging the creation of special mechanisms for banking and financial cooperation among Muslims as well as the use of national currencies in mutual trade and commerce.

Malaysian King Sultan Abdullah Riayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah also spoke during the summit, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in preventing misunderstanding regarding Islam.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and hundreds of government officials, business people, representatives of civil societies and experts from different sectors across the Muslim world are participating in the three-day summit in different levels.  

Washington, 19 Dec. 2019 (CNN)

Islamabad, 17 Dec. 2019 (Daily dawn)

A special court in Islamabad on Tuesday found former military ruler retired Gen Pervez Musharraf guilty of high treason and handed him a death sentence under Article 6 of the Constitution.

This is the first time in Pakistan's history that a military chief has been declared guilty of high treason and handed a death sentence. The verdict was split 2-1.

Article 6 of the Constitution says: “Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or hold in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance the Constitution by use of force or show force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason."

The punishment for high treason is death or lifetime imprisonment, according to the High Treason (Punishment) Act, 1973.

The three-member bench of the special court — headed by Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth and comprising Justice Nazar Akbar of the Sindh High Court (SHC) and Justice Shahid Karim of the LHC — announced the verdict in the long-drawn high treason case against Musharraf after hearing final arguments today. A detailed verdict will be issued in 48 hours.

The former military chief is currently in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. He was admitted to a hospital following deterioration of his health earlier this month. In a video statement from his hospital bed, he called the treason case "absolutely baseless”. “I have served my country for 10 years. I have fought for my country. This [treason] is the case in which I have not been heard and I have been victimised,” he had stated.

Doha, 13 Dec. 2019

Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, Prime Minster of Malaysia received an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from Qatar University (QU) this evening at a ceremony held at Ibn Khaldoon hall at Qatar University.

Dr. Hassan Al Derham, President of Qatar University, said, “It is a great honor to welcome the Hon. Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad in this historical visit that for sure will strengthen the ties between Qatar and Malaysia. At Qatar University we have a great relationship with the educational institutions at Malaysia as we have signed MoUs with five Malaysian Universities including, the University of Malaya, the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and the International Islamic University Malaysia. He said that QU has also been working with more than 36 different institutions in Malaysia since 2014 that resulted in 274 research papers and project in different fields.

Prof. Al Derham said QU has welcomed The Honorable Dato’ Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia who delivered a keynote address to our community in 2018. We look forward through this visit to open the doors to more educational cooperation with your esteem universities.

He said that “We take pride in welcoming a national symbol and a figure of the Islamic World, who have achieved a great deal and was a pioneer in so many fields. As a student, I have followed your work that allowed Malaysia experienced a period of rapid modernization and economic growth and today we witness the success of The Way Forward plans that placed Malaysia in a leading position globally. He said that From a rich academic contribution, that included 16 books and research paper to a long and fruitful political career that led the country to prosperity.

We are honored to award you the Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy and we are grateful for your acceptance and your visit to Qatar University.”

During his acceptance speech, Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, Prime Minster of Malaysia, said,“First of all, let me start by thanking Dr. Hassan Al Derham, the President of Qatar University for his kind words even though I feel that I do not deserve much of them. Nevertheless, let me reciprocate the warmness of that welcome by expressing my deepest thanks and appreciation to Qatar University for conferring on me this Honorary Doctorate. I am humbled by the acknowledgements and it is indeed a great privilege, not only for me but for my wife, the Government and the people of Malaysia as well. I feel truly honoured.

This award that the Qatar University has accorded to me will be remembered as a symbol of the strong bonds between our two countries. As the top university in the country, Qatar University has distinguished itself as the nation’s premier university on many fronts including in the field of Arts and Sciences, Business and Economics, Education, Engineering, Law, Sharia and Islamic Studies. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate Qatar University for this achievement. Malaysia values its friendship with all countries, large or small, irrespective of their systems of government. In return, we only expect mutual respect and regards. We believe in working together towards a conducive environment for global peace, stability, and shared prosperity.

Relations between Malaysia and Qatar had remained warm and friendly throughout the years since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1974. Both countries have consistently worked together to broaden and deepen our existing cooperation. I must say that the relation now is at an all-time high.

On the multilateral platform, Malaysia and Qatar have cooperated well at various platforms including the United Nations (UN); the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC); and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). We acknowledge the important role of Qatar in these organisations and at the international arena, at large. On the economic front, in 2018, Qatar was Malaysia’s sixth largest export destination and third source of import from the West Asia region. Our trade has increased by 29.3% in 2018 and has shown more improvement this year.

My official visit to Qatar, a first since my reappointment as Prime Minister in May last year, bears testament to Malaysia’s desire to strengthen the bonds of friendship for the mutual interest of both our countries. I had the opportunity to have an audience with His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar yesterday, in which we had an extensive and fruitful discussion on bilateral matters. We also exchanged views on regional and international issues.

We are now living in a multipolar world. We are truly interdependent where there is an integration of diversity and creativity among cultures, nations, and economies in the world. National prosperity and security can no longer be secured by any one nation acting in isolation. Today we stand together at the confluence of time. This is the opportune moment to push the envelope of cooperation, collaboration and solidarity further for our mutual benefit. It is my fervent hope that Malaysia and Qatar will continue to maintain these cordial relations that already exist and work towards enhancing closer future relations.

Malaysia and Qatar share the same beliefs and commitment with regard to education. Malaysia believes that the pursuit of education is a lifelong process and it is the right of every individual to have access to education. Therefore, I am pleased to have this opportunity to address the students of this University. There is no doubt that the students here today will be the leaders of tomorrow, the next torch bearers of your country and the hope for the future generation. Education enhances one's capability and can be an important determinant in improving one's socio-economic status. I believe universities play a significant role in providing opportunities and support for students to explore new knowledge and realise their potential. To this end, I look forward to see more cooperation and collaboration between Qatar University and the universities in Malaysia.

He said that before he conclude, he  would like to once again thank Qatar University for conferring on me the Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy. I deeply treasure this recognition. I will try my level best, to contribute further to the strengthening of Malaysia-Qatar relations.”

The Prime Minister of Malaysia was welcomed by Dr. Hassan bin Rashid Al Derham, President, Qatar University President, along with a number of members of the Board of Trustees, Vice-Presidents, Deans of Faculties, Qatar University students, faculty members, and interested members of the general community. This marks the second honorary doctorate awarded by Qatar University after The President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in December 2015.

Doha, 11 Dec. 2019 (Bernama.com)

Prime Minister of Malaysia,  Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrived here Wednesday to begin his four-day official visit to Qatar.

After his special aircraft touched down at the Hamad International Airport in the Qatar capital at 9.15 pm local time (2.15 am Thursday Malaysian time), Dr Mahathir and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, were greeted upon arrival by Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, and senior officials from both countries.

The Malaysian delegation includes Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Economic Affairs Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu.

This is Dr Mahathir’s first visit to Qatar after being appointed as Malaysia’s seventh Prime Minister in May last year.

The visit is on the invitation of the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and both leaders are scheduled to hold meeting on Thursday to discuss the various efforts being taken to enhance the bilateral ties that was established in 1974.

On the second day of the visit (Dec 12), a packed scheduled awaits the prime minister, including a meeting with captains of industry of Qatar before being accorded an official welcoming ceremony at Amiri Diwan.

The Amiri Diwan is the seat of rule of the State of Qatar. It is the sovereign body and the administrative office of the Emir of Qatar.

After the ceremony, Dr Mahathir is scheduled to have an audience and hold a four-eyed meeting with the Emir.

Both leaders will also witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the Establishment of a High-Level Joint Committee between the Foreign Ministers of both countries before they proceed to a luncheon hosted by the Emir in honour of the visiting prime minister.

In the afternoon, Dr Mahathir is scheduled to meet with the Chairman of the Qatar Foundation, Sheikha Moza Nasser Al Missned, during which they will discuss various aspects of education as the foundation seeks to become an educational hub in the Middle East.

Later, the prime minister will also be meeting the Malaysian diaspora and Malaysian business players in Doha.

On the third day (Dec 13), among others, Dr Mahathir’s programme includes a visit to the Qatar University where the prime minister will be conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy.

Following the official bilateral programmes, on Saturday (Dec 14), the prime minister is scheduled to attend the Doha Forum 2019 where he will deliver the keynote address touching on re-imagining governance in a multi-polar world from Malaysia’s perspective.

At the forum, Dr Mahathir will be conferred the Doha Forum Award by the Emir of Qatar. The prime minister is the first recipient of the Doha Forum Award.

The award is being given to Dr Mahathir as a recognition of his leadership, voice and initiatives in developing and promoting Malaysia as well as its role on the international stage.

Qatar is Malaysia's fifth largest trading partner in the Middle East. In 2018, total trade between the two countries amounted to RM3.72 billion, up 29 per cent from 2017.

Major export items from Malaysia to Qatar in 2018 were machinery, equipment and parts; processed food; palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products; iron and steel products; and manufactures of metals.

Malaysia’s main imports from Qatar were chemical and chemical products; crude petroleum; petroleum products; manufactures of metals; and iron and steel products

The prime minister is scheduled to conclude the visit and return to Malaysia at noon on Saturday (5 pm Malaysian time).

Berlin, 09 Dec. 2019 (Xinhua)

The twin panda cubs born at Zoo Berlin, the first-ever panda cubs born in the city, got names on Monday, 100 days after their births.

At a press conference at the zoo with the two cubs meeting the press, the twins were named 'Meng Xiang', 'Meng Yuan', both, put together, meaning "beautiful dreams come true".

Ankara, 09 Dec. 2019 (Anadolu News)

Turkey and NATO will continue supporting Afghanistan as long as Kabul seeks their help, the Turkish foreign minister said on Monday. Speaking at a joint news conference with Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Idrees Zaman, Mevlut Cavusoglu said Afghanistan has been going through a “sensitive time”.

He said some international attempts for peace in Afghanistan have failed and voiced hope that the efforts would activate a positive process among Afghans. “We will maintain our presence and support in Afghanistan as long as it needs Turkey and NATO,” Cavusoglu added.

Zaman, for his part, said: “I appreciate the time and energy put together and invested by the participating countries and by the political support that we have received from our Turkish brothers in a critical time in our history.”  On the one hand Afghanistan is pursuing the peace process and peace talks, and on the other hand it is waiting for the results of historic elections that it had a few weeks ago, Zaman stressed.

Zaman underlined that this election was different from the elections in the past as it was completely managed by the Afghan officials at the Independent Election Commission, and security of the election was taken over and covered by Afghan defense and security forces.

The election commission was supposed to announce on Nov. 7 the final results of the presidential polls in which a total of 13 candidates vied for the top office, but it is yet to announce the preliminary poll results. The commission is currently recounting votes in a total of 8,255 disputed polling stations across the provinces with an aim to come-up with the preliminary results.

Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump flew to Afghanistan on an unannounced visit and said his administration resumed peace talks with the Taliban.