Kashmir.Watch

Author: hamid

  • Former Imam of Mecca Sheikh Saleh al Taleb jailed for 10 years for ‘a sermon’

    Sheikh Saleh al-Taleb, a former imam of the Great Mosque of Mecca, Islam’s holiest site, has been sentenced to ten years in prison by Saudi authorities, according to rights group ‘Prisoners of Conscience’.

    The Court of Appeals overturned an initial decision by the Specialised Criminal Court that had acquitted Sheikh Al-Taleb, instead giving him a formal jail sentence, according to the rights group.

    Confirmed to us that the Court of Appeal reversed the release ruling against the imam of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Sheikh Saleh Al-Talib, and issued a ten-year prison sentence against him. pic.twitter.com/wWcdrLJgsP

    — Prisoners of Conscience (@m3takl_en) August 23, 2022


    Sheikh Saleh al-Taleb was initially arrested in August 2018. There was no official explanation for the 48-year-old’s detention, but rights groups say his arrest came after he delivered a sermon on the duty of Muslims to speak out against evil in public.

    Here is that sermon that could have been the reason for his arrest:

    اللهم فك أسره!
    الحكم على إمام الحرم المكي الشيخ #صالح_آل_طالب بالسجن عشر سنين بسبب هذه الخطبة!
    إذا لم يقم خطيب الجمعة وإمام البيت الحرام بالأمر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر والدعوة إلى الإصلاح فما هي وظيفته إذاً!
    ﴿ولتكن منكم أمة يدعون إلى الخير ويأمرون بالمعروف وينهون عن المنكر﴾ pic.twitter.com/12acS1sdFC

    — أ.د. حاكم المطيري (@DrHAKEM) August 22, 2022

    Saudi Arabia is known for routinely imprisoning activists, journalists, and preachers without a clear cause.

    Dozens of preachers have reportedly been arrested since 2017, including some who called for reconciliation between the Gulf States when Saudi Arabia orchestrated a siege against neighbouring Qatar.

    Many of those clerics are still in jail, despite relations between the neighbours since being normalised.

    Last week, Saudi authorities sentenced doctoral student Salma Al-Shehab to 34 years behind bars for tweets critical of the government, triggering outrage worldwide.

  • Haramain Sharifain strongly condemns the blasphemy of the Prophet PBUH

    Editorial Statement: Haramain Sharifain strongly condemns the blasphemy of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Him) committed by a member of India’s ruling party BJP.

  • Hybrid militant, OGW arrested in Sopore :- Police

    Srinagar: Police along with security forces on Tuesday claimed to have arrested one hybrid LeT militants and one OGW besides that arms and ammunition has been recovered from their possession.

    In a statement the police said that at around 1900 hrs on Tuesday,bon the basis of specific information regarding movement of 2 suspected militants, joint parties of Police Component Rafiabad, 22 Rashtriya Rifles and 92 CRPF were conducting nakas/checking on multiple simultaneous MVCP Grid at Nowpora Six Way Junction, MRF Chowk, Bahrampora Bridge, Sonawani Bridge, and at Behrampora Seeloo Bridge.

    “During the checking of vehicles at around 1930 hrs the naka party at Behrampora Seeloo bridge observed a suspecious movement of a vehicle towards Seelo in which 02 persons were boarded rushed and asked to stop, but they tried to flee from the spot.” The statement adds.

    “The party assessed the situation and displayed extreme restraint and fire control in not opening fire. The individuals were tactfully apprehended by the Naka party.” It added.

    “On carrying out spot interrogation the individuals disclosed that they were tasked to deliver a weapon and a hand grenade at Seelu which was planned to be used for targetted killing.” It adds further.

    They identified them as Muzaffar Ah Dar son of Ghulam Nabi Dar resident of Pazalpura, Dangiwacha Soporeb and Sofi Ishaq Ahmad son of Mohammad Sultan Sofi resident of Amberpora, Tarzoo, Sopore.

    “During the search 01 Pistol, 01 Pistol Magazine 8 Rounds and 1 hand grenade were recovered from the possession of Muzaffar Ahmed Dar and 01 Chinese Hand Grenade was recovered from Sofi Ishaq Ahmad, statement adds.

    In this regard Case FIR 97/2022 U/S 7/25 I.A Act , 13,18,23 & 38 ULA (P) Act registered in Police Station Dangiwacha, Rafiabad and investigation is going on, it adds further.

  • Adani media group to buy 29.2% stake in NDTV

    Shares of NDTV settled at Rs 366.20 on BSE, up 2.61 percent from the previous close. Its revenue for the financial year ended March 31, 2022 was Rs 230.91 crore.

    Reuters

    Adani Enterprises said on Tuesday its media unit will indirectly buy a 29.18 percent stake in New Delhi Television Ltd and launch an open offer for another 26 percent stake in the media house.

    In a statement to NSE, Adani Enterprises said: “We hereby inform you that AMNL, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, has acquired 100 percent equity stake in VCPL, in accordance with the terms contemplated under the purchase agreement dated 23rd August, 2022 executed between AMNL, Nextwave Televentures Private Limited (“NTPL”), Eminent Networks Private Limited (“ENPL”, collectively with NTPL as “Sellers”) and VCPL.”

    In a statement to BSE Limited on August 22, NDTV clarified, stating “in the best interests of our shareholders – that we have clarified to the journalist in writing that this is a baseless rumour, and that Radhika and Prannoy Roy are not in discussions now, nor have been, with any entity for a change in ownership or a divestment of their stake in NDTV. They individually and through their company, RRPR Holding Private Limited, continue to hold 61.45 percent of the total paid-up share capital of NDTV.

    NDTV’s letter to BSE came following a request “by a journalist at a business newspaper to comment on whether the founder promoters of New Delhi Television Limited (NDTV) are selling their stake in NDTV held through RRPR Holding Private Limited.”

    Three firms, Vishvapradhan Commercial Pvt Ltd along with AMG Media Networks and Adani Enterprises Ltd, have offered a price of Rs 294 for the acquisition of up to 1,67,62,530 fully paid-up equity shares of NDTV having a face value of Rs 4 from the public shareholders.

    A public announcement has been made by JM Financial Ltd, which is managing the offer on behalf of the acquirers.

    “The Offer Price is higher than the price determined in accordance with Regulation 8(2) of the SEBI (SAST) Regulations,” the offer said.

    On Tuesday, shares of NDTV settled at Rs 366.20 on BSE, up 2.61 per cent from the previous close. Its revenue for the financial year ended March 31, 2022 was Rs 230.91 crore.

    With inputs from Reuters.

    Disclaimer: Except for the headlines this story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff.

  • Board of Directors, J&K Bank call on Lt Governor

    Srinagar, August 23: Board of Directors, Jammu & Kashmir Bank today met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at the Raj Bhawan here.

    The directors- Sh R K Chhibber, Dr Rajeev Lochan Bishnoi, Sh Anil Goel, Sh Umesh Pandey apprised the Lt Governor about the functioning and progress achieved by the J&K Bank in the recent quarter.

    It was informed that J&K bank achieved a profit of Rs 165.97 crores in the quarter ending June as against Rs 104.32 crores for the same quarter previous year

    It was informed that J&K bank achieved a profit of Rs 165.97 crores in the quarter ending June as against Rs 104.32 crores for the same quarter previous year.

    The Lt Governor while interacting with the directors appreciated the progress achieved by J&K Bank. He impressed upon them to ensure that maximum population of the UT is covered under the ambit of banking services and financial literacy.

    The Lt Governor further asked them to continue their sustained endeavours of being the major contributor in providing financial assistance to the people of Jammu Kashmir, especially the enterprising youth.

  • BJP suspends Raja Singh arrested for making derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Raja Singh has been taken into custody for making an alleged blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad, in Hyderabad on Tuesday

    New Delhi, Aug 23: The BJP on Tuesday suspended its Telangana MLA T. Raja Singh for making derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

    In a letter to Singh, Member Secretary BJP Central Disciplinary Committee Om Pathak said, “You have expressed views contrary to the Party’s position on various matters, which is in clear violation of Rule XXV. 10 (a) of constitution of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

    “I have been directed to convey to you that pending further inquiry, you are suspended from the party and from your responsibilities / assignments if any, with immediate effect.”

    Pathak further wrote, “Please also show cause within 10 days from the date of this notice as to why you should not be expelled from the party.”

    “Your detailed reply must reach the undersigned no later than September 2,” Pathak added.

    Earlier in the day, the Hyderabad Police arrested the controversial BJP MLA for making derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

    The member of Telangana Legislative Assembly was arrested following huge protests by Muslims in parts of Hyderabad after he uploaded a video on Facebook making derogatory comments.

    Police have booked a case against the MLA from Goshamahal constituency at Dabeerpura police station. He has been booked for promoting enmity between the different groups on grounds of religion.

    Singh was taken into preventive custody last Saturday for threatening to disrupt comedian Munawar Faruqui’s show. The comedian’s show was held amid tight security.

    Singh is famous for making provocative speeches and derogatory remarks against other religions. In June, he was booked for making offensive remarks against Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.

  • An illiterate woman, who provides employment to 1000 girls in South Kashmir

    Srinagar Aug 22: Amid rising unemployment, a 55-year-old woman from South Kashmir’s Kulgam district has been providing employment to over 1000 girls.

    Her name is Zamruda Bano, who has set up over 200 centres where around 1000 women work and make their earnings. In these centres, these women do crewel embroidery, chain stitching with a special hooked needle locally called Ari on the fabric, making cushion covers, curtains, and bed sheets.

    Zamrudu is an illiterate woman from Kulgam and is mother of two children. However, that has not deterred her from setting up these centres and providing employment to over 1000 women.

    “I also provide training to girls to learn these skills. Once they get trained, they start doing works of crewel embroidery, chain stitching, making cushion covers, bed sheets and curtains. We then sell these things in and outside Kashmir,” she told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

    She has been earning over Rs 10 lakh monthly and provides remuneration to these girls.

    She has been associated with this art since childhood. Everyday many women come to her to learn about the crafts. Even doing Covid restrictions, her works were going smoothly.

    “My main aim is to provide employment to girls. There are thousands of girls sitting idle at homes. I started setting up centres since 1990 and thousands of girls have been trained in them over the years,” Zamruda said.

    In each centre 10-15 girls work jointly. “Each girl earns Rs 4000-7000 monthly based on the work they do,” she said.

    One of the girls working in one of Zamruda’s centres said she was sitting idle after passing 10th class. “My family could not afford to send me for higher studies due to financial constraints. Then I got to know about the centre in 2017. I learned how to make crewel cushions for a few months. Now I earn over Rs 5000 per month,” she said, who is from Kulgam district.

    Like other parts of the country, there is rising unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir. The Government of India’s Ministry of Statistics and Programme implementation published its latest Periodic Labour Force Survey stating that unemployment figures among educated youth in J&K has reached 46.3 percent, second highest in India. (KINS)

  • Nowgam Incident Police Registered FIR

    Today afternoon an incident came to notice wherein Some army personnel in uniform reportedly beat one civilian while other personnel present also got involved in minor fight at nowgam chowk.


    On receipt of this information, cognisance of incident was taken and a case under FIR number 116/2022 under sections 323,341 of IPC was registered in nowgam PS. Investigation has been taken up.

    Srinagar Police

  • WhatsApp users, beware! Don’t receive video call; it can be female posing nude to extort money

    Mysuru: A youth has lodged an FIR against a female stranger for extortion over a video call in which she had gone nude, police said on Monday.

    According to police, Vasu K., the complainant, a resident of Bilikere village near Hunsur town got a message from the accused young lady introducing herself as Amrita and expressing her wish to talk to him.

    After some time she made a video call to Vasu. As soon as he received the call, the lady had gone nude. Vasu told police that he disconnected the call as soon as the woman went nude.

    However, she sent him a video message showing him on a mobile phone screen when she had gone nude and demanded money from him.

    If he fails to give her money, she threatened to send this video and other screenshots to his friends and family and make them viral on social media.

    Following this, Vasu approached the Cyber Police in Mysuru and sought protection. The police have begun investigations.

  • All Party Meeting begins at Dr Farooq’s Gupkar residence

    Srinagar, Aug 22 : The All Party meeting began here at National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah’s Gupkar residence to discuss the future course of action with regard to inclusion of non-locals into electoral rolls of Jammu and Kashmir.

    Reports reaching to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that leaders from all the parties except Peoples Conference and Apni Party have reached to the residence of Dr Farooq, where the meeting was scheduled.

    Notably, for the first time, Shiv Sena has also joined hands with the Kashmir based parties and attended the meeting to discuss the issue

    Earlier, Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone in a presser said that they will not attend the all party meeting called by NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah—(KNO)

    More details awaited