
AIMPLB, J-K Waqf Board express condolences to families of victims of Air India plane crash
New Delhi [India] June 14 (ANI): The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Friday expressed its condolences to the bereaved families over the loss of lives in the crash of Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight from Ahmedabad to London, which had 242 passengers and crew members on board.
In the press statement, AIMPLB president Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani expressed profound grief over the unfortunate crash.
'We share in your sorrow and pray that the Almighty grants you patience and strength in this time of immense grief,' he said.
He also demanded a thorough investigation into the crash.
'We demand a thorough investigation into the causes of this crash, and that those found responsible for any negligence be held accountable,' the MPLB president said.
Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board Chairperson Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi expressed her shock over the incident.
'I lack words for the incident. Even the thought of such an incident is horrifying... So many passengers, including ex-CM (Vijay Rupani), lost their lives... May the departed souls rest in peace and their families get the strength to bear the immense loss,' she said.
On Thursday, the Air India's Boeing Dreamliner plane, bound for London's Gatwick, crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport. Only one out of the 242 people on board the aircraft survived the crash.
There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national on board the crashed plane, airline authorities said. (ANI)
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Canada News.Net
2 hours ago
- Canada News.Net
National Security Conference in Canada calls for stronger action to counter radical forces
Ontario [Canada], June 30 (ANI): The Canada India Foundation (CIF), in collaboration with The Alliance to Fight Secessionism and International Khalistani Terrorism (TAFSIK), convened a powerful one-day National Security Conference on Sunday under the theme 'United Against Extremism'. Held at the Paramount EventSpace in Woodbridge, Ontario, the conference brought together prominent voices from across Canada to deliberate on the growing threats posed by extremist ideologies, foreign interference, and their impact on Canada's domestic security. The conference addressed a harsh and sobering reality: Canada's multicultural democracy is increasingly being manipulated by radical elements that import divisive agendas from overseas. The event featured discussions around historical failures like the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing, the rise of foreign-funded extremist groups, and the urgent need for a coordinated national response to counter radicalization, misinformation, and transnational crime. 'The idea behind this conference is not to single out any individual or community,' said Ritesh Malik, founder of Canada India Foundation and chief organiser of the event. 'This conference is for Canada to preserve Canada. We came to this country for its peace and values, and we now see extremism threatening those very foundations. Our communities face daily threats. It's time policymakers, security agencies, and elected officials listen and take action.' One of the major focal points of the conference was the 1985 Air India bombing--Canada's deadliest act of terrorism that claimed 329 lives, most of them Canadian citizens. Sanjay Lazar, an aviation expert and author who lost his entire family in the tragedy, made an emotional plea. 'This year marks the 40th anniversary of that bombing,' Lazar said. 'It wasn't just an attack on a flight; it was a direct assault on Canadian values. We're still waiting for a memorial learning centre and want this story to be integrated into the Canadian education system. We owe that to the victims and future generations.' The conference's 'Human Cost of Terrorism' session explored how affected communities, particularly Indo-Canadians and Jewish Canadians, continue to suffer the consequences of extremism through hate crimes, threats, and targeted violence. 'There was a recent attack on a Jewish school--spraying bullets at children. The perpetrators are still at large,' one speaker noted. 'Is this failure of intelligence or dangerous apathy?' The event also examined modern-day threats ranging from Islamist networks and Khalistani separatists to far-left radicals and foreign intelligence-linked agents operating in Canada under the guise of human rights activism. Danial Bordman, a Canadian journalist, did not mince words: 'We are dealing with Islamist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, ISI-backed Canadians, Khalistanis, and radical far-left elements. It's alarming that these forces continue to operate openly while policy remains paralysed. But I also see the best people here today--and I hope this conference yields action.' Wyatt Claypool, another Canadian journalist, echoed the need for a principled foreign policy and stronger national resolve. 'Canada has become the country that often backstabs its allies. Whether it's India or Israel, we take the wrong side. We talk like second-year foreign policy students obsessed with de-escalation. We forget that sometimes there is a right and a wrong.' He continued, 'The Liberals haven't taken this threat seriously. Under Stephen Harper, at least we had a direction. Now, it's chaos.' Ujjal Dosanjh, former federal Health Minister and one of the most respected Indo-Canadian political voices, said, 'Today's meeting is probably the first in a long time to publicly address extremism in the Indo-Canadian community. Politicians have ignored this issue for far too long. What we see now is an intermingling of extremism, drug smuggling, and immigration fraud--creating serious problems for our society.' Community participant Guneet Singh praised the inclusive nature of the event. 'This is a Canadian issue, not an Indian issue. Illegal immigration, extremism--these are problems affecting all of us. It's good that platforms like CIF and TAFSIK are stepping up and bringing together people from across social, political, and digital spaces.' Panelists also discussed the reluctance of mainstream media and public institutions to address these challenges openly. 'Extremists are posting threats online and waving AK-47s, and the RCMP remains silent,' a speaker noted. 'Hate is disguised as freedom of expression, and security agencies walk on eggshells.' One section of the conference focused on Bill 63, legislation which panelists argue curtails freedom of expression for moderate voices, while shielding radical ones from criticism. 'Laws like this suppress open dialogue, which is essential to challenge extremism,' a speaker noted. The conference's objective was not just to diagnose the problems but to push for solutions. Speakers advocated for better intelligence sharing, law enforcement empowerment, and reforms in immigration to weed out exploitation by radical elements. They also called on the media to abandon fear-based self-censorship and speak honestly about growing threats. 'We must protect the vast majority--the peaceful, gentle citizens of Canada,' a panelist urged. 'The Canadian Charter of Rights was never meant to shield violence or extremism. It must protect the innocent, not the dangerous.' The conference concluded with a commitment to compiling a comprehensive report based on its findings, which will be submitted to Canadian lawmakers and security agencies. 'The time for silence is over,' said Ritesh Malik in closing remarks. 'Canada deserves to be what it was, what it should be, and what we want it to be for our children.' (ANI)


Edmonton Journal
9 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
U.K. rapper Bobby Vylan leads Glastonbury festival crowd in 'Death to the IDF' chant
Article content The IDF chants, condemned by the Israeli embassy in London, were broadcast on the BBC, which airs coverage of Britain's most popular music festival. 'I thought it's appalling, to be honest, and I think the BBC and Glastonbury have got questions to answer about how we saw such a spectacle on our screens,' U.K. minister Wes Streeting told Sky News. The Israel embassy said in a statement late Saturday it was 'deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival.' But Streeting, Labour's health secretary, also took aim at the embassy, telling it to 'get your own house in order.' 'I think there's a serious point there by the Israeli embassy. I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously,' he said, citing settler violence in the West Bank. A spokesperson for the BBC said some of the comments by Vylan, part of British duo Bob Vylan, were 'deeply offensive' and the broadcaster had 'no plans to make the performance available on demand.'


Winnipeg Free Press
20 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
The last Hong Kong pro-democracy party holding street protests disbands
HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong pro-democracy political party League of Social Democrats announced on Sunday it had disbanded due to immense political pressure, the latest casualty in a years-long crackdown that has already quieted much of the city's once-vocal opposition. Following massive anti-government protests in 2019, many leading activists were prosecuted or jailed under a 2020 national security law imposed by Beijing. Dozens of civil society groups dissolved. Media outlets critical of the government shuttered. The League of Social Democrats was the only pro-democracy party that still staged small street protests from time to time and held street booth activities to carry on its advocacy despite the risks. Its chairperson, Chan Po-ying, said the disbandment decision was made after careful deliberation, especially taking into account the consequences to its members and comrades. Chan refused to elaborate on the pressure but said she was proud to say that the party had still contributed to the city's pro-democracy movement in these few years. 'We have stayed true to our original aspirations and haven't let down to the trust placed in us by those who went to prison,' she said. 'While we are now forced to disband and feel an ache in our conscience, we have no other choice,' she said. Protests became rare under Beijing's grip Hong Kong, a former British colony, will mark the 28th anniversary of returning to Chinese rule on July 1. The city used to hold annual pro-democracy protests that day and other various demonstrations demanding better policies. But those were ceased after most organizing groups were disbanded and the leading activists were jailed. Critics say the drastic political changes under the security law reflect that the freedoms Beijing promised to keep intact in 1997 are shrinking. The Beijing and Hong Kong governments insist the law is necessary for the city's stability. A Chinese official overseeing Hong Kong affairs in 2023 said protests are not the only way for people to express their views, signaling Beijing's stance toward demonstrations in the city. In April, Hong Kong's biggest pro-democracy party, the Democratic Party, also voted to give its leadership the mandate to move toward a potential disbandment. Party veterans told The Associated Press that some members were warned of consequences if the party didn't shut down. A final vote is expected at a later date. A party known for confrontational tactics Founded in 2006, the League of Social Democrats was a left-wing political party that opposed collusion between government and business, upheld the principle that people have a say and was firmly committed to the interests of underprivileged residents. It was widely known for its more aggressive tactics when fighting for change. Its members have thrown bananas, eggs and luncheon meat at officials or pro-Beijing lawmakers as a protest gesture. Its party platform said the group advocated non-violent resistance but would not avoid physical confrontations — a stance that set it apart from older, traditional pro-democracy groups. It once had three lawmakers in office. Its longest-serving lawmaker, Leung Kwok-hung — Chan's husband — was disqualified from the legislature due to his manner of taking his oath in office in 2017. Members arrested and jailed over activism On the streets, the group's activism led to the arrests and jailing of its members from time to time. Last year, Leung and prominent LGBTQ+ activist Jimmy Sham, a former party leader, were sentenced to nearly seven years and more than four years over their roles in an unofficial primary election under the sweeping security law. Sham was freed from prison last month. In recent years, the party has had limited political influence, no longer holding any seats in the legislature or local district councils. Even a bank ceased to provide bank account services to the group. But it continued to stage small protests from time to time, despite sometimes those activities leading to arrests. On June 12, Chan and other members were fined after being found guilty over their street booth activities. Undeterred by their convictions, they kept pressing on and protested against the ruling outside the court.