Latest news with #CSRE
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Muslims observe Ashura and mourn Imam Hussain martyrdom in Nagpur
1 2 3 Nagpur: The Muslim community, especially the Shia sect, observed Ashura with remembrance of Imam Hussain's martyrdom in distinct ways in the city on Sunday. The Shia community led the rituals with matam (mourning) and self-flagellation, such as chest beating, slapping, and wailing during huge rallies from Haidry Masjid in Mominpura to Karbala Masjid in Imambada and Kamptee's Hussainabad to Kanhan. The community later participated in majlees-e-shyame gareeba, followed by a feast in the evening. Naushad Ali Haidry, president of Shia Jamaat Trust, said over 2,000 community members participated in the mournings in Nagpur. The Sunni sect observed roza (fast) and distributed sherbet and khichadi on roadsides to all. Some members called for looking at different virtues of Imam Hussain to seek justice and peace and recalled other significances of the day. Islamic scholar Majid Parekh said, "Though the month is sacred and war is forbidden, Hussain was mercilessly killed for refusing to accept an unjust ruler. His stand was not for power, but for truth, justice, and the peaceful values taught by his grandfather Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), who was such a peacemaker the known human history ever witnessed. He united warring tribes and established Madinah as a model of pluralism, promoting personal laws and peaceful coexistence." Parekh added, "Imam Hussain upheld this legacy by choosing sacrifice over submission. His life reminds us that true leadership stands for justice, compassion, and unity. In a world torn by conflict, we must learn from his example and commit ourselves to peace. Today, the world is desperately in need of peace and harmony. Innocent victims are weeping in silence, gasping for the comfort of calm. Wars and violence only lead to pain, injustice, and hatred in society. While we mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA), we must also reflect on ourselves and ask: why is the world still struggling for peace?" Hamed Bin Khalid Quraishi, secretary, Centre for Social Research and Empowerment (CSRE), said Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, holds profound significance in Islamic history, particularly due to Imam Hussain's martyrdom in 680 CE, symbolising resistance against oppression. "Pre-Islam, Arabs and Jews fasted on this day, commemorating divine events like Moses' escape and Noah's Ark resting. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) encouraged fasting on Ashura, later made optional after Ramadan. For Shia Muslims, Ashura is a day of mourning, honouring Hussain's sacrifice for justice," he said.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Lights off protest against Waqf Amendment Act in city
Nagpur: Several Muslim-dominated areas in the city plunged into darkness on Wednesday night following a symbolic protest called by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board against the Waqf Amendment Act , 2025. The board had urged people to switch off lights at 9pm for 15 minutes. Videos and photos showing blackouts in localities such as Mominpura, Lashkaribagh, and Ahbab Colony in Anant Nagar surfaced on social media under the hashtag #BlackOutAgainstWaqfAmendment. However, not everyone in the community agreed with the approach. Some Muslim intellectuals voiced concerns about the effectiveness of such a protest. Members of the Community for Social Research and Empowerment (CSRE) engaged in a debate just hours before the blackout, expressing mixed views on the strategy. CSRE secretary Hamid Qureshi said the issue has already moved out of public discourse. "It's now an Act. The board should allow the petitioners to challenge it in the Supreme Court. By protesting, we may unintentionally serve political agendas," he said. Khwaja Sajid, another CSRE member, drew parallels with the farm laws. "They were ultimately repealed. You never know what action becomes the turning point. Sometimes, it just takes a trigger," he noted. Another member, Mohd Ziya, emphasized the need for "effective altruism" in response to the situation. Senior counsel Firdos Mirza, however, expressed skepticism about the lights-off protest. He suggested that the focus should shift toward raising awareness among non-Muslims. "The onus is also on Waqf managers to demonstrate how the Waqf system has benefitted both the community and the nation," he added. Nagpur: Several Muslim-dominated areas in the city plunged into darkness on Wednesday night following a symbolic protest called by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board against the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025. The board had urged people to switch off lights at 9pm for 15 minutes. Videos and photos showing blackouts in localities such as Mominpura, Lashkaribagh, and Ahbab Colony in Anant Nagar surfaced on social media under the hashtag #BlackOutAgainstWaqfAmendment. However, not everyone in the community agreed with the approach. Some Muslim intellectuals voiced concerns about the effectiveness of such a protest. Members of the Community for Social Research and Empowerment (CSRE) engaged in a debate just hours before the blackout, expressing mixed views on the strategy. CSRE secretary Hamid Qureshi said the issue has already moved out of public discourse. "It's now an Act. The board should allow the petitioners to challenge it in the Supreme Court. By protesting, we may unintentionally serve political agendas," he said. Khwaja Sajid, another CSRE member, drew parallels with the farm laws. "They were ultimately repealed. You never know what action becomes the turning point. Sometimes, it just takes a trigger," he noted. Another member, Mohd Ziya, emphasized the need for "effective altruism" in response to the situation. Senior counsel Firdos Mirza, however, expressed skepticism about the lights-off protest. He suggested that the focus should shift toward raising awareness among non-Muslims. "The onus is also on Waqf managers to demonstrate how the Waqf system has benefitted both the community and the nation," he added.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Barbaric, Heinous: Muslims Condemn Pahalgam Attack
Nagpur: Muslim community strongly condemned the massacre of tourists in Pahalgam in Kashmir and urged govt to take action against the culprits. "Killing innocent tourists in Pahalgam is highly condemnable. It is a barbaric act and a heinous crime. The culprits should be punished and brought to justice. Violence against innocent people, in whichever form, irrespective of caste, creed, and religion, is condemnable. Only pathetic minds can do such acts," said Hamid Bin Khalid Qureshi, secretary, Centre for Social Research and Empowerment (CSRE). Maulana Abdul Karim Parekh Academy chairman Majid Parekh said the academy strongly denounces the horrific terrorist attack claiming 28 innocent lives. "This cold-blooded act was not merely a display of terror but a dastardly assault on humanity itself. Let there be no doubt: These killers stand for no religion, and certainly not for Islam. They are betrayers of every sacred principle of faith and morality. The deliberate distortion of jihad to rationalise such atrocities is not only a profound misrepresentation, but a grave spiritual transgression. True jihad is a personal, ethical pursuit of justice and righteousness — never a justification for slaughtering innocents," he said. Parekh added, "The academy remains unwavering in its stand — for truth, peace, and justice. Terrorism may shake us, but it will never break our resolve." Life coach and corporate trainer Khwaja Sajid said no religion whatsoever approves of cruelty and atrocity against humanity, irrespective of faith it pursues and follows. Aftab Alam Khan, secretary, Falah Social Organisation, said, "We strongly condemn the massacre of tourists in Pahalgam. The govt must ensure relief and assistance to the families of the victims." Educationist and scholar Shazia Khan said, "I stand in solidarity with the victims and their families. Terrorism is a complex issue driven by politics, ideology, or extremism, rather than faith." Abdul Rauf Sheikh, president, CSRE, said, "Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. This is a highly atrocious and horrific crime, and it must be condemned at all levels and in the strongest words. We stand together against terrorism." Retired banker Irshad Ahmed Khan said, "We pray for peace in our beloved country." English professor Ayub Khan said, "The Quran condemns it. Killing an innocent person is like killing the entire humanity, and saving a life is like saving humanity." Professor (retd) Aqueel Khan said Islam forbids and strongly condemns killing of innocent civilians; in fact, such acts against non-combatants are prohibited. Former NU professor Moiz Mannan Haq said, "There can be nothing but condemnation for the barbaric act in Pahalgam. It is all the more reprehensible if it was done in the name of religion. The administration must act swiftly to catch the real culprits, not scapegoats, and ensure that harsh and exemplary punishment is meted out to them. Meanwhile, we as common citizens must stick together against this handful of madmen who have no right to representanyreligion."
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Asset Manager Cohen Steers Enters ETF Space With 3 Funds
New York-based Cohen & Steers Inc. (CNS) has joined the exchange-traded fund space with three actively managed funds starting this week, and the $85.8 billion asset manager indicated that it will be committing more resources to these types of products. The ETF debut dovetails with the portfolio management expertise of the 39-year-old firm that also manages 10 mutual funds, nine closed-end funds along with separate accounts, and private real estate portfolios. The Cohen & Steers Real Estate Active ETF (CSRE) and the Cohen & Steers Preferred and Income Opportunities Active ETF (CSPF) will each reflect the firm's flagship mutual fund strategies. The Cohen & Steers Natural Resources Active ETF (CSNR) represents the first time the firm has offered exposure to natural resources. 'Our natural resources ETF is a new capability for us, marking the first 1940 Act wealth-oriented exposure to natural resources in a standalone product,' said Daniel Noonan, executive vice president and head of wealth management. Noonan, who joined Cohen & Steers in June after 13 years at State Street Global Advisors and also leading the active ETF business at Pimco, said the focus on ETFs 'is one of the things that attracted me to this firm.' In 2014, Cohen & Steers applied to the Securities and Exchange Commission for approval to introduce a nontransparent active ETF at a time when the industry considered the structure a gateway for active mutual fund managers to enter the ETF space. While Cohen & Steers never introduced a nontransparent version of its active management capabilities, Noonan said the company did not stop focusing on ETFs. 'Over the past 10-plus years Cohen & Steers has been evaluating ways to introduce ETFs,' he said. 'As the industry has evolved, transparency has become the industry standard.' Cohen & Steers has not yet joined dozens of other fund complexes in applying for permission to launch mutual fund ETF share classes, and none of the first three ETFs are clones or conversions of existing mutual funds, but Noonan confirmed that the ETF space is a big focus at the firm. Last fall, Cohen & Steers hired Griffin Frank as head of ETF Capital Markets from T. Rowe Price Group Inc. (TROW). And, just this week, the company hired Alex Berg as the new head of ETF sales from State Street Global Advisors. 'We are hiring industry veterans,' Noonan said. Cohen & Steers is just the latest of the legacy mutual fund companies to find their way into the ETF space. Over the past few months Lazard Asset Management, Thornburg Investment Management, and MFS Investment Management have made similar | © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved
