Latest news with #Eidal-Adha
Middle East Eye
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
At least 50 African people at risk of imminent execution in Saudi Arabia
Dozens of people from the Horn of Africa on death row in Saudi Arabia have been told that their executions could take place 'any day', inmates and their relatives told Middle East Eye. The men are all from Ethiopia and Somalia and have been convicted of drug trafficking, which carries a death sentence in Saudi Arabia. Held at the Najiran prison near the border with Yemen, inmates say they were notified several weeks ago that their sentences, typically beheadings, would be carried out soon. 'They have told us to say our goodbyes,' one of the convicted men, who preferred not to be named, told MEE. 'We were told that executions would begin shortly after Eid al-Adha, and now they have started.' New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters A list of names of the convicted obtained by MEE includes 43 Ethiopians, and 13 Somalis. According to inmates, at least six were put to death over the past month. Rise in executions Amnesty International has documented at least 52 executions for drug-related offenses in the kingdom from January to April. Keen to soften the country's conservative image as part of its Vision 2030 economic reform programme and ahead of hosting of the 2034 Fifa World Cup, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has enacted a whirlwind of reforms liberalising some elements of Saudi society. He has also repeatedly pledged to amend the country's harsh justice system, which lists adultery, apostasy and 'sorcery' as capital offences. Saudi Arabia is among the world's leading executioners. 'All of the Ethiopians and Somali executions we documented this year were linked to hashish possession or smuggling' - Duaa Dhainy, European Saudi Organization for Human Rights However, an unofficial moratorium on capital punishment for drug-related offences enacted in 2021 has been lifted. Executions have subsequently accelerated. Over 300 people were put to death last year, a record tally for the kingdom. This year, 100 executions were documented by May alone. One possible reason for the spike, according to experts, is that additional drugs appear to have been added to the list of those meriting capital punishment. 'We've monitored death-sentence cases of numerous foreign nationals for years, and drug offences are usually linked to substances like amphetamines or cocaine,' Duaa Dhainy, a researcher with the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights, told MEE. 'However, we've noticed that from 2024 onwards, many foreigners have been executed for possession of hashish, so they've expanded the offences that can lead to execution. All of the Ethiopians and Somali executions we documented this year were linked to hashish possession or smuggling.' For the family of 27-year-old Khalid Mohammed Ibrahim, the news the executions for drug offences were resuming has plunged them into heartache. Ibrahim's older brother insists his sibling is innocent and said it has been a harrowing seven years for the family since he was arrested. 'He tried to enter the country through Yemen,' Muleta told MEE. 'A border guard encouraged him to tell his jailers that he was a drug smuggler, saying it would get him sent to court and quickly cleared since there was no evidence. He believed them.' Fleeing persecution Muleta said Ibrahim was effectively forced out of his own country. Hailing from the town of Chelenqo in Ethiopia's Oromia region, he was among the students who took part in the Oromo protests of 2016, which eventually culminated in the resignation of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn two years later. Both brothers were among thousands of youths jailed for taking part in the anti-government uprising, Muleta recalled. 'We were told that executions would begin shortly after Eid al-Adha, and now they have started' - prisoner at Najiran jail, Saudi Arabia Expelled from school and unable to apply for university, Ibrahim tried to move on with life, getting married and working as a labourer for a few years. But then his wife became pregnant. 'He wanted to afford a better life for his son, but [the government] closed all opportunities for him,' said Muleta. 'That is why he left Ethiopia.' Ibrahim never lived as a free man in Saudi Arabia, as he was detained immediately upon arrival in 2018. After 11 court appearances, he was sentenced to death in October 2019. He has never had the opportunity to meet his son, who is now eight years old. Dhainy said cases like Ibrahim's typically proceed through the courts to the royal court, Saudi Arabia's highest, where death sentences are signed by the king. 'However, sometimes the documents show that the accused never had a lawyer,' Dhainy said. Trade unions from 36 countries protest against Saudi Arabia's treatment of migrant workers Read More » 'Also, there is no guarantee that the detainee understood the charges, had a translator or was aware of the content of documents, including confessions, that they are sometimes made to sign.' Muleta said his brother told him that torture and beatings are commonplace at Najiran prison. Emotionally drained, the family's torment has been worse in recent weeks. 'It has been hell for my parents,' Muleta adds. 'They are going crazy. We have tried everything, we tried begging officials for help, but no one has done anything.' Several inmates on death row at Najiran also told MEE that their families have spent years pleading for assistance from their government, including Ethiopian diplomats based in Saudi Arabia. The Ethiopian Embassy in Saudi Arabia, which has a documented history of covering up the suffering of Ethiopians caught up in the Saudi judicial system, has been criticised for its inaction on the matter. Middle East Eye has asked Ambassador Muktar Kedir Abdu and the Ethiopian foreign ministry for comment, without response. Somali pressure In Somalia, intense media coverage and campaigning by families of death row inmates has led to the Somali government openly appealing to Saudi authorities for leniency, and greater public awareness of the danger. Hiiraan Online, a Somali news site, has covered the plight of Somalis sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia extensively. 'Our reporting has helped bring national and international attention to the plight of nearly 50 Somalis facing execution in Saudi Arabia - many of them coerced into smuggling under false pretences,' Dalmar Gure, editor-in-chief of Hiiraan Online, told MEE. 'Together with pressure from families, Somali media coverage helped spur diplomatic engagement, including talks on prisoner transfers and appeals for clemency.' The Najiran prison contingent isn't the only large group of Africans on death row in Saudi Arabia. Earlier this month, UN officials raised concerns about the imminent executions of 26 Egyptians held at Tabouk prison in the north on similar drug offences. They condemned the sentences as a 'violation of international law'. Last week, over 30 rights groups, mostly based in the Middle East and Africa, published an open letter calling on the crown prince to commute the death sentences of over a hundred Ethiopians, Egyptians and Somalis.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
India accused of illegal deportations targeting Muslims
Muslims leave after offering prayers at the Jama Masjid on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, in the old quarters of Delhi, India, on June 7. PHOTO: REUTERS NEW DELHI - India has deported without trial to Bangladesh hundreds of people, officials from both sides said, drawing condemnation from activists and lawyers who call the recent expulsions illegal and based on ethnic profiling. New Delhi says the people deported are undocumented migrants. The Hindu nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long taken a hardline stance on immigration – particularly those from neighbouring Muslim-majority Bangladesh – with top officials referring to them as 'termites' and 'infiltrators'. It has also sparked fear among India's estimated 200 million Muslims, especially among speakers of Bengali, a widely spoken language in both eastern India and Bangladesh. 'Muslims, particularly from the eastern part of the country, are terrified,' said veteran Indian rights activist Harsh Mander. 'You have thrown millions into this existential fear.' Bangladesh, largely encircled by land by India, has seen relations with New Delhi turn icy since a mass uprising in 2024 toppled Dhaka's government, a former friend of India. But India also ramped up operations against migrants after a wider security crackdown in the wake of an attack in the west – the April 22 killing of 26 people, mainly Hindu tourists, in Indian-administered Kashmir. New Delhi blamed that attack on Pakistan, claims Islamabad rejected, with arguments culminating in a four-day conflict that left more than 70 dead. Indian authorities launched an unprecedented countrywide security drive that has seen many thousands detained – and many of them eventually pushed across the border to Bangladesh at gunpoint. 'Do not dare' Ms Rahima Begum, from India's eastern Assam state, said police detained her for several days in late May before taking her to the Bangladesh frontier. She said she and her family had spent their life in India. 'I have lived all my life here – my parents, my grandparents, they are all from here,' she said. 'I don't know why they would do this to me.' Indian police took Ms Begum, along with five other people, all Muslims, and forced them into swampland in the dark. 'They showed us a village in the distance and told us to crawl there,' she told AFP. 'They said: 'Do not dare to stand and walk, or we will shoot you.'' Bangladeshi locals who found the group then handed them to border police who 'thrashed' them and ordered they return to India, Begum said. 'As we approached the border, there was firing from the other side,' said the 50-year-old. 'We thought: 'This is the end. We are all going to die.'' She survived, and, a week after she was first picked up, she was dropped back home in Assam with a warning to keep quiet. 'Ideological hate campaign' Rights activists and lawyers criticised India's drive as 'lawless'. 'You cannot deport people unless there is a country to accept them,' said New Delhi-based civil rights lawyer Sanjay Hegde. Indian law does not allow for people to be deported without due process, he added. Bangladesh has said India has pushed more than 1,600 people across its border since May. Indian media suggests the number could be as high as 2,500. The Bangladesh Border Guards said it has sent back 100 of those pushed across – because they were Indian citizens. India has been accused of forcibly deporting Muslim Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, with navy ships dropping them off the coast of the war-torn nation. Many of those targeted in the campaign are low-wage labourers in states governed by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to rights activists. Indian authorities did not respond to questions about the number of people detained and deported. But Assam state's chief minister has said that more than 300 people have been deported to Bangladesh. Separately, Gujarat's police chief said more than 6,500 people have been rounded up in the western state, home to both Mr Modi and interior minister Amit Shah. Many of those were reported to be Bengali-speaking Indians and later released. 'People of Muslim identity who happen to be Bengali speaking are being targeted as part of an ideological hate campaign,' said Mr Mander, the activist. Mr Nazimuddin Mondal, a 35-year-old mason, said he was picked up by police in the financial hub of Mumbai, flown on a military aircraft to the border state of Tripura and pushed into Bangladesh. He managed to cross back, and is now back in India's West Bengal state, where he said he was born. 'The Indian security forces beat us with batons when we insisted we were Indians,' said Mr Mondal, adding he is now scared to even go out to seek work. 'I showed them my government-issued ID, but they just would not listen.' AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Scotsman
3 days ago
- General
- Scotsman
Breaking Bread, Building Bridges: Eid Lunch unites Dunfermline community
In an age where genuine connection can feel out of reach and community like a fading ideal, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is creating space to revive both — through shared stories, heartfelt conversations, and good food. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... On Sunday 29th June 2025, from 12pm to 2pm, everyone is warmly invited to a free Eid Lunch at the James Allan Community Centre, Paton Street, Dunfermline, KY12 0BU — an afternoon designed to celebrate Eid al-Adha while bringing people of all backgrounds together. Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates the story of the Prophet Abraham — a powerful symbol of faith, humility, and devotion. It is a time of reflection, generosity, and renewal. But most importantly, it's a moment to come together. Beyond tradition and ritual, this event offers the chance to share not only food, but understanding, perspectives, and presence. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Starting at 12:00 PM, guests can explore the significance of Eid through conversations, exhibitions, and informal Q&A. Lunch will be served at 1:00 PM, bringing everyone together around a shared table in an atmosphere that is open, inclusive, and welcoming — whether you observe the festival or are simply curious. User (UGC) Submitted Hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association Edinburgh & Fife, auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK, this initiative embodies the philosophy of 'Love for All, Hatred for None.' Through interfaith dialogue and community outreach, the group works locally and globally to foster understanding, challenge prejudice, and strengthen the social fabric through respect and compassion. In a world where difference too often becomes a dividing line, this is an invitation to share a meal, exchange ideas, and build bridges — one conversation at a time. Event Details: Date: Sunday 29th June 2025 Time: 12pm – 2pm (Lunch at 1pm) Venue: James Allan Community Centre, Paton Street, Dunfermline, KY12 0BU Register: | regamir@
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
PM Barzani pushes for majority government as salary crisis deepens
Shafaq News/ Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said Wednesday that the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) are working together to form a new majority government, as tensions rise over an intensifying salary crisis that has left public sector workers unpaid for more than six weeks. Speaking at a press conference in Erbil, Barzani said both ruling parties had reached a common understanding on the framework for the next cabinet. 'We have made serious efforts to form a majority-based government and remain in continuous dialogue,' he stated. 'There is no constitutional vacuum, and our doors are open to all political forces willing to participate.' Barzani also addressed the worsening salary dispute with Baghdad, saying a breakthrough may be near following direct conversations with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Supreme Judicial Council head Faiq Zaidan. 'For two months, Kurdistan Region salaries have not been paid per the law. This is unconstitutional,' he said. 'We reject the politicization of salaries and any attempt to use them as leverage.' He revealed that a federal delegation is expected in Erbil within days to begin negotiations. 'We are optimistic,' he said. 'But if a solution isn't reached, we will fall back on internal revenues and spending cuts to protect the financial rights of our people.' As of Wednesday, civil servants and pensioners in the Kurdistan Region had entered their 42nd day without receiving May 2025 salaries. The last federal transfer—covering April wages—was made on May 13 and distributed by the KRG within four days. Since then, no additional payments have been issued, despite mounting pressure during Eid al-Adha and rising living costs. Official sources told Shafaq News that Wednesday's weekly cabinet meeting would focus almost entirely on the salary crisis, amid growing public unrest and labor strikes. The standoff deepened after a May 28 letter from Iraqi Finance Minister Taif Sami notified the KRG that Baghdad could no longer continue salary payments, citing a breach of the Region's 12.67% budget allocation. The letter claimed that although the Kurdistan Region had generated approximately 19.9T IQD(about $15 billion) in oil and non-oil revenues between 2023 and April 2025, it had only transferred 598.5B IQD (around $457 million) to the federal treasury. Amid the financial strain, an internal KRG finance directive dated June 23 ordered a suspension of all government expenditures for two months beginning June 24, citing 'severe financial conditions.' Efforts to resolve the issue through Iraq's Federal Supreme Court collapsed earlier this month when nine judges — including six principal members — resigned on June 16 over internal disputes. Shafaq News has learned that the resignations effectively halted a pending legal order that might have forced Baghdad to resume salary payments. The case had been filed by Kurdistan Region employees seeking emergency intervention from the court. The political deadlock has fueled public frustration across the Region. On Tuesday, staff at Halabja General Hospital staged a walkout to protest unpaid wages. In al-Sulaymaniyah, teachers planned demonstrations, though local security authorities urged postponement due to ongoing regional instability. Political analyst Hawri Karzan called on the KRG to form a unified delegation representing all major parties and head to Baghdad for direct talks. 'The lack of a cohesive position is allowing Baghdad to delay action,' he warned.
Al Etihad
4 days ago
- General
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi marks Hijri year with citywide decorations
24 June 2025 20:36 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Department of Municipalities and Transport, through Abu Dhabi City Municipality, is decorating the Corniche and several city bridges with illuminated sculptures and paintings to celebrate the arrival of the Hijri year artistic displays reflect the spirituality and noble values of the Islamic occasion, while enhancing the beauty of Abu Dhabi in line with the emirate's ongoing urban and cultural illuminated pieces feature designs inspired by Islamic architecture, nature, and Emirati heritage, with the phrase "Hijri Year 1447' engraved across lighting uses a golden yellow base, elegantly accented with white, pistachio and sky blue hues, creating a vibrant aesthetic. Flashing lighting units and geometric motifs complement the installations, delivering messages of celebration and positive energy to the focus was given to the Abu Dhabi Corniche, where Eid al-Adha and Hijri New Year decorations have been harmoniously combined. Among them are illuminated curtains suspended between lampposts, displaying joyful white lighting alongside golden yellow, pistachio and sky blue tones. All decorations were installed with full safety and quality considerations. Energy-saving LED lights, weather-resistant materials and secure electrical components were used. The sizes and placements of the pieces have been carefully selected to suit the street dimensions, ensuring safety for both pedestrians and road users. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
