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BBC News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
How the 7/7 bombings changed a generation of British Muslims
On 7 July 2005, 52 people were killed and hundreds more injured in bombings targeting London's transport network during rush hour. The terror attacks sent shockwaves across the world - but particularly so in Leeds where three of the four suicide bombers grew up. "It changed the stereotypical narrative of what a terrorist looked like to someone who was British-born, wearing western clothing and with a backpack," says youth worker Fahad Khan, who was 18 at the time of the atrocity 20 years ago. "When I found out they were from Leeds, it was just a huge blow."Mr Khan now volunteers at the youth centre which some of the bombers visited in their teenage years. On 7 July 2005, three Tube trains and a bus were struck in quick succession, in what MI5 says was the "first successful attack by Islamist suicide bombers in the UK".All four of the suicide bombers were under the age of 30 and three were British-born sons of Pakistani parents from the Beeston and Holbeck areas of Leeds. The community was traumatised and the events forced terrorism to the forefront of the city's Muslim community. For Mr Khan, now 38, the news altered people's perceptions of young Muslim men. "It changed that narrative to someone who looked like me - and that's a lot to deal with," he the aftermath of the bombings, Mr Khan started volunteering at the Hamara Centre in Sidique Khan, 30, said to be the leader of the group, was a youth outreach worker there, while staff previously confirmed that two of the other terrorists, Shehzad Tanweer, 22, and Hasib Hussain,18, also spent time at the centre. Following the bombings, Mr Khan's goal was to engage young people and help them find their voice."We were talking to young people from very deprived communities," he explains. "Often first-generation British-born people like myself, with a disconnect from their parents, language barriers and no support in dealing with these huge issues and feeling targeted by policies the government was making at the time. "Our aim was to bring these kids from the periphery into the centre."After 7/7, the government launched a series of initiatives aimed at preventing future attacks. These included Prevent, set up in 2006. It is one of four strands of the government's umbrella counter-terrorism strategy Contest and designed to support people at risk of joining extremist groups and carrying out terrorist activities. Anti-radicalisation work is carried out in schools, faith organisations and the Prevent strategy has been criticised by some MPs, the National Union of Teachers and the Muslim Council of argue it is counterproductive and that it can make Muslim students feel isolated and can add to a general sense of distrust across Birt, a researcher, British Muslim affairs academic and community advocate, was among those consulted by the government in the early days after the attacks."My hope was that we could create policies with real buy-in from Muslim communities," he says. "But we never achieved that consensus. "The Muslim communities wanted a more pastoral approach where they dealt with youth issues seriously and get support for the government wanted a combative approach to take on extremist added: "That wasn't something the Muslim community were equipped to do." Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, who is also from a Pakistani Muslim family in West Yorkshire, was just beginning her political career at the time of the bombings. In 2007 she became the first Muslim to serve as a minister in a shadow Ms Warsi called the government's anti-terrorism plans "toxic". "It was supposed to be an upstream policy done with Muslim communities, but it became a policy done to Muslim communities," she says."It wasn't about a battle of ideas - it became about policing communities." A Home Office spokesperson said: "We now have one of the strongest counter-terrorism frameworks in the world which does not target any one community and deals with all forms of terrorist ideology."They added the "appalling" 7/7 attacks had had a "lasting impact on victims, survivors, loved ones, and communities". Muhbeen Hussain MBE was just 11 when the attacks happened. The tragedy inspired him to join a peace walk organised by 7/7 survivor, Gill Hicks, that changed his life. "There was a perception created about British Muslims, and I was growing up in that era," he says."I didn't believe these men represented my religion or identity - it made me want to step up and call it out." Mr Hussain, now 31, went on to work with the government on counter-extremism efforts and while he acknowledges the criticism, he also sees the value in the work."Yes, some initiatives were toxic, but we did do positive work, there was deradicalisation," he says."We needed a strategy - because we had 7/7 and we had terrorism in this country."Back in Beeston, Mr Khan believes Leeds has come a long way."You've had 20 years of more Muslims going to school, university, being more confident and articulate. "Leeds is resilient - it doesn't sit under the shadow of 7/7." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Hans India
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Batla House demolitions: Delhi High Court asks DDA to maintain status quo till July 10
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday told the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the city government to maintain status quo till July 10 as it dealt with a writ petition filed by seven 'long-standing' residents of Batla House against "the arbitrary and illegal threat of demolition". Posting the matter for further hearing on July 10 with other pending petitions, a bench of Justice Rajneesh Kumar Gupta asked the authorities in the national capital to respond to the petitioners' claim that the former have sought to indiscriminately target properties beyond the identified area and without issuance of individual notices. The petition, filed by advocate Fahad Khan, claimed that the petitioners have not been served with any demolition notices as required by law, and during a field survey, their properties were marked for demolition and were orally informed of imminent coercive action. "The threatened action thus amounts to a clear violation of the principles of natural justice, the right to livelihood under Article 21, and the equal protection guaranteed under Article 14 of the Constitution," said the petition. Adding that the petitioners have not been served with any notice whatsoever, the plea demanded that the authorities should be restrained from taking any demolition action without complying with due process of law, and to maintain the status quo pending a proper demarcation and assessment under the PM-UDAY Scheme. The Delhi High Court has already passed status quo orders after several writ pleas were filed against the demolition notices, claiming that the petitioners' properties fell outside Khasra No. 279 or fell within Khasra No. 279 but are eligible under the PM-UDAY Scheme. The DDA action stems from a Supreme Court directive ordering the clearance of encroachments on public land. The apex court order also clarified that if the occupants are aggrieved by the demolition notices, they are free to adopt appropriate proceedings in accordance with law. Earlier, the Delhi High Court had declined to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Aam Aadmi Party leader Amanatullah Khan, challenging the proposed demolition action. A division bench of Justices Girish Kathpalia and Tejas Karia observed that only aggrieved residents can make a claim that their properties exist beyond the proposed demolition site. Sensing the disinclination of the court to extend any relief, the senior counsel, appearing on the AAP leader's behalf, sought permission to withdraw the PIL. In its June 11 order, the Justice Kathpalia-led Bench took note of the submission that the legislator from Delhi's Okhla constituency would inform the residents of their right to file appropriate legal proceedings within three working days, and dismissed the petition as withdrawn.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Time of India
‘Consensual relationship': Relief for man
New Delhi: A Delhi court acquitted a man accused of raping a minor girl in 2022, observing that the prosecution failed to prove the guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The court of Additional Sessions Judge (POCSO) Pooja Talwar noted that the victim, on the contrary, testified that the relations between the two were consensual. The victim, when she entered the witness box, categorically deposed that she was 18 years old when physical relations were first established between her and the accused. The relations so established were consensual. The judge also noted that the mother of the victim testified before the court that, at the time of the registration of the FIR, the victim was an adult. She further admitted that she reduced the age of the victim when seeking admission to the school. According to the prosecution, the 17-year-old girl visited a wedding function in April 2021, where she met the accused, who was the brother-in-law of her sister. They became friends. In November 2021, for the first time, physical relations were established between her and the accused with her consent. Later, when she missed her periods, she consumed abortion medicine, and on January 28, 2022, she, along with the accused, went to the hospital and came to know that she was pregnant. The case was registered against the accused after the family members of the girl came to know about her pregnancy. Advocates Fahad Khan, appearing for the accused, submitted before the court that the child victim did not support the story of the prosecution and did not depose anything against the accused. The counsel also said that the victim simply stated that the accused is her fiancé and nothing wrong happened with her. She deposed that relations between them were established with her consent and at that time she had already completed 18 years of age. "...prosecution failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt. Accordingly, accused Ravi Kumar is acquitted of the charges for the commission of the offences punishable under Section 4 POCSO Act and Section 376 IPC," the judge concluded.
Malay Mail
22-04-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
In Dubai's Gold Souk, bullion's record run brings little joy for jewellers
DUBAI, April 23 — In the bustling Gold Souk in Dubai, dubbed the 'City of Gold', 22-karat gold jewellery is a traditional favourite for weddings, religious celebrations, and as a family investment. Yet with bullion prices hitting record highs above US$3,400 (RM14,909) an ounce, there are signs of change, as buyers look to diamonds and lighter gold jewellery, instead. While US tariffs and other factors have added fire to already hot demand for gold as an investment, the impact is different for gold jewellery, according to Andrew Naylor, head of Middle East and Public Policy at the World Gold Council (WGC). 'In markets like Dubai, this creates a two-fold effect: on one hand, you see stronger interest in gold as a safe-haven asset, on the other, high prices dampen jewellery demand.' At Dubai's Gold Souk, retailers told Reuters they are seeing this trend, as current prices prompt shoppers to look for alternatives. 'There are no potential customers nowadays because of the gold prices,' said Fahad Khan, a sales representative at retailer Damas Jewellery. 'It's a little bit tough to afford gold, so I think it's better to go with diamonds,' said Lalita Dave, 52, as she browsed around the Gold Souk. Lab-grown diamonds Dubai has been a magnet for gold buyers for at least 80 years, starting with Iranian and Indian traders, both cultures sharing a tradition of 22-karat jewellery for adornment and investment. Yet as gold prices rose 27 per cent last year, demand for gold jewellery in the UAE fell by around 13 per cent, outpacing an 11 per cent drop globally, according to the WGC. Jewellery demand could face further pressure across key regions in 2025 if gold prices remain elevated or volatile, the WGC said in its gold demand trends report published in February. Price swings, more than price levels, are increasingly shaping consumer behaviour, particularly in India, it noted. Shifts in Indian purchasing patterns often ripple through Gulf markets such as the UAE, where buyers are a key driver of sales. Jewellery is displayed at Emirates Diamonds Jewellery, in Dubai's Gold Souq, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 17, 2025. — Reuters pic Goldman Sachs recently raised its end-2025 gold forecast to US$3,700 per ounce and said prices could climb as high as US$4,500. 'Higher gold prices are likely to dampen demand for jewellery, in a classic example of how the best cure for high prices is high prices,' said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell. One sign of economising has been the rise of lab-grown diamonds. India exported US$171 million worth of lab-grown diamonds to the UAE in 2024, up almost 57 per cent from US$109 million two years earlier, data from the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council showed. India's exports of cut and polished diamonds to the UAE in the April–November 2024 were up 3.7 per cent. UAE ranked third in global diamond imports in 2023, trade data shows, its primary trade partners including India, South Africa, and Belgium. While the UAE accounted for just 1.5 per cent of the global diamond jewellery market by revenue in 2023, it is projected to grow by 5.9 per cent annually to reach nearly US$2 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research. That outpaces the global growth forecast of 4.5 per cent and makes the UAE the fastest growing market in the Middle East and Africa. Trade tensions One impact from recent trade tensions with the US has been accelerated talk about finding alternative markets and production hubs, two executives at major Indian diamond exporters told Reuters. If tensions persist, potentially spanning years, one of the sources speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity said his company's contingency plans included shifting some Indian production overseas, including to the UAE. Shamlal Ahamed, managing director of international operations at retailer Malabar Gold & Diamonds, told Reuters the rise in lab-grown diamond jewellery sales in the UAE appeared to be driven more by design preferences than pricing and he remained bullish on gold jewellery demand. 'While price-conscious buyers may wait for a dip, our experience shows that such declines are often short-lived, with buyers quickly adapting to new price levels.' — Reuters
Gulf Business
22-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
How Dubai's Gold Souk is reacting to bullion's record high
Image credit: Getty Images In the bustling Gold Souk in Dubai, dubbed the 'City of Gold', 22-karat gold jewellery is a traditional favourite for weddings, religious celebrations, and as a family investment. Yet with bullion prices hitting record highs above $3,400 an ounce, there are signs of change, as buyers look to diamonds and lighter gold jewellery, instead. Read- While US tariffs and other factors have added fire to already hot demand for gold as an investment, the impact is different for 'In markets like Dubai, this creates a two-fold effect: on one hand, you see stronger interest in gold as a safe-haven asset, on the other, high prices dampen jewellery demand.' At Dubai's Gold Souk, retailers told Reuters they are seeing this trend, as current prices prompt shoppers to look for alternatives. 'There are no potential customers nowadays because of the gold prices,' said Fahad Khan, a sales representative at retailer Damas Jewellery. 'It's a little bit tough to afford gold, so I think it's better to go with diamonds,' said Lalita Dave, 52, as she browsed around the Gold Souk. Dubai: A magnet for gold buyers Dubai has been a magnet for gold buyers for at least 80 years, starting with Iranian and Indian traders, both cultures sharing a tradition of 22-karat jewellery for adornment and investment. Yet as gold prices rose by 27 per cent last year, demand for gold jewellery in the UAE fell by around 13 per cent, outpacing an 11 per cent drop globally, according to the WGC. Jewellery demand could face further pressure across key regions in 2025 if gold prices remain elevated or volatile, the WGC said in its gold demand trends report published in February. Price swings, more than price levels, are increasingly shaping consumer behaviour, particularly in India, it noted. Indian purchasing patterns Shifts in Indian purchasing patterns often ripple through Gulf markets such as the UAE, where buyers are a key driver of sales. Goldman Sachs recently raised its end-2025 gold forecast to $3,700 per ounce and said prices could climb as high as $4,500. 'Higher gold prices are likely to dampen demand for jewellery, in a classic example of how the best cure for high prices is high prices,' said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell. Lab-grown diamonds One sign of economising has been the rise of lab-grown diamonds. India exported $171 million worth of lab-grown diamonds to the UAE in 2024, up almost 57 per cent from $109 million two years earlier, data from the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council showed. India's exports of cut and polished diamonds to the UAE in the April–November 2024 were up 3.7 per cent. UAE ranked third in global diamond imports in 2023, trade data shows, its primary trade partners including India, South Africa, and Belgium. While the UAE accounted for just 1.5 per cent of the global diamond jewellery market by revenue in 2023, it is projected to grow by 5.9 per cent annually to reach nearly $2 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research. That outpaces the global growth forecast of 4.5 per cent and makes the UAE the fastest growing market in the Middle East and Africa. Trade tensions One impact from recent trade tensions with the US has been accelerated talk about finding alternative markets and production hubs, two executives at major Indian diamond exporters told Reuters. If tensions persist, potentially spanning years, one of the sources speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity said his company's contingency plans included shifting some Indian production overseas, including to the UAE. Shamlal Ahamed, managing director of international operations at retailer Malabar Gold & Diamonds, told Reuters the rise in lab-grown diamond jewellery sales in the UAE appeared to be driven more by design preferences than pricing and he remained bullish on gold jewellery demand. 'While price-conscious buyers may wait for a dip, our experience shows that such declines are often short-lived, with buyers quickly adapting to new price levels.'
