Latest news with #FeastofSacrifice
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Eid al-Adha in 2025: Octa broker's charity projects
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 4 July 2025 - Each year, Octa, a globally regulated and trusted broker since 2011, supports local communities in various regions through charity to foster social growth. In 2025, the broker carried out a series of charity activities in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Nigeria to celebrate a major Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha and help the underprivileged by providing targeted vital support. The feast of sacrifice For Muslims around the world, Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the most important holidays of the year. It coincides with the final rites of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and commemorates the sacrifice of the prophet Ibrahim. Highlighted in the Islamic calendar among the most prominent celebratory occasions, Eid al-Adha is traditionally marked with devout Muslims buying and slaughtering animals and sharing two-thirds of the meat with the poor. This year, the festivities, including a special prayer followed by the sacrifice of an animal, took place between 5 and 9 June. This year, Octa broker joined in the celebration of 'The Feast of Sacrifice' and helped underprivileged citizens of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Nigeria. Malaysia Octa traditionally teamed up with Azeehan, the broker's long-time charity partner and the driving force behind many local initiatives, to distribute the Qurbani meat in Kelantan. Thanks to this humanitarian effort, several hundreds of underprivileged local citizens received the much-needed festive food. 'Octa broker has been supporting local communities during the Eid al-Adha for three years in a row. This consistent participation and care have been very helpful in bringing people together and building up the festive spirit during the Feast of Sacrifice, a very special and joyous occasion for all Muslims', said Azeehan. Indonesia Together with IDEP, Octa supported 37 single mothers across Bali as a part of the Family Bucket Project. Single mothers in Bali face significant economic and social challenges rooted in unstable incomes, inadequate labour protection, and vulnerable living conditions. They often struggle to meet even their basic needs and those of their children, while insufficient education and professional skills further hinder their access to employment in Bali's tourism-dominated economy. These challenges become even more pronounced during Eid al-Adha, when single mothers must work even harder to provide the best they can for their children. Octa and IDEP distributed targeted support packages to 37 single-mother households in Bali to help them enjoy the holiday. Octa's partner in this project, IDEP develops and delivers practical programs and public education activities to communities in need all over Indonesia. Nigeria Octa joined forces with a local charity, KIR (Keeping it real) foundation, to support two socially beneficial initiatives. 1. Training 15 young small business owners of the city of Port Harcourt in digital literacy skills. Local entrepreneurs lacked rudimentary information and communication technology skills, severely restricting their ability to scale up their businesses and affecting their financial outcomes. Octa and KIR foundation organised this charity training to empower business owners and propel them towards success in the modern, technology-driven world. 2. Training 15 young women in vocational skills. To provide local young women with easy-to-pick-up and in-demand career opportunities, Octa and KIR foundation organised free week-long workshops in basic makeup artistry and headgear craft. These skills will allow them to earn a living and strengthen their social status. Keeping true to its mission of benefiting local communities in various regions, Octa consistently engages in various charitable activities. For example, during the New Year holidays, the broker sponsored an emergency support program in Malaysia to help victims of a severe flood. ___ Disclaimer: This press release does not contain or constitute investment advice or recommendations and does not consider your investment objectives, financial situation, or needs. Any actions taken based on this content are at your sole discretion and risk—Octa does not accept any liability for any resulting losses or consequences.
DW
15-06-2025
- Politics
- DW
Turkish authority granted power to censor Quran translations – DW – 06/15/2025
Concerns about religious freedom in Turkey have been growing since early June, when a new law gave the Diyanet the right to ban translations of the Quran that do not comply with its interpretation of Islam. Turkey's Presidency of Religious Affairs, known as the Diyanet, is one of the country's most influential authorities. According to its own figures, it employs over 140,000 people and offers religious services in more than 100 countries. Founded in 1924, the Diyanet has reported directly to Islamic-conservative president Recep Tayyip Erdogan since 2018. Its annual budget of around €3 billion ($3.47 billion) also exceeds those of several ministries, including the Ministry of Interior. The Diyanet manages 90,000 mosques across the country, organizes Quran courses, cultural events and annual pilgrimages, and coordinates slaughters for the Feast of Sacrifice. It also trains imams and deploys them both at home and abroad. Its foundation is active in 150 countries and reaches millions of people through educational programs and scholarships worldwide. The Quran is written in Arabic. Translations are essential to making the text accessible to millions, including those in Turkey Image: Godong/Imago Images New authority over Quran translations In recent years, the Diyanet's powers have expanded. Most recently, a new law that went into effect on June 4 granted the authority to interpret translations of the Quran. If these "do not correspond to the basic characteristics of Islam," they may be banned. "Problematic copies" that have already been published can be confiscated and destroyed. This also applies to digital texts, audio, and video recordings online. Previously, President Erdogan had granted this authority by decree, which allowed the Diyanet to classify some translations as "untruthful." But the decree was struck down by the Constitutional Court. But the new law has ensured that the Diyanet's power would indeed be constitutional. Critics allege censorship In Muslim-majority countries, heads of state regularly invoke Islam to justify their actions. For example, in Iraq, the once secular Saddam Hussein used religious tenets to justify his autocratic measures and war with Iran. In Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been accused of using the push for more religious openness as an excuse to crack down on his political opponents. And as the Middle East Institute has noted, Erdogan's political party, the Justice and Development Party, or AKP, "maintains the loyalty of its base through a historical narrative of religion and nationalism." Now theologians critical of the government allege that Turkey's new law amounts to censorship, calling it state-enforced Islam that endangers religious freedom. For well-known theologian Sonmez Kutlu, it is a declaration of bankruptcy by the state. A country with over 100,000 Diyanet employees and more than 100 theology faculties should be able to protect the Quran from allegedly problematic translations via intellectual and scientific methods rather than bans, he says. He also warns that publications containing translated verses that allegedly "contradict the fundamental characteristics of Islam" could also lead to investigations and prosecutions. The Quran translation by Ihsan Eliacik has already been classified as 'problematic' and banned. Eliacik is one of the theologians who are critical of the Diyanet Image: ANKA Theologian Ihsan Eliacik sees the Diyanet's new authority as a fundamental violation of the faith. "In Islam, no institution is allowed to stand between people and Allah. However, the Diyanet's review of the Quran for 'truthfulness' does exactly that," he says. Eliacik's own translation of the Quran was previously banned by the Diyanet. He appealed to the Constitutional Court and won. But under the new legal provisions, taking action like this is no longer possible. Religious orders gain influence In recent years, Eliacik, Kutlu and other theologians critical of the government have repeatedly been the target of smear campaigns by pro-government brotherhoods and Islamist orders. Omer Ozsoy, theology professor at the Goethe University in Frankfurt, suspects the growing influence on the government from these religious orders is behind the new law. "These circles have been openly opposing academic, critical and pluralistic theology at Turkey's Islamic theological faculties for around a decade," Ozsoy says. He has observed how they "have been conducting systematic campaigns against high-profile theologians for some time." Ozsoy fears that the new law could be broadly applied with repressive and politically motivated interpretations. "Translator colleagues report that the Diyanet has already prepared to impound a total of 12 translations, including those by Mustafa Oztürk and Edip Yuksel," he adds. Opinion research institute KONDA reports that the proportion of people in Turkey who describe themselves as religious has fallen from 55% in 2018 to 46% today Image: Shady Al-Assar/ZUMA/picture alliance The role of translations The Quran is written in Arabic. Translations of Islam's holy book are essential to making the texts accessible to millions of people. However, they also contain interpretations, especially in the case of ambiguous words or passages, making them a sensitive topic. The importance of Quran translations in non-Arabic-speaking countries such as Turkey has increased in recent years. In the past, explained Ozsoy, "it was up to religious scholars to deal with the Quran." Today, however, things are different, he said. "Today, lay believers read the Quran directly and interpret it independently," adding that this is due to critical thinking and the emergence of various movements and social currents. According to Ozsoy, the number of Turkish Quran translations has increased in recent decades. Among the translators there are many without professional qualifications. This problem is widely discussed among experts and there is extensive academic literature on the subject. Observers suspect the influence of Islamist orders behind the new law. Here, President Erdogan visits the Ismail-Aga order in Istanbul in 2020 Image: ANKA More non-believers Religion has become a focal point of Turkish social discourse. Young people in particular are engaged in reading scripture and questioning many theories — a cause for concern within the government. President Erdogan has emphasized repeatedly that he wants to raise a "pious generation." However, recent studies by the opinion research institute KONDA show the opposite: The proportion of people who describe themselves as religious has fallen from 55% in 2018 to 46% now, while the proportion of atheists or non-believers has risen from 2% to 8% in the same period. This article was originally written in German.
Korea Herald
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Taliban leader slams Trump's travel ban on Afghans and calls the US an 'oppressor'
The top Taliban leader on Saturday slammed President Donald Trump's travel ban on Afghans, calling the United States an oppressor, as Afghanistan's rulers seek greater engagement with the international community. The comments from Hibatullah Akhundzada marked the first public reaction from the Taliban since the Trump administration moved to bar citizens from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, from entering the US. Trump's executive order largely applies to Afghans hoping to resettle in the US permanently, as well as those hoping to go to America temporarily, including for university studies. Since returning to power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have imposed harsh measures, banned women from public places and education for women and girls beyond the sixth grade. And though they have so far failed to gain recognition as the country's official government, the Taliban have diplomatic relations with several countries, including China and Russia. Akhundzada released his message on the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha, also known as the "Feast of Sacrifice," from the southern city of Kandahar, where he has set up base but is rarely seen in public. In a 45-minute audio recording shared by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on X, Akhundzada denounced the Trump administration for imposing "restrictions on people." "Citizens from 12 countries are barred from entering their land — and Afghans are not allowed either," he said. "Why? Because they claim the Afghan government has no control over its people and that people are leaving the country. So, oppressor! Is this what you call friendship with humanity?" He blamed the US for the deaths of Palestinian women and children in Gaza, linking this allegation to the travel ban. "You are committing acts that are beyond tolerance," he added. The Trump administration says the measure is meant to protect US citizens from "aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security, espouse hateful ideology, or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes." It argues that Afghanistan lacks a competent central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and lacks appropriate screening and vetting measures. It also says Afghans who visit the US have a high visa overstay rate. Trump also suspended a core refugee program in January, all but ending support for Afghans who had allied with the US and leaving tens of thousands of them stranded. Also on Saturday, the Taliban prime minister said that all Afghans who fled the country after the collapse of the former Western-backed government are free to return home, promising they would be safe. "Afghans who have left the country should return to their homeland," Mohammad Hassan Akhund said. "Nobody will harm them." "Come back to your ancestral land and live in an atmosphere of peace," the Taliban prime minister said in a message on X and instructed officials to ensure returning refugees were given shelter and support. He also used the occasion to criticize the media for making what he said were "false judgements" about Afghanistan's Taliban rulers and their policies. "We must not allow the torch of the Islamic system to be extinguished," he said. "The media should avoid false judgments and should not minimize the accomplishments of the system. While challenges exist, we must remain vigilant." The Taliban swept into the capital of Kabul and seized most of Afghanistan in a blitz in mid-August 2021 as the US and NATO forces were in the last weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war. The offensive prompted a mass exodus, with tens of thousands of Afghans thronging the airport in chaotic scenes, hoping for a flight out on the US military airlift. People also fled across the border, to neighboring Iran and Pakistan. Among those escaping the new Taliban rulers were also former government officials, journalists, activists, those who had helped the US during its campaign against the Taliban. Separately, Afghans in neighboring Pakistan who are awaiting resettlement are also dealing with a deportation drive by the Islamabad government to get them out of the country. Almost a million have left Pakistan since October 2023 to avoid arrest and expulsion. (AP)
Yomiuri Shimbun
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
The Taliban Leader Slams Trump's Travel Ban on Afghans and Calls the US an ‘Oppressor'
The Associated Press A Taliban fighter stands guard near the Shah-Do Shamshira Mosque as people attend the Eid al-Adha prayer in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, June 7, 2025. The top Taliban leader on Saturday slammed President Donald Trump's travel ban on Afghans, calling the United States an oppressor, as Afghanistan's rulers seek greater engagement with the international community. The comments from Hibatullah Akhundzada marked the first public reaction from the Taliban since the Trump administration this week moved to bar citizens from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, from entering the U.S. Trump's executive order largely applies to Afghans hoping to resettle in the U.S. permanently, as well as those hoping to go to America temporarily, including for university studies. Since returning to power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have imposed harsh measures, banned women from public places and education for women and girls beyond the sixth grade. And though they have so far failed to gain recognition as the country's official government, the Taliban have diplomatic relations with several countries, including China and Russia. A message from the leader Akhundzada released his message on the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha, also known as the 'Feast of Sacrifice,' from the southern city of Kandahar, where he has set up base but is rarely seen in public. In a 45-minute audio recording shared by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on X, Akhundzada denounced the Trump administration for imposing 'restrictions on people.' 'Citizens from 12 countries are barred from entering their land — and Afghans are not allowed either,' he said. 'Why? Because they claim the Afghan government has no control over its people and that people are leaving the country. So, oppressor! Is this what you call friendship with humanity?' He blamed the U.S. for the deaths of Palestinian women and children in Gaza, linking this allegation to the travel ban. 'You are committing acts that are beyond tolerance,' he added. The Trump administration says the measure is meant to protect U.S. citizens from 'aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security, espouse hateful ideology, or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes.' It argues that Afghanistan lacks a competent central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and lacks appropriate screening and vetting measures. It also says Afghans who visit the U.S. have a high visa overstay rate. Trump also suspended a core refugee program in January, all but ending support for Afghans who had allied with the U.S. and leaving tens of thousands of them stranded. The Taliban offer amnesty Also on Saturday, the Taliban prime minister said that all Afghans who fled the country after the collapse of the former Western-backed government are free to return home, promising they would be safe. 'Afghans who have left the country should return to their homeland,' Mohammad Hassan Akhund said. 'Nobody will harm them.' 'Come back to your ancestral land and live in an atmosphere of peace,' the Taliban prime minister said in a message on X and instructed officials to ensure returning refugees were given shelter and support. He also used the occasion to criticize the media for making what he said were 'false judgements' about Afghanistan's Taliban rulers and their policies. 'We must not allow the torch of the Islamic system to be extinguished,' he said. 'The media should avoid false judgments and should not minimize the accomplishments of the system. While challenges exist, we must remain vigilant.' The return of the Taliban rule The Taliban swept into the capital of Kabul and seized most of Afghanistan in a blitz in mid-August 2021 as the U.S. and NATO forces were in the last weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war. The offensive prompted a mass exodus, with tens of thousands of Afghans thronging the airport in chaotic scenes, hoping for a flight out on the U.S. military airlift. People also fled across the border, to neighboring Iran and Pakistan. Among those escaping the new Taliban rulers were also former government officials, journalists, activists, those who had helped the U.S. during its campaign against the Taliban. Separately, Afghans in neighboring Pakistan who are awaiting resettlement are also dealing with a deportation drive by the Islamabad government to get them out of the country. Almost a million have left Pakistan since October 2023 to avoid arrest and expulsion.
Los Angeles Times
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Taliban leader slams Trump's travel ban on Afghans, calls U.S. an ‘oppressor'
The top Taliban leader on Saturday slammed President Trump's travel ban on Afghans, calling the United States an oppressor, as Afghanistan's rulers seek greater engagement with the international community. The comments from Hibatullah Akhundzada marked the first public reaction from the Taliban since the Trump administration in recent days moved to bar citizens from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, from entering the U.S. Trump's executive order largely applies to Afghans hoping to resettle in the U.S. permanently, as well as those hoping to go to America temporarily, including for university studies. Since returning to power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have imposed harsh measures, including banning women from public places and education for women and girls beyond the sixth grade. Although they have so far failed to gain recognition as the country's official government, the Taliban have diplomatic relations with several countries, including China and Russia. Akhundzada released his message on the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha, also known as the 'Feast of Sacrifice,' from the southern city of Kandahar, where he has set up base but is rarely seen in public. In a 45-minute audio recording shared by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on X, Akhundzada denounced the Trump administration for imposing 'restrictions on people.' 'Citizens from 12 countries are barred from entering their land — and Afghans are not allowed either,' he said. 'Why? Because they claim the Afghan government has no control over its people and that people are leaving the country. So, oppressor! Is this what you call friendship with humanity?' He blamed the U.S. for the deaths of Palestinian women and children in Gaza, linking this allegation to the travel ban. 'You are committing acts that are beyond tolerance,' he added. The Trump administration says the measure is meant to protect U.S. citizens from 'aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security, espouse hateful ideology, or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes.' It argues that Afghanistan lacks a competent central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and lacks appropriate screening and vetting measures. It also says Afghans who visit the U.S. have a high visa overstay rate. Trump also suspended a core refugee program in January, all but ending support for Afghans who had allied with the U.S. and leaving tens of thousands of them stranded. Also on Saturday, the Taliban prime minister said that all Afghans who fled the country after the collapse of the former Western-backed government are free to return home, promising they would be safe. 'Afghans who have left the country should return to their homeland,' Mohammad Hassan Akhund said. 'Nobody will harm them.' 'Come back to your ancestral land and live in an atmosphere of peace,' the Taliban prime minister said in a message on X, instructing officials to ensure returning refugees were given shelter and support. He also used the occasion to criticize the media for making what he said were 'false judgments' about Afghanistan's Taliban rulers and their policies. 'We must not allow the torch of the Islamic system to be extinguished,' he said. 'The media should avoid false judgments and should not minimize the accomplishments of the system. While challenges exist, we must remain vigilant.' The Taliban swept into the capital of Kabul and seized most of Afghanistan in a blitz in mid-August 2021 as the U.S. and NATO forces were in the last weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war. The offensive prompted a mass exodus, with tens of thousands of Afghans thronging the airport in chaotic scenes, hoping for a flight out on the U.S. military airlift. People also fled across the border, to neighboring Iran and Pakistan. Among those escaping the new Taliban rulers were former government officials, journalists, activists and those who had helped the U.S. during its campaign against the Taliban. Separately, Afghans in neighboring Pakistan who are awaiting resettlement are also dealing with a deportation drive by the Islamabad government to get them out of the country. Almost a million have left Pakistan since October 2023 to avoid arrest and expulsion. Press writes for the Associated Press.
