Latest news with #Levant
The Print
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
36 Bangladeshis involved in allegedly setting up ISIL-inspired terror module nabbed in Malaysia
The statement added, 'Another 15 individuals have been issued deportation orders while 16 individuals are being further investigated regarding their involvement in this militant movement.' 'The planned security operation which began on 24 April 2025 was carried out in three phases of arrests around Selangor and Johor. In the operation, five of them were identified as being involved under Chapter VIA of the Penal Code (offences relating to terrorism) and have already been charged in the Shah Alam and Johor Bahru Section Courts,' Malaysia's Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said in a statement. New Delhi: Malaysian authorities Friday announced the arrests of 36 Bangladeshi citizens this week after they were 'identified' as being involved in a 'radical militant movement' based on extremist beliefs and 'terrorist ideology'. The group of individuals brought to Malaysia 'extremist' beliefs centred on the teachings of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and created recruitment cells within the community for the purposes of 'indoctrinating radical ideas, raising funds for terrorist activities and to overthrow the legitimate government in their home country'. 'I would like to emphasise that Malaysia will not be a haven, let alone a subversive elemental battlefield for any foreign extremist movement,' Ismail declared in his statement. The Malaysian home minister added the country will 'not tolerate' any elements that threaten national security. Since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government last August in Bangladesh, the South Asian nation has seen an upsurge in extremist movements. Earlier this year, banned extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir (HuT) took out a rally called March for Khilafat in Dhaka, calling for the establishment of an Islamic caliphate. The rally witnessed violence. The group was banned by the Hasina government in 2009. In October 2024, reports emerged from Bangladesh of elite Catholic missionary schools in Dhaka carrying out processions in favour of the establishment of a caliphate in the country. The growth of extremist ideology in Bangladesh has worried India, with the Ministry of External Affairs consistently calling on the interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus to 'protect Hindus, their properties and religious institutions'. The latest India statement on the matter came Thursday after reports emerged of the destruction of a Durga temple in Dhaka. There have been other incidents since the fall of Hasina government that have impacted the minorities in Bangladesh. Also Read: Jaishankar says attacks on minorities in Bangladesh 'impact' Indian thinking, urges clarity in ties 'Firm and swift action' In the statement on the arrest of 36 Bangladeshis Friday, Ismail also said, 'I reiterate my assurance that the Ministry of Home Affairs will continue to strengthen intelligence capabilities and enforcement, as well as collaborate with domestic and foreign security agencies to ensure that Malaysia remains peaceful, stable and free from the threat of terrorism.' The Malaysian home minister added, 'Any attempt to turn Malaysia into a base of militant operations or transit centre for extremist movements will be dealt with firm, swift and effective action.' At the same time as concerns heighten over the growth of extremist elements in Bangladesh, the interim government has sought to positively reset ties with Pakistan. Most recently, a trilateral meeting between officials from Dhaka, Islamabad and Beijing was held in the Chinese city of Kunming. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Hindu leader's killing in Bangladesh prompts stinging rebuke from India on 'systemic persecution'
Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Historic Sweep for Jordanian-Canadian Author at Gourmand Awards: Thuraya Earns Four 'Best in the World' Honours
TORONTO , /CNW/ -- Thuraya: Recipes from Our Family's Kitchen in Jordan, authored and self-published in Canada by Jordanian-Canadian writer Nadeem Mansour, has earned four Best in the World honours at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards – winning the #1 global prize for Best Mediterranean Book and Best Video Presentation, and placing #2 in the world for Best Family Book and the prestigious Best Cookbook in the World category. Thuraya's inclusion on the shortlist already made history as the first English-language Jordanian cookbook to be nominated and shortlisted in three prestigious categories. This landmark achievement is a profound reflection of the immigrant journey, the preservation of cultural memory, and the richness of Canada's multicultural story . This achievement highlights Thuraya's role as a culinary memoir and personal narrative of immigration, identity and belonging – one that resonates with the diverse Canadian experience. Inspired by the tastes and traditions of his mother's kitchen, the book features over 120 Levantine recipes, bringing the vibrant flavors of Jordan and the Levant to a global audience. "This book began as a way to preserve the dishes my mother lovingly prepared, but it has become something much larger," said author Nadeem Mansour . "These recipes, passed down through generations, carry with them the memory of where we come from. To see them honoured on such a prestigious international stage is moving. It is a tribute not only to my mother and family, and to the countless families across Canada who keep their cultures alive through food – but also to mothers everywhere, whose love and care are the soul of every home-cooked meal." Named after the author's mother, Thuraya is a story of love, heritage, and the power of food to bridge distances—across countries, cultures, and communities. The beautifully photographed recipes, from vibrant mezze and hearty stews to exquisite desserts, embody the warmth and generosity of Middle Eastern hospitality. For Thuraya, the author's mother, the recognition is especially meaningful. "Our family recipes carry the essence of who we are. Food has a unique ability to bring people together and connect us all—no matter where we come from." Following its launch in Amman, Thuraya was introduced to a Canadian audience at the Royal Ontario Museum on February 23 , 2025. Part of the ROM Talks series, the event explored the book's story and the rich cultural and culinary traditions of the Middle East — brought to life through select heritage objects from the museum's Widad Kawar Collection of Arab Dress and Heritage. This event reflected ROM's commitment to celebrating Canada's diverse communities and preserving the cultural stories that newcomers bring to its shared table. Winners of the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards were announced in Lisbon, Portugal, this weekend. Thuraya has already made history, bearing the Gourmand Best in the World logo and standing proudly as a work that speaks to cultural preservation, family legacy, and the remarkable ways Canada provides space for both to thrive. For more information on Thuraya or to purchase a copy, please visit where you can also view the stunning Gourmand-award winning video that captures the heart of its story and offers a glimpse into the rich culinary treasures within.
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Ruthless and brilliant Israel has de-fanged, but not destroyed, Iran
Donald Trump vindicated. Benjamin Netanyahu rehabilitated. Iran humbled. The Middle East becalmed. That, at least, is one way of interpreting the past 13 days of war and the ceasefire that has possibly just ended it. The Israeli prime minister made the right call, the US president gambled correctly – and the ayatollahs folded. Arab leaders may not have liked how Israel did it, expressing outrage to pacify their domestic populations, but they will nonetheless feel immense relief. Iran, the great menace for so much of the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant, has been de-fanged – if not defeated – in a ruthlessly executed campaign that really began with the decapitation of Hezbollah last year. The Saudis were wrong: you don't start with the head of the snake, as they termed Iran, but with the arms of the octopus, its proxies. The Israelis demonstrated how to fight an asymmetric war – a campaign that will be studied for generations and one that stands in contrast to the struggles faced by the British in Kenya, Malaya and Aden, or the Americans in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Some former US officials have already suggested broader implications: China might think twice about invading Taiwan, having seen how decisively Mr Trump can act. It's a compelling argument. But there are caveats. A formal assessment of battlefield damage is still pending. If Iran has salvaged enough of its nuclear programme to sprint for a bomb, Mr Netanyahu and Mr Trump risk turning a tactical victory into a strategic defeat. Tehran may yet rise from the ashes. The Islamic regime has retreated to lick its wounds – but it has not been destroyed. It may be that the Iranian people rise in anger to overthrow a system that turned one of the region's most socially liberal, if corrupt and authoritarian, countries into a joyless theocracy. But opposition is weak and divided, and the regime still controls all the levers of power. Dictatorships often rot from within and will sometimes collapse with a small push. But experts remain divided over just how brittle Iran's regime is. Unlike in Syria, there is no rebel army waiting in the wings to march on Tehran, meaning it might yet re-emerge as a threat. Mr Netanyahu's reputation, which has been battered over the past 18 months, may be partially redeemed among some Israelis, but he remains a pariah for much of the world. The war in Gaza has severely damaged his image, and that is unlikely to change unless he now moves decisively to end it. The success of the Iranian campaign arguably gives him an opportunity to do just that – a case the Trump administration will probably make – but whether the Israeli prime minister will take the win is another matter. Gaza also demonstrates the limits of Israel's approach to asymmetric warfare. Militant groups can be degraded and deterred by overwhelming force, incisive intelligence and technological innovation, but attempting to eliminate them on their home soil is a different matter, as Israel has found in its war with Hamas. This helps explain why Israel only mounted a limited operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The terror group has been stuffed back into its box and is struggling to rearm; its traditional supply route through Syria has been severed since the fall of the Assad regime in December. But it too has not been defeated. The Gaza campaign, despite the severe degradation of Hamas, has revealed the limits of fighting asymmetric wars. And as for China, it is far from clear that Beijing will draw the conclusions hoped for by some of Mr Trump's supporters. By striking Iran while appeasing Russia, Mr Trump may have sent a different signal: that he is willing to confront lesser powers in a limited fashion, but content to let larger ones do as they please.
BreakingNews.ie
5 days ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Sami Tamimi's courgette and leek ijeh – Arabic frittata
'What better way to welcome the weekend than with the smell and sound of frying herb-loaded ijeh? This is a thick, delicious frittata-like mixture of courgettes, leeks, peas, herbs and eggs,' explains chef Sami Tamimi. 'In Palestine, it's often made with finely chopped herbs and onions. I like the addition of fresh mint, dried mint and dill or fennel seeds.' Advertisement Courgette and leek ijeh (Ijehet Kousa w Kurrath) Ingredients (Serves 4-6) 250g frozen peas, defrosted 2 courgettes (300g) 1 small onion (150g) 1 large leek, finely chopped (175g) 50g plain flour 15g fresh parsley, finely chopped 10g fresh mint leaves, thinly shredded 1¼tsp dried mint 1tsp Aleppo chilli flakes (or regular chilli flakes) ½tsp ground turmeric 1tsp dill or fennel seeds, slightly crushed 3 large eggs, lightly beaten Salt and black pepper 3tbsp olive oil To serve: lemon wedges sour cream (Ola O. Smit/PA) Method 1. Put the peas into a food processor and blitz for a few seconds – you want them to be slightly crushed but not mushy. Place in a mixing bowl and leave aside. 2. Trim the courgettes and peel the onion, then, using the coarse side of a box grater, grate them on to a clean tea towel or muslin. Gather the ends of the tea towel and twist hard over a bowl to squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Add the grated courgette and onion to the peas, along with the leek, flour, herbs, spices, eggs, 1¾ teaspoons of salt and a good grind of black pepper. Mix well to form a uniform batter. Advertisement 3. Place a large (28cm) shallow non-stick pan (with a lid) on a medium heat and add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the ijeh mixture, smoothing it down to make an even patty. Partly cover the pan and cook for about 17 minutes on a low heat, shaking the pan a few times to make sure it doesn't stick at the bottom, and running a rubber spatula around the sides, until the edges start to get golden brown. Get a large flat plate and it place over the pan. 4. Carefully invert the pan, plate and all, so that the ijeh ends up on the plate. Slide it back into the pan to cook uncovered for 15 minutes, until it is firm and cooked through. When ready to serve, slide the ijeh on to a serving plate, squeeze over a little lemon juice and serve with lemon wedges and sour cream on the side. (Ebury/PA) Boustany by Sami Tamimi is published in hardback by Ebury. Photography by Ola O Smit. Available now
Asharq Al-Awsat
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Isn't it Time for Us Arabs to Rationally Think of the Future?
When a nation's options are narrowed by dramatic developments, it is left with two choices: gloating or denial... Both affirm that this nation has resigned itself to a life on the margins of history. We Arabs currently constitute a strong majority in West Asia and North Africa. Our territories are home to some of the world's most significant natural resources; they are by most of the ancient world's seas, and are part of the most important trade and civilization routes known to humanity. After the First World War, as borders and the balance of power were shifting, ideologies shaped the equations of the next phase in the "game of nations," and it had been assumed that we would keep up with the transformations. We should have noticed, after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, which had spanned most of the Arab region, from Iraq to the Algerian-Moroccan border, that new interests, circumstances, and priorities had emerged. However, neither we nor others managed to grasp these shifts in time. That is why the Second World War erupted, changing things and setting new rules for the game. As for us Arabs, we failed to process the implications of partitioning the Levant and the Nile Valley or what was happening in the Maghreb! We failed to grasp how the Balfour Declaration would change things on the ground, especially in the context of a global Cold War that divided the world into two camps. The conflict among the old European colonial powers, and later between them and the two rising giants - the United States and the Soviet Union - accelerated the Global South toward independence, and gave rise to "Third World socialism," beginning with China. Iran, for its part, underwent a remarkable transformation as Britain and Russia jockeyed for influence. In 1925, officer Reza Pahlavi overthrew the Qajar dynasty and established the Pahlavi state. He ruled until 1941, when the Russians and the British removed him because of suspicion that he had been sympathetic to Nazi Germany, replacing him with his son Mohammad. The son, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, understood the rules of the game with the major powers. He played well for a few years, before choosing to align with the United States and his difficult neighbor, Atatürk's Türkiye, during the Cold War. Despite their ancient rivalry, Türkiye shared with Pahlavi's Iran not only a commitment to secularism, but also a desire to join the West, as seen with the "Baghdad Pact." Likewise, Atatürk's Türkiye coexisted, for a while, with Zionist Israel, whose establishment fueled anti-Western sentiment in more than one Arab country. As we know, military juntas began emerging in the 1950s. The Soviet bloc backed their revolutionary policies. Thus, the rift widened, first within the Arab world itself, and second, between the Arab world and the "regional triad" that supported and was supported by the West: namely, Iran, Türkiye, and Israel. This state of affairs continued until Pahlavi's secular Iran was ousted by Khomeini's "clerical revolution", and until Atatürk's secularism in Türkiye was undermined by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who aspired to combine "caliphate rule" and Turkish nationalism. As for Israel, once defined by the Histadrut and cooperative socialism, it has become a model of racist, theocratic fascism. Currently, the Israeli-Iranian war, and Türkiye's silent, calculated role in the Fertile Crescent, seem to have caught the Arabs offguard. They find themselves powerlessly watching their region being "reassembled" before their very eyes. And today, the most that some of them - those who have conveniently forgotten the rabid belligerence of Benjamin Netanyahu - can do is gloat out of childish spite. Is cheering the army that destroyed Gaza and killed its children, merely out of spite toward Iran, not a reflection of paralysis and an utter disregard for the future? Conversely, denial has become a comfortable refuge for segments of the Iranian regime's support base, who turn a blind eye to its actions. Here, I claim that our duty is to think in terms of other - plausible this time - options. Personally, I am convinced that defeating Israel is virtually impossible: it is nothing more than a front for the United States. Until Washington is persuaded that aligning fully with Tel Aviv is not inevitable, the Israeli fascists and their allies will continue to choose America's "leaders" and drag the US into fighting their wars. Incidentally, the "marriage of convenience" between hardline Christian fundamentalists and Jewish communities was consolidated by Evangelicals like the pastor Jerry Falwell, founder of the Moral Majority movement, and extremist Jewish right-wing groups - both economically and religiously - toward the end of the Cold War amid Ronald Reagan's rise. At the time, their greatest common denominator was hostility to the Soviets and the global Left. But after the collapse of the Soviet Union, as Samuel Huntington observed, they were united by their hatred of "political Islam." This tactical alliance reached its peak with the emergence - or fabrication - of ISIS-like movements. Now, these movements are about to expire. Meanwhile the fundamental contradictions - theological and ethnic - between the two opposing camps of arrogant extremists, Jewish and Christian, are surfacing, with each claiming a monopoly over religious truth, virtue, and salvation. Recognizing this fact, proceeding accordingly, and examining the implications and consequences would be a thousand times more useful than indulging in the negative, foolish reactions of a bygone past that will never return!
