Latest news with #Milad
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Muharram: Governor acknowledges performance of home dept
LAHORE: Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan said that the performance of the Home Department and law enforcement agencies during Muharram-ul-Haram was impressive. "There should be complete freedom for peaceful gatherings and celebrations like Milad within the four walls," he said, adding: "The KPK government should focus on the people of the province instead of protest politics." During a meeting with Secretary Home Punjab Ahmed Javed Qazi, who called on him here at the Governor House Lahore, the governor, while appreciating the performance of the Home Department and law enforcement agencies during Muharram-ul-Haram, said that it is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to formulate such a policy so that gatherings like milads held within the four walls can be made peaceful. He said that those who spread religious sectarianism should be dealt with strictly. The governor said that people of every religion living in Pakistan have complete freedom to perform their religious rituals. He further said that in the situation of recent heavy rains across the country, Section 144 should be implemented in letter and spirit. He said that the people should protect themselves from flooded places, rivers and streams. The governor also expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of life and property during the rains. He further said that the KP government needs to focus on the people of the province instead of protest politics. Punjab Home Secretary Ahmed Javed Qazi said that the law enforcement agencies are always ready to protect the lives and property of the people of the province and deal with any kind of emergency. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
MTV Lebanon
01-07-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Syria's Christians fear for future after devastating church attack
"Your brother is a hero." This is what Emad was told after finding out his brother had been killed in a suicide explosion at a church in the Syrian capital of Damascus. His brother, Milad, and two others had tried to push the suicide attacker out of the church building. He was killed instantly – alongside 24 other members of the congregation. Another 60 people were injured in the attack at Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias, in the eastern Damascus suburb of Dweila on 22 June. It was the first such attack in Damascus since Islamist-led rebel forces overthrew Bashar al- Assad in December, ending 13 years of devastating civil war. It was also the first targeting of the Christian community in Syria since a massacre in 1860, when a conflict broke out between Druze and Maronite Christians under Ottoman rule. The Syrian authorities blamed the attack on the Islamic State (IS) group. However, a lesser- known Sunni extremist group, Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah, has said it was behind the attack – though government officials say they do not operate independently of IS. Milad had been attending a Sunday evening service at the church, when a man opened fire on the congregation before detonating his explosive vest. Emad heard the explosion from his house and for hours was unable to reach his brother. "I went to the hospital to see him. I couldn't recognise him. Half of his face was burnt," Emad told me, speaking from his small two bedroom-home which he shares with several other relatives. Emad is a tall, thin man in his 40s with an angular face that bears the lines of a hard life. He, like his brother, had been working as a cleaner in a school in the poor neighbourhood, which is home to many lower to middle class and predominantly Christian families. During Bashar al-Assad's rule, members of Syria's many religious and ethnic minority communities believed the state protected them. Now, many fear the new Islamist-led government, established by the rebels who overthrew him last December, will not do the same. While interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and his government have pledged to protect all citizens, recent deadly sectarian violence in Alawite coastal areas and then in Druze communities around Damascus have made people doubt its ability to control the situation. Many of Emad's family members echoed this sentiment, saying: "We are not safe here anymore." Angie Awabde, 23, was just two months away from graduating university when she got caught up in the church attack. She heard the gunshots before the blast. "It all happened in seconds," she told me, speaking from her hospital bed as she recovers from shrapnel wounds to her face, hand and leg, as well as a broken leg. Angie is frightened and feels there is no future for Christians in Syria. "I just want to leave this country. I lived through the crisis, the war, the mortars. I never expected that something would happen to me inside a church," she said. "I don't have a solution. They need to find a solution, this is not my job, if they can't protect us, we want to leave." Before the 13-year civil war, Christians made up about 10% of the 22 million population in Syria - but their numbers have shrunk significantly since then with hundreds of thousands fleeing abroad. Churches were among the buildings bombed by the Syrian government and allied Russian forces during the war – but not while worshippers were inside. Thousands of Christians were also forced from their homes due to the threat from hardline Islamist and jihadist groups, such as IS. Outside the hospital where Angie is being treated, coffins of some of the victims of the church attack were lined up, ready for burial. People from all walks of life, and representing different parts of Syrian society, attended the service at a nearby church, which took place under a heavy security presence. In a sermon at the service, the Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church in Syria, John Yazigi, insisted "the government bears responsibility in full". He said a phone call from President Ahmed al-Sharaa expressing his condolences was "not enough for us", drawing applause from the congregation. "We are grateful for the phone call. But the crime that took place is a little bigger than that." Sharaa last week promised that those involved in the "heinous" attack would face justice. A day after the bombing, two of the suspects were killed and six others arrested in a security operation on an IS cell in Damascus. But this has done little to allay fears here about the security situation, especially for religious minorities. Syria has also seen a crack down on social freedoms, including decrees on how women should dress at beaches, attacks on men wearing shorts in public and bars and restaurants closing for serving alcohol. Many here fear that these are not just random cases but signs of a wider plan to change Syrian society. Archimandrite Meletius Shattahi, director-general of the charitable arm of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, feels the government is not doing enough. He refers to videos circulating online showing armed religious preachers advocating for Islam over loud speakers in Christian neighbourhoods, saying these are not "individual incidents". "These are taking place in public in front of everybody, and we know very well that our government is not taking any action against [those] who are breaching the laws and the rules." This alleged inaction, he says, is what led to the attack at the Church of the Prophet Elias.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Syria's Christians fear for future after devastating church attack
Warning: This article contains distressing details "Your brother is a hero." This is what Emad was told after finding out his brother had been killed in a suicide explosion at a church in the Syrian capital of Damascus. His brother, Milad, and two others had tried to push the suicide attacker out of the church building. He was killed instantly – alongside 24 other members of the congregation. Another 60 people were injured in the attack at Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias, in the eastern Damascus suburb of Dweila on 22 was the first such attack in Damascus since Islamist-led rebel forces overthrew Bashar al- Assad in December, ending 13 years of devastating civil war. It was also the first targeting of the Christian community in Syria since a massacre in 1860, when a conflict broke out between Druze and Maronite Christians under Ottoman rule. The Syrian authorities blamed the attack on the Islamic State (IS) group. However, a lesser- known Sunni extremist group, Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah, has said it was behind the attack – though government officials say they do not operate independently of IS. Milad had been attending a Sunday evening service at the church, when a man opened fire on the congregation before detonating his explosive vest. Emad heard the explosion from his house and for hours was unable to reach his brother."I went to the hospital to see him. I couldn't recognise him. Half of his face was burnt," Emad told me, speaking from his small two bedroom-home which he shares with several other is a tall, thin man in his 40s with an angular face that bears the lines of a hard life. He, like his brother, had been working as a cleaner in a school in the poor neighbourhood, which is home to many lower to middle class and predominantly Christian Bashar al-Assad's rule, members of Syria's many religious and ethnic minority communities believed the state protected them. Now, many fear the new Islamist-led government, established by the rebels who overthrew him last December, will not do the interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and his government have pledged to protect all citizens, recent deadly sectarian violence in Alawite coastal areas and then in Druze communities around Damascus have made people doubt its ability to control the of Emad's family members echoed this sentiment, saying: "We are not safe here anymore." Angie Awabde, 23, was just two months away from graduating university when she got caught up in the church attack. She heard the gunshots before the blast. "It all happened in seconds," she told me, speaking from her hospital bed as she recovers from shrapnel wounds to her face, hand and leg, as well as a broken is frightened and feels there is no future for Christians in Syria. "I just want to leave this country. I lived through the crisis, the war, the mortars. I never expected that something would happen to me inside a church," she said. "I don't have a solution. They need to find a solution, this is not my job, if they can't protect us, we want to leave." Before the 13-year civil war, Christians made up about 10% of the 22 million population in Syria - but their numbers have shrunk significantly since then with hundreds of thousands fleeing abroad. Churches were among the buildings bombed by the Syrian government and allied Russian forces during the war – but not while worshippers were inside. Thousands of Christians were also forced from their homes due to the threat from hardline Islamist and jihadist groups, such as IS. Outside the hospital where Angie is being treated, coffins of some of the victims of the church attack were lined up, ready for burial. People from all walks of life, and representing different parts of Syrian society, attended the service at a nearby church, which took place under a heavy security presence. In a sermon at the service, the Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church in Syria, John Yazigi, insisted "the government bears responsibility in full". He said a phone call from President Ahmed al-Sharaa expressing his condolences was "not enough for us", drawing applause from the congregation. "We are grateful for the phone call. But the crime that took place is a little bigger than that."Sharaa last week promised that those involved in the "heinous" attack would face justice. A day after the bombing, two of the suspects were killed and six others arrested in a security operation on an IS cell in Damascus. But this has done little to allay fears here about the security situation, especially for religious minorities. Syria has also seen a crack down on social freedoms, including decrees on how women should dress at beaches, attacks on men wearing shorts in public and bars and restaurants closing for serving here fear that these are not just random cases but signs of a wider plan to change Syrian Meletius Shattahi, director-general of the charitable arm of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, feels the government is not doing refers to videos circulating online showing armed religious preachers advocating for Islam over loud speakers in Christian neighbourhoods, saying these are not "individual incidents". "These are taking place in public in front of everybody, and we know very well that our government is not taking any action against [those] who are breaching the laws and the rules."This alleged inaction, he says, is what led to the attack at the Church of the Prophet Elias.
Tom's Guide
23-06-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Over 60? According to a trainer, these three exercises are non-negotiable for strong, healthy knees
Although knee pain is common as you age, there are ways to prevent it. Plus, if you're already suffering from sore knees, there are ways to manage and treat the pain. The knee joint absorbs a significant amount of shock as we move, and over time, this can cause wear and tear, as well as conditions like osteoarthritis. Once the cartilage in your knee is worn away, the bones rub against each other when you move, which can cause pain. One of the best ways to reduce knee pain as you get older is to build up the muscles around the knee. This can help alleviate some of the pressure on the knee joint, as the muscles will absorb some of the shock, and also help stabilize the knee. If you're not sure where to start, read on. The exercises are created by personal training duo Milad and Ryan, who run Tailored Fit PT, an online training platform that focuses on mobility and pain management. As always, if you're new to exercise or you're recovering from an injury, it's always a good idea to seek advice from a personal trainer, who can ensure you're moving with good form. For the exercises below, you'll need a weight of some kind. This can be a set of the best adjustable dumbbells if you're working out from home, or some weight plates if you're in the gym. The right weight will feel challenging, but not impossible, by the final few reps. If you find yourself wobbling or unable to finish the workout, it's probably too heavy. If you don't have weights to hand, use something heavy instead. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Here are the exercises and how to do them: A post shared by Coach Milad and Ryan ▪️Fitness and Nutrition Coach (@tailoredfitpt) A photo posted by on 'This is the most important exercise for aging adults,' says Milad and Ryan. 'It strengthens every muscle you need to get up from chairs and toilets independently, and it builds the leg strength needed to prevent life-changing falls.' Here's how to do a goblet squat: 'This is a game changer because it exposes and fixes hidden balance issues that cause falls, and strengthens each leg independently, which we need for walking and running,' says Milad and Ryan. They advise starting with regular split squats, then progressing to placing your front, standing leg on a foam pad or pillow to increase intensity and force your muscles to work harder against the unstable surface. Here's how to do a split squat: 'This movement is crucial because most people only train muscles that help them move forward and backward, but neglect the muscles involved in moving side to side, which causes life-shortening muscle imbalances.' Here's how to do a lateral lunge:
The Star
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Helping disabled youths lead
Sia (front row, sixth from left) with members of Milad after receiving the donated items which will go to 42 OKU recipients. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star Applications open for training focused on assisting organisations with OKU staff, advising on special needs A TRAINING programme is available for youths with special needs to become leaders when it comes to dealing with people with disabilities (OKU). Malaysia Independent Living Association for Disabled (Milad) is calling for applicants aged 18 to 30 who are interested in becoming professional trainers. Milad will select 16 trainees, who must be registered with the Welfare Department, for the Disability Inclusion Leadership Training (DILT) programme. Programme head and Milad president Sia Siew Chi, who will be one of the trainers, said, 'We want the trained disabled individuals to become professional trainers who can assist organisations with OKU staff, as well as advise on the needs of people with disabilities. 'We welcome people with any type of disability, such as visual, hearing or physical impairments, to apply.' She said those with good public-speaking abilities would have an advantage. 'Applicants who are OKU cardholders from across Malaysia, passionate about disability rights and committed to becoming inclusion trainers, are encouraged to apply,' Sia said after receiving donations of medical supplies at Milad's centre in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. The 18-month programme starting in July is funded by Unicef, with technical support from the Disability Equality Training (DET) Forum, Asia-Pacific Development Centre on Disability, and Japan International Cooperation Agency. It is the first of its kind in Malaysia, designed exclusively for OKU to enable them to become professional trainers who meet the certification standards of Human Resources Development Corporation (HRD Corp). The programme will include a 14-day in-person DET workshop, weekly two-hour online mentorship, Independent Living Programme training, one-day practical facilitation experience and five-day Train-the-Trainer workshop for HRD Corp certification. Applications should include the person's name, background and contact information, and be sent to miladmalaysia@ by June 30. Details can be found at At the event, 42 persons with disabilities received donations of urinary bags and adult diapers worth RM5,826 from an anonymous donor. 'While 11 of them are able to collect the items from us, the rest will have their donated supplies delivered to their homes. 'The donor has been generous over the years, regularly sponsoring essential items for OKU. 'These items are costly and any sponsorship to fund them is greatly appreciated by the disabled community,' Sia said, adding that many of the recipients were bedridden.
