Latest news with #Muslimmajority
Fox News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
GOP lawmakers advocate for US condemnation of persecution against Christians in Muslim-majority nations
NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is pushing a resolution that would indicate that the Senate denounces the persecution of Christians in Muslim-majority nations, while Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.V., and several other House Republicans are pushing a House version that would declare the lower chamber's condemnation of such persecution. The resolutions urge the president to prioritize the defense of persecuted Christians in America's foreign policy, including via "diplomatic engagement with Muslim-majority countries" as well as "efforts to stabilize the Middle East." The proposed resolutions also urge the president to leverage the diplomatic toolkit "to advance the protection of persecuted Christians worldwide and within Muslim-majority countries." AMERICANS LOOK AT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND SEE A 'DUMPSTER FIRE': SEN. JOSH HAWLEY Fox News Digital reached out to the White House, which did not provide comment. "Our country was founded on religious liberty. We cannot sit on the sidelines as Christians around the world are being persecuted for declaring Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We must condemn these heinous crimes," Hawley said, according to press releases issued by the offices of Hawley and Moore. "Year after year, the number of Christians murdered by extremists in Nigeria has numbered in the thousands. Millions more have been displaced. We cannot allow this to continue. I urge my colleagues to join me in condemning the persecution of Christians around the world by supporting this resolution." CHRISTIANS INCREASINGLY PERSECUTED WORLDWIDE AS 'MODERN AND HISTORICAL FACTORS CONVERGE' Original cosponsors in the House included GOP Reps. Greg Steube of Florida, Michael Guest of Mississippi, Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin, Addison McDowell of North Carolina, Brandon Gill of Texas, Pat Harrigan of North Carolina, and Anna Paulina Luna of Florida. While not an original cosponsor, Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, is a cosponsor of the resolution in the House, according to FEARS REMAIN THIS EASTER THAT CHRISTIANS IN NIGERIA ARE BEING 'WIPED OUT' BY MUSLIM EXTREMISTS CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "Around the world, our brothers and sisters in Christ face rampant persecution for simply acknowledging the name of Jesus. That is unacceptable. In Nigeria alone, more than 50,000 Christians have been martyred and more than 5 million have been displaced simply for professing their faith. During a Divine Liturgy in Damascus last month, an islamic jihadist opened fire on worshippers and detonated an explosive device — killing at least 30 and wounding dozens more. These examples illustrate the violence and death Christians face on a daily basis," Moore said, according to press releases. "Unfortunately, decades of U.S. foreign policy blunders have exacerbated this crisis, with ethno-religious cleansing accelerating in Iraq after our failure to stabilize the country following the 2003 invasion. We as lawmakers cannot continue to sit idly by. I urge my colleagues to join me in condemning the persecution of Christians across the globe."
The Guardian
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
‘An insult': Malaysians slam nomination of ‘alpha-male' Nick Adams as US ambassador
Former government ministers and youth politicians in Muslim-majority Malaysia have slammed a decision to nominate right-wing influencer Nick Adams as US ambassador to the country, calling it an insult to the nation. Donald Trump announced last week that Nick Adams, a self-proclaimed 'alpha male', had been announced as ambassador to Malaysia, praising him as a 'incredible patriot'. However, Adam's past online comments and his support for Israel, have prompted calls for the Malaysian government to reject his appointment. Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim and former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin have both urged the government to oppose his posting. Malaysia 'should not be treated as a dumping ground for ideological firebrands and partisan influencers,' Zaid said, adding that Adams' nomination 'would not be a gesture of goodwill-it would be an insult.' Transport minister Anthony Loke, who is the secretary-general of DAP, a member of the national unity government, will also oppose Adams' appointment, according to local media, which reported his party planned to issue a statement on the matter. Adams, 40, who was born in Australia but obtained US citizenship in 2021, will need to be confirmed by the US Senate before he can assume the role. He said on social media last week it was 'nothing short of a lifetime's honour to take the president's goodwill and spread it to the great people of Malaysia'. He looked forward to strengthening ties between the two countries, he said, telling Malaysians he could not wait 'to experience your noble culture and learn much from you'. Adams' comments about Israel have provoked particular concern in Malaysia, a staunch supporter of Palestine, which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel. In a post shared on X in 2024, Adams stated: 'If you don't stand with Israel, you stand with terrorists!' Another comment allegedly written by Adams on X in 2024, in which he claimed to have ensured a waitress was fired for wearing a 'Free Palestine' pin, has been widely cited by pro-Palestine groups and youth leaders opposing his appointment. The post cannot be found on X. A youth leader with the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Sukri Omar, said the Malaysian government should 'send a clear message that Malaysia will not be a stage for normalising Zionist tyranny …' Adams, and the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur, did not respond to a request for comment regarding the cited post, or criticism over his appointment. Dr Bridget Welsh, a political analyst specialising in South-east Asia, said Adams' nomination reflected a lack of understanding of the importance of Malaysia, and the wider region, to the US. 'There is no real recognition and deep appreciation about how critical a role Malaysia plays in the US economy, and the critical importance of these ties for issues of security,' she said. Decisions such as Adams' nomination risked 'pushing everyone [in Southeast Asia] into the arms of China,' she said, adding this was counterproductive for those in the Maga movement who perceive Beijing as a threat. Political relations between Malaysia and the US have become strained over recent years – due to the Israel's war in Gaza, US-China competition, and Trump's threat to impose a 25% tariff on Malaysia. 'Anti-Amercianism is running very deep on the issues of Gaza, on issues associated with Iran, among large sections of the population – not everybody, but many … Will [Adams] be diplomatic? His Twitter [X] account raises questions,' said Welsh.
The Guardian
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
‘An insult': Malaysians slam nomination of ‘alpha-male' Nick Adams as US ambassador
Former government ministers and Islamic youth politicians in Muslim-majority Malaysia have slammed a decision to nominate right-wing influencer Nick Adams as US ambassador to the country, calling it an insult to the nation. Donald Trump announced last week that Nick Adams, a self-proclaimed 'alpha male', had been announced as ambassador to Malaysia, praising him as a 'incredible patriot'. However, Adam's past online comments and his support for Israel, have prompted calls for the Malaysian government to reject his appointment. Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim and former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin have both urged the government to oppose his posting. Malaysia 'should not be treated as a dumping ground for ideological firebrands and partisan influencers,' Zaid said, adding that Adams' nomination 'would not be a gesture of goodwill-it would be an insult.' Transport minister Anthony Loke, who is the secretary-general of DAP, a member of the national unity government, will also oppose Adams' appointment, according to local media, which reported his party planned to issue a statement on the matter. Adams, 40, who was born in Australia but obtained US citizenship in 2021, will need to be confirmed by the US Senate before he can assume the role. He said on social media last week it was 'nothing short of a lifetime's honour to take the president's goodwill and spread it to the great people of Malaysia'. He looked forward to strengthening ties between the two countries, he said, telling Malaysians he could not wait 'to experience your noble culture and learn much from you'. Adams' comments about Israel have provoked particular concern in Malaysia, a staunch supporter of Palestine, which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel. In a post shared on X in 2024, Adams stated: 'If you don't stand with Israel, you stand with terrorists!' Another comment allegedly written by Adams on X in 2024, in which he claimed to have ensured a waitress was fired for wearing a 'Free Palestine' pin, has been widely cited by pro-Palestine groups and youth leaders opposing his appointment. The post cannot be found on X. A youth leader with the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Sukri Omar, said the Malaysian government should 'send a clear message that Malaysia will not be a stage for normalising Zionist tyranny…' Adams, and the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur, did not respond to a request for comment regarding the cited post, or criticism over his appointment. Dr Bridget Welsh, a political analyst specialising in South-east Asia, said Adams' nomination reflected a lack of understanding of the importance of Malaysia, and the wider region, to the US. 'There is no real recognition and deep appreciation about how critical a role Malaysia plays in the US economy, and the critical importance of these ties for issues of security,' she said. Decisions such as Adams' nomination risked 'pushing everyone [in Southeast Asia] into the arms of China,' she said, adding this was counterproductive for those in the Maga movement who perceive Beijing as a threat. Political relations between Malaysia and the US have become strained over recent years – due to the Israel's war in Gaza, US-China competition, and Trump's threat to impose a 25% tariff on Malaysia. 'Anti-Amercianism is running very deep on the issues of Gaza, on issues associated with Iran, among large sections of the population – not everybody, but many … Will [Adams] be diplomatic? His Twitter [X] account raises questions,' said Welsh.
New York Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Trump Nominates ‘Alpha Male' Influencer to Be Ambassador to Malaysia
President Trump has nominated a fiery right-wing influencer known for his machismo and professed love for steaks and Hooters to be the ambassador to Malaysia. Nick Adams, an Australian-American who immigrated to the United States and became an early, fawning supporter of Mr. Trump, has amassed a conservative following with his over-the-top 'alpha male' persona. He is part of an unruly world of online content that primarily appeals to young men, known as the 'manosphere' — many of whom have aligned with Mr. Trump or been sympathetic to his policies. In a video shared on social media — lacking the incendiary rhetoric and vulgar humor that elevated him to political prominence — Mr. Adams thanked Mr. Trump 'for the honor of a lifetime,' adding, 'In your America, all dreams come true.' Mr. Adams, whose nomination to be the top diplomat to a Muslim-majority country of 35 million was sent to the Senate on Wednesday, has a history of Islamophobic remarks in his online commentary, denigrating Mr. Trump's political rivals as supporters of Islam and railing against purported efforts to 'teach Islam in schools.' As a surrogate in Mr. Trump's 2024 campaign, he shifted to promote the views of Muslim Trump supporters, part of an effort to drive a wedge in the Democratic voter base over the war in Gaza. Online, Mr. Adams has gleefully indulged in crass jokes and other forms of internet trolling. He tweets frequently about stereotypical symbols of masculinity, like eating steak and frequenting Hooters — the chain restaurant famous for its half-naked waitresses. In February, he wrote that Hooters' planned bankruptcy was caused by 'Bidenflation, combined with the woke un-Americanism of the Democrats.' He continued, 'I personally volunteer myself to lead a Presidential Taskforce For The Preservation of Hooters.' Mr. Trump wrote the foreword to Mr. Adams's most-recently published book promoting macho ideology, 'Alpha Kings,' praising him as 'one of my favorite authors and also one of my favorite speakers.' He continued, 'Like me, I know that Nick appreciates the power of humor, when it comes to making a point.' Once a local politician in Australia, Mr. Adams was pushed out of the center-right Liberal Party there for conduct 'likely to embarrass or cause damage to the reputation' of the party. In 2017, Mr. Trump promoted another of his books, 'Green Card Warrior: My Quest for Legal Immigration in an Illegals' System,' which was published soon after he arrived in the United States. Mr. Adams became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2021.
Malay Mail
01-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Bangladesh drops founding father Mujibur Rahman from currency as daughter Hasina faces trial
DHAKA, June 1 — Bangladesh today issued new banknotes to replace designs featuring its founding president, the father of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina who was overthrown last year. The South Asian nation of some 170 million people has been run by a caretaker government since Hasina fled — whose trial opened today on charges of trying to crush the uprising against her government in August 2024. Until now, all notes featured the portrait of her father, the late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who led Bangladesh from independence from Pakistan in 1971 until soldiers assassinated him and most of his family in a 1975 coup. 'Under the new series and design, the notes will not feature any human portraits, but will instead showcase natural landscapes and traditional landmarks,' Bangladesh Bank spokesman Arif Hossain Khan told AFP. Among the designs in the Muslim-majority nation are images of Hindu and Buddhist temples, as well as historical palaces. They also include artwork of the late painter Zainul Abedin, depicting the Bengal famine during British colonial rule. Another will depict the national martyrs' memorial for those who died in the independence war against Pakistan. Today, notes for three of the nine different denominations were released. 'The new notes will be issued from the central bank's headquarters, and later from its other offices across the country,' he added. 'The other denominations of the notes with new designs will be released in phases'. Existing notes and coins will remain in circulation alongside the new notes. It is not the first time that the design has changed to reflect changing politics. Initial notes issued in 1972 — after Bangladesh changed its name from East Pakistan — featured a map. Later notes featured Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who led the Awami League, which Hasina also led during her 15 years in power. When other parties were in charge — dominated by the powerful Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) — historic and archaeological sites featured. The Awami League was banned last month pending the trial of Hasina and other party leaders. Hasina, 77, is in self-imposed exile in India, and has defied an extradition order to attend her trial. — AFP
