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Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Syrian returns from Lebanon to start under UN-backed plan, marking major shift
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox BEIRUT - Thousands of Syrian refugees are set to return from Lebanon this week under the first, U.N.-backed plan providing financial incentives, after Syria's new rulers said all citizens were welcome home despite deep war damage and security concerns. Returning Syrians will be provided with $100 each in Lebanon and $400 per family upon arrival in Syria, Lebanese Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed said. Transport is also covered and fees have been waived by border authorities, she said. "I think it's a good and important start. We have discussed and are coordinating this with our Syrian counterparts and I think the numbers will increase in the coming weeks," Sayed told Reuters. A Syrian interior ministry spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. More than 6 million Syrians fled as refugees after conflict broke out in Syria in 2011, with most heading to Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. Lebanon has the highest concentration of refugees per capita in the world, hosting about 1.5 million Syrians among a population of about 4 million Lebanese. Some 11,000 have registered to return from Lebanon in the first week, and the government targets between 200,000 and 400,000 returns this year under the plan, Sayed said. The Lebanese government is focused on informal tented settlements in the country, where some 200,000 refugees live, she added, and may provide Syrian breadwinners who stay in Lebanon with work permits for sectors such as agriculture and construction if their families return to Syria. U.N. agencies previously viewed Syria as unsafe for large-scale returns due to uncertainty over security and persecution by the government of Bashar al-Assad, who was toppled in December. That has changed. Since taking over, the new Islamist-led Syrian government has said all Syrians are welcome home. A U.N. survey from earlier this year showed nearly 30% of refugees living in Middle Eastern countries wanted to go back, up from 2% when Assad was in power. WAR DAMAGE, INSECURITY "While the situation in Syria continues to rapidly evolve, (U.N. refugee agency) UNHCR considers the current context a positive opportunity for larger numbers of Syrian refugees to return home, or to begin considering return in a realistic and durable way," Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR Representative in Lebanon, told Reuters. As of the end of June 2025, UNHCR estimated that over 628,000 Syrians had crossed back to Syria via neighbouring countries since 8 December 2024, including 191,000 via Lebanon. Pressures on Syrians have also grown in Lebanon, which in addition to a months-long war with Israel in 2024 has been stuck in financial disarray and economic stagnation for years, leading to rising anti-Syrian sentiment. But much of Syria remains in ruins, with homes and public infrastructure, including power stations, schools and water services, devastated. More than 7 million Syrians are still internally displaced, according to the U.N. "Many refugees have expressed a desire to return to their country but also remain hesitant due to the uncertain short and long-term conditions in Syria," Freijsen said. Security is a main concern. Despite this year's returns, over 106,000 Syrians have also arrived in Lebanon, many members of the country's Alawite minority fleeing violence in coastal regions. REUTERS
IOL News
01-07-2025
- IOL News
Thieves target Mowbray Cemetery
On Friday, Chairman of the Muslim Cemetery Board and Secretary of the Burial Administration of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) Faizal Sayed posted footage of the incident where a man came through the roof to steal the katel. Image: Screenshot The theft of a 'katel' - a ceremonial stretcher used during Muslim funeral rites - from Mowbray Cemetery is not an isolated incident and follows other break-ins and thefts. Chairman of the Muslim Cemetery Board and Secretary of the Burial Administration of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) Faizal Sayed on Friday posted footage of the incident where a man came through the roof to steal the katel. Sayed said he posted the footage in hopes of tracing the thief. 'The person cut a hole in the ceiling in the courtyard, came through the ceiling, and took many hours to actually slowly lift the thing up, and get it through the ceiling.' Break-ins and thefts have been reported at Mowbray Cemetery. 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Next Stay Close ✕ Sayed explained that the cemetery has experienced a slight increase in such incidents in the last month and a half. 'The katel is an expensive metal piece, so it was clearly stolen for that purpose. In effect, it has upset the Muslim community a lot because it is something that people see their loved ones off for the last time. 'There's a lot of sentimental value to these things, and the community feels it is a disregard and disrespect to take something of that nature,' Sayed said. Sayed said they have also noted the increased thefts are related to metal. 'The first incident was where they ripped the complete window and window frames off the prayer facility, and they reached their hands in to get a specialised clock.' The clock is a special electronic device typically only found in mosques, which explains when the daily prayer times are, which change every day. 'The other theft included the theft of the outside air conditioning unit, which is very important because it is attached to a building where bodies are prepared for burial. 'The facility requires proper air conditioning, so if people steal those units, which cost thousands of rands, then it impedes the operations of the cemetery." On Friday, Chairman of the Muslim Cemetery Board and Secretary of the Burial Administration of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) Faizal Sayed posted footage of the incident where a man came through the roof to steal the katel. Image: Screenshot Sayed said these incidents speak to a broader systemic issue of thefts at cemeteries, which are 'currently experiencing an increase in this type of activity where people are taking tombstones and metal items around graves'. 'We need to talk to the systemic values that people are missing within themselves, if you are going so far as desecrating the spaces of the deceased. There is a sanctity involved in all of that which we feel is being disrespected.' Sayed added that they've continuously increased gates and upgraded security systems, but this did not deter the thieves. The City, which manages 42 cemeteries, has experienced similar challenges of theft. The City's Recreation and Parks Department said security guards are stationed at most cemeteries, but because cemeteries are classified as open spaces and must remain accessible to the public, 'the size of these facilities makes it challenging and cost-prohibitive to provide full-time on-site security coverage across all areas'. 'Vandalism and theft are a major challenge affecting many communities throughout the city. When it occurs in community facilities, it attracts anti-social behaviour.
IOL News
30-06-2025
- IOL News
Outrage over stolen ‘katel' at Mowbray Cemetery
Break-ins and thefts have been reported at Mowbray Cemetery. Image: Armand Hough The theft of a 'katel' — a ceremonial stretcher used during Muslim funeral rites — from Mowbray Cemetery has not been an isolated incident but follows other break-ins and thefts. On Friday, Chairman of the Muslim Cemetery Board and Secretary of the Burial Administration of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) Faizal Sayed posted footage of the incident where a man came through the roof to steal the katel. Sayed said that he posted the footage in hopes of tracing the person. 'The person cut a hole in the ceiling in the courtyard, came through the ceiling, and took many hours to actually slowly lift the thing up, and get it through the ceiling.' Sayed explained that the cemetery has experienced a slight increase in such incidents in the last month and a half, and that not all of them have involved a katel. 'The katel is an expensive metal piece, so it was clearly stolen for that purpose. In effect, it has upset the Muslim community a lot because it is something that people see their loved ones off for the last time. 'There's a lot of sentimental value to these things, and the community feels it is a disregard and disrespect to take something of that nature,' Sayed said. Sayed said they have also noticed how the increased thefts are related to metal. 'The first incident was where they ripped the complete window and window frames off the prayer facility, and they reached their hands in to get a specialised clock.' The clock is a special electronic device typically only found in mosques, which explains when the daily prayer times are, which change every day. 'The other theft included the theft of the outside air conditioning unit, which is very important because it is attached to a building where bodies are prepared for burial. 'The facility requires proper air conditioning, so if people steal those units, which cost thousands of rands, then it impedes the operations of the cemetery. Sayed said these incidents speak to a broader systemic issue of thefts at cemeteries, which are 'currently experiencing an increase in this type of activity where people are taking tombstones and metal items around graves'. On Friday, Chairman of the Muslim Cemetery Board and Secretary of the Burial Administration of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) Faizal Sayed posted footage of the incident where a man came through the roof to steal the katel. Image: Screenshot On Friday, Chairman of the Muslim Cemetery Board and Secretary of the Burial Administration of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) Faizal Sayed posted footage of the incident where a man came through the roof to steal the katel. Image: Screenshot The City of Cape Town, which manages 42 cemeteries, have shared that they experience similar challenges. On Monday, the City's Recreation and Parks Department said that security guards are stationed at most cemeteries, but because cemeteries are classified as open spaces and must remain accessible to the public, 'the size of these facilities makes it challenging and cost-prohibitive to provide full-time on-site security coverage across all areas'. 'Vandalism and theft are a major challenge affecting many communities throughout the city. When it occurs in community facilities, it attracts anti-social behaviour.
IOL News
30-06-2025
- IOL News
Mowbray Cemetery faces rising thefts, including katel incident
Break-ins and thefts have been reported at Mowbray Cemetery. Image: Courtney Africa/Independent Newspapers/File The theft of a 'katel' — a ceremonial stretcher used during Muslim funeral rites — from Mowbray Cemetery has not been an isolated incident but follows other break-ins and thefts. On Friday, Chairman of the Muslim Cemetery Board and Secretary of the Burial Administration of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) Faizal Sayed posted footage of the incident where a man came through the roof to steal the katel. Sayed said that he posted the footage in hopes of tracing the person. 'The person cut a hole in the ceiling in the courtyard, came through the ceiling, and took many hours to actually slowly lift the thing up, and get it through the ceiling.' Sayed explained that the cemetery has experienced a slight increase in such incidents in the last month and a half, and that not all of them have involved a katel. 'The katel is an expensive metal piece, so it was clearly stolen for that purpose. In effect, it has upset the Muslim community a lot because it is something that people see their loved ones off for the last time. 'There's a lot of sentimental value to these things, and the community feels it is a disregard and disrespect to take something of that nature,' Sayed said. Sayed said they have also noticed how the increased thefts are related to metal. 'The first incident was where they ripped the complete window and window frames off the prayer facility, and they reached their hands in to get a specialised clock.' The clock is a special electronic device typically only found in mosques, which explains when the daily prayer times are, which change every day. 'The other theft included the theft of the outside air conditioning unit, which is very important because it is attached to a building where bodies are prepared for burial. 'The facility requires proper air conditioning, so if people steal those units, which cost thousands of rands, then it impedes the operations of the cemetery. Sayed said these incidents speak to a broader systemic issue of thefts at cemeteries, which are 'currently experiencing an increase in this type of activity where people are taking tombstones and metal items around graves'. 'We need to talk to the systemic values that people are missing within themselves, if you are going so far as desecrating the spaces of the deceived. There is a sanctity involved in all of that which we feel is being disrespected.' Sayed added that they've continuously increased gates and upgraded security systems, but that it seems like every time they upgrade, so do the thieves. On Friday, Chairman of the Muslim Cemetery Board and Secretary of the Burial Administration of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) Faizal Sayed posted footage of the incident where a man came through the roof to steal the katel. Image: Screenshot On Friday, Chairman of the Muslim Cemetery Board and Secretary of the Burial Administration of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) Faizal Sayed posted footage of the incident where a man came through the roof to steal the katel. Image: Screenshot The City of Cape Town, which manages 42 cemeteries, have shared that they experience similar challenges. On Monday, the City's Recreation and Parks Department said that security guards are stationed at most cemeteries, but because cemeteries are classified as open spaces and must remain accessible to the public, 'the size of these facilities makes it challenging and cost-prohibitive to provide full-time on-site security coverage across all areas'. 'Vandalism and theft are a major challenge affecting many communities throughout the city. When it occurs in community facilities, it attracts anti-social behaviour.
The Citizen
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Runners hit the ground running at SPAR Women's 10km Challenge
YELLOWWOOD Park and Wings athletic club runners delivered incredible performances at the 35th annual SPAR Women's 10km Challenge on June 22. The Durban South runners were among the 12 077 runners who took to the streets of Durban. Also read: Dynamic duo set to tackle SPAR Women's Challenge Karen Inggs of Yellowwood Park Athletic Club was especially thrilled with her run, achieving a new personal best of 01:09:56. 'There was a fantastic atmosphere from beginning to end. I did not stick around for the activities and awards, but there was already such a fun vibe going on when Veranda Panda started playing as the women were finishing up and filling the grassy area,' she said. She also complimented the event's organisers for a wonderfully orchestrated race. 'A pleasant surprise was the goodie bag, they were an absolute treat. I was so impressed with everything this year, I will definitely run next year again,' said Inggs. Contributing to the bustling vibe was Zuleka Sayed of Wings Athletic Club, who also had a good showing at the race, completing it in 01:04:00. 'It was an absolutely beautiful display of hundreds of gorgeous women who enjoyed a well-planned event. As opposed to other races, this one was about connecting with many of the familiar faces along the route,' said Sayed. Sayed praised SPAR for once again offering a quality experience. 'SPAR delivered a top-notch event as always. From the goodie bags, the race day vibe and after race entertainment, I thoroughly enjoyed the event,' said Sayed. To add to the feel-good day, SPAR KZN donated R100 000 to the race's chosen charity, the Sinethemba Women's Foundation in Inanda. Even though the day is actually a competition, the mood of the day was far more than competition, it was one of camaraderie and togetherness. For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
