By IANS,

Dhaka: Jamaat-e-Islami party leader Abdul Quader Mollah's execution Thursday for crimes against humanity in 1971 - the first death penalty to a war criminal in the country, was welcomed by various sections while his family continued to maintain he was innocent.

In an immediate reaction after Mollah was hanged, his younger brother Molla Mainuddin Ahmed said all that the Almighty does is always for the best. "He will be the judge of it."

Mohammad Ali, conducting prosecutor at the tribunal, said: "In light of the pro-liberation spirit and the values of 1971, I am the happiest person in the world, as well as the conducting prosecutor in this case."

Defence counsel Tajul Islam said: "I have nothing to say about it. The people of the world have spoken on it. I believe Quader Molla was innocent. History will judge this."

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said: "Rule of law has been established through this execution."

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor A.A.M.S. Arefin Siddique said the people were waiting for this.

"This execution finally fulfils their expectations. I hope other war criminals will also be executed through expedited trials."

Additional Attorney General and a coordinator tribunal's prosecution team, MK Rahman said justice had been established after 42 years. "We have finally been able to absolve ourselves (from guilt)."

Mollah was executed at 10.01 p.m. Thursday, hours after the country's highest court dismissed his petition to review his death sentence.

Following Thursday's verdict, family members of Mollah went to the Dhaka Central Jail in the evening to meet him. They included Mollah's elder son Hasan Jamil, two children, five women, and a youth, who could not be immediately identified.

The Jamaat assistant secretary general's hanging came three days before nation celebrates the 42nd Victory Day, which commemorates Bangladesh's triumph in the nine-month bloody war against the Pakistani occupation forces in 1971, bdnews24.com reported.

Mollah had refused to seek presidential clemency following the Supreme Court's rejection of a review petition of his death sentence Thursday. He was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity in the 1971 Liberation War.

By Saiyed Danish, TwoCircles.net,

New Delhi: Two years ago Sheeba Aslam Fehmi, the Delhi-based women’s rights activist, received a threat on both her Google and Yahoo accounts by a cyber-stalker calling himself ‘a true Indian’. The threat had read: ‘Sheeba Aslam if you do not stop making anti-Indian and anti-national comments on Facebook then be prepared for consequences.’ Sheeba Aslam Fehmi, who is also under police protection since 2007 following an incident in which Muslim right-wing groups ransacked her house, reported the nearest station and informed the police of the mail.

Shortly after the first mail, she received another one which read: ‘I would like to have a personal talk with you there I can cleanse you with all filth you have in mind. Let us meet personally in JNU…’ Both the times the stalker never mentioned for which specific reason he was after her.

File photo of Sheeba Aslam Fehmi.

“The police officer of the Jama Masjid station I had spoken to visited me and told that the stalker has been traced and the laptop owner’s name is Pankaj Kumar Dwivedi and he agreed that he has sent some mails and when the police asked him why did send the message to me he just replied that he did not like what I wrote on Facebook,” shares Sheeba Aslam Fehmi from her Old Delhi residence.

“After that day I decided not to prolong the issue as I did not think it was of any dire consequence,” she says.

Come November 2013, two years later after the stalking incident which according to her, she never took interest in following the issue. When Sheeba discovered that an FIR has been launched against her through a court order.

“A friend of mine called me and asked ‘Sheeba what is going on? There has been an FIR launched in your name’ and then I verified what she said with reports in various newspapers and realized the gravity of the issue,” she describes.

“I consulted an advocate of mine and he confirmed that a case has indeed been filed against you under three sections of…mind you,” she tells TCN “…not IT but IPC. I got a copy of the order through my advocate friend and then only I understood the whole story,” she says.

“The court order acquitted Mr. Dwivedi of any crime by citing that under section 66 he has not used any ‘derogatory language’. What is interesting in this case that I had never cited the language problem but my complaint was about the threat itself? In the court order there is no mention of any threat given by Mr. Dwivedi. This way it becomes quite wonderful as you see a case where the criminal is boldly accepting that he sent the threat mails yet the court did not entertain the main question of threat,” she quips.

“The court order further directs the local police, DCP centre and Jama Masjid to carry out a through enquiry on my Facebook posts, comments and other activities on social media. The order also quoted that some of my posts suggests that I am involved in activities which attracts IPC 153(a), 153(b) and 295(a) in which the last one is the blasphemy law and also mentioned me as a threat to national integration,” she tells.

“Between 2011 and 2013, I was never ever summoned by any court to give own statement or present my defence on the issue. The court order struck me out of oblivion and has been playing on my psychology,” she agitates.

“The comments which nevertheless were cited by the court had nothing to do with harming national integrity or blasphemy. In one of the comments mentioned by the court I simply Sushma Swaraj’s selective political mentality on not counting rapes of adivasi, dalit, Manipuri and riot-affected women as rapes worthy of being talked about. In another comment I said that traditions like Rakshabandhan, Karva Chauth in Hindus or polygamy among the Muslims institutionalize the weakness of women. Court cited this comment of mine as blasphemous but I don’t count this view of mine as blasphemy,” she highlights.

Traditions are not religion as traditions like Sati and Devdasi have been declared illegal now. Similarly many gender-biased laws in Muslim society need to be challenged to make the lives of women better.

“Other comments are on onion love of Hindutva brigade as saints do not consume onion and garlic. Then there are political comments on Narendra Modi’s encounters in Gujarat and the credibility behind Anna’s movement. But these political comments and has nothing to do territorial sovereignty or otherwise or attacking any religion,” she says.

“I don’t understand that the judge quoted my Facebook comments I made in 2013 but question that which comments of mine triggered the threat mail two years ago was not entertained by the court. Despite me being the original complainant the order seems to be going in his favour instead but he was never solemnized by the court not to stalk any woman again. Two years ago I was the victim and now I became the guilty party also. What travesty is it?” she points.

“It is quite ironic that the issue on which I had taken in support of Asiya Bi in Pakistan when she, being a member of a minority community there, was attacked by Muslim extremists, has come back to haunt to me now. Before calling me an enemy of the nation they should take note of this that I have also been attacked by the so-called custodians of Islam and looking back at the Asiya Bi’ case and the pathetic condition of human rights in Pakistan I can go to the extent of saying that I am thankful to be an Indian that so much of support has come for me in my case and so many people from all walks of life are standing by me right now,” she says proudly.

“I also want to civil and human rights societies such as Asian Human Rights Commission that has taken out an urgent appeal for me and the people who have signed the petitions for justice and tremendously responding to the call of support by signing 3000 petitions in two days only,” she counts.

Sheeba Aslam Fehmi got bail on December 7 from Sessions court on this case and has expressed her determination to take the issue of cyber stalking forward.

TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

New Delhi: Taking note of the cold conditions in the forthcoming months, the Apex Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh Administration, in the riot hit districts of Muzaffarnagar, Shamli and Bagpat to provide necessary materials including medical facilities for the inmates particularly children in the camps as well as all those affected due to riots.

The Supreme Court has been overseeing the riot rehabilitation. Earlier on September 12 also the SC had directed the State of UP in association with the Central Government to take immediate steps and take charge of all persons, who are stranded without food and water and set up relief camps providing all required assistance.

That post communal passion in Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Baghpat and Meerut where more than 80 children and elderly persons have died because of severe cold, air borne disease, pneumonia and bare minimal medical help leading to severity of the cases. Moreover, a large number of women have died due to lack of basis facilities and amenities and bare minimal medical help.

10 minor children and 16 elderly persons have died in one camp at Loi, Muzaffarnagar, 40 children itself have died in the Malikpura Camp at Kairana.

"It is very unfortunate for a country like India that the whole country is unable to save even small children who were dying on account of their no fault," the court lamented.

The petitioners alleged that that in spite of our earlier directions by the SC, the State Government has not fully implemented all directions in providing necessary help and assistance to the inmates of the camps particularly to the children, aged persons and all affected persons.

State government has failed to provide even the basic amenities and drinking water to the riot victims in the relief camps and are coercing them to vacate the camps. Poor villagers are afraid to return back to their ancestral homes and are hence finding it extremely difficult as the temperature is falling down each night.

That till date the State of UP failed to implement the recommendations of the National Human Rights Commission, the National Minority Commission, the directions passed by the SC.

No compensation has been given to the kin of those who died in the camps, due to extreme cold, unhygienic conditions, etc.

Rapping the UP Government for its failure, the Apex Court directed the State to ascertain the correct position, "take remedial steps at once," and to file a detailed report on the next date of hearing on January 21, 2014.

The present displaced riot affected victims at present is 12033 persons in Tehsil Budhana, 14179 person in Tehsil Kairna, 1670 person in Shamli, in the three tehsil a total of more than 4313 families and more than 27882 persons are staying the camps. Besides there are hundreds of families who are staying at friends’ or relatives’ places and no account of them have been made.

One of the co-petitioners Advocate Naushad Ahmad Khan has alleged that the state government had acted discriminately to provide compensation only to the families of 6 villages in Muzaffarnagar, severly hit by riots, discounting the about more than 50 villages of Shamli and Muzaffarnagar, and more than 30 villages of Baghpat.

Moreover, the state administration has failed to consider those villages where assault, looting and houses have been ransacked, the state failed to include all such villages but those villages are not included in the list of the riot affected villages, he alleged.

There are 10 camps in Tehsil Budhana, 14 camps in Tehsil Kairana and one camp in Tehsil Shamli are functional.

Advocate Khan also alleged that the categorization for the compensation and confidence building, as suggested by the state is quite irrational, unjustified and illogical.

There is no provision for the safety and protection of the land holdings, the agricultural lands and the crops have been made by the administration, petitioner alleged.

Over 60 people were killed in riots in Muzaffarnagar and nearby areas in September, while more than 43,000 were displaced.

Speaking to TCN, Advocate Naushad Khan alleged that while the death continues in the camps, UP CM Akhilesh Yadav either appear ignorant or is being ill-informed by local administration.

He also pointed out the failure of the central government. He said that the PM, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi had visited riot hit district on September 16 and assured all possible help in rehabilitation, but nothing has reached the ground yet.

By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,

New Delhi: Eminent doctors, surgeons, medical scientists and experts of Tib from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Iraq, Libya along with from Indian cities of Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Srinagar, Patna, New Delhi, Chennai, Aligarh, Lucknow, Aurangabad etc. are going to participate in the three-day International Conference on “Revisiting Abul Qasim Al-Zahrawi's Legacy in Medicine and Surgery” being organised here from December 13-15 at the India Islamic Cultural Centre.

The New Delhi-based Institute of Objective Studies, (IOS), in collaboration with MESCO (Muslim Educational, Social and Cultural Organisation, Hyderabad), is organizing an international conference on to mark the 1000th death anniversary of the pioneer physician and surgeon and highlight his wide-ranging contributions to medicine and surgery. The inaugural session will be held on December 13 from 4 pm to 5.30 pm. Apart from inaugural session there will be a plenary session on December 13. On December 14 and 15 together about a dozen session will be held. The inaugural session of the International Conference will be webcast live on the link http://vectraimage.com/webcast/ios/

Abul Qasim Al-Zahrawi

It may be mentioned here that for more than five centuries, from 750 to 1258 AD – which is often described as the Golden Age of Islamic science -- the teaching and practice of medicine in Europe was heavily influenced by the works of Al-Razi (d. 925), a l-Zahrawi (d. 1013) and Ibn Sina (d. 1037).

The Indian Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen has remarked that “as leaders of innovative thought in that period in history, Muslim intellectuals were among the most committed globalisers of science and mathematics”.

Abul Qasim Khalaf ibn al-Abbas al-Zahrawi (940-1013), known as Albucasis in the West, devoted his entire life, in Madinat al-Zahra, near Cordoba, in Muslim Spain, to medical research and practice. He made an outstanding and original contribution to medicine, surgery, orthopaedics, gynaecology and obstetrics, pharmacology and dentistry. He has been described as the father of modern surgery.

The objectives of the international conference are: (i) To commemorate al-Zahrawi’s 1000th death anniversary and to highlight his highly original and enduring contributions to the advancement of modern medicine and surgery; (ii) To sensitize scientists, physicians and surgeons, especially those of the younger generation, to the grandeur of Islamic civilization and its role in the shaping of the modern world; (iii) To disseminate awareness and appreciation about al-Zahrawi’s outstanding contributions to medicine among physicians, surgeons and other medical and health-related professionals in India; (iv) To offer a contemporary assessment of al-Zahrawi’s contributions in the light of modern clinical researches and surgical procedures and (v) To offer a corrective to the Eurocentric bias in the Western discourse on the history of science and medicine.

The Sub-themes/Sessions of the conference would be: (a) The relevance of al-Zahrawi’s clinical methods and surgical procedures and instruments to modern medicine and surgery; (b) Al-Zahrawi’s holistic vision of health and disease and its relevance in the contemporary medical discourse; (c) Al-Zahrawi’s contribution to orthopaedics and its contemporary relevance; (d) Al-Zahrawi’s contribution to gynaecology and obstetrics and its enduring significance; (e) Al-Zahrawi’s enduring contribution to pharmacology; (f) Al-Zahrawi’s contribution to cauterization; (g) Al-Zahrawi’s contribution to dentistry; (h) Al-Zahrawi’s works and Tibb-e-Unani in South Asia and (i) The Prominence of Islamic Perspective in Al-Zahrawi’s contributions.

The inaugural address will be delivered by Mr. K. Rahman Khan Union Minister of Minority Affairs while Dr. Ahmad Abdul Hai, MD & Chief Consultant, Hai Medicare & Research Institute, Patna, will give the key-note address. The presidential address will be delivered by Prof. Omar Hasan Kasule, Sr. Faculty of Medicine, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, KSA.

At the outset Dr. Fakhruddin Mohammad, Organising Secretary & Hony. Secretary, MESCO, Hyderabad. Will throw light on the introduction of the Theme of the international conference.

Harish Chandra Singh Rawat, Union Minister of Water Resources, will give his special address. Dr. Mohammad Manzoor Alam, Chairman, Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi, will also speak under the title “A Few Words”.

The guests of honour at the inaugural function would be Dr. Mahmoud Al-Haj Kasim Mohammed, President, Iraq Medical Association, Scholar and Writer of Arab and Muslim’s Medical History, Iraq; Dr. Salih Saad A. AlAnsari, Chairman of Medical Committee, World Assembly of Muslim Youth, Riyadh, KSA, and Mr. Sirajuddin Qureshi, President, India Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi.

Later on, Mr. K. Rahman Khan will later release a souvenir on the conference. Prof. M. Afzal Wani, Professor of Law, GGS IP University, Delhi, will propose a vote of thanks.

A Scientific Exhibition & Display of Instruments will be Inaugurated on the occasion after the inaugural function.

Meanwhile, after the Maghrib prayers from 6 pm to 7.30 pm a plenary session will be held on the theme of Islamic ethos in al-Zahrawi’s contribution to medicine and surgery. The plenary session will be chaired by Maulana Dr. Saeed Al Azami Al Nadwi, Chancellor, Integral University and Chief Editor, Al Baas Al Islami, Lucknow. Prof. Hakim Syed Zillur Rahman, Founder President, Ibn Sina Academy of Medical Medicine and Sciences, Aligarh will be Co-Chairman of the session.

The speakers at the session will include: Maulana Abdullah Mughesi, President, All India Milli Council, New Delhi; Maulana Jalaluddin Ansar Oomri, Ameer, Jamate Islami Hind, New Delhi; Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, Secretary General, Islamic Fiqh Academy (India), New Delhi; Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi, Nazim, Imarate Shariah, Bihar Orissa & Jharkhand; Chariman, Bihar State Hajj Committee; Prof. Mohsin Usmani, Former Dean, English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad; Prof. Saud Alam Qasmi, Dean, Faculty of Theology, AMU, Aligarh; Maulana Dr. Yasin Ali Usmani, Vice President, All India Milli Council, Former Chairman, Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy, Badayun; and Mr. Wasi Ahmad Nomani, President cum Managing Director, Quran, Science & Cosmos Trust, New Delhi.

Dr. Mohammed Iftekaruddin, Director, MESCO, Hyderabad would initiate interaction

Meanwhile, it may be mentioned here that more than a thousand years ago, Al-Zahrawi diagnosed and treated many diseases, which came to be rediscovered and confirmed in later centuries. He described what later came to be known as “Kocher’s method” for treating a dislocated shoulder, and the “Walcher position” in obstetrics. He described the method of ligaturing blood vessels almost six centuries before the French surgeon Ambroise Pare (1510-1590). He described tuberculosis of the spine, which is now known as Pott’s disease (named after the English physician Percivall Pott, 1714-1788). He prescribed mastectomy for breast cancer.

Al-Zahrawi described, for the first time in medical history, a genetic disease transmitted by an unaffected woman to her male children, which is today known as haemophilia. The first description of haemophilia in the West was made by an American physician, Dr John Conrad Otto, in 1803. Al-Zahrawi advised the use of catgut, a thread made from the inner intestinal lining of animals that is capable of dissolving and is acceptable by the body, which is still used in modern surgical procedures. He was the first to use silk sutures to close wounds. He was also the first to use forceps in vaginal delivery, which greatly reduced the incidence of maternal and child mortality. He recommended the use of cotton in surgical dressings, in the control of haemorrhage, and as a padding in the splinting of fractures. Al-Zahrawi was the first to prescribe a surgical procedure for migraine.

The itinerary for December 14 and 15 is as follows:-

December 14, 2013 

Inauguration of Poster Presentation     9.30 to 10.00 a.m. 

Chairman: Dr. Syed Farooq, D.Sc, New Delhi; Co-Chairmen: Dr. Shahnaz Sheikh, Professor of Physiology, Mumbai; & Dr. ALA Narayan, Director, NIIMH, Hyderabad 

History  of Medicine by Ms. Saba Anjum, Deptt. of Islamic Studies, AMU, Aligarh; Tibb-e- Unani: Dr. Bilal Ahmad, Research Officer (Unani) SL-II, LRIUM, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi; Islamic Perspective: Dr. Ataullah Fahad, Asst. Professor, AKTC, AMU, Aligarh; Dentistry: Dr. Farkhunda Jabin, Assistant Professor, AU&A Tibbia College, AMU, Aligarh; Surgery Procedure: Dr. Nazmeen, Assistant Professor, A&U Tibbia College, New Delhi; Instruments: Mr. Vasiur Rahman,           AIIMS, New Delhi &  Dr. Anwar Jamal, Research Officer (Unani) SL-II, LRIUM, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi; Cauterization: Prof. Altaf Ahmad Azmi, Former Head, Centre for History of Medicine & Science, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi; Dr. Mohd Usman, Guest Faculty, AKTC, AMU, Aligarh & Mr. Abdus Salam Hamud Ghalib, Yemeni Research Scholar, AMU, Aligarh;Pharmacology: Mr. Mohammad Asalam and Team, MESCO, College of Pharmacy & Mr. M. A. Iqabal Rasheed, MESCO, College of Pharmacy; Cupping Therapy(HIJAMA): Dr. Syed M. M. Ameen, General Secretary, CUIBT, Chennai; Dr. Mobina Khan, Pune; and Leech Therapy: Dr. Nazim Saifi, P.G. Scholar, Dept. of Munafeul Aza, A&U Tibbia College, New Delhi 

BUSINESS SESSION-I (10:00 - 11:30 am) Theme: The relevance of al-Zahrawi’s clinical methods and surgical procedures and instruments to modernMedicine and Surgery 

Chairman: Dr. Syed Farooq, D.Sc, New Delhi; Co-Chairman: Prof. M. Amanullah Khan, Deptt. of Surgery, J.N. Medical College, A.M.U., Aligarh; Speakers:      Dr. Mahmoud Al-Haj Kasim Mohammed, President, Iraq Medical Association, Scholar and Writer of Arab and Muslim’s Medical History, Iraq; Prof. Dr. Maher Abd el Kader Mohamed Ali, Professor of History, Alexandria University, Egypt; Dr. S.M Hassan, Ex- Deputy Director, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, Lucknow; Dr. Mohsin Raza, Senior Consultant, General Surgeon, Aligarh; Prof. Iqbal Aziz, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Unani Medicine, Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh; Hakeem Zillur Rahman, New Delhi 

BUSINESS SESSION-II: (11:45 to 1:15 pm)                                    :          

Theme: Al-Zahrawi’s holistic vision of health and disease and its relevance in the contemporary medical discourse; Islamic concept of physical health;

Chairman: Prof. Omar Hasan Kasule, Sr. Faculty of Medicine, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, KSA; Co-Chairman: Dr. M. Yousuf Azam, Professor of Surgery, Hyderabad; Speakers: Prof. M. Amanullah

Khan, Dept. of Surgery, J.N. Medical College, A.M.U., Aligarh; Dr. Abdulkerim Abushwereb, Faculty of Medicine, Tripoli, Libya;Mr. M.S. Bukhari, Managing Director, SATCO INT’L, Qatar; Dr. Sayyed Abidurrahman, Lecturer, Al-Fazlani Unani Medical College, Aurangabad; Dr. Abu Waris Jamil, Associate Professor Faculty of Unani Medicine, AMU, Aligarh 

PARALLEL SESSION –I: 11:45 to 1:15 p.m. (Venue Conference Hall No. I)                                    :          

Theme: Al-Zahrawi’s contribution to Ophthalmology 

Chairman: Dr. Talat Aziz, Director, MESCO Diagnostic, New Delhi; Co-Chairman: Prof. Ishtiyaque Danish, Finance Secretary, Institute of Objective Studies; Speakers: Dr. Safiya Lakhande, Reader, Z.V.M. Unani Medical College, Pune; Dr. Abdul Moiz Shams, Ophthalmologist, Aligarh; Dr. Mansoor A Qureshi, RRI of Unani Medicine, Mumbai; Dr. Abdul Lateef, Coordinator-DRS-I, AKTC, AMU, Aligarh; Dr. Umar Jahhangir, Faculty of Unani Medicine, Jamia Hamdard 

PARALLEL SESSION –II: 11:45 to 1:15 p.m. (Venue Conference Hall No. II)                                               

Theme: Al-Zahrawi’s contribution to Cupping (Hijama) 

Chairman: Ms. Shaikh Nowhere, Mumbai; Co-Chairman: Dr. Azmat Kareem, Metro Hospital, New Delhi; Speakers: Dr. Syed M. M Amin, General Secretary, CUIBT, Chennai; Dr. S.M. Ahmer, P.G. Scholar, Faculty of Unani Medicine, AMU, Aligarh; Dr. Nazim Saifi, P.G. Scholar, A&U Tibbia College, New Delhi; Ms. Mobina Khan, Pune 

BUSINESS SESSION-III (2:30 to 4:00 pm)     

Theme:  Al-Zahrawi’s contribution to Orthopedics and its contemporary relevance

Chairman: Dr. M. Farooque, Al-Shifa Multi Specialty Hospital, Delhi, Co-Chairman: Dr. Mahmoud Al-Haj Kasim Mohammed, President, Iraq Medical Association, Scholar and Writer of Arab and Muslim’s Medical History, Iraq; Speakers: Dr. Rashid Qazi, HOD, Department of Surgery,Dr. M.I.J Tibbia College, Mumbai; Dr. Abdul Nasir, Associate Professor, A & U Tibbiya College, Aligarh;

Dr. Sulaiman Khan, Bangalore; Hafiz Iqtidar Ahmed, P.G Scholar, Faculty of Unani Medicine, AMU, Aligarh 

PARALLEL SESSION-III: 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. (Venue Conference Hall No .I) 

Theme: Al-Zahrawi’s contribution to Surgery 

Chairman: Dr. M. Yousuf Azam, Professor of Surgery, Hyderabad; Co-Chairman: Prof. Abdul Ali, Retd. Professor, Dept. of Islamic Studies, AMU, Aligarh, Speakers: Prof. Hamidullah Marazi, S.H. Inst of Islamic Studies, University of Kashmir, Srinagar;Dr. S. Fazle Rab, Director, IOS Patna Chapter, Patna;    Dr. Maaz Ahmed, Reader, Dr. MIJT Unani Medical College, Mumbai; Dr. Salmanaz Akhtar Husain, Assistant Professor, Dr. MIJT Unani Medical College, Mumbai; Dr. Albina Shamsi, Guest Faculty, Dept. of Jararhat, AK Tibbia College, AMU, Aligarh;

                                                                                Dr. Akbar Yaser, Chennai 

PARALLEL SESSION –IV: 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. (Venue Conference Hall No. II)                                    :          

Theme: Al-Zahrawi’s contribution to Dentistry 

Chairman: Prof. Z.M. Khan, Secretary General, Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi; Co-Chairman: Dr. Deari Ahmed Ismael, Member, Zahrawi Centre for Intellectual Studies, Kurdistan, Iraq; Speakers: Dr. Nuzhat Ali, Dr. Ziauddin Ahmad Dental College, AMU, Aligarh; Dr. Asfia Tarannum, Lecturer, Dr. M.I.J Tibbia Unani Medical College, Mumbai; Dr. Farkhunda Jabin,Assistant Professor, AU&A Tibbia College, AMU, Aligarh; Dr. Shaista Urooj, Research Officer, LRIUM, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi;Dr. A Latif, P.G. Scholar, AKTC,AMU,  Aligarh 

BUSINESS SESSION-IV (4:00 to 5:30 pm) 

Theme: Al-Zahrawi’s contribution to Obstetrics and Gynecology and its enduring significance 

Chairman: Dr. Fahmida Banoo, MRCOG, Director, Feme Care, Hyderabad, Co-Chairman: Dr. Nayyar Ferozan, MD-MHA,Hyderabad; Speakers: Dr. Yasmeen M Ali, Asstt. Professor, Dr. MIJT Unani Medical College, Mumbai; Dr. Nikhat Shaikh,Research Officer (Unani), R.R.I.U.M, Chennai; Prof. Niamath Khot, Professor in Ilmul Qabalat in Dr. MIJT Unani Medical College, Mumbai;

                                                            Dr. Azma, Research Officer, LRIUM (CCRUM), Department of AYUSH, New Delhi, Mufti Syed Baqar Arshad Qasmi, Bangalore

December 15, 2013 

BUSINESS SESSION-V (10:00 to 11:30 am)        

Theme: Al-Zahrawi’s works and Tibb-e-Unani in South Asia

Chairman: Prof. Hakim Syed Zillur Rahman, Founder President, Ibn Sina Academy of Medical Medicine and Sciences, Aligarh;Co-Chairman: Prof. Refaqat Ali Khan, Vice-Chairman, Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi; Speakers:  Hkm. KA Shafqat Azmi, Formerly Dy. Director CCRM, New Delhi; Dr. Abul Hasan Ashraf, Hony. Director, Dr. Ahmad Ashraf Memorial Unani Centre,  Hyderabad; Prof. Dr. Mehjabeen Akther, Head of Deptt. of Arabic, Osmania University, Hyderabad

BUSINESS SESSION-VI (11:45 to 1:15 pm)           

Theme: Al-Zahrawi’s contribution to Pharmacology

Chairman: Prof. K.M. Yusuf Amin, Deptt. of Pharmacology, Faculty of Unan Medicine, AMU, Aligarh; Co-Chairman: Prof. Hanumantha Shastri, Principal, MESCO College of Pharmacy, Hyderabad; Speakers: Maryam Gamal El Deen Mohammed Kotb, Asstt. Lecturer of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Modern University for Technology & Information, Cairo, Egypt;

Dr. Abdur Rauf, Faculty of Unani Medicine, AMU, Aligarh; Mr. Syed Areefullah Hussainy, Associate Professor, MESCO College of Pharmacy, Hyderabad; Hakeem Mohd. Wajeehul Qamar, MD Scholar, Faculty of Unani Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 

PARALLEL SESSION-V: 11:45 to 1:15 p.m. (Venue Conference Hall No. I)                                    :          

Theme: Al-Zahrawi’s contribution to Cauterization 

Chairman: Dr. Yusuf Azam, Prof. of Surgery, Hyderabad; Co-Chairman: Dr. Altaf Ahmed Azmi, Former Head, Centre for History of Medicine & Science, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi; Speakers: Dr. Mohd. Usman

Guest Faculty, AKTC, AMU, Aligarh; Dr. Sartaj Ahmad, PG Scholar, Faculty of Unani Medicine, AMU, Aligarh;  Dr. Noor Alam, PG Scholar, AKTC, AMU, Aligarh; Dr. Ashfaque Ahmed Research Officer (U), NIIMH, Hyderabad; Dr. Minhaj Ahmad, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 

PARALLEL SESSION –VI: 11:45 to 1:15 p.m. (Venue Conference Hall No. II)                                    :          

Theme: Al-Zahrawi’s contribution to Global Influence                                                           

Chairman: Dr. Jafer H. Qureshi, UK; Co-Chairman: Dr. Abdul Aziz Khan, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Unani Medicine, AMU, Aligarh; Speakers: Dr. Zubair Zafar Khan, Lecturer, Dept. of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi; Dr. Mohammad Mushtak Tijarwi, Lecturer, Dept. of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi; Dr. Niyazi Usmani, Lecturer, Dr. MIJ Tibbia Unani Medical College & Hospital, Mumbai; Dr. Anisur Rahman, P.G. Scholar, AKTC, Aligarh; Dr. Amanullah, Research Officer, CCRUM, New Delhi; Mr. Mohammad Raziul Islam Nadvi, Secretary, Tasneefi Academy, Jamat-e-Islami Hind, New Delhi 

PANEL DISCUSSION (2:30 to 4:00 pm)  

Theme:  The prominence of Islamic perspective in Al-Zahrawi’s contributions; Why Islamic world has not produced another Zahrawi in the last 1000 years? 

Chairman: Dr. Fakhruddin Mohammad, Organising Secretary  & Hony. Secretary, MESCO, Hyderabad; Co-Chairman: Dr. Jafer H. Qureshi, UK &  Dr. Kareem Ahmed Muhammad Al-Dawoodi, Member, Zahrawi Centre for Intellectual Studies, Kurdistan, Iraq; Panelist: Dr. Salih Saad A. AlAnsari, Chairman of Medical Committee, World Assembly of Muslim Youth, Riyadh, KSA;

Dr. Ahmad Abdul Hai, MD & Chief Consultant, Hai Medicare & Research Institute, Patna; Dr. Mahmoud Al-Haj Kasim Mohammed, President, Iraq Medical Association, Scholar and Writer of Arab and Muslim’s Medical History, Iraq; Mr. Wasi Ahmad Nomani, President cum Managing Director, Quran, Science & Cosmos Trust, New Delhi; Prof. Dr. Maher Abd el Kader Mohamed Ali, Professor of History, Alexandria University, Egypt; Dr. Abdulkerim Abushwereb, Faculty of Medicine, Tripoli, Libya & Prof. Mohammad Idris, Head, PG Department of Ilmus Saidla AU Tibbia College, New Delhi                       

VALEDICTORY SESSION (4:00-5:30 pm):                           

Conducted by:  Dr. Mohammed Samiullah Khan, Director, Medwin Hospital, Hyderabad; Chairman: Dr. Mohammad Manzoor Alam, Chairman, Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi; Co-Chairman: Prof. Refaqat Ali Khan, Vice-Chairman, Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi; Chief Guest: Justice M.S.A. Siddiqui, Chairman, National Council for Minorities Educational Institutions; Guest of Honour: Mr. Safdar H. Khan, Chairman, Delhi Minority Commission, New Delhi; Sum-up & Resolutions:Dr. Fakhruddin Mohammad, Organising Secretary  & Hony. Secretary, MESCO, Hyderabad; Vote of Thanks: Dr. M. A. Rafeeq, Advisor, Shadan Group of Medical College, Hyderabad  (pervezbari@eth.net)

By TCN News,

New Delhi: Zubair Nazeer, Ph.D. Scholar at the Department of Political Science of Jamia Millia Islamia recently participated in a Facebook Contest organized by U.S. Embassy through American Centre, New Delhi on “Ways to Increase Awareness and Reduce Gender Based Violence on College Campus” and won the award as the First Runners-Up.

This contest was part of a campaign on 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence that ended on Human Rights Day on December 10, 2013.

Zubair Nazeer (left)

In a statement, the university congratulate Mr. Zubair Nazeer on his achievement and wishes him success in all his future endeavours.

By TCN News,

Aligarh: The Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Zameer Uddin Shah inaugurated the International Training Hostel and Centre for Biodiversity Studies in the Department of Wildlife Sciences Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Former AMU Vice Chancellor, Mr. Naseem Ahmad, Administrator, Haryana Waqf Board was the guest of honour.

Former AMU VC Mr. Naseem Ahmad addressing at the inaugural ceremony of Centre for Biodiversity Studies at Dept. of Wildlife Sciences.

Professor Jamal A. Khan, Chairman, department of Wildlife Sciences urged the University administration to establish a Faculty of Environmental Sciences. He said that creation of a Department of Climatic Change is the need of the hour.

He appreciated the efforts of present University administration for renovation of RD Estate in Ranikhet, Uttarakhand and said that RD Estate is the pride of the University.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Mr. Naseem Ahmad said that the newly constructed centre is a source of inspiration to others and this is a dedication of Prof. Jamal, Dr. Afifullah and other staff. He said that life without challenge is nothing and we should accept the challenges of new century.

The Chief Guest, Gen. Shah said that he was delighted to see this centre. He said that University has prepared a vision document and it would be released very shortly. He hoped that AMU would be ranked number one amongst Indian universities with the help and support of dedicated academic staff.

Former AMU VC Mr. Naseem Ahmad and VC Lt. Gen. Shah inaugurating the Centre for Biodiversity Studies at Dept. of Wildlife Sciences.

Referring to the contributions of AMU alumni, Gen. Shah said that most of the alumni are devoted to their alma mater and he is very impressed with the contributions made by them for the cause of Muslims’ education.

Gen. Shah said that the University is approaching several NGOs including Agha Khan Foundation for renovation of its historical buildings. He said that the Agha Khan Foundation has shown interest in preservation of heritage of the University.

Prof. Irfan Ahmad, Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences proposed a vote of thanks.

By TCN News,

Kangra: Learning and teaching can give immense joy. This is what the outcome is of a five day long documentary and photojournalism workshop in Tibetan Children's Village (School), Suja, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh in November.

We Sprawl, a creative group based out of Delhi, went to train this existing talent of one of the oldest TCV schools in India. This workshop was initiative of ITCO, (Indo Tibetan Coordination Office) TCV Suja and We Sprawl.

The students of TCV learnt basics of documentary making , scripting, photojournalism along with training with professional equipments.

They did a photo feature and soon will come out with their documentary based on themes like joy of learning and a day in TCV school Suja.

“The school students and staff were very excited and eager to learn. Some of the students wanted to learn much more about things like shutter speed and aperture. While teaching them we learnt so much,” beleive A Anjum and S Preet Kaur, founder members of We Sprawl.

The workshop began with theory of basics of photojournalism and documentary making. Then they get hands on training with professional equipments like Canon 1100 and PD 177. Children clicked some amazing photographs, shot the documentary and suggested the story themselves. The documentary shot by them is at now editing stage.

“We wanted to share the "joy of learning" through this film. We wanted to spread a message among the students about how reading and learning help throughout one's life. Education, principles and learning is what the school TCV stands for. Also , TCV Suja is located in a beautiful place in nature's lap. We want students to explore this and click pictures and experience the beauty,“ says Karma La , principle, TCV Suja.

‘We Sprawl’ is a group of Delhi based group of freelance journalists, film makers, theatre persons, radio presenters and photographers. They keep on conducting theatre, film making, photography and journalism for privileged and under privileged children around the country.

For details vist www.wesprawl.com or www.wesprawl.blogspot.com

By IANS,

Patna : The railway authorities have given cash rewards to four Railway Police Force officials who caught Mohammad Imtiaz Ansari, the main accused in the serial blasts in Patna, officials said Friday.

Serial bomb blasts took place here Oct 27 during Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's rally and left six people dead and nearly 100 injured.

East Central Railway (ECR) general manager Madhuresh Kumar rewarded the RPF men for their courageous action, ECR Chief Public Relations Officer Amitabh Prabhakar said.

Prabhakar added that the four RPF offials are B.K. Markaria, M.M. Ansari, S.N. Ram and A.K. Brahamchari.

Imtiaz Ansari was caught by the RPF officials Oct 27 when he was trying to flee after coming out of a toilet at Patna railway station following a bomb explosion.

"Imtiaz was forced to flee after a bomb exploded when another terror suspect Ainul alias Tarique was trying to fit or fix a timer in a bomb at a Patna junction toilet," a senior RPF official said.

Ainul alias Tarique, who was seriously injured, died in a hospital here five days later.

According to Additional Director General (Special Branch) Rajesh Chandra, Imtiaz tried to mislead the officers when a police official first nabbed him.

"He said he was a tailor and had to go to Kalyanpur in Motihari. But there is no place called Kalyanpur in Motihari. In fact, Kalyanpur is in Samastipur district," Chandra said.

Police recovered a piece of paper from Imtiaz's pocket which had seven phone numbers. They also recovered his mobile phone.

Additional Director General (Railways) P.N. Rai had then described it as a big catch.

Imtiaz confessed that he and six other persons were divided into three groups with specific assignments in carrying out the blasts.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing the Patna serial blasts.

By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,

Bhopal: The three-day 66th chapter of “Aalami Tablighi Ijtima” (World Preachers’ Congregation) in Bhopal, the capital of central India state of Madhya Pradesh, is all set to commence here on December 14 after the offering of “Fajr Namaz” (early morning prayers) at the crack of dawn.

The Ijtima shall conclude in the morning of December 16 after mass “Dua” instead of afternoon as has been the practice in the past.

MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan inspecting arrangements with government officials and members of the organising committee of Aalami Tablighi Ijtima on Wednesday.

The congregation is said to be the largest Islamic gathering after Hajj at Makkah in Saudi Arabia and the “Bishwa Ijtima” at Tongi in Bangladesh. The annual congregation here draws between 5-10-lakh Muslims from all over the globe.

The venue of “Aalami Tablighi Ijtima” is about 12 kilometres on the northern outskirts of Bhopal town at Ghasipura in Eintkhedi village. A sprawling tent city over 175 acres of land with marquees on more than 50 acres of land has come up at the Ijtima site. The Jamaats (group of devotees) from all the Indian states, Middle East and European countries who have descended on Bhopal much before started converging to the Ijtima site soon after the “Juma Namaz” (Friday prayers) by all modes of transport such as buses, trucks, jeeps, cars, tractors, motor cycles, scooters etc. Some even preferred walking to avoid traffic jams and reached on foot.

The main “pandal” (marquee) has been erected on about 35 acres of land this year, five acres than last year to accommodate the ever increasing number of Jamaats from all over India and abroad. In the main “pandal” tens of thousands of people will camp for three days listening to the holy sermons of Islamic scholars as how to inculcate the good values in life following the Islamic tenets in order to lead an upright life in this world and thereby be rewarded with Jannat-ul-Firdaus hereafter.

Special arrangements for parking, water, toilet and other amenities have been made. Medical clinics of Unani, Ayurvedic and Allopathic systems of medicine have been set up at the Ijtima site to cater the needs of the devotees who need medical aid. A police control room has also been set up at Eintkheri and CCTVs have been installed at strategic points.

It may be recalled here that the Ijtima in Bhopal was first organized at Masjid Shakoor Khan in the walled city in 1948. Since then it is being held every year without break.

It may be pointed out here that “Tablighi Jamaat” (organisation for spreading faith) is a religious movement which was founded in 1926 by Muhammad Ilyas al-Kandhlawi in India. The movement primarily aims at propagating spiritual reformation by working at the grass roots level, reaching out to Muslims across all social and economic spectra to bring them closer to Islam.

“Tablighi Jamaat’s” inception is believed to be a response to the deteriorating values and negligence of fundamental aspects of Islam, which were considered a threat to Muslims. It gradually expanded from local to national to a transnational movement and now has followers in over 150 countries.

Tablighi Jamaat maintains a non-affiliating stature in matters of politics and “Fiqh” (jurisprudence).

“Tablighi Jamaat” has largely avoided electronic media and has emphasized a personal communication for proselytizing. The teachings of “Tablighi Jamaat” are mainly basic in approach and the six Principles put forward by Muhammad Ilyas influence most of their teachings.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata party, (BJP), ruled Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed preparations for Alami Tablighi Ijtima and held one-to-one discussions with concerning departments’ officers on Wednesday. He directed that all arrangements should be fine. Visitors should not face any difficulty. He gave these directives while reviewing preparations at Ijtima site at Ghasipura Eintkheri.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Anthony de Sa, DGP Nandan Dube, divisional commissioner S.B. Singh and heads of departments responsible for arrangements were present on the occasion.

Chief Minister Chouhan said that Ijtima is one of the biggest religious events of the country. The mass prayer here will bring about happiness in everyone’s life. He sought information about preparations to ensure that Ijtima is held efficiently. He was happy to see that administration and organisers have made good arrangements with coordination.

At the meeting, Chouhan sought information from municipal corporation, Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board, Public Health Engineering, Police and other departments about works. Organising committee members Abdul Qayyum, Iqbal Hafeez, Mohammad Mian and Ateeq-ul-Islam expressed satisfaction over arrangements. They informed that all departments are making effective arrangements. Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board has successfully diverted electricity lines.

Bhopal Collector Nishant Warwade, DIG D. Shriniwas Verma,Bhopal Municipal Commissioner Vishesh Garhpale and other officers presented details about the departmental works.

By TwoCirlces.net Staff Reporter,

Muzaffarnagar: In continuation of the peace and rehabilitation work after the riots in Muzaffarnagar, Khudai Khidmatgar in collaboration with Afkar India Foundation has taken the initiative of bridging the educational gap of the riot affected children of Muzaffarnagar by starting a bridge school in between the Malakpura and Khurgan refugee camps.

More than 200 children who attend the school on the very first day.

On December 8 members of Khudai Khidmatgar and Afkar India Foundation started the bridge school.

Khudai Khidmatgar also distributed books, copies and other stationary among the children.

Noor Nawaz Khan of Afkar India Foundation, who runs educational institutions said that he will extend his full cooperation to the bridge school.

By TCN News,

Aligarh: The Aligarh Muslim University has clarified that the Vice Chancellor is no way trying to shield Prof. M. Shabbir. The clarification was issued only in the interest of the victim who during her interaction with the Vice Chancellor complained that she was being asked embarrassing questions about her “rape”.

The clarification by the Vice Chancellor brought out the correct facts as explained by the victim and her father during their meeting on December 9, 2013.

The Vice Chancellor condemns all acts of misbehavior against women and will protect all their interests on the AMU campus. Prof. Shabbir will be answerable for his deeds by the due process of law.

It is also clarified that Shahzad Alam cannot claim to be a former president of AMU Students’ Union as reported by a section of media since he was expelled for indiscipline and misappropriation of AMUSU funds.

Meanwhile, a non-bailable arrest warrant has been issued against the professor.

Related:

Women student leader takes on AMU authority in harassment case

By Firoz Khan for TwoCircles.net

Chief Minister of Gujarat and BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi addressing a rally recently in Jammu demanded that there should be a discussion on Article 370 that grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Naturally this sparked a protest form many other parties. On one side is the BJP and on the other are all other secular parties. J&K is ruled by the National Conference and Omar Abdullah is the chief minister. Omar and his party are in favour of article 370 and therefore he is the first to raise the objection to the demand of Modi and BJP. Omar blamed Modi for spreading lies and misguiding the nation. He threw a challenge to Modi or any of his representatives to discuss Article 370. Till now the BJP as a party hasn’t accepted this challenge. But the president of J&K wing of the BJP Jugal Kishore Sharma has asked Omar to fix date and time to discuss the matter.

It is not clear whether Omar and Jugal will really discuss the matter or it is simply challenging each other to keep the heat on. This matter must be discussed but not in public forum. The right place is the parliament. BJP and other political parties, from time to time, raise the issue of reconsidering the validity and usefulness of Article 370 of Indian constitution. But none seems to be serious about the issue. BJP raises the matter particularly at the time of elections. Once, elections are over no one from that party say anything till next elections. This shows the hollowness of its intention.

Special status: Kashmir is India's most militarized area.

Article 370 of Indian constitution grants special status to J&K. According to this Article Indian laws and constitution can’t be implemented in that state. As for J&K the Indian government can take decisions related to foreign affairs matters, telecommunications, defence and finance. Excepting these four matters J&K is authorised to take decisions in all other matters. Under the Article 370 J&K has been authorised to have its own constitution and laws governing citizenship. Under this Article J&K has been granted an autonomous status. In India Parliament being the supreme can only enact new laws or amend the existing laws. These laws have to be implemented throughout India but not in J&K. Interesting thing is that any new law or amendment passed by Indian parliament has to be ratified by J&K legislature. If they are not ratified by the state legislature these can’t be implemented in J&K. It means the J&K legislature is above the Indian parliament.

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)was originally founded as Jana Sangh by Pandit Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and he was the first president of the newly formed party. Mukherjee was a cabinet minister in the cabinet of Jawahar Lal Nehru. Nehru signed an agreement in 1950 with the first prime minister of Pakistan Liyaqat Ali khan and Mukherjee resigned in protest. His opposition to Article 370 was well known. He believed that by enacting Article 370 the Indian government of the time surrendered to Shaikh Abdulla, grandfather of present day chief minister Omar Abdulla. He considered Article 370 a tool to create the third country out of old undivided India. At that time the chief minister of J&K was called the prime minister! From time to time Article 370 was amended and made softer. But still it grants J&K such special status that the impression it carries is J&K is not one of the Indian states but a separate country.

The Indian constitution has granted some basic rights to its citizens. The people of J&K are free to live and own property anywhere in India but no Indian can buy any land or property in J&K. Modi said that women in J&K have not been granted same rights granted to men. There are discriminatory laws. If any man from J&K marries any woman from any part of India that woman after marriage is considered J&K citizen but if a J&K woman marries any person outside of J&K she loses her right of citizenship.

These are only a few example that show how Article 370 doesn’t allow Indian laws to be implemented in J&K. The main thing is that India spends money to manage the administration of J&K. Any development taking place in J&K is because of taxes paid by Indian tax payers. Providing security is the responsibility of Indian military. India is responsible to provide all facilities but have no right over J&K.

Most of the Indians are not aware of all these. And even if they are aware of they don’t care to bother about it because they know that it will not be changed. It’s only BJP right from its earlier avatar Jan Sangh is after abolition of Article 370 but nothing so far has happened. BJP is also only interested in whipping the emotions of its Hindu vote bank. Abolition of Article 370, Common Civil Code and Ram Mandir at Ayodhya are only vote catching planks for BJP. And the people, by and large is also aware of this. It is not at all serious to solve the issue. This doubt is because when it came to power it not only completely forgot about Article 370 but present day chief minister Omar Abdullah was inducted in the cabinet as a Foreign Minister!! BJP always has double standard and double speak.

Modi is also not serious about solving the issue. He knows it very well. Even if he becomes the PM he can’t solve it. We don’t know, Modi whose knowledge of History is very poor, how much he knows about the background and history of Article 370. He has proved his knowledge of History by making mistakes one after another. His admirers say, “Nobody is perfect!!”

There are a number of other Article granting special statuses to states like Mizoram, Assam, Meghalaya and even one for Gujarat from where Modi comes. Why Modi and BJP do not talk about those articles? Why only about Article 370? Why Modi is raising this issue now? Why only when he went to Jammu? Those who believe each and every word of Modi are not asking him these questions? Indians, particularly Gujarati living in India and abroad shouldn’t shy of asking him these questions. A person who dreams of becoming PM of India should be able to and must answer.

I am sure if and when BJP forms a government it will be a coalition one and Modi will certainly take support of National Conference and Abdullah family. It will be worth watching him and his action on Article 370.

--
Firoz Khan is a Canada-based commentator.

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

Mumbai: Afzal Usmani, the prime accused in 2008 Gujarat serial blasts case, who allegedly escaped from a crowded Mumbai session court on 20 September but was re-captured on October 27 has filed a complaint before MCOCA court on 10 December alleging that he did not escape from the court premises but was actually kidnapped and was put under detention by the Maharashtra ATS.

Afzal Usmani has submitted that complaint letter before special Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act court judge A L Pansare. Usmani was present in the court on Tuesday along with other 22 accused for the framing of charges in IM email hacking case which was related to this phantom organization accepting responsibility of blasts in 2008 Jaipur, Gujarat and Delhi.

After the alleged escape of Afzal Usmani from south Mumbai sessions court, where it was found that even no CCTV camera is installed in the premises, all the terror cases were then shifted to Arthur road jail prison court for better security after representation from ATS.

A lawyer present in court, who is representing some of the accused in this case told TCN that Afzal Usmani kept quiet, and didn’t speak with any accused on that day. “The honourable judge enquired him if he want any government appointed lawyer to defend him but he declined by saying that he has already has appointed Adv. A Q Usmani who was not present in the court. Initially he did not complain or made any oral allegation. He did not even interrupted the court proceedings but once the framing of charges were done and all other accused left the court he looked curious and remained standstill in his position waiting for his lawyer. He even asked another lawyer to make a phone call to his lawyer A Q Usmani but his phone was out of coverage. Ultimately he silently got up from his seat and asked the court sheristedar to pass on the hand written complaint to the judge,” the advocate who was present in the court said on the condition of anonymity.

The said complaint alleges that he did not actually escape from the Mumbai sessions court on 20 September but was kidnapped by officials belonging to state ATS.

According to his complaint, on September 20 in the court he was interacting with his nephew Javed Noorul Hassan as two ATS officers escorted them out of the court premises. Usmani wrote that ATS officers instructed the escort police with him to inform in the court that he had fled.

In the initial statements from the police when Usmani allegedly escaped suggested that he was able to escape from the court as his escort officers left him unattended and they went for some other case inquiry.

Usmani, in his complaint alleged that ATS team from session court in south Mumbai directly took him and his nephew to a farmhouse in Kasara (100 km from Mumbai), adding, “after leaving me there they took my nephew somewhere else”.

According to ATS Usmani’s 19 year old nephew Javed was the key which led them to Usmani at Bharaich near Indo-Nepal Border where he was allegedly re-arrested on October 27 at Rupadia station while he was allegedly crossing the border.

Javed, a teenage slum dweller from Dharawi according to Mahashtra ATS is hard-core IM operative who helped Usmani escape from the court and to reach Bharaich. “Our team learnt that Usmani’s nephew Javed was returning to collect some documents that he had left back at his house in Dharavi. Accordingly we managed to intercept Javed at Kurla on October 25. Based on his questioning we were informed that Afzal was hiding in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh. The ATS team along with Bahraich police succeeded in nabbing him outside the railway station which is on the Indo-Nepal border” Maharasthra ATS chief Rakesh Maria had told reporters while briefing on the arrest of Afzal Usmani.

Usmani, in his letter rejected ATS chief claims and made his own argument that his nephew was under the custody of ATS since September 20 when agency allegedly orchestrated his escape.

Maharashtra ATS chief, on his part, also failed to explain why IM top leader which their agency claimed could have revived IM operations after Yasin Bhatkal’s arrest chose the same route to escape where his alleged organization’s leaders were arrested hardly a month back.

In his complaint to MCOCA judge, he also claimed that ATS officials visited him quite often at the farmhouse and persistently asked him to become an approver in the case. Even Usmani also alleged that special public prosecutor in this case Raja Thakare also visited him at the ATS farmhouse where Thakare asked him to become approver. Usmani wrote, “Thakare told me that if I become an approver then I will be let off from this case as well as the case of fleeing from the court.”

The entire court room including the honourable judge was surprised by such an allegation. The Judge served a copy of the said complaint to the public prosecutor Raja Thakare and ordered a reply from the state by next hearing on 23 December.

37 year old Afzal Usmani, a native of Azamgarh, was an hotelier by profession in west Mumbai before getting arrested by ATS in August 2008. Usmani was accused of stealing four cars from Navi Mumbai which was later used in Gujarat 2008 bombings which left 56 people dead. His arrest led to what ATS called busting of IM terror module in Maharashtra, 22 Muslim youths from across the state were rounded up and booked in terror related cases.

Earlier, in 2009 he had filed application before the court alleging that he fears for the life of his family and in Aug 2011 his real brother Faiz Usmani found dead in ATS custody where he was summoned for questioning by the anti-terror agency. Although the enquiry held by state CID found that Faiz Usmani died due to brain hemorrhage but not due to physical torture as initially suspected.

By IANS,

New Delhi : A Delhi court Friday took cognisance of a charge sheet filed against top Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) bomb expert Abdul Karim Tunda in connection with the 1997 Sadar Bazar blasts here in which several people were injured.

Delhi Police filed a supplementary charge sheet before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Amit Bansal.

"During interrogation, 72-year-old Tunda had told the investigators that he was involved in the conspiracy which led to two blasts - (in) Sadar Bazar and Qutab Road on Oct 1, 1997," the police said in the charge sheet.

Police have booked Tunda under sections 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapon), 307 (attempt to murder) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

Police contended that two other accused in the case had earlier disclosed that the bomb blasts were carried out at the behest of Tunda.

However, one of the accused Mohammad Shakeel alias Hamza was acquitted on April 1997 while the other accused Mohammad Amir was discharged from the case on Apr 26, 2001.

Tunda is presently in judicial custody in connection with various cases lodged against him.

By Shehzad Poonawalla,

Dear Friends,

The situation in the relief camps set up for the victims of the Muzaffarnagar riots is fantastic... "Rocking" if you go by the official version by the UP government... Dirty, overflowing toilets, open kitchens amidst piles of filth shared with stray dogs & cattle, poor lighting, clumsy tents made out of tarpaulin sheets, little or no health facilities at camps - these camps spell "Hell Yeah" with a capital H and a capital Y.

With the onset of winter, it is now being reported that dozens of children across various camps are succumbing to the cold. Nonsense...The cold only aggravates the death count but these deaths are primarily due to various diseases "these people" contract given their lack of cleanliness and their low immunity... Hundreds of them using one dirty, Indian style toilet which has no running water, then without washing their hands they eat food (cooked under open skies with flies and dogs and strange reptiles crawling around their utensils). What do you expect?

The UP district administration claims "All is Well" - a claim that you can see and hear resonating at different camps, given their par-excellent conditions. I mean it's so good that even Non Muslims are now asking their homes to be burnt, family members to be sliced, diced & raped and lives to be uprooted...so that they can shift to these comfortable 3 star camps! Won't it give the entire debate on secularism versus communalism a nice twist?

Najma, one of nine siblings, packed in a small tent that frankly fails to provide even the lamest shred of psychological comfort from the cold, informs us how she lost her little sister to the cold. But the jury is still out on whether its the bitterness of the cold that claims casualty after casualty or just the bitterness of OUR apathy! Something to ponder about under warm quilts and well heated, concrete housing? Naah... When you have one death, it's a scandal.. When you have dozens of them, you have a statistic. They're now the problem of some post dated inquiry report.

Then there is a story of a little kid whose fingers were burnt and untreated for over a month. Well that's what you get for lighting a candle inside a cramped tent. These victims, I tell you.. Why do they want lighting and heat? If they "needed" it, wouldn't the UP government provide lights, blankets and the entire laundry list of "luxury goods" including basic health care, relief and Justice these people keep demanding?

The UP government for its part is shutting down camps and encouraging the victims to go back to their villages. They clearly don't like statistics, do they? "That's the most important thing. They must go back" informs a semi-intelligent ( i'm being generous here) looking health department official. Doesn't matter then, that these victims look nay stare back at him in absolute bewilderment , that asks of him with wide eyes "Huzoor go back to what? Old friends who turned on us and burnt our homes and stole our stuff and now threaten us? To neighbours who turned into rapists? Go back to what SARKAR?"

Anyway, those people in UP's killing fields have given up. The falling mercury hardly bothers them now that they are immune to our free-falling humanity. The political class will go for a photo-up or two. The intellectual class will discuss drawing room scenarios. Editors will scoff at the state of affairs. Then we will all just forget about it and get on with our lives.

Feeling offended? I'm glad you are. You stopped feeling guilt or compassion so how about some offence for a change.

But if you can still feel a little sense of responsibility towards a fellow citizen or two! Here's a simple solution- One blanket of hope is all it will take to keep the bitter cold of apathy away. This winter spread the Warmth, donate a Blanket of Hope.

Unapologetically yours,

Shehzad Poonawalla
(@Shehzad_Ind)
09960675176

Details Below:

We need to get the blankets to the camps by 23rd December so we would request you to send warm blankets by 22nd December latest at the below mentioned address:

A46, South Extension Part II, 2nd Floor
Behind Mehrasons Jewellers
New Delhi- 110 049
Phone # 09960675176
Email: Allindiamuslimagenda2014@gmail.com

By IANS,

Lucknow : Taking note of media reports of infant deaths in the Muzaffarnagar relief camps, the Uttar Pradesh government Friday constituted a high-level committee to look into ground realities and apprise it of the prevailing situation.

Home Secretary Kamal Saxena said the committee would be headed by Meerut Divisional Commissioner Manjit Singh and will have district magistrates and chief medical officers of Shamli and Muzaffarnagar as members.

This committee, he added, would begin work with immediate effect. It was set up in compliance with the instructions of the Supreme Court.

The committee has been asked to submit a report to the government Dec 18. Among other issues, the charter of the committee includes knowing the number of relief camps being run, the number of people living in them and the facts behind media reports of infant deaths.

The officials would also assess the preparedness of the administration in providing warm clothings and other things following the onset of winter. Directives have been issued to provide medical aid and health facilities to the camp inmates.

By IANS,

New Delhi : India Friday said the hanging of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Quader Molla was an outcome of the internal judicial processes and laws of Bangladesh and hoped the political stand-off in that country would be resolved through dialogue and peaceful means.

India's external affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said: "The execution of the death sentence on Abdul Quader Molla, assistant secretary general of the Jamaat-e-Islami is an outcome of the internal judicial processes and laws of Bangladesh."

Bangladesh on Thursday hanged Molla, making him the first person to be put to death for massacres committed during the bloody 1971 war of independence.

The execution of Molla, 65, has sparked further tensions and violence in Bangladesh where elections are due Jan 5.

The spokesperson also said that India's ties with Bangladesh are based on the principles of "mutual respect, mutual benefit, non-interference and respect for each other's sovereignty".

"India has and always will respect the wishes of the people of Bangladesh. It is for the people of Bangladesh to decide their future. We have deep respect for their wisdom and achievements," he said.

"We are confident that as a democracy the people of Bangladesh will resolve their differences through dialogue and peaceful means, in an atmosphere free from violence.

Jamaat supporters went on the rampage Friday to vent their fury at the execution of Molla.

Two protesters were killed and two activists from the ruling Awami League were hacked to death Friday. Jamaat activists firebombed train stations, set fire to businesses and blockaded key highways, police officials said.

The ruling Awami League and opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party are locked in a stand off over the Jan 5 general elections. The BNP-led 18-party opposition alliance has launched a series of protests, demanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and postponement of the polls.

India has said it will not "broker any deal or mediate" among the rival parties.

By TwoCircles.net news

New Delhi: Jamat-e-Islami leader Abdul Kadir Mollah was executed by Bangladesh on Thursday for his role in atrocities during 1971 war of independence.

Various Indian Muslim organizations have reacted to this hanging:

Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee (CLMC):

Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee strongly condemns the death sentence of Abdul Kadir Mollah. The death penalty is the ultimate denial of human rights. It is the premeditated and cold-blooded killing of a human being by the state. This cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment is done in the name of justice.

It should be noted that the charges leveled against Molla have been denied by him always. It is also clear that there is no evidence against Molla or other convicts. Bangladesh set up International Crimes Tribunal in 2010 to investigate the abuses took place during the 1971 conflict. But, it is a matter of concern that UNHRC strongly opposed this so called ICT because it is against the international standards and had written to Bangladesh government to stop the execution because the trial had not met the international standards required for the death penalty. It is largely believed that it is an attempt to eradicate the Islamist opposition leaders.

We express our solidarity with the family of Jamat e Islami leader Abdul Kader Mollah and hope that the people of Bangladesh will understand the conspiracy of Shiekh Hasina’s politics of revenge and will give her a fitting reply.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind

JIH chief Maulana Umari said that opposing any effort or tendency of secession and making effort for maintaining integrity of a country cannot be described as treason. Criminalization of the efforts of Maulana Abdul Qadir Molla and Jamaat Islami Bangladesh and leaders of other parties and convicting them for death or life imprisonment is brazen barbarism, which cannot be justified.

Maulana Umari said it is a fact that none of these leaders were prosecuted and charge-sheeted during the regime of Shiekh Mujib and even after the independence of Bangladesh, Jamaat Islami Bangladesh has been a renowned political party of the country and played constructive role both as a ruling and opposition party. In the age of democracy it is unthinkable that a ruling party, just for revenge, would level wrong heinous charges against political opponents ignoring all the requirements of justice. He urged the Bangladesh government to keep from such acts in future and appealed to the government of India and governments and people of entire world to raise voice against the oppression and brutality.

Ameer-e Jamaat described the death of Maulana Abdul Qadir Molla as martyrdom and expressed deep sympathy with his family members and colleagues of his organization. He prayed to Almighty Allah to pardon his sins, raise his place in the paradise and bestow patience to his family members and strength to all who are on the right path.

Mushawarat:

The All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat, the umbrella body of Indian Muslim organisations, today severely condemned the Bangladeshgovernment’s hasty execution of a controversial verdict issued by a discredited and politicised tribunal.

President of AIMMM, Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan said here that the hasty execution of Maulana Abdul Qadir Molla, a prominent leader of Jamaate-Islami Bangladesh, is a scandal and crime committed by an unpopular government which is about to be overthrown by the people of Bangladesh in the forthcoming general elections. The present government by its hurried execution of a controversial order by a discredited and politicised tribunal is only seeking to weaken opposition forces.

Dr Khan said it was totally unfair to revive closed cases after four decades defying the decision of the first President of Bangladesh. Dr Khan said this judicial murder will go into history as one of the sins and misdeeds of the present Bangladeshi ruler. Dr Khan asked international human rights organisations to take the Bangladesh government and its discredited tribunal to the International Court of Justice as sanity and good counsel have failed to bring the present rulers of Bangladesh to their senses.

By TCN News,

New Delhi: The Outreach Programme, Jamia Millia Islamia & Sarojini Naidu Centre for Women’s Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia and Delhi based organizations have organized an event called “Join and Strengthen – One Billion Rising for Justice to End Violence Against Women (An Evening of Performance, Art, Music & Voices...).

As a precursor to the global One Billion Rising, a movement started by Eve Ensler, American Playwright, Performer, Feminist, Activist & Founder of V Day USA. Eve Ensler will perform “In the Body of Justice” in this event at Jamia Millia Islamia.

The campaign includes the following:

1) Fine Arts Exhibition on the theme
2) Manzil Mystics – Music Band
3) Justin McCarthy – Bharatnatyam
4) Srijanatmak Manushi Sanstha Group
5) Katie Gray – Vocal
6) Urdu Poems, etc.

The programme was formally inaugurated by Jamia Vice Chancellor Prof. S.M. Sajid.

Large number of students, teachers and volunteers of Delhi based organizations that are participating in the event as collaborator.

By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,

Kolkata: All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) organized a discussion with the successful Muslim youths at University Institute Hall, College Square, Kolkata on December 7.

It was presided over by the AIUDF state president of West Bengal Maulana Siddqullah Chowdhury.

Maulana Siddqullah Chowdhury

“Youths like you should keep working hard to contribute to the democratic institutions in a peace manner in order to achieve the goal of getting government jobs,” said Maulana Siddiqullah Chowdhury addressing the successful youths who are waiting for their final lists of selected candidates for the constable post of West Bengal Police Department.

While citing the grim state of affairs in Muslim representation in government jobs he said, “In 2009 recruitment examination for constable post of Kolkata Police, 2795 Muslims had qualified but till now only 1401 persons have made it to services. Rests of them are still in the waiting list for the last 4 years. They are hoping to be recruited soon by the Mamata Banerjee government and receive appointment letter as soon as possible.”

“AIUDF is here to help these youths and to create a movement against the silence of the government,” he said. He advised the Muslim youths present there to send a memorandum to the Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee who is currently overlooking the Ministry of state police department.

While claiming to make an appeal of the same to the CM he said, “According to Sachar Committee Report, Muslims of West Bengal lag behind other states when it comes to government jobs hence qualified and deserving Muslim youths should get the jobs of police constable.”

Questioning WB chief minister’s commitment towards Muslim causes he asked, “Why Muslim youth recruitment in police constable is still pending. If she wants to do something for Muslims, she should take necessary initiative of appointing them as constables. Her failure will lead Muslim to disbelieve in her claims.”

More than 200 Muslims hailing from 15 Muslim concentrated district of Bengal have been affected. In the meeting, AIUDF assured them to assist any kind of help to fulfill their needs and getting appointments as soon as possible.