Shi`ite's Revival in Middle East

Zakat to be paid on the following

2009-12-17T01:05:00.000-08:00

1861. * It is obligatory to pay Zakat on the following things:

1. Wheat
2. Barley
3. Dates
4. Raisins
5. Gold
6. Silver
7. Camel
8. Cow
9. Sheep (including goat)
10. As an obligatory precaution, upon the wealth in business

And if a person is the owner of any of these ten things he should, in accordance with the conditions which will be mentioned later, put their fixed quantity to one of the uses as prescribed.

1862. On the basis of obligatory precaution, Zakat should be paid on Sult, which is a soft, grain like wheat with the property of barley and on 'alas, which is like wheat, and is the food of the people of San'a (Yemen).

1863. * Payment of Zakat becomes obligatory only when the property reaches the prescribed taxable limit, and if the owner of the property is a free person.

1864. If a person remains the owner of cow, sheep, camel, gold and silver for 11 months, the payment of Zakat becomes obligatory for him from the first of the 11th month; but he should calculate the beginning of the new year after the end of the 12th month.

1865. * The liability of Zakat on gold, silver and merchandise is conditional to its owner being sane and Baligh. But in the case of wheat, barley, raisins, camel, cow and sheep, being sane and Baligh is not a prerequisite.

1866. * Payment of Zakat on wheat and barley becomes obligatory when they are recognised as wheat and barley. And Zakat on raisins becomes obligatory when they call them grapes. And Zakat on dates becomes obligatory when Arabs call it Tamar. However, the time for determining the taxable limit, and payment of Zakat on wheat and barley is when they are threshed, and grains are separated from chaff; and the time for payment of Zakat on raisins and dates is when they are plucked. This is also known as the time of drying up.

1867. * For establishing the liability of Zakat on items like wheat, barley, raisins and dates, it is not a prerequisite that they should be in the control of their owner, so that he can dispose it or have a discretion over it. If the owner is absent, and the goods are neither in his control nor in that of his agent , like, when it has been usurped, even than the liability of Zakat remains.

1868. * For establishing the liability of Zakat on items like gold, silver and merchandise, it is necessary that their owner is sane. If the owner remained insane throughout a year, or part of it, Zakat will not be obligatory upon him.

1869. If the owner of cow, sheep, camel, gold and silver remains intoxicated or unconscious during a part of the year, he is not excused from payment of Zakat, and the position is the same if at the time of Zakat becoming Wajib on wheat, barley, palm-dates and raisins, he is intoxicated or unconscious.

1870. * For establishing liability of Zakat on items other than wheat, barley, raisins and dates, it is necessary that the owner has a discretion over their disposal etc. And if he is prevented from that control because of usurpation, Zakat will not be wajib.

1871. If a person borrows gold, silver or any other thing on which it is obligatory to pay Zakat, and it remains with him for a year, he should pay Zakat on it, and the lender has to pay nothing.
Zakat of Wheat, Barley, Dates and Raisins.

1872. * Zakat on wheat, barley, dates and raisins becomes obligatory when their quantity reaches the taxable limit which is 300 saa' and it is said that it equals 847 kg.

1873. If a person and members of his family consume the grapes, dates, barley and wheat, on which payment of Zakat has become obligatory, or if, for example, he gives these things to a poor person without the intention of paying Zakat, he should give Zakat on the quantity used.

1874. If the owner of wheat, barley, dates and grapes dies after Zakat on it has become obligatory, that quantity of Zakat should be paid from of his estate. However, if he dies before Zakat becomes obligatory, each one of his heirs, whose share reaches the taxable limit, should pay Zakat from his own share.

1875. * A person, who has been appointed by the Mujtahid to collect Zakat, can demand it at the time of harvest when wheat and barley are threshed and chaff is separated from grains, and when the dates and grapes become dry. And if the owner of these items does not give Zakat, and they perish, the owner should compensate for it.

1876. If payment of Zakat becomes obligatory on date tree and grapes or the crop of wheat and barley after one becomes its owner, one should pay Zakat on them.

1877. If a person sells the crop and trees after Zakat on wheat, barley, palm-dates and grapes becomes obligatory, the seller should pay the Zakat on them, and if he pays, it will not be obligatory on the buyer to pay anything.

1878. * If a person purchases wheat or barley or dates or grapes, and knows that the seller has paid Zakat on them, or doubts whether or not he has paid it, it is not obligatory on him (i.e. the buyer) to pay anything. But if he knows that he (the seller) has not paid Zakat on them, he should pay Zakat himself. But if the seller cheats him by telling him that he has not paid Zakat, he can reclaim from the seller the Zakat, if he has paid it.

1879. * If the weight of wheat, barley, dates and grapes is about 847 kilogrammes when they are wet, and reduces when they become dry, payment of Zakat on it is not obligatory.

1880. * If a person disposes of wheat, barley and dates before the time of drying up, and if they reach the taxable limit after they have dried up, he should pay Zakat on them.

1881. There are three kinds of dates:

(i) Those which are dried up. Rules regarding the Zakat payable on them have already been explained above.

(ii) Those which are eaten when they are ripe.

(iii) Those which are eaten before they are ripened.

As for the second kind, if its weight comes to 847 kilogrammes after having dried up, Zakat on it becomes obligatory as a recommended precaution. And as for the third kind, Zakat on it is not obligatory.

1882. If a person has paid Zakat once on wheat, barley, dates and raisins, no further Zakat is payable on it, even if they remain with him for a few years.

1883. If wheat, barley, dates and grapes are watered with rain or river, or if they benefit from the moisture of the land, like in the case of Eygptian crops, the Zakat payable on them is 10% and if they are watered with buckets etc. the Zakat payable on them is 5%.

1884. If wheat, barley, dates and grapes are watered with both rain water as well as water supplied with buckets etc. and if it is commonly said that they have been irrigated with bucket water etc. the Zakat payable on them is 5% and if it is said that they have been irrigated with river and rain water, the Zakat payable on them is 10%; and if it is commonly said that they have been irrigated jointly with both, the Zakat payable on them is 7.5%.

1885. If a person doubts about the common impression, not able to determine whether the crop was watered by rain alone, or by rain and buckets together, it will be sufficient for him to pay 7.5% Zakat.

1886. If a person doubts and does not know whether it will be customarily held that the land was irrigated both ways, or that it has been watered with buckets etc. it will be sufficient for him to pay 5%. And the position will be the same if the common opinion would probably be that it was irrigated with rain water.

1887. If wheat, barley, dates and grapes are irrigated with rain and canal water and, although they did not need bucket water, yet it was also supplied, with no helpful result for the crop, the Zakat on them is 10%. And if they are watered with bucket water, without having any need of canal and rain water, but are also supplied with canal and rain water without being helpful to the crop, the Zakat on them is 5%.

1888. * If a crop is watered with bucket etc. and in the adjoining land he raises a crop which benefits from the moisture of that land (which is irrigated with bucket water etc.) and does not need extra watering, the Zakat of the crop which is watered with bucket is 5% and the Zakat of the crop in the adjoining land, as a precaution is 10%.

1889. * A person cannot deduct the expenses incurred by him on the production of wheat, barley, dates and grapes from the income obtained from them, in order to determine the minimum taxable limit. Hence if the weight of any one of them, before calculating the expenses, was about 847 kilogrammes, he should pay Zakat on it.

1890. A person who has used seeds for farming, whether he owned them or he bought them, cannot deduct their value from the total harvest for calculating the minimum taxable limit. Rather, he should calculate the taxable limit taking into account the entire crop.

1891. * It is not obligatory to pay Zakat on what government takes away from the goods or wealth itself. For example, if the harvest is 2000 kilogrammes, and government takes 50 kilogrammes from it as taxation, it is obligatory to pay zakat on 1950 kilogrammes only.

1892. As an obligatory precaution, a person cannot deduct from the harvest the expenses incurred by him before Zakat became due, paying Zakat on the balance only.

1893. * As for the expenses incurred after Zakat becomes obligatory, a person cannot deduct them from the amount of the Zakat liable on him, even if, as a precaution, he may have sought permission from the Mujtahid or his Wakil.

1894. * It is not obligatory for a person to wait till wheat and barley pile up for threshing,and the grapes and dates become dry, before paying Zakat. It is permissible that as soon as payment of Zakat becomes due, he should calculate the amount of Zakat and pay.

1895. After Zakat becomes payable, a person can handover the standing crops, or dates or grapes, before their being harvested or picked, to the deserving poor, or to the Mujtahid or his Wakil, on the basis of joint ownership, and then make them share the expenses.

1896. When a person handovers Zakat of crops or dates or grapes in their essential forms to the Mujtahid or his Wakil, or to the deserving poor person, it is not necessary for him to look after those things as a joint owner, free of charge. He can charge them rental as long as these things remain on his land for harvesting and drying up.

1897. * If a person owns wheat, barley, dates and grapes in various cities, where the time of ripening of crops and fruits differ from one another, and they are not all received at one time, if all of them are considered to be the harvest of one and the same year, and if the thing which ripens first reaches the taxable limit i.e 847 kilogrammes (approx), he should pay Zakat on it at the time of its ripening and should pay Zakat on the remaining crops when they are received . But if the crop which is ready first, does not reach the minimum taxable limit, he should wait till other crops are ready. If they totally reach the taxable limit, Zakat on them will be obligatory, otherwise Zakat will not be obligatory on them.

1898. If a date tree or vine bears fruit twice in a year, and when combined they reach the minimum taxable limit, it is obligatory as a precaution, to pay its Zakat.

1899. If a person has a quantity of dates or grapes which have not dried up, and which would reach the taxable limit when dried up, he can replace them with fresh fruits (i.e. dates and grapes) with the purpose of giving Zakat, provided that, if they were dry they would be equal to the obligatory amount of Zakat.

1900. If it is already obligatory on a person to pay Zakat on dry dates or raisins, he cannot replace it with fresh, green dates or grapes. And, if he calculates the value of Zakat and gives green grapes or dates or other dry raisins or dates against that value, it is a matter of Ishkal. Also, if it is obligatory on a person to pay Zakat on green dates or grapes, he cannot pay it with dry dates or raisins, And, if after calculating the value of Zakat, he pays it from other dates or grapes, it will be a matter of Ishkal even if the other dates and grapes were green and fresh.

1901. If a person dies with a debt, and has a property on which Zakat has become due, it is necessary that, in the first instance, the entire Zakat should be paid out from that property, and thereafter pay his debt.

1902. * If a person dies with a debt and also has wheat, barley, dates or grapes,and, before Zakat on these things became obligatory, his heirs paid his debt from other property, the heir, whose share equals to 847 kilogrammes (approx) should pay Zakat. And if the debts of the deceased was not paid before Zakat on these things became obligatory, and if his estate just equals his debt, it is not obligatory for the heirs to pay any Zakat. And if the property of the deceased is more than his debt, and if the debt calls for payment from a quantity of wheat, barley ,dates and grapes, then whatever is paid towards the debt will have no liability of Zakat. In the residue, whoever from the heir receives a share equal to the minimum taxable limit, should pay Zakat.

1903. If wheat, barley, dates and raisins on which Zakat has become obligatory, are of good quality and inferior quality, the obligatory precaution is that Zakat for each of the two categories should be given separately from its respective type.
Minimum Taxable Limit of Gold

1904. There are two taxable limits of gold: The first limit is 20 mithqals (Sharee'), one mithqal being equal to 3.456 gms. Hence when the quantity of gold reaches 20 mithqals and other requisite conditions are also fulfilled, one should pay 1/40th part of it, which is equal to 1.728 gms, as Zakat. And if the quantity of gold does not reach this limit, it is not obligatory to pay Zakat on it. The second taxable limit of gold is applicable when gold, in addition to 20 mithqal sharee' is further increased. If an additional of 4 mithqal sharee' takes place to 20 sharee' mithqals , one should pay Zakat on the total quantity at the rate of 2.5%. And if the addition is less than 4 sharee' mithqals, Zakat will be payable on 20 sharee' mithqals only; and it will not be obligatory to pay it on the additional quantity. The same rule applies as and when ongoing additions take place in the quantity of gold, like, if a further increase of 4 mithqals takes place, Zakat should be paid on the entire quantity, and if the increase is less than that, no Zakat will be payable.
Taxable Limit of Silver

1905. There are two minimum taxable limits for silver: The first is 105 ordinary mithqals, equal to 483.88 gms. Therefore, when the quantity of silver reaches that limit, and other necessary conditions are also fulfilled one should pay 2.5% of it as Zakat. And if the quantity of silver does not reach the aforesaid limit, it is not obligatory to pay Zakat on it.

The second limit of silver is when there is an addition of 21 mithqals, that is, if an addition of 21 mithqals takes place to 105 mithqals, the Zakat should be paid on 126 mithqals. If the addition is less than 21 mithqals he should pay Zakat on 105 mithqals only, and no Zakat is payable on the additional quantity. The same rule applies as and when ongoing additions take place in the quantity of silver, like, if 21 mithqals are further added , he should pay Zakat on the entire quantity and if the addition is less than that the quantity which has been added and is less than 21 mithqals, is not liable to any Zakat. Thus, if a person gives 1/40 of all the gold or silver he possesses, he will have paid the obligatory Zakat, and sometimes even more than that. For example, if a person has 110 mithqals of silver and gives 2.5% of that, he will have paid Zakat on 105 mithqals which was obligatory, and also sometimes on 5 mithqals which was not obligatory.

1906. If a person possesses gold or silver which has reached the taxable limit, and even if he has paid Zakat on it, he should continue to pay Zakat on it every year, as long as it does not reduce from the minimum limit.

1907. Zakat on gold and silver becomes obligatory only when they are made into coins, and are in currency for transactions. Zakat should, however, be paid on them even if their stamp has been effaced.

1908. It is obligatory, as a precaution, to pay Zakat on coined gold and silver worn by women as ornaments, as long as such coins are legal tenders, that is, transactions are made with them as gold and silver currency. It is not, obligatory to pay Zakat on them if they have ceased to be legal tenders.

1909. If a person possesses gold and silver neither of which is equal to the first minimum limit, for example, if he has 104 mithqals of silver and 19 mithqals of gold, it is not obligatory for him to pay Zakat.

1910. As stated earlier, Zakat on gold and silver becomes obligatory only when its taxable quantity is owned by a person for 11 months continuously. If, therefore, the quantity falls below the taxable limit at any time during the period of 11 months, it is not obligatory for him to pay Zakat on them.

1911. * If during the period of 11 months, a person who possesses gold and silver exchanges them for something else, or melts them, it is not obligatory for him to pay Zakat on them. However, if he changes them from coins to plain gold or silver, to avoid payment of Zakat, the obligatory precaution is that he should pay Zakat.

1912. If a person melts gold and silver coins in the twelfth month, he should pay Zakat on them, and if their weight or value is reduced because of melting, he should pay Zakat which was obligatory on those coins before they were melted.

1913. * If gold and silver possessed by a person is partly of superior quality and partly of inferior quality, he can pay Zakat of each from its respective quality. But, as a precaution, he should not pay entire Zakat based on the inferior quality. In fact, it is better that he should give the entire Zakat based on the gold and silver of superior quality.

1914. If gold and silver coins have more than usual quantity of alloy, but if they are still known as gold and silver coins, payment of Zakat on them is obligatory if they have reached the taxable limit, although in their pure form they may not reach the taxable limit. But, if they are not called gold and silver coins, liability of Zakat on them is a matter of Ishkal, even if in their pure form they may reach the taxable limit.

1915. If gold and silver coins have usual amount of alloy in them, he can pay Zakat on them with gold and silver coins which contain more than usual quantity of alloy, or with coins which are not made of gold and silver, provided that its quantity equals the value of Zakat.
Zakat Payable on Camel, Cow and Sheep (including Goat)

1916. * For Zakat on camels, cows and sheep (including goats) there are two additional conditions, besides the other usual conditions:

The animal should have grazed in the jungle or open fields for one year. If it is fed with cut or plucked grass, or if it has grazed in the farm owned by its owner, or somebody else, there is no Zakat on it, except when it was only a matter of day or two during which the animal fed itself with the grass from its master's farm.

As a matter of precaution, it is not a condition that the camel, cow or small cattle should not have worked during the whole year. In fact, Zakat on them will be obligatory, if they are used for irrigation and ploughing the land.

1917. If a person purchases or leases for his camel, cow and sheep, a pasture which has not been cultivated by anyone, Zakat becoming liable is a matter of Ishkal, though as a precaution, Zakat be paid. But, if he pays tax on grazing his animals, then he should pay Zakat.
Minimum Taxable Limit of Camels

1918. Camel has 12 taxable limits:

(i) 5 camels: and the Zakat on them is one sheep. As long as the number of camels does not reach five, no Zakat is payable on them.

(ii) 10 camels: and the Zakat on them is 2 sheep.

(iii) 15 camels: and the Zakat on them is 3 sheep.

(iv) 20 camels: and the Zakat on them is 4 sheep.

(v) 25 camels: and the Zakat on them is 5 sheep.

(vi) 26 camels: and the Zakat on them is a camel which has entered the 2nd year of its life.

(vii) 36 camels: and the Zakat on them is a camel which has entered the 3rd year of its life.

(viii) 46 camels: and the Zakat on them is a camel which has entered the 4th year of its life.

(ix) 61 camels: and the Zakat on them is a camel which has entered the 5th year of its life.

(x) 76 camels: and the Zakat on them is 2 camels which have entered the 3rd year of their life.

(xi) 91 camels: and the Zakat on them is 2 camels which have entered the 4th year of their life.

(xii) 121 camels and above: In this case, the person concerned should either calculate the camels on group of 40 each, and give for each set of forty camels a camel, which has entered the third year of its life; or calculate them on groups of 50 each and give as Zakat, for every 50 camels, a camel which has entered the 4th year of its life, or he may calculate them in the groups of forty and fifty. However, in every case he should calculate in such a way that there should be no balance, and even if there is a balance, it should not exceed nine. For example, if he has 140 camels he should give for 100 camels, two such camels as have entered the fourth year of their life, and for the remaining forty camels, he should pay one camel which has entered the third year of its life. And the camel to be given in Zakat should be female.

1919. It is not obligatory to pay Zakat in between two taxable limits. Therefore, if the number of camels with a person exceeds the first taxable limit, which is 5 camels, but does not reach the second taxable limit which is 10 camels, he should pay Zakat on only 5 of them, and the same way with the succeeding taxable limits.
The Minimum Taxable Limit of Cows

1920. Cow has two taxable limits. Its first taxable limit is 30. If the number of cows owned by a person reaches 30, and other conditions mentioned above are fulfilled , he should give by way of Zakat a calf which has entered the 2nd year of its life; and the obligatory precaution is that the calf should be a male. And its second taxable limit is 40, and its Zakat is a female calf which has entered the 3rd year of its life. And it is not obligatory to pay Zakat when the number of the cows is between 30 and 40. For example, if a person possesses 39 cows, he should pay Zakat on 30 cows only. Furthermore, if he possesses more than 40 cows but their number does not reach 60, he should pay Zakat on 40 cows only. And when their number reaches 60, which is twice as much as the first taxable limit, he should give as Zakat 2 calves, which have entered the 2nd year of their life. And similarly, as the number of the cows increases, he should calculate either in thirties or in forties or from 30 and 40, and should pay Zakat in accordance with the rule explained above. However, he should calculate in such a way, that there should be no remainder, and in case there is a remainder, it should not exceed 9. For example, if he has 70 cows, he should calculate at the rate of 30 and 40 and should pay Zakat for 30 of them at the rate prescribed for 40 of them, because if he calculates at the rate of 30, 10 cows will be left without Zakat being paid on them.
Taxable limit of Sheep (Including Goats)

1921. Sheep has 5 taxable limits:

* The 1st taxable limit is 40, and its Zakat is one sheep. And as long as the number of sheep does not reach 40, no Zakat is payable on them.
* The 2nd taxable limit is 121, and its Zakat is 2 sheep
* The 3rd taxable limit is 201, and its Zakat is 3 Sheep
* The 4th taxable limit is 301, and its Zakat is 4 Sheep
* The 5th taxable limit is 400 and above, and in this case calculation should be made in hundreds, and one sheep should be given as Zakat for each group of 100 sheep. And it is not necessary that Zakat should be given from the same sheep. It will be sufficient if some other sheep are given, or money equal to the price of the sheep is given as Zakat.

1922. It is not obligatory to pay Zakat for the number of sheep between the two taxable limits. So, if the number of sheep exceeds the first taxable limit (which is 40), but does not each the 2nd taxable limit (which is 121), the owner should pay Zakat on 40 sheep only, and no Zakat is due on the sheep exceeding that number, and the same rule applies to the succeeding taxable limits.

1923. When the number of camels, cows and sheep reaches the taxable limit, payment of Zakat an them becomes obligatory whether all of them are males or all are females, or some of them are males and some are females.

1924. In the matter of Zakat, cows and buffaloes are treated to be of the same class, and Arabian and non-Arabian camels are also of the same group. Similarly, for the purpose of Zakat, there is no difference between a goat, a sheep and a one-year old lamb.

1925. If a person gives a sheep as Zakat, it is necessary, as an obligatory precaution, that it should have at least entered the 2nd year of its life, and if he gives a goat it should have, on the basis of precaution, entered the 3rd year of its life.

1926. If a person gives a sheep as Zakat, there is no harm if its value is slightly less as compared with his other sheep. However, it is better that he should give as Zakat the sheep whose value is more than his other sheep, and the same rule applies for cows and camels.

1927. If some persons are partners, then the person whose share reaches the first taxable limit should pay Zakat. It is not obligatory on the person whose share does not reach the first taxable limit to pay Zakat.

1928. If a person has cows or camels, or sheep at various places, and combined together they reach the taxable limit, he should pay Zakat on them.

1929. Even if the cows, sheep and camels possessed by a person are unhealthy and defective, he should pay Zakat on them.

1930. If all cows and sheep and camels possessed by a person are unhealthy and defective, he can play Zakat from amongst them. However, if all of them are healthy and young and with no defect, he cannot pay the Zakat liable on them from unhealthy, defective and old ones. In fact, if some of them are healthy and others are unhealthy, and some are defective and others are without any defect, and some are old and others are young, the obligatory precaution is that he should give as Zakat those animals which are healthy, have no defect and are young.

1931. * If before the expiry of the 11th month, a person changes his cows, sheep and camels with something else, or changes his taxable limit with an equivalent number of the same kind of animals - for example, if he gives 40 sheep and takes new 40 sheep - it is not obligatory on him to pay Zakat, if this was not done to avoid Zakat. But if it was done to avoid Zakat, then as an obligatory precaution, Zakat must be paid if their benefits are common, like, if he exchanges milk-giving sheep for milk-giving sheep.

1932. If a person who is required to pay Zakat on cows, sheep and camels, gives that Zakat from his other property, he should pay Zakat on the animals every year as long as their number has not become less than the taxable limit. But if he gives Zakat from those very animals and they become less than the first taxable limit, payment of Zakat is not obligatory on him. For example, if a person who owns 40 sheep, gives their Zakat out of his other property, he should pay one sheep every year as long as their number does not become less than 40, and if he pays Zakat from those very sheep, payment of Zakat will not be obligatory on him till such time when their number reaches 40.
Zakat on Business Goods

Goods earned by commutative contracts, and set aside for investment in business or profit earning, is, as a precaution, liable for Zakat if certain conditions are fulfilled. The rate of Zakat is 1/40.

(i) The owner of the goods should be baligh and sane.

(ii) The goods should have reached the taxable limit, which is equal to that of gold and silver.

(iii) The goods should have remained for one year ever since the owner intented to invest it for profit.

(iv) The intention of investing it for profit should have remained unchanged throughout the year. If the intention changes, like, when he decides to spend it for maintenance, then he will not pay its Zakat.

(v) The owner should be actually capable of its disposal throughout the year.

(vi) Throughout the year, the owner should have a buyer of the goods equal to the capital or more. If, during the year, he gets a buyer for the goods for less then capital outlay, it will not be obligatory upon him to pay its Zakat.

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Zakat (Part II of II)
Disposal of Zakat

1933. * Zakat can be spent for the following eight purposes:

(i) It may be given to poor person, who does not possess actual or potential means to meet his own expenses, as well as that of his family for a period of one year. However, a person who has an art or possesses property or capital to meet his expenses, is not classified as poor.

(ii) It may be paid to a miskin (a destitute person) who leads a harder life than a Faqir (a poor person).

(iii) It can be given to a person who is a Wakil of Holy Imam (A.S.) or his representative to collect Zakat, to keep it in safe custody, to maintain its accounts and to deliver it to the Imam or his representative or to the poor.

(iv) It can be given to those non-Muslims who may, as a result, be inclined to Islam, or may assist the Muslims with the Zakat for fighting against the enemies, or for other justified purposes. It can be given to those Muslims also whose faith in the Prophet or in the Wilayat of Amirul Momineen is unstable and weak, provided that, as a result of giving, their faith is entrenched.

(v) It can be spent to purchase the slaves to set them free, the details of which have been given in its relevant Chapter.

(vi) It can be given to an indebted person who is unable to repay his debt.

(vii) It may be spent in the way of Allah for things which has common benefit to the Muslims; for example, to construct a mosque, or a school for religious education, or to keep the city clean, or to widen or to build tar roads.

(viii) It may be given to a stranded traveller.

These are the situations in which Zakat can be spent. But in situation number 3 and 4, the owner cannot spend without the permission of Imam (A.S.) or his representative; and the same applies to the 7th situation, as per obligatory precaution. Rules relating to these are explained in the following articles:

1934. The obligatory precaution is that a poor and destitute person should not receive Zakat more than his expenses and those of his family, for one year. And if he possesses some money or commodity, he should receive Zakat equivalent to the shortfall in meeting his expenses for a year.

1935. If a person had enough amount to meet his expenses for a year, and he spent something out of it, and then doubts whether or not the remaining amount will be sufficient to meet his expenses for one year, he cannot receive Zakat.

1936. An artisan, a land-owner, or a merchant whose income is less than his expenses for one year can take Zakat to meet his annual shortfall, and it is not necessary for him to sell off his tools, property, or spend his capital in order to meet his expenses.

1937. * A poor person who has no means of meeting his own expenses, and those of his family, for one year, can receive Zakat, even if he owns a house in which he lives, or possesses a means of transport, without which he cannot lead his life, or it may be to maintain his self-respect. And the same rule applies to household equipments, utensils and dresses for summer and winter, and other things needed by him (i.e. he can take Zakat even if he possesses these things). And if a poor person does not have these essential things, he can purchase them from Zakat, if he needs them.

1938. If it is not difficult for a poor person to learn an art, he should not, as an obligatory precaution, depend on Zakat. However, he can receive Zakat as long as he is learning the art.

1939. * If a person who was poor previously says that he is still poor, Zakat can be given to him, even if the person giving Zakat may not be satisfied with what he says. But if a person was not known to be poor previously, Zakat cannot be given to him, as a precaution, till one is satisfied about his poverty.

1940. If a person says that he is poor, and he was not poor previously, and if one is not satisfied with what he says, the obligatory precaution is that Zakat should not be given to him.

1941. If a Zakat giver is the creditor of a poor person, he can adjust the debt against Zakat.

1942. If a poor man dies, and his property is not as much as it may liquidate his debt, the creditor can adjust his claim against Zakat. And even if his property is sufficient to clear his debt, but his heirs do not pay his debt, or the creditor cannot get back his money for any other reason, he can adjust the debt against Zakat.

1943. It is not necessary for a person who gives Zakat to mention to the poor that it is Zakat. In fact, if the poor feels ashamed of it, it is recommended that he should not mention at all that he has given with the intention of Zakat.

1944. * If a person gives Zakat to someone thinking that he is poor, and understands later that he was not poor, or owing to his not knowing the rule, gives Zakat to a person who he knows is not poor, it will not be sufficient. Hence, if the Zakat which he gave to that poor still exists, he should take it back from him, and give it to the person entitled to it. And if that thing does not exist, and the person who took it was aware that he was given from Zakat, the Zakat payer should obtain its substitute from him, and give it to the person entitled to it. And if the receiver was not aware that it was Zakat, nothing will be taken from him, and the person who has to pay Zakat will give the substitute from his own property.

1945. A person who is indebted and is unable to repay his debt, can receive Zakat to repay it, even if he has the means to meet his expenses for one year. However, it is necessary that he should not have spent the loan for some sinful purpose.

1946. * If a man gives Zakat to someone who is indebted and who cannot repay his debt, and understands later that he had spent the loan for sinful purpose, if that debtor is poor, the man can adjust the sum as Zakat given to poor.

1947. If a person is indebted and is unable to repay his debt, although he is not poor, the creditor can adjust against Zakat the amount which that person owes him.

1948. If a traveller is stranded because he has no money left with him, or his means of transport does not function, he can receive Zakat, provided that his journey is not for a sinful purpose, and that he cannot reach his destination by taking a loan or by selling something. He can receive Zakat even if he is not poor in his hometown. But if he can raise money for the expenses of his journey to another place nearby, by borrowing money or selling something, he should take only that much of Zakat, which would enable him to reach that place.

1949. * If a stranded traveller takes Zakat, and upon reaching his hometown finds that some of it has remained unspent, he should send it back to the giver of Zakat, and if he cannot do so, he should give it to the Mujtahid mentioning that it is Zakat.
Qualifications of those Entitled to Receive Zakat

1950. * It is necessary that the person to whom Zakat is paid is a Shi'ah Ithna'ashari. If, therefore, one pays Zakat to a person under the impression that he is a Shi'ah, and it transpires later that he is not a Shi'ah, one should pay Zakat again.

1951. If a child or an insane Shi'ah person is poor, a person can give Zakat to his guardian with the intention that whatever he is giving will belong to the child or to the insane person.

1952. If a person has no access to the guardian of the child or of the insane person, he can utilise Zakat for the benefit of the child or of the insane person himself, or through an honest person. And he will do the Niyyat of Zakat, when the money has reached for the purpose.

1953. * Zakat can be given to a poor man who begs, but can not be given to a person who spends it for sinful purpose. In fact, as a precaution, it cannot be given to a poor man who, as a result of receiving, feels encouraged to commit sins, even if he does not spend that sum for sinful purposes. In fact, as a precaution, it cannot be given to a poor man who, as a result of receiving, feels encouraged to commit sins, even if he does not spend that sum for sinful purposes.

1954. * As an obligatory precaution, Zakat cannot be given to a drunkard, or one who does not offer daily prayers, or one who commits major sins openly.

1955. The debt of a person who cannot repay his debt can be paid from Zakat even if his maintenance is obligatory on the one giving Zakat.

1956. A person cannot pay from Zakat the expenses of his dependents, like, his children. But, if he himself fails to maintain them, others may give them from Zakat.

1957. * There is no harm if a person gives Zakat to his deserving son for spending on his wife, servant and maid servant.

1958. Father cannot pay for the religious or secular books required by his son for education, from Zakat money, except when public welfare warrants it, and as a precaution, he has sought the permission of the Mujtahid.

1959. * If a father is not financially capable of getting his son married, he can get him married by spending Zakat, and the son can similarly do so for his father.

1960. * Zakat cannot be given to a wife whose husband provides for her subsistence, nor to one whose husband does not provide for her subsistence, if it is possible for her to refer to Mujtahid who would compel him to provide.

1961. If a woman who has contracted temporary marriage (Mut'ah) is poor, her husband and others can give her Zakat. But if the contract had a condition that the husband would maintain her for her expenses, or if it is obligatory on the husband for some other reason to maintain her, and he fulfils the obligation, Zakat cannot be given to her.

1962. A wife can give Zakat to her husband who may be poor even if the husband may in turn spend that Zakat for her, being his wife.

1963. * A Sayyid cannot take Zakat from a non-Sayyid. However, if Khums and other religious dues are not sufficient to meet the expenses of a Sayyid and he has no alternative, he may take Zakat from a non-Sayyid.

1964. Zakat can be given to a person about whom one is not sure whether he is a Sayyid or not.
Intention of Zakat

1965. * A person should give Zakat with the intention of Qurbat, that is, to comply with the pleasure of Almighty Allah. And he should specify in his Niyyat, whether he is giving the Zakat on his wealth, or Zakatul Fitra. Also, if it is obligatory on him to give Zakat on wheat and barley, and if he wants to pay a sum of money equal to the value of Zakat, he should specify whether he is paying in lieu of wheat or barley.

1966. * If a person becomes liable to pay Zakat on various items, and he gives a part of Zakat without making Niyyat of any of those items, if the thing which he has given is of the same class as any one of those items, it will be reckoned to be Zakat on that very commodity. For instance, if it is obligatory on a person to pay Zakat on 40 sheep and on 15 mithqals of gold, and he gives one sheep as Zakat without any specified Niyyat of either, it will be treated to be Zakat on sheep. But if he gives some silver coins or bank notes, which does not belong to either class, as it is neither sheep nor gold, it is a matter of Ishkal and the Zakat will not be considered as paid.

1967. If a person appoints someone as his representative to give away the Zakat of his property, he should, while handing over Zakat to the representative, make Niyyat that whatever his representative will later give to a poor is Zakat. And it is better that his Niyyat remains constant till Zakat reaches the poor.

1968. * If a person gives Zakat to poor, or to the Mujtahid, without making the Niyyat of Qurbat, it will be accepted as Zakat, although he will have committed a sin for not having the Niyyat of Qurbat.
Miscellaneous Rules of Zakat

1969. As a precaution, when wheat and barley are separated from chaff, and when dates and grapes become dry, their owner should give Zakat to poor or separate it from his wealth. Similarly, Zakat on gold, silver, cow, sheep and camel should be given to poor, or separated from one's wealth after the expiry of eleven months. However, if he awaits a particular poor person, or wishes to give it to a poor with some excelling virtue, he may not separate the Zakat from his wealth.

1970. It is not necessary that after separating Zakat, a person should pay it at once to a deserving person. But, if a deserving person is accessible, then the recommended precaution is that payment of Zakat should not be delayed.

1971. If a person who could deliver Zakat to a deserving person did not give it, and it was lost due to his negligence, he should give its replacement.

1972. * If a person who can deliver Zakat to a deserving person, does not do so, and it is lost without his being careless about it, if he had a good reason for the delay, there is no obligation to make its substitute, like, if he was waiting for a particular poor person, or if he wanted to distribute over many poor people, gradually. But if he had no good reason for the delay, he should give its substitute.

1973. If a person separates Zakat from that wealth on which it had become due, he has the right of disposal over the remaining amount, and if he separates it from his other property, he has the discretion over the entire property.

1974. When a person has separated Zakat from his property, he cannot utilise it and replace it with other payment.

1975. If some profit accrues from the Zakat which a person has set apart - for example, if a sheep which has been ear-marked for Zakat gives birth to a lamb - it belongs to the poor.

1976. If one entitled to Zakat is present when a person separates Zakat from his property, it is better that he should give the Zakat to him, except that he has a person in view who is preferable, for some reason, to receive Zakat.

1977. * If a person trades with the property set apart for Zakat, without obtaining the permission of the Mujtahid, and sustains a loss, he should not deduct anything from Zakat. However, if he makes a profit, he should give it, as an obligatory precaution, to a person entitled to receive Zakat.

1978. If a person gives in advance to poor, with the Niyyat of Zakat while it has not yet become obligatory on him, it cannot be treated as Zakat. But after Zakat becomes obligatory on him, he can calculate it as Zakat, provided that the thing given is not used up, and that the poor continues to be deserving.

1979. If a poor person knows that Zakat has not become obligatory on a particular person, and takes something from him as Zakat, and it is used up or destroyed while it is with him, he is responsible for it. And when Zakat becomes obligatory on the person, if the poor is still deserving, the Zakat payer can adjust the Zakat liability against what he had already given.

1980. If a poor person did not know that Zakat had not become obligatory on a particular person, and he takes something from him as Zakat and it perishes while it is with him (i.e the pauper) he will not be responsible for it, and the person who gives Zakat cannot adjust it against Zakat

1981. It is Mustahab to give Zakat on cows, sheep and camels to those poor who have integrity; and while giving Zakat he should give preference to his deserving relatives over others. Similarly, he should give preference to the learned persons over those who are not learned, and to those who do not beg over those who beg. But, if giving Zakat to a particular poor is better for some other reason, it is Mustahab that Zakat be given to him.

1982. It is better that Zakat is given openly, and Mustahab Sadaqah are given secretly.

1983. * If there are no deserving persons in one's hometown, nor can he spend it for any other purpose prescribed for Zakat, and he does not hope that he will be able to find a deserving person later, he should take Zakat to some other town, and spend it for an appropriate purpose. With the permission of the Mujtahid, he can deduct from Zakat the expenses of taking it to the other town, and he will not be responsible if it is lost.

1984. Even if a deserving person is available in the home town of a person, he can take Zakat to another town. However, he will pay himself the expenses of taking it to the other town, and will be responsible if it is lost, except when he takes it with the directive of the Mujtahid.

1985. The charges for weighing and scaling of wheat, barley, raisins and dates, which a person gives as Zakat, are to be paid by him.

1986. If a person has to pay as Zakat 2 mithqals and 15 grams of silver or more, he should not, as a recommended precaution, give less than 2 mithqals and 15 grams to one poor. Also, if he has to pay something other than silver, like wheat and barley, and its value reaches 2 mithqals and 15 grams of silver he should not, as a recommended precaution, give less than that to one poor.

1987. It is Makrooh for a man to request the deserving person to sell back to him the Zakat which he has received from him. However, if the deserving person wishes to sell the thing which he has received after its price has been agreed, the man who has given him Zakat will have the priority over others.

1988. If a person doubts whether or not he gave the Zakat which had been obligatory on him, and the property on which Zakat was due is also existent, he should give Zakat even if his doubts is with regard to Zakat of earlier years. And if the liable property no more exist, no Zakat is due on it even if the doubt relates to Zakat for the current year.

1989. * A poor man cannot compromise for a quantity less than the quantity of Zakat before having received it, or accept as Zakat something costlier than its actual value. Similarly, the owner cannot give Zakat to a deserving person on a condition that he would return it. However, there is no objection if the deserving poor, after having received the Zakat agrees to return it. For example, a person owes a large sum of Zakat, and because of poverty is unable to pay Zakat, and he repents for not having paid and seeks forgiveness from Allah, the deserving recipient can, of his own pleasure, bestow it back on him after having received it.

1990. * A person cannot purchase the Holy Qur'an or religious books or prayer books from the Zakat property, and dedicate them as WAQF, except when it becomes necessary for public welfare, and for that also, as an obligatory precaution, he must seek permission from the Mujtahid.

1991. A person cannot purchase property with Zakat and bestow it upon his children or upon persons whose maintenance is obligatory on him, so that they spend its income for their expenses.

1992. * A person can spend Zakat to go to Hajj, Ziyarat etc. even if he may not be poor, or draw from Zakat an amount equal to his annual expenses, provided that it is in the interest of the public, and if, as a precaution, he has obtained permission from the Mujtahid.

1993. * If the owner of a property makes a poor man his agent to distribute Zakat of his wealth, and if the poor has a feeling that the intention of the owner was that he himself (i.e. the poor man) should not take anything out of Zakat, he cannot take anything from it for himself. But if he is sure that the owner had no such intention, he can take for himself also.

1994. If a poor man gets camel, cow, sheep, gold and silver as Zakat and if the conditions for Zakat becoming obligatory are fulfilled, he will have to give Zakat on them.

1995. * If two persons are joint owners of a property on which Zakat has become obligatory, and one of then pays Zakat for his share, and thereafter they divide the property, even if he knows that his partner has not paid Zakat on his share, and is not going to pay it afterwards, there is no objection if he exercises the right of discretion over his own share.

1996. * If a person owes Khums or Zakat and also owes Kaffara and Nadhr etc., but he is also indebted and cannot make all these payments, and if the property on which Khums and Zakat has become obligatory has not been used up, he should give Khums and Zakat, and if it has ben used up, the debt, Zakat and Khums will have priority over Kaffarah and Nadhr.

1997. * If a person owes Khums or Zakat and has an obligation of Hajj and is also indebted, and he dies, and his property is not sufficient for all these things, if the property on which Khums and Zakat become obligatory has not ceased to exist, Khums or Zakat should be paid and the balance should be spent on repaying the debt. And if the property on which Khums and Zakat became obligatory has ceased to exist his property should be spent to pay his debt, and if anything remains it should be spent on Hajj. If there is still an excess, then it must be divided between Khums and Zakat.

1998. * If a person is acquiring knowledge and as an alternative he can earn his livelihood, Zakat can be given to him if acquiring that knowledge is obligatory. And if acquiring that knowledge is in the public interest, he can be given Zakat with the permission of the Mujtahid, as a precaution. In the absence of these two circumstances, it is not permissible to give him from Zakat.
Zakat of Fitrah

1999. * At the time of sunset on Eid ul fitr night (i.e. the night preceding Eid day), whoever is adult and sane and is neither unconscious, nor poor, nor the slave of another, he should give, on his own behalf as well as on behalf of all those who are his dependents, about three kilos per head of wheat or barley or dates or raisins or rice or millet etc. It is also sufficient if he pays the price of one of these items in cash. As per obligatory precaution, he should not give from that food which is not staple in his place, even if it be wheat, barley, dates or raisins.

2000. If a person is not in a position to meet his own expenses, as well as those of his family, for a period of one year, and has also no one who can meet these expenses, then he is a poor person, and it is not obligatory on him to pay Zakat of fitrah.

2001. One should pay Fitrah on behalf of all those persons who are treated as his dependents at his house on the nightfall of Eid ul fitr, whether they be young or old, Muslims or non-Muslims; irrespective of whether or not it is obligatory on him to maintain them, and whether they are in his own town or in some other town.

2002. If a person appoints his dependent who is in another town, to pay his own fitrah from his property, and is satisfied that he will pay the fitrah, it will not be necessary for the person to pay that dependent's fitrah.

2003. * It is obligatory to pay the fitrah of a guest who arrives at his house before sunset on Eid ul fitr night, with his consent, and he becomes his temporary dependent .

2004. The fitrah of a guest who arrives at his house on the night of Eid ul fitr before sunset, without his consent, and stays with him for some time, is also, as per obligatory precaution, wajib upon the host. Similarly, if he is forced to maintain someone, his fitrah will also be obligatory upon him.

2005. If a guest arrives after sunset on Eid ul fitr night, and is considered to be dependent upon the master of the house, payment of his fitrah is obligatory on the master of the house, as an obligatory precaution; but otherwise it is not obligatory, even if he may have invited him before sunset and may have broken his fast at his house.

2006. If a person is insane at the time of sunset on the night of Eid ul fitr, and his insanity continues till Zuhr on Eid ul fitr, it is not obligatory on him to pay the fitrah. Otherwise it is necessary for him as an obligatory precaution to give fitrah.

2007. * If a child becomes baligh, or an insane person becomes sane, or a poor person becomes self sufficient during sunset, and satisfies the conditions of fitrah becoming obligatory on him, he should give fitrah.

2008. If it is not obligatory on a person to pay fitrah at the time of sunset on the night of Eid ul fitr, but necessary conditions making fitrah obligatory on him develop before Zuhr on Eid day, the obligatory precaution is that he should pay fitrah.

2009. If a non-Muslim becomes a Muslim after the sunset on the night of Eid ul fitr, it is not obligatory on him to pay fitrah. But if a Muslim who was not a Shi'ah becomes a Shi'ah after sighting the moon, he should pay fitrah.

2010. * It is Mustahab that a person who affords only one sa'a (about 3 kilos) of wheat etc. should also pay fitrah. And if he has family members and wishes to pay their fitrah as well, he can give that one sa'a to one of his family members with the intention of fitrah and that member can give it to another family member, and so on, till the turn of the last person comes; and it is better that the last person gives what he receives to a person who is not one of them. And if one of them is a minor, his guardian can take fitrah on his behalf, and the precaution is the thing taken for the minor should not be given to anyone else.

2011. If one's child is born after the sunset on the night of Eid ul fitr, it is not obligatory to give its fitrah. However, the obligatory precaution is that one should pay the fitrah of all those who are considered one's dependents after sunset, till before the Zuhr of Eid.

2012. * If one who was dependent of a person, and becomes dependent of another before sunset, fitrah is obligatory on the other person whose dependent one has become. For example, if one's daughter goes to her husband's house before sunset, her husband should pay her fitrah.

2013. If the fitrah of a person is obligatory on another person, it is not obligatory on him to give his fitrah himself.

2014. * If it is obligatory on a person to pay the fitrah of another person, but he does not pay it, its payment will be, as an obligatory precaution, obligatory on the latter. So, if all the conditions mentioned in rule 1999 are fulfilled, he must pay his own fitrah.

2015. If it is obligatory on a person to pay the fitrah of another person, his obligation will not end if the latter himself pays his own fitrah.

2016. In the case of a wife who is not maintained by her husband, is she is dependent upon someone else, that person will have to pay her fitrah. But if she is not dependent on anyone else, she will pay her own fitrah if she is not poor.

2017. A person, who is not a Sayyid, cannot give fitra to a Sayyid, and if that Sayyid is his dependent, he cannot give to another Sayyid either.

2018. The fitrah of a child who sucks the milk of its mother or a nurse, is payable by one who bears the expenses of the mother or the nurse. But, if the mother or the nurse is maintained by the property of the child itself, payment of fitrah for the child is not obligatory on any one.

2019. Even if a person maintains the members of his family by haraam means, he should pay their fitrah out of halal property.

2020. * If a person employs someone like a carpenter, or a servant, and agrees to maintain him fully, he should pay his fitrah as well. But if he agrees that he would pay him for his labour, it is not obligatory on him to pay his fitrah.

2021. * If a person dies before sunset on the night of Eid ul fitr, it is not wajib to pay his fitrah or that of his family, from his estate. But if he dies after sunset, it is commonly held that fitrah will be obligatory, but it is not devoid of Ishkal. However, it is better to act on precaution, and pay his fitrah as well as that of his family.
Disposal of Fitra

2022. * As an obligatory precaution Fitrah should be paid to Shiah poor only, who fulfil the conditions mentioned for those who deserve receiving Zakat. But if there is no deserving Shiah in one's hometown, it can be given to other deserving Muslims. But in no circumstances should Fitrah be given to Nasibi - the enemies of Ahlul Bait (A.S)

2023. If a Shiah child is poor, one can spend fitrah on him, or make it his property by entrusting it to its guardian.

2024. * It is not necessary that the poor to whom fitrah is given should be Adil (a just person). But, as an obligatory precaution, fitrah must not be given to a drunkard, or one who does not offer his daily prayers, or commits sins openly.

2025. Fitrah should not be given to a person who spends it on sinful acts.

2026. * The recommended precaution is that a poor person should not be given fitrah which is less than a sa'a (about 3 kilos). However, there is no harm if more than that is given to him.

2027. * When the price of a superior quality of a commodity is double that of the ordinary, like, when the price of a particular kind of wheat is double that of the price of its ordinary kind, it is not sufficient to give half a sa'a of the wheat of superior quality as fitrah. Also, it is not sufficient if the value of half a sa'a is given with the Niyyat of fitrah.

2028. One cannot give as fitrah, half a sa'a of one commodity (eg. wheat) and half a sa'a of another commodity (eg. barley), and if he gives these with the Niyyat of paying the price of fitrah even then it is not sufficient.

2029. * It is Mustahab that while giving Zakat of fitrah, one should give preference to one's poor relatives and neighbours, and then to give preference to the learned persons over others.

2030. * If a man gives fitrah to a person thinking that he is poor, and understands later that he was not poor, and if the property which he gave to him has not ceased to exist, he should take it back from him, and give it to a person who deserves. But if he cannot take it back from him, he should replace it from his own property. And if what he gave as fitrah is used up, and the person who took fitrah knew that he had received fitrah, he should gives its substitute, but if he did not know it, it is not obligatory on him to give substitute, and the man who gave fitrah should give it once again.

2031. * If a person claims to be poor, fitrah cannot be given to him unless one is satisfied with his claim; or, if one knows that the claimant has been poor previously.
Miscellaneous Matters Regarding Fitrah.

2032. * One should give fitrah with the Niyyat of Qurbat, that is, to fulfil the orders of Almighty Allah, and should intend to be giving fitrah at the time of disposal.

2033. * It is not correct to give fitrah before the month of Ramadhan, and it is better that it should not be given even during the month of Ramadhan. However, if a person gives loan to a poor person before Ramadhan, and adjusts the loan against fitrah, when payment of fitrah becomes obligatory, there is no harm in it.

2034. * It is necessary that wheat or any other thing which a person gives as fitrah is not mixed with another commodity or dust, and if it is mixed, but in its pure form it equals a sa'a (about 3 kilos) and the quantity of the thing mixed with it is negligible or usable, there is no harm in it.

2035. If a person gives fitrah from a thing which is inferior or defective, it will not be sufficient.

2036. If a person gives fitrah on behalf of a number of persons, it is not necessary for him to pay all from the same commodity. For example, if he gives wheat as fitrah of some of them of and barley for others, it is sufficient.

2037. If a person offers Eid ul fitr prayers, he should, on the basis of obligatory precaution, give fitrah before Eid prayers. But if he does not offer Eid prayers, he can delay giving fitrah till Zuhr.

2038. If a person sets aside fitrah from his main wealth, and does not give it to a person entitled to receive it till Zuhr of Eid day, he should make Niyyat of fitrah as and when he gives it.

2039. If a person does not give fitrah at the time when its payment becomes obligatory, and does not also set it aside, he should give fitrah later on the basis of precaution, without making the Niyyat of ada or qadha.

2040. If a person sets aside fitrah, he cannot take it for his own use, and replace it with another sum or thing.

2041. If a person possesses wealth whose value is more than fitrah, and if he does not give fitrah but makes a Niyyat that a part of that wealth is for fitrah, it is a matter of Ishkal.

2042. * If the thing set aside for fitrah is lost, he should replace it if a poor person was available, and the fitrah giver delayed giving it, or, he failed to look after it properly. But, if a poor person was not available, and he cared for it properly, he is not responsible to replace it.

2043. If a deserving person is available in the hometown of a person, the obligatory precaution is that he should not transfer the fitrah to some other place, and if he does and it is lost, he should give its replacement.

Living in a World of Fears, Rumours

2009-12-16T21:38:00.000-08:00

An evening of rumours and fear
Thursday, December 17, 2009
By Naimat Haider

Karachi

As the judges in the Supreme Court of Pakistan took their time to announce the verdict on petitions against the National Reconstruction Ordinance (NRO), and by extension, the future of major political and bureaucratic players, rumours and apprehensions spread like fire throughout the evening.

After 4.30 pm, word on the street was that “this is it for President Zardari and his regime.” Shops and markets started closing in Karachi as well as in many parts of interior Sindh, including Hyderabad. “Everyone thought that PPP government was gone. I was at my office at Malir-15 when armed people arrived in the area and ordered the people to close the shops,” said a resident of Malir, Arshad Saleh Baloch. He added that heavy aerial firing was heard in his area and slogans of Jiye Bhutto were raised.

While markets in suburban areas like Malir and Mauripur were forced to close down, allegedly by PPP workers, people in surrounding areas of Saddar closed their shops to reach home at the earliest possible time.

A vendor told The News that his colleagues left the markets early to avoid possible incidents of violence that might break out in case the PPP government was overthrown.

An unusual rush in traffic was witness as well. “I was at the Urdu Bazaar when I received a text message on my phone that the government was being overthrown. Then I noticed everyone was rushing towards local buses. I couldn’t wait for a bus, so I had to go home on a rickshaw,” said a resident of Gulshan Iqbal, Khalil Peer Jan.

Moreover shops were closed and aerial firing was heard in Sachhal Goth, Gulbahar, and New Karachi areas of the city. However Lyari, considered a stronghold of the PPP, was relatively calm though people gathered at tea cafes and waited in front of the television sets for the decision of Supreme Court.

People were also worried about their property, as they said that whenever violence breaks in the city mostly the private property is burnt and destroyed.

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Tension over NRO decision grips city

KARACHI: Many areas of Karachi and other areas of Sindh witnessed citizens panicking due to possible reactions, which might occur after the Supreme Court’s decision against the National Reconciliation Ordinance and due to rumours about President Asif Ali Zardari’s detention. Traders started closing their shops and business, while traffic jams in several areas of the city were also observed. Similar reports were received from Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Larkana and other provincial cities. Law enforcers, including police and Rangers personnel, were put on high alert across the province and were seen patrolling the streets.

In Karachi, majority of the areas, especially the ones dominated by the Pakistan People’s Party, including Manghopir, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Sachal Goth, Baldia Town, Mach Goth, Yousuf Goth, Bara Board, Malir, Patel Para, Jahangir Road, Golimar, Saddar, Clifton, Gulshan-e-Hadeed and Steel Town, where unidentified people resorted to aerial firing, causing massive traffic jams and suspension of routine and commercial life. However, after the Supreme Court’s announcement, the tension was relieved and no reports regarding major incidents were received until the filing of this report. staff report

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MQM activist gunned down: An activist of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement was gunned down and another was wounded in an incident of target killing on Wednesday evening, in front of a mosque at Rafa-e-Aam Society, Malir within the limits of the Al-Falah police station.

The victims sustained bullet wounds and were taken to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre where one died, after being shot by two men on a motorcycle.

“The deceased was Mansoor Sheikh, 32, an activist of the MQM while the wounded person Mohammad Amir was a party supporter,” said police officials. Although the motive is yet to be ascertained the officers termed it an incident of target killing. Following the incident, tension and fear gripped the area and incidents of aerial firing were also reported, suspending the routine and commercial life in the vicinity. However, no case was registered till the filing of this report.

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Biggest bank robbery of Pakistan: Poor footage impeding bank heist investigation

* Shahid Mehmood’s CNIC was used by the mastermind to get hired by the security company

By Faraz Khan

KARACHI: The cameras installed at most banks are of inferior technology and do not provide much help to police in their investigations regarding the country’s biggest bank heist on Sunday, said Capital City Police Officer Waseem Ahmed while talking to Daily Times on Wednesday.

Ahmed said he has written a letter to the secretary of Pakistan Bankers’ Association, requesting him to upgrade the banks’ security systems, especially installing high-tech CCTV cameras to identify robbers easily.

He also said work on the Police Command and Control System would be finalised as soon as possible to benefit the commercial and financial hubs of the city including the II Chundrigar Road.

“It is possible that the four associates aiding the mastermind of the robbery, also worked as security guards in other companies. We are investigating all security companies regarding their employees who have been absent since the robbery occurred,” said an officer involved in the investigation.

“The prime suspect of the robbery had used Shahid Mehmood’s CNIC to get employed by the security company,” added the officer.

The investigators have detained two security guards, Zamir and Emran, who were bound while the robbery took place; Emran’s friend, a dismissed ASI Aqeel Abbas; the bank watchman Riaz; and Shahid Mehmood, a resident of Qayyumabad, who runs a canteen there and as per his recorded statement, his CNIC had been missing since February, which was used by the mastermind behind the robbery.

His claim was verified at the Defence police station by the investigators. “Initial investigation suggests he is not linked with the prime suspect of the bank robbery,” the officer explained.

Meanwhile, police teams dispatched to different cities have returned empty-handed after raids in Dera Ismail Khan, Peshawar and other neighbouring areas.

The CCPO said all town police officers have been directed to verify private security companies located in their respective jurisdictions and take strict action against any company or its guard found guilty, as it was quite likely that Taliban and other militants could work for these companies as security guards.

Chinese firm to work on Pakistani deep sea container terminal

2009-12-16T13:14:00.001-08:00

December 16 2009, Baird Maritime
The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has awarded the China Harbour Engineering Company a US$151.6 million marine protection works contract at the Pakistan Deep Water Container Port. The US$18.9 million container terminal is currently being built and is expected to become operational in 2013.

Harassment across Arab world drives women inside

2009-12-16T08:02:00.000-08:00

Egyptian boys watch passing girls at the Nile bank in Cairo. Sexual harassment of women in Arab streets, schools and work places may be driving more and more women to cover up.
Enlarge image Enlarge By Amr Nabil, AP

CAIRO (AP) — The sexual harassment of women in the streets, schools and work places of the Arab World is driving them to cover up and confine themselves to their homes, said activists at the first-ever regional conference addressing the once taboo topic.

Activists from 17 countries across the region met in Cairo for a two-day conference ending Monday and concluded that harassment was unchecked across the region because laws don't punish it, women don't report it and the authorities ignore it.

The harassment, including groping and verbal abuse, appears to be designed to drive women out of public spaces and seems to happen regardless of what they are wearing, they said.

Amal Madbouli, who wears the conservative face veil or niqab, told The Associated Press that despite her dress, she is harassed and described how a man came after her in the streets of her neighborhood.

"He hissed at me and kept asking me if I wanted to go with him to a quieter area, and to give him my phone number," said Madbouli, a mother of two. "This is a national security issue. I am a mother, and I want to be reassured when my daughters go out on the streets."

Statistics on harassment in the region have until recently been nonexistent, but a series of studies presented at the conference hinted at the widespread nature of the problem.

As many as 90% of Yemeni women say they have been harassed, while in Egypt, out of a sample of 1,000, 83% reported being verbally or physically abused.

A study in Lebanon reported that more than 30% of women said they had been harassed there.

"We are facing a phenomena that is limiting women's right to move ... and is threatening women's participation in all walks of life," said Nehad Abul Komsan, an Egyptian activist who organized the event with funding from the U.N. and the Swedish development agency.

Open discussion of the harassment issue first emerged in Egypt three years ago, after blogs gave broad publicity to amateur videos showing men assaulting women in downtown Cairo during a major Muslim holiday.

The public outcry sparked an unprecedented public acknowledgment of the problem and drove the Egyptian government to consider two draft bills addressing sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment, including verbal and physical assault, has been specifically criminalized in only half a dozen Arab countries. Most of the 22 Arab states only outlaw overtly violent acts like rape, according to a study by Abul Komsan.

Participants at the conference said men are threatened by an increasingly active female labor force, with conservatives laying the blame for harassment on women's dress and behavior.

In Syria, men from traditional homes go shopping in the market place instead of female family members to spare them harassment, said Sherifa Zuhur, a Lebanese-American academic at the conference.

Abul Komsan described how one of the victims of harassment she interviewed told her she had taken on the full-face veil to stave off the hassle.

"She told me 'I have put on the niqab. By God, what more can I do so they leave me alone,"' she said, quoting the woman. Some even said they were reconsidering going to work or school because of the constant harassment in the streets and on public transpiration.

But even in Yemen, where nearly all women are covered from head to toe, activist Amal Basha said 90% of women in a published study she conducted reported harassment, specifically pinching.

"The religious leaders are always blaming the women, making them live in a constant state of fear because out there, someone is following them," she said.

If a harassment case is reported in Yemen, Basha added, traditional leaders interfere to cover it up, remove the evidence or terrorize the victim.

In Saudi Arabia, another country where women cover themselves completely and are nearly totally segregated from men in public life, women report harassment as well, according to Saudi activist Majid al-Eissa.

His organization, the National Family Safety Program, has been helping draft a law criminalizing violence against women in the conservative kingdom, where flirting can often cross the line into outright assault. Discussion of the law begins Tuesday.

"It will take time especially in this part of the world to absorb the gender mixture and the role each gender can play in society," he said. "We are coping with changes (of modern life), except in our minds."

GHQ, CIA threat to democracy, SC told

2009-12-15T11:03:00.000-08:00

* Govt’s attorney claims forces ‘within and outside country’ could derail democratic set up
* SC asks federation to file written statement on concern expressed by lawyer

By Masood Rehman

ISLAMABAD: An attorney for the federal government – Barrister Kamal Azfar – on Monday claimed before a 17-member larger bench of the Supreme Court that the US CIA and General Headquarters pose a threat to the government.

The bench – headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry – directed the federal government to file a written statement on the concern expressed by the lawyer.

When the hearing into petitions against the legality of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) resumed on Monday, the court summoned the government’s attorney for a briefing on his statement filed on Thursday – which said the democratic set up in the country was in danger because of the impending decision on challenges to the NRO.

Derail system: Asked who had instructed him to file the statement suggesting that the court should not derail the democratic system while deciding the NRO cases, Azfar said he had filed the statement on behalf of the Law Ministry.

He then claimed that the CIA and General Headquarters also posed a threat to the democratic system. Azfar said there were “extra-constitutional forces within and outside the country” that could derail the democratic set up.

Asked who had instructed him to express such a concern, he said, “I am making these statements in my personal capacity.”

The court then asked him to file the statement in writing on the Law Ministry’s affidavit.

The chief justice said the law secretary would be summoned for failing to brief the court on necessary details of the case. He said if the court’s decision was feared to trigger a November 3, 2007-like situation, the federation should inform the SC in advance to allow a stay order to be issued.

The chief justice questioned what made Azfar feel democracy would be threatened by the court decision, and said “such allegations will not be tolerated”. He said the court’s decision would not lead to destabilisation.

The court also accepted a petition by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif seeking the restoration of his petition against the NRO, which was earlier dismissed on account of non-prosecution.

The court later adjourned the hearing for today (Tuesday).

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Tuesday, December 15, 2009 Version

Pak army has no desire to take over: Petraeus

* CENTCOM chief says gains in South Waziristan operation quite impressive

ISLAMABAD: The head of US Central Command, General David Petraeus said on Monday he did not believe the Pakistan Army had any desire to endanger the civilian rule.

During his meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani, Petraeus said he did not see any indication of the army taking over the country.

Later, talking to reporters at the US embassy, Petraeus lauded the unity among political leaders against terrorists.

Impressive: He said the performance of the army had been very impressive in the operation against terrorists in Swat and South Waziristan. He also explained the aims and objectives of the new US Afghan policy and said there was “no rush” to exit the country. He said the US had to do more at the Afghan side to help Pakistan’s success achieved so far through military operations.

He denied reports that drone attacks could be extended to Balochistan.

To a question about reconciliation with Taliban, he said the US would work with the low- and mid-level leadership who had denounced violence.

Separately, Petraeus met Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, who said Pakistan was committed to combating terrorism and bringing peace in Afghanistan. app/sajjad malik

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The US and its allies are castigating national leaders and rejecting their ideas albeit proved to be more mature and advanced than their own. Mumar Gheddafi called for the establishment of a single state "Isratine" (Israeli+ Palestine) instead of the American design for a two-state solution which will fail to solve the age-old conflict. Ahmedinejad called for investment in the safe use of nuclear power to generate energy instead of investing on nuclear weapons and waging wars. President Chavez has been calling for a program to help the poor in North and South America. But all these national leaders are being ridiculed mainly because of their opposition to Israeli Nazi-style atrocities against Palestinians. Slowly but surely the Americans are losing ground to above leaders ideas mainly because of being a party to all Israeli crimes. The CIA dirty works, USraeli conspiracies and MOSSAD assassinations have undermined American standing in the world and helped Al-Qaeda in its recruitment program. The mere fact that Al-Qaeda is back in Iraq, active in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, North Africa and Afghanistan, is a clear witness to American failures. America will never be able to win its war on terror while at the same time support Israeli atrocities and violation of international laws and UN Security Council Resolutions. At present, the American war on terror is perceived as a crusade against Islam that should be opposed by all Muslims.And who is better placed than Al-Qaeda to stop the USraeli anti-Islamic crusade.

Bombs kill eight in Baghdad, northern Iraq

2009-12-15T07:49:00.000-08:00

15 Dec 2009 13:21:12 GMT
Source: Reuters
(Adds Mosul church bombings)

BAGHDAD, Dec 15 (Reuters) - At least eight people were killed on Tuesday in a series of car bombs targeting morning commuters in Baghdad's government district and churches in northern Iraq, police said.

In Baghdad, three car bombs hit central Baghdad, where morning traffic was at a standstill as government workers made their way to offices in and around the heavily fortified Green Zone.

Police said the attacks killed four people and wounded 15 others, but Baghdad security spokesman Major General Qassim al-Moussawi said no one had been killed and only four wounded.

There was no immediate explanation for the discrepancy, but casualty figures from police and official sources often differ.

One of the bombs went off in a car park near the Iranian embassy, another near the Foreign Ministry and a third close to a popular restaurant. The blasts set nearby cars ablaze.

Another series of car bombs hit Baghdad last week killing up to 112 people.

Such attacks on apparently secure areas appear aimed at undermining Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's credibility ahead of March 7 elections and raise troubling questions about Iraq's future as U.S. forces prepare to withdraw.

In the northern city of Mosul, where insurgents continue to stage shootings, roadside bombs and kidnappings despite six years of U.S. and Iraqi military campaigns, a series of car bombs killed four people and wounded 40 others.

The initial bomb went off outside an Assyrian church in western Mosul, and the second detonated less than 10 minutes later as people gathered at the initial blast site.

Across the city, a bomb exploded near another church, damaging the church's gates. No one was wounded.

"I heard a powerful blast, which shattered our windows and scattered the furniture, the sofa, and the television. I ran outside with my family and we saw that the explosion had totally destroyed the church's outer wall,"

said Kadhim Hamid, who lives across the street from one of the churches.

The Christian minority in ethnically and religiously diverse Mosul, seen as one of the few remaining strongholds for Sunni Islamist al Qaeda, has been targeted in the past.

"We are peaceful people, but we come under attack sometimes. We are the victim of instability in this province," said one Mosul priest, who asked to go unnamed for fear of attack.

One of those killed in the Mosul church bombing was a seven-day-old baby girl named Teba Saad Jassim, police said. The baby's parents were bringing her home from the hospital and passed by the church just when the bomb exploded. (Writing by Mohammed Abbas and Missy Ryan)

27 Killed, 63 Injured, 10 Buildings Collapsed in 1 Ton Bomb Blast

2009-12-15T06:46:00.000-08:00

The bomb blast left 15 feet deep and 30 feet wide crater at the site of the blast. The blast was so powerful that its bang was heard throughout the city. DPO Crime Range Dr. Rizwan told newsmen that 900 to 1000 kg explosive material was used in the blast.
According to an eye witness, Naeem a white colour car reached the gate of Khosa’s house and exploded with bang.
About ten shops in the market were razed to ground while the house of Zulfiqar Khosa and other houses, mostly Kacha houses, in the surrounding areas of the blast site were damaged.
Soon after the blast, Rescue 1122, and hospital ambulances reached the site and started rescue operation and shifted the injured to DHQ hospital. Emergency was declared in the city’s hospital.
The dead bodies were kept in the eye ward of the DHQ hospital near the emergency ward.
DPO Dr. Rizwan said a committee had been constituted under the supervision of SSP Crime Ranage Chaudhery Liaquat to probe the incident.
27 dead, 50 hurt in DG Khan blast: DIG
Updated at: 1725 PST, Tuesday, December 15, 2009
20 dead, 50 hurt in DG Khan blast: DIG DERA GHAZI KHAN: At least 20 people were killed and 50 other wounded in a bomb blast occurred at the crowded Khosa Market in Dera Ghazi Khan, DIG Mubarak Ali confirmed today.

The house of Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khosa, senior adviser to Punjab’s Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, was also destroyed in the blast. However, luckily, no member of the family was present in the house at the time of blast.

DG Khan commissioner Hasan Iqbal told Geo News the blast took place at the Khosa Market, which is the commercial center of the city. The explosion was so huge that it completely devastated at least 10 shops. While 10 to 12 more shops were slightly damaged.

Following the incident, rescue teams were rushed to the area where relief efforts are under way. The injured were shifted to the government hospital while some were taken to private hospitals also.

Emergency was declared in the civil hospital. However, people are facing multiple problems due to lack of medicines and shortage of paramedical staff.

The commissioner expressed the fear that 20 to 25 people are still buried under the rubble. He further said it was possibly a car blast.

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Blast near Pakistani minister's home, 20 dead
Michael Georgy
ISLAMABAD
Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:52am EST

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A car bomb near the home of a Pakistani provincial government minister killed 20 people on Tuesday, a police official said, in another sign authorities are struggling against Taliban militants bent on grabbing power.

World

Militants who want no Western influence in nuclear-armed Pakistan, which Washington sees as critical in the battle against Islamist hardliners in Afghanistan, have not let up attacks, despite security crackdowns in their strongholds.

The blast took place in the town of Dera Ghazi Khan in a market, the kind of site frequently targeted by militants seeking to inflict maximum casualties.

"It was near a market and several shops have collapsed," said Tariq Gurmani, a resident of the Punjab province town, adding he had seen several wounded people.

The attack was another potent reminder President Asif Ali Zardari's weak civilian government has yet to devise a strategy to defeat militants who want to tightly control society -- with public whippings and executions of those deemed immoral.

"It was a car bomb. About 20 people have been killed and 50 wounded," senior police official Mubarak Ali Athar told reporters.

Militants have killed hundreds of people in bombings since an October clampdown in South Waziristan -- part of what is seen as a global hub for militants -- that authorities said dealt a major blow to the Taliban.

The military has ruled for more than half of Pakistan's 62-year history and no civilian government has ever served out a full term, earning the country the reputation of an unstable state.

The all-powerful army is seen as the institution best able to unite politically turbulent Pakistan during crises, even though military coups have hurt the country's democratic credentials.

BRAZEN ATTACKS BY MILITANTS

But its vulnerability to increasingly daring militants became clear this month when suicide bombers and gunmen killed at least 40 people in an attack on a mosque near army headquarters, 30 minutes from the capital Islamabad.

Pakistan's bloodshed has hurt confidence in an economy in virtual recession. Investors don't expect violence to ease anytime soon and have factored it into trading.

Stocks slid lower on selling toward the end of Tuesday's session after news of the car bomb. The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) benchmark 100-share index ended 0.15 percent lower at 9,266.04.

The United States believes Pakistan's military has no intention of trying to seize power, U.S. Central Command chief General David Petraeus said during a visit to the ally.

In a briefing with Pakistani journalists in Islamabad, Petraeus said Pakistan's military had told him it was not interested in destabilizing the elected civilian government.

"I have seen no indication that (army chief) General Ashfaq Kayani is entertaining such a notion," local newspapers on Tuesday quoted Petraeus as telling reporters at the U.S. ambassador's residence when asked about his meeting with Kayani.

"Whenever we have talked to them they say they are committed to democratically elected civilian government."

Kayani is seen as a professional soldier who has vowed to keep the army out of politics. Zardari, who has been at odds with the military, has called for urgent action to fight the growing threat from the Taliban.

Some militants are fighting the government but others cross into Afghanistan to attack U.S.-led troops from tribal strongholds with forbidding mountain terrain.

Analysts say Pakistan resists pressure to crack down on those types of fighters because it sees them as leverage against the influence of its enemy and fellow nuclear power India in Afghanistan.

Pakistan's APP news agency cited Zardari as saying "extremism and militancy was gnawing society at the core" and the writ of the government must be established "at all costs."

Failure in Afghanistan could seriously damage the presidency of Barack Obama, who is sending 30,000 more troops there.

Pakistan fears there will be dangerous consequences if the United States hastily withdraws from Afghanistan, as it did after the war against Soviet occupation troops ended in 1989, leaving the country to implode into a civil war that eventually saw the Afghan Taliban sweep to power, raising hopes of stability.

(Additional reporting by Zeeshan Haider; Editing by Jerry Norton)

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ڈی جی خان میں بم دھماکہ، چھبیس ہلاک

عبادالحق

بی بی سی اردو ڈاٹ کام، لاہور

بم دھماکے کے زخمی(فائل فوٹو)

دھماکے کے زخمیوں کو مقامی ہسپتالوں میں منتقل کیا گیا

حکام کے مطابق جنوبی پنجاب کے شہر ڈیرہ غازی خان کی کھوسہ مارکیٹ میں ہونے والے ایک بم دھماکے میں کم از کم چھبیس افراد ہلاک اور چھپن زخمی ہوگئے ہیں۔

ڈیرہ غازی خان کے ڈی آئی جی مبارک علی اطہر نے بی بی سی سے بات کرتے ہوئے بتایا ہے کہ یہ دھماکہ کھوسہ مارکیٹ میں وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب میاں شہباز شریف کے سینئر مشیر ذوالفقار علی کھوسہ کی رہائش گاہ کے نزدیک ہوا ہے۔

ان کا کہنا تھا کہ دھماکے میں اب تک چھبیس افراد کی ہلاکت کی تصدیق ہوئی ہے جبکہ چھپن لوگ زخمی ہیں جن میں سے دس سے زائد کی حالت تشویشناک ہے۔ ڈی آئی جی کے مطابق یہ ایک کار بم دھماکہ تھا اور بارود سے بھری گاڑی کو کھوسہ مارکیٹ میں کھڑا کیا گیا تھا۔

انہوں نے کہا کہ دھماکے سے آٹھ دکانیں اور مسجد متاثر ہوئی ہیں۔ اس سے قبل کمشنر ڈیرہ غازی خان حسن اقبال نے میڈیا کو بتایا تھا کہ تباہ ہونے والی دوکانوں کے ملبے تلے بیس سے بائیس کے قریب افراد دبے ہوئے ہیں۔

کمشنر ڈیرہ غازی خان کے مطابق دھماکے کے زخمیوں کو ہسپتال منتقل کر دیا گیا ہے، امدادی سرگرمیاں جاری ہیں اور پولیس نے علاقے کو گھیرے میں لے لیا ہے۔

کھوسہ مارکیٹ شہر کی ایک مصروف سڑک پر قائم ہے جہاں عام دنوں میں لوگوں کا کافی رش ہوتا ہے۔

خیال رہے کہ جنوبی پنجاب کے شہر ڈیرہ غازی خان میں اس پہلے بھی شدت پسندی کے متعدد واقعات رونما ہو چکے ہیں۔ رواں سال فروری میں ایک خودکش بم حملے میں بچوں سمیت چوبیس افراد ہلاک جبکہ پنتالیس کے قریب زخمی ہوگئے تھے

Supreme Leader denounces insult to Imam Khomeini

2009-12-13T09:19:00.000-08:00

Police surrounded the campus of Teheran University on Sunday, trapping hundreds of students protesting what they said were fabricated government images of the burning of a photo of the Islamic Republic's revered founder.
In this photo taken by an...

In this photo taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran, anti-government and pro-reform Iranianstudents hold pictures of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini during a demonstration at the Teheran University campus.
Photo: AP
SLIDESHOW: Israel & Region | World

State television has repeatedly shown images, ostensibly taken during student-led protests on December 7, of unidentified hands burning and tearing up pictures of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. It was a grave and illegal insult against the former leader still widely respected in the country and the elite Revolutionary Guard, the country's most powerful military force, called for the trial and punishment of those responsible.

Video circulated widely on the Internet on the day of last week's protests also showed photos of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad being burned as well as one photo of Khamenei and Khomeini side by side going up in flames. The faces of those burning the pictures could not be seen and loud chants against the government were heard in the background.

Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters, appealed for calm but suggested the opposition was creating a hostile environment.

"Some have converted the election campaign into a campaign against the entire system," he said without naming any opposition leaders. "We call on those who are angry to remain calm."

Students, who led Sunday's protests, contended the images of burning photos were fabricated by government agents as a pretext for further crackdowns on the opposition.

Tens of thousands of students protested last Tuesday on campuses in the capital Tehran and other parts of the country, the largest anti-government rallies in months. There were also a number of demonstrations outside of campuses.

Many protesters shouted slogans against Khamenei and Ahmadinejad and chanted "Death to the Dictator."

Tens of thousands of hard-line clerics rallied in cities across the country on Saturday to denounce those who burned photos of Khamenei, the second straight day of protests by angry government supporters.

Khomeini, who led the 1979 Islamic Revolution, is revered by both the opposition and the ruling system. But Khamenei is a much more divisive figure, seen by the opposition as an dictator who rules with an iron fist.

During last week's rallies, protesters shouted "Death to the oppressor, whether it's the shah or the leader!" - making a daring comparison between Khamenei and the pro-US shah, despised in Iran since his overthrow.

Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, Iran's powerful prime minister in the 80s, was strongly supported by Khomeini against Khamenei, Iran's then-president. When massive street demonstrations erupted over June's disputed presidential election, the opposition led by Mousavi borrowed tactics from Khomenei's Islamic Revolution, such as shouting "Allahu Akbar" from the rooftops of Tehran in a nightly protest.

Mousavi has said his supporters love Khomeini and would not take actions that insulted him. The opposition contends the fabricatedimages are being used by the regime to discredit the pro-reform movement.

Khamenei warned opposition leaders to stay away from protesters.

"Why don't they learn when leaders of oppression and arrogance, the US, France and Britain, support them," state TV quoted Khamenei as saying. "Open your eyes and stay away,"

he said.

Hundreds of pro-reform students protested against the government on the campus of Teheran University Sunday, denying the accusations they had any connection with the images. Dozens of police surrounded the campus.

The Revolutionary Guard called for the legal action against those who burned the photos of Khomenei.

"The Revolutionary Guard ... won't tolerate any silence or hesitation in the immediate identification, trial and punishment of those carrying out this ugly insult and the agents behind them," it said in a statement posted on its Web site.

Under the law, insults to the late or current supreme leader can lead to two years of prison.

The Guard, which is tasked with defending the clerical regime that came to power in Iran in 1979 under Khomeini's leadership after the pro-US shah was overthrown, was at the forefront of crushing the post-election unrest.

Reformists contend that Ahmadinejad was re-elected in June by massive vote fraud that set off huge street protests. The protests evolved into a broader confrontation against the country's ruling theocracy, but eventually died down in the face of a harsh crackdown by security forces stifled the street demonstrations.

Tehran, Dec 13, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Sunday that certain individuals, through law-breaking attitudes, tried to encourage people to act against the Islamic Republic system.
Talking to a group of preachers, the Supreme Leader reiterated that such a law-breaking approach resulted in insult to the Father of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini by the "disappointed enemy".

Ayatollah Khamenei called on the angry people to be calm towards those who have insulted the late Imam Khomeini, adding they are people with no roots.

”Enemies try to make sedition in the society and we should exercise vigilance and farsightedness in dealing with such phenomenon.”

Some law-breakers try to incite people to fight with the Islamic system which led to insult to the image of the late Imam Khomeini, pointed out Ayatollah Khamenei.

The Supreme Leader thanked the wise presence of people from all walks of life in condemning the move.

"There is no doubt that the path which was founded by a man of God can not be destroyed by such groups," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Supreme Leader said that after the county’s presidential elections some law breakers created unrest and in front of the eyes of university students who love Imam Khomeini, they insulted him and his path.

"After such grave mistake they try to bring various excuses to justify their wrongdoings."

The true lovers of Islam, late Imam and the Islamic Revolution feel ashamed of such heinous practice but certain guys remained indifferent, said Ayatollah Khamenei.

"When the heads of global arrogance such as the US, France and Britain who back such moves and in the meantime the corrupt people as monarchists and communists back such move, these guys should understand the reality and change their wrong path."

My former brothers who owe their reputation to the Islamic Revolution should distinguish good from bad and to find out why the enemies of the Islamic Revolution and late Imam welcome their measures and hoist their pictures and make happy gesture for them, said the Supreme Leader.

"The presidential elections in Iran was completely legal and the case is now regarded as finished."

Those who have found courage to stand against the Islamic Revolution are regarded as “zero” and should know that the Islamic system is a divine phenomenon and those who seek to confront it will be punished severely, underlined the Supreme Leader.

He advised the people to remain calm and know that those who wish to stand against the Iranian nation are rootless and have no faith.

The Supreme Leader said that officials and countrymen should act based on their duties but the university students should identify those corrupt elements to deal with.

"Enemies of the Iranian nation and the Islamic Revolution are like “bulb on waters” which will be destroyed but the Islamic Revolution will last for ever."

1430**1416

Pakistan aid package set to focus on water, power

2009-12-13T06:35:00.000-08:00

13 Dec 2009 14:19:39 GMT
Source: Reuters
* Electricity and water projects a priority in new aid

* State Department promises strict controls for funds

* Experts question whether money will be well spent

By Sue Pleming

WASHINGTON, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Electricity and water projects will be an early priority for nearly $1.5 billion a year in new U.S. nonmilitary aid for Pakistan expected to be passed by the Senate on Sunday, senior U.S. officials said.

The aid is included in a $7.5 billion, five-year package proposed by President Barack Obama as one tool to combat extremism in Pakistan. He has called the region the "epicenter" of violence and Pakistan is seen as critical to U.S. efforts to fight the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan.

The aid, which some critics in Pakistan see as infringing on the country's sovereignty, is expected to be passed by the Senate in a larger spending bill on Sunday. The House of Representatives passed a similar bill last week.

The funds will be handled differently from previous U.S. civilian aid to Pakistan, with most of it channeled via government and local groups rather than U.S. contractors and humanitarian bodies. That shift has raised concerns among U.S. lawmakers who fear taxpayer dollars may be lost to corruption.

Congress has pushed for strict safeguards for the money and the State Department is due to file a report on Monday to key committees on Capitol Hill, outlining how the aid will be spent and detailing controls to curb wastage.

"There are no blank checks being handed out," said a senior U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "The strategy is to work more through Pakistani organizations and try to support the Pakistani government's efforts to deliver services to its people."

The official said Pakistani and international auditors had been sent into about 50 Pakistani government offices, civil society groups and other bodies to conduct "pre-award audits", checking that personnel systems, book-keeping and other controls were in place before they could apply for U.S. aid.

CAUTION OVER NEW APPROACH

Several Pakistan experts voiced strong caution over the new approach, pointing to the fragile civilian government.

"The Obama administration must recognize the pitfalls of working primarily through a civil bureaucracy, which is as averse to democratic reform as its military counterpart," Samina Ahmed of the International Crisis Group told Congress last week at a hearing to discuss the aid program.

There are also worries about whether the U.S. government's development agency, USAID, can cope with the new aid program.

"Serious concerns remain regarding the ability of USAID and the State Department to effectively and efficiently manage and account for such a massive increase in assistance,"

said Massachusetts Representative John Tierney.

However a senior Obama administration official said there were plans over the next year to double the number of USAID workers in Pakistan from the current 80 people and to do the same with local staff too.

In addition, USAID intends to open new offices in Lahore and Karachi to provide broader oversight on the aid.

The exact mix of aid projects is still under discussion but final decisions are expected soon, said one senior official.

Pakistan suffers from rolling power blackouts and a priority will be on boosting electricity and water supplies, with a particular focus on the dilapidated canal system.

Other programs will include health and education as well as improving local and provincial governance and rule of law.

The Obama administration hopes giving more control to local NGOs and provincial and government offices over the money, will build up local capacity while easing anti-U.S. sentiment.

"We seek not to impose our preferences on Pakistan, override the government's judgments or subvert the people's will. Instead, we want to create an enduring partnership based on mutual respect and shared responsibility," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said a dinner of the American Pakistan Foundation on Friday. "We come as a partner, not a patron."

When the aid was first announced, it was broadly criticized in Pakistan by the media as well as the military, which complained too many conditions were attached to the funds and that it compromised the country's sovereignty.

When the money starts trickling in over the coming months, U.S. officials hope that anger will have subsided and the new funds will start to mend a decades-long trust deficit.

"It would be disappointing if there were a lot of ire around a program that is meant to support Pakistani priorities, working in partnership with Pakistan," said one U.S. official. (Editing by Chris Wilson)

The Siddis of Junagadh & Karachi

2009-12-13T05:32:00.000-08:00

Obama's Step Brother
This is part of my Mahim Police Sandal procession,the Mahim police pays the tribute to their patron Saint Makhdoom Shah Baba al Mahimi..the first salute and salami is done by the Mahim police than the Urus commences so to speak..

The Siddis will perform at the procession , I did not shoot their performance as I had hurt my barefeet and aborted the shoot .

The Siddis are Indians of African descent settled in Junagadh and other parts of Gujrat including Mumbai.They speak Gujrati with an African dialect.

About the Siddis

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddi

The Siddi, Siddhi, or Sheedi (Urdu: شیدی ; Hindi: सिद्दी or शीदि; Gujarati: સિદ્દી) are an Indian ethnic group of Black African descent. The Siddi population is currently estimated to be 20,000-55,000, with Gujarat state of India being the main population center.[1][2] Siddis are mainly Sufi Muslims, although some are Hindus and some Roman Catholic Christians.[3]

There are conflicting hypotheses on the origin of the name Siddi. One theory is that the word was a term of respect in North Africa, similar to the word Sahib in modern India and Pakistan.[2] Another holds that it is a degeneration of the word Sayyid or Sayyadi, which is used for descendants of Prophet Muhammad.[2] A third theory is that the term Siddi is derived from the title borne by the captains of the Arab vessels that first delivered Siddi slaves to India. These captains were known as Sayyid (again, signifying the lineage of Prophet Muhammad), so their black captives were named after them.[4]

Similarly, another term for Siddis, habshi (from Al-Habsh, the Arabic term for Abyssinia), is held to be derived from the common name for the captains of the Ethiopian/Abyssinian ships that also first delivered Siddi slaves to the subcontinent.[4] The term eventually came to be applied to other Africans as well, and referred not only to emancipated Siddis but to their descendants too.[5]

Siddis are also sometimes referred to as Afro-Indians.[6][7][8] Siddis were referred to as Zanj by Arabs, and Seng Chi (a malapropism of Zanj) by the Chinese.[9][10][11]

The first Siddis are thought to have arrived in the Indian subcontinent in 628CE at the Bharuch port. Several others followed with the first Arab Islamic invasions of the subcontinent in 712CE.[13] The latter group are believed to have been soldiers with Muhammad bin Qasim's Arab army, and were called Zanjis.

Most Siddis, however, are believed to be the descendants of slaves, sailors, servants and merchants from the Bantu-speaking parts of East Africa who arrived and became resident in the subcontinent during the 1200-1900CE period.[14] A large influx of Siddis to the region occurred in the 17th century when Portuguese slave traders sold a number of them to local princes.[2]

In Western India (the modern Indian states of Gujarat and Maharashtra), the Siddi gained a reputation for physical strength and loyalty, and were sought out as mercenaries by local rulers, and as domestic servants and farm labor.[2] Some Siddis escaped slavery to establish communities in forested areas, and some even established small Siddi principalities on Janjira Island and at Jaffrabad as early as the twelfth century. A former alternative name of Janjira was Habshan (i.e., land of the Habshis). In the Delhi Sultanate period prior to the rise of the Mughals in India, Jamal-ud-Din Yaqut was a prominent Siddi slave-turned-nobleman who was a close confidant of Razia Sultana (1205-1240CE). Although this is disputed, he may also have been her lover.[15]

As a power center, Siddis were sometimes allied with the Mughal Empire in its power-struggle with the Maratha Confederacy.[2] However, Malik Ambar, a prominent Siddi figure in Indian history at large, is sometimes regarded as the "military guru of the Marathas," and was deeply allied with them.[16] He established the town of Khirki which later became the modern city of Aurangabad, and helped establish the Marathas as a major force in the Deccan. Later, the Marathas adapted Siddi guerrilla warfare tactics to grow their power and ultimately demolish the Mughal empire.[16]

Some accounts describe the Mughal emperor Jahangir as obsessed by Ambar due to the Mughal empire's consistent failures in crushing him and his Maratha cavalry, describing him derogatorily as "the black faced" and "the ill-starred" in the royal chronicles and even having a painting commissioned that showed Jahangir killing Ambar, a fantasy which was never realized in reality.[17]

Some Indian Siddis are descended from Tanzanians and Mozambicans brought by the Portuguese.
[edit] Siddis of Gujarat
Siddi Folk Dancers, at Devaliya Naka, Sasan Gir, Gujarat.

Presented as slaves by the Portuguese to the local Prince, Nawab of Junagadh, the Siddis also live around Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, the last refuge in the world of the almost extinct Asiatic Lions, in Junagadh a district of the state of Gujarat, India.

On the way to Deva-dungar is the quaint village of Sirvan, inhabited entirely by Siddis, a tribe of African people. They were brought 300 years ago from Africa, by the Portuguese for the Nawab of Junagadh. Today, they follow very few of their original customs, with a few exceptions like the traditional Dhamal dance.[18]

Although Gujarati Siddis have adopted the language and many customs of their surrounding populations, some African traditions have been preserved. These include the Goma music and dance form, which is sometimes called Dhamaal (Gujarati: ધમાલ, fun).[19] The term is believed to be derived from the Ngoma drumming and dance forms of East Africa.[19] The Goma also has a spiritual significance and, at the climax of the dance, some dancers are believed to be vehicles for the presence of Siddi saints of the past.[20]

In Pakistan, locals of Black African descent are called "Makrani", "Sheedi" or "Habshi". They live primarily along the Makran Coast in Balochistan (see also Makrani), and lower Sindh. In the city of Karachi, the main Sheedi centre is the area of Lyari and other nearby coastal areas. Technically, the Sheedi are a brotherhood or community distinct from the other Afro-Pakistanis. The Sheedis are divided into four clans, or houses: Kharadar Makan, Hyderabad Makan, Lassi Makan and Belaro Makan.[21] The sufi saint Pir Mangho is regarded by many as the patron saint of the Sheedis, and the annual Sheedi Mela festival, is the key event in the Sheedi community's cultural calendar[22]. It features songs and dance clearly derived from Africa.[23][24]

Linguistically, Makranis are Balochi or Sindhi and speak a dialect of Urdu referred to as Makrani.

Famous Sheedis include the historic Sindhi army leader Hoshu Sheedi[25] and Urdu poet Noon Meem Danish[26][27]. Sheedis are also well known for their excellence in sports, especially in football and boxing. The musical anthem of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party, "Bija Teer", is a Balochi song in the musical style of the Sheedis with Black African style rhythm and drums[2]. Younis Jani is a popular Sheedi singer famous for singing an Urdu version of the reggaeton song Papi chulo... (te traigo el mmmm...)[3].
[edit] Films

* 2003 - From Africa...To Indian Subcontinent: Sidi Music in the Indian Ocean Diaspora. By Amy Catlin-Jairazbhoy, in close collaboration with Nazir Ali Jairazbhoy and the Sidi community. DVD-R. ISBN 1880519291.

* 1983- Razia Sultan , an indian urdu film directed by Kamal Amrohi , is about The film is based on the life of Razia Sultan (played by Hema Malini) (1205-1240), the only female Sultan of Delhi (1236-1240) and her speculated love affair with the Abyssinian slave Jamal-ud-Din Yakut (played by Dharmendra, he was reffered to in the movie as a habshee.

* 1999 - Mon petit diable (My Little Devil). Directed by Gopi Desai. Om Puri, Pooja Batra, Rushabh Patni, Satyajit Sharma.

[edit] See also

* Zanj
* Afro-Asian
* List of Scheduled Tribes in India
* Murud-Janjira
* Siddhis of Karnataka
* Malunga
* Black Indians (the Americas)
* Chaush
* Makrani
* African Pakistani

Miss Gibraltar wins Miss World as 'Combat Barbie' limps out

2009-12-12T15:34:00.000-08:00

Miss Gibraltar, Kaiane Aldorino, won the Miss World competition in South Africa on Saturday, after seeing off early favourite Miss Puerto Rico and England's entrant, a soldier nicknamed "Combat Barbie".

Published: 7:32PM GMT 12 Dec 2009
Miss Gibraltar wins Miss World 2009
Miss Gibraltar, Kaiane Aldorino, is crowned Miss World 2009 at the finals pageant in Johannesburg. Photo: EPA

Miss Aldorino, 22, said she "had no words" to describe her feelings following her win at a glitzy awards ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa. However she did manage to say she was "really happy".

Miss England, otherwise known as Lance Corporal Katrina Hodge, 22, a soldier in the Royal Anglian Regiment, failed to make it through in the sports heat after spraining her ankle during training.

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"I'm sad to say none of us UK girls made it through to the final round, but I never expected to even be here," she said.

"There are a few tears here backstage and some of the girls are not talking to anyone."

L/Cpl Hodge was drafted in to compete in the contest last month after the original Miss England winner Rachel Christie relinquished her title following her arrest over an alleged nightclub brawl.

But the soldier was magnanimous in defeat, praising Miss Aldorino.

She said: "I was so proud to represent England in Miss World in front of two billion viewers; I'm chuffed to bits for Miss Gibraltar, the winner.

"She is a real natural beauty who wasn't expecting to win at all."

She added:

"I've enjoyed every minute of it and looking forward to my six months' reign as Miss England when I get back, as I want to use my title to promote the British Army. Well done Gibraltar!"

Also taking part in the finals in Johannesburg were Miss Scotland - Katharine Brown, Miss Wales - Lucy Whitehouse, and Miss Ireland - Laura Patterson.

L/Cpl Hodge, who was first runner-up in the 2009 national contest, was promoted after Miss Christie, 21, stepped down as she wanted to concentrate on clearing her name, the Miss England organisers said.

She was given five weeks' leave from her duties to represent England in South Africa.

Since arriving in Johannesburg she reached the last 20 in the Miss World talent round in the run-up to the final but then suffered the injury.

She explained: "I was so disappointed not to make the final in the sports round as it involved an assault course - I saw that round as my best chance, being a soldier."

After being named Miss England, L/Cpl Hodge told how she hoped her role as an all-action beauty queen would be positive for young people who only saw digitally enhanced models in the media.

She has already served in Iraq but said she was hoping to join comrades on the frontline in Afghanistan after stepping down as Miss England in July next year.

The soldier, whose parents live in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, added: "We are taught in training that we are first and foremost a soldier.

"When I am a soldier I have my hair scraped back and no make-up."

She was given an award by her unit in the Royal Anglian Regiment for her actions during a posting in Basra and has earned the nickname "Combat Barbie" L/Cpl Hodge.

First runner-up was Miss Mexico, Perla Beltran Acosta, while Miss South Africa, Tatum Keshwar, was the second runner-up.

Five facts about NATO commander Stanley McChrystal

2009-12-08T01:28:00.000-08:00

Tue Dec 8, 2009 1:17am EST
Factbox

* Five facts about U.S. envoy to Kabul, Karl Eikenberry
1:17am EST

Related News

* Q+A: Understanding Obama's Afghan strategy
1:11am EST
* McChrystal tells Afghans U.S. not leaving yet
Thu, Dec 3 2009
* McChrystal upbeat on revamped Afghan strategy
Wed, Dec 2 2009
* Obama's escalation challenges U.S. military
Wed, Dec 2 2009

(Reuters) - The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, Stanley McChrystal, testifies to Congress starting on Tuesday about the way ahead in Afghanistan following a decision to send in 30,000 additional U.S. forces.

Here are five facts about McChrystal:

* Stanley McChrystal, a four-star general, took over command of U.S. and NATO forces in June and in August issued a bleak assessment of Afghanistan, warning that the mission would fail without new troops. That classified assessment was leaked to the media in September.

* McChrystal was formerly chief of the U.S. military's Joint Special Operations Command, the most elite and secretive branch of its special forces. It consists of the Army Delta Force and Navy Seal units tasked with hunting down "high value targets" in Iraq and Afghanistan. Targets included Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, an Iraqi insurgency leader killed in a 2006 U.S. air strike.

* McChrystal, who comes from a military family, is described as a workaholic who sleeps just four or five hours a night, eats infrequently and is avid reader and runner.

* He graduated in 1976 from the U.S. military academy at West Point, where President Barack Obama announced his decision to deploy more forces. McChrystal met Obama on Air Force One in Copenhagen in October for their first face-to-face talks since presenting his grim assessment.

* McChrystal was linked to a scandal over a posthumous Silver Star awarded to famous American football player Pat Tillman, whose death by friendly fire in Afghanistan was initially portrayed as death by enemy fire. An investigation cleared McChrystal, who approved the medal, of any wrongdoing.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart in Washington; Editing by Chris Wilson)

TOLL IN BOMBINGS IN BAGHDAD RISES TO AT LEAST 130 KILLED, 600 WOU

2009-12-08T00:55:00.001-08:00

December 08, 2009
Booldy Wed. Bloody Sun. Bloody Tues. Bloody ???

Today was one more deadly day in Iraq. Five suicide car bombs claimed the lives of more than 130 innocent Iraqis. People did nothing wrong but being at the wrong place at the wrong time. As we Muslims say, its their destiny which took them there where they lived their last moments, the moments before their bodies turn into small parts flying in the air because of the birds of death sent by some human brutes. Those who were lucky were wounded but still alive. The news talk about more than 400 people wounded and I am sure dozens of them lost some of their organs but they will accept that because at least they are alive. Others who were luckier survived but they will live for a while with the image of death dancing in their minds and dreams. It is not nice dancing in any way.

Our politician again competed in showing their regret and sorrow for the great loss. Statements of condolence were issued by many parties and officials but will these statements bring those who died back to life? Our unique parliament gathered (of course not all of it and never dream about it) and they started accusing what they call (Parties or Sides) they did not want to name. Of course, Baath party was always present. It was accused to ally with Qaeda to plan and implement these attacks. Of course they did not forget to give a name to the day. They called it the bloody Tuesday. Now we have the Bloody Sunday, the Bloody Tuesday and the Bloody Wednesday. People almost forgot that we already had a Bloody Friday when many mosques were attacks and so many innocent people died. I am afraid that with such weak security procedures we would have more bloody days and our politicians would not find names.

Within two or three days, our politicians will forget the victims of the Bloody Tuesday because they will be busy with the election campaign. They will give promises to control the security situation, to provide jobs and to improve life and services in Iraq. These promises will evaporate the moment they become lawmakers and all they think about will be their personal interests. All they are going to give us more names for more bad days in our BLOODY LIFE in our BLOODY IRAQ.

Rest In Peace Our Dear Brothers. You Will Be Always In Our Hearts and Minds.

08 Dec 2009 08:49:41 GMT
Source: Reuters
TOLL IN BOMBINGS IN BAGHDAD RISES TO AT LEAST 112 KILLED, 105 WOUNDED - IRAQI POLICE

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - At least 112 people were killed and 105 wounded when four or more large car bombs shook Baghdad on Tuesday, the latest high-profile blasts apparently aimed at sensitive Iraqi government buildings, police said.

World

The explosions rattled buildings across the capital, and undermined a fragile sense of security ahead of an auction of oilfield contracts this weekend, when executives from top oil firms will fly into town, and before an election next year.

Three people died and five were wounded in a first blast in a southern Baghdad suburb, police said.

Others were killed and wounded in at least three successive explosions in the city center half an hour later, police said.

"Civilians and security personnel have definitely been killed. We all announce more details as we have them," Baghdad security spokesman Major General Qassim al-Moussawi told Reuters.

Some police sources said there had been five explosions, two near judicial buildings, one near a university, another near in a central Baghdad commercial district and the earlier one in the south. Smoke billowed from at least two sites.

The blasts are the first large, high-profile explosions in Baghdad since October 25, when two massive truck bombs killed 155 people at the justice ministry and Baghdad governorate headquarters.

A smaller blast, which some police officials said might have involved the accidental explosion of a hidden stockpile of munitions, killed seven children at a school in the Shi'ite slum of Sadr City on Monday.

The major bomb attacks in the heart of the Iraqi capital in October and a similar earlier attack in August marked a change of tactics for Iraq's stubborn insurgency.

Rather than stage frequent smaller-scale attacks against soft targets like marketplaces or mosques, insurgent groups like al Qaeda now appear to be aiming for spectacular and less frequent strikes against heavily defended government targets.

Overall violence triggered by the 2003 U.S.-led invasion has fallen dramatically. The health ministry in November reported the lowest monthly death toll of Iraqi civilians in 6-1/2 years.

(Writing by Mohammed Abbas: Editing by Michael Christie)

-----

Car bombs rock Iraqi capital, 112 killed
08 Dec 2009 13:02:36 GMT
Source: Reuters
* Some car bombs detonated by suicide bombers

* Targets were government sites in heart of Iraqi capital

* Large-scale attacks mark change of tactics by insurgents

By Suadad al-Salhy

BAGHDAD, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Car bombs killed at least 112 people in Baghdad on Tuesday, police said, leaving pools of blood, charred buses and scattered body parts in a brutal reminder of the threat from Iraq's stubborn insurgency.

The blasts, most detonated by suicide bombers, ripped through crowded areas close to government buildings, which should have been under tight security after previous devastating attacks in the capital in recent months.

The bombings undermine Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's claims to have brought security to the country before a national election now scheduled for March 6, and could rattle foreign oil chiefs due in Iraq this weekend for a major contract auction.

"We had entered a shop seconds before the blast, the ceiling caved in on us, and we lost consciousness. Then I heard screams and sirens all around," said Mohammed Abdul Ridha, one of the 425 wounded in the series of at least four blasts.

Baghdad security spokesman Major General Qassim al-Moussawi gave a lower death toll of 63. It was not possible to explain the discrepancy with the numbers provided by police sources. The Health Ministry said it was difficult to determine the exact number because many bodies had been blown to pieces.

Smoke billowed and sirens wailed as emergency workers removed the dead in black body bags. Pools of blood had formed next to burnt-out minibuses, police vehicles and dozens of crumpled cars at one bomb site, the blast leaving a huge crater.

"What these gangs are doing are criminal acts which express their bankruptcy and disappointment ... after what the Iraqi people and its political powers have achieved,"

Vice President Adel Abdul-Mahdi said in a statement.

Analysts said the attacks, similar to spectacular bombings in the Iraqi capital in October and August, were meant to shake faith in Iraq's Shi'ite Muslim-led government.

The earlier blasts were blamed on Sunni Islamist insurgents and members of Saddam Hussein's outlawed Baath party.

"It's the same style and the same vital targets. There is one political motive -- to show that the government has failed to provide security," said analyst Hazim al-Nuaimi.

OIL AUCTION STILL ON

In one attack, a suicide bomber blew up his vehicle in the car park of a courthouse, after getting through a checkpoint, police said.

Another blast, this time a parked car bomb and not a suicide bomber, struck a temporary building used by the Finance Ministry after its main premises were devastated in the August bombing.

A third bomber blew himself and his car up near a training centre for judges.

The first blast of the day struck a police checkpoint in south Baghdad about 30 minutes before the other three. It, too, was a suicide bomber in a car packed with explosives.

Iraq's Oil Ministry said it would not cancel the planned tender of oilfield development contracts on Dec. 11 and 12, which executives from the world's main oil companies are due to attend. The deals are seen as crucial to Iraq's efforts to raise the cash required to rebuild after years of war and destruction.

NEW INSURGENT TACTIC

Overall violence in Iraq has fallen sharply in the last two years, and November's monthly civilian death toll was the lowest since the 2003 U.S. invasion.

But Iraq's security forces, now largely working alone after U.S. troops pulled out of urban centres in June, have struggled to prevent major attacks that experts say require strong intelligence-gathering to prevent.

A handful of U.S. soldiers were at the scene of one blast site, collecting evidence, while Iraqi police looked on.

Tuesday's attacks were the worst in Baghdad since Oct. 25, when two massive truck bombs killed 155 people at the Justice Ministry and the offices of the governor of Baghdad.

After each attack, the government ordered tighter security and Maliki promised the culprits would be captured.

The bombings mark a change of tactics for Sunni Islamist insurgent groups such as al Qaeda. Rather than frequent, smaller-scale attacks against soft targets such as markets, they now appear to be aiming for spectacular and less frequent strikes against state targets. (Writing by Mohammed Abbas, additional reporting by Ayla Jean Yackley, Aseel Kami and Ahmed Rasheed; Editing by Michael Christie and Mark Trevelyan)

---------------

Iraqi PM asks for patience after Baghdad bombings
AP

Mohammed Saad, 18, warms up on a small fire as he stands in front of his destroyed house in Baghdad, …

By CHELSEA J. CARTER, Associated Press Writer Chelsea J. Carter, Associated Press Writer – 27 mins ago

BAGHDAD – The prime minister appealed Wednesday to Iraqis to stand by their security forces, even as angry lawmakers demanded answers and called on top officials to resign following the third massive attack against government sites since summer.

Nouri al-Maliki was expected to attend a special parliamentary session Thursday where lawmakers have demanded his interior and defense ministers appear to answer questions on how bombers once again found holes in security in heavily guarded central Baghdad, according to the parliament speaker's spokesman.

But al-Maliki appeared ready to make some changes. State-run Iraqiya TV reported he ordered a shake-up at the top of Baghdad security — moving the deputy chief, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Hashim Ouda, to the top spot. The current commander, veteran military leader Lt. Gen. Abboud Qanbar, will take Ouda's post, the announcement said.

The shuffle, however, doesn't come close to the wholesale purges demanded by some lawmakers and other critics.

Al-Maliki asked Iraqis for patience and warned against fomenting political divisions following Tuesday's string of suicide bombings that killed at least 127 people and wounded over 500 in the Iraqi capital.

"I call on the Iraqi people for more patience and steadfastness," he said Wednesday in a televised address.

The deadly bombings raised tough questions for al-Maliki about the abilities of Iraq's security forces ahead of next year's withdrawal of U.S. combat troops. The U.S. military has warned of a possible rise in violence ahead of the March 7 parliamentary elections.

Ayad al-Samarrie, the parliament speaker, called on the interior and defense ministers, the commander of Baghdad military operations and other security officials to appear before the special session, said Omar al-Mashhadani, the speaker's spokesman.

Top security officials have been called twice before — and failed to show up — to answer questions in parliament about security lapses, after suicide bombers in August and October killed hundreds in attacks on other government buildings.

This time, Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani agreed to attend the session under one condition — that it not be held behind closed doors, according to a statement released by his office. It was not immediately clear whether his demand was met or whether other officials would attend.

The prime minister has so far not sacked any of this top security advisers, but there have been growing calls for resignations following the most recent attacks. Al-Maliki has been running for re-election on a platform of improved security, and any perceived security failures could cost him as well as his political party at the polls.

During the address on state television, al-Maliki said Iraq's security strategies would be reviewed and possible personnel changes made. He, however, stopped short of saying whether any top officials would be held responsible for security lapses or whether he would be shuffling his security advisers.

The U.S. military has said it will keep the bulk of its 120,000 troops in place in Iraq until after the election.

Abbas al-Bayati, the head of parliament's defense committee, said Iraq must have an emergency plan to deal with any violence ahead of the elections.

"The Iraqi people need convincing answers from the security commanders," al-Bayati told state television. "If the security falls apart, then everything will collapse."

There have been no claims of responsibility for the latest attacks, though Iraq has claimed al-Qaida and loyalists of Saddam Hussein's Baath party were behind the August and October as well as the most recent bombings.

Al-Maliki appeared to demand that Syria must do more to stop senior Baath Party officials living on its territory from plotting attacks against Iraq. The prime minister has in the past accused Syria of harboring senior Baathists who masterminded attacks in Iraq. Syria denies the charges.

"I demand of the international community and all countries, including neighboring countries, who condemn the attacks to turn their words into actions and support the Iraqi people and the Iraqi government by confronting terrorism," al-Maliki said.

However, Baath Party spokesman Khudair al-Murshidi denied that Baathists were behind the attacks, which he condemned in comments to Al-Jazeera television from Damascus, the Syrian capital.

While violence has dramatically declined in Iraq, insurgents have continued with some regularity to launch attacks against security forces and civilians.

On Wednesday, there were scattered reports of violence across the capital.

A bomb attached to a minibus exploded in northern Baghdad, killing two and injuring 11, an Iraqi army official said.

A bomb hidden in a garbage heap killed two street sweepers and injured three passers-by in northern Baghdad, while an hour later in the same neighborhood a gunman killed a police officer at a checkpoint, police said.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

Meanwhile, rescue operations were halted Wednesday around the labor and finance ministries as well as the court complex after crews completed their search through debris, said police Col. Safaa Saadi Jawad, the deputy head of the Interior Ministry's rescue operations.

"If we receive reports from families of missing people, we will look some more," he said.

Funerals were under way for bombing victims. Some families carried black flag-draped coffins through the streets, while others waited at the morgue to claim bodies authorities were still working to identify.

___

Associated Press Writer Sinan Salaheddin contributed to this report.

----

Dec 13, 3:11 PM EST

Iraq: No time to act after US tip before blasts

By CHELSEA J. CARTER
Associated Press Writer
AP Photo

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BAGHDAD (AP) -- The U.S. military had warned of an imminent attack hours before last week's deadly bombings in Baghdad, but the tip came too late to act on, Iraqi security officials said Sunday as outraged lawmakers pressed for answers about Iraq's ability to protect the capital.

Even news that 13 al-Qaida-linked suspects have been detained in connection with the bombings did little to quell the angry parliament members, who shouted down security officials as they tried to defend their forces.

The grilling in parliament was the third session since Tuesday's attacks that put government officials and security brass on the hot seat. It also suggested that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki may need much bolder action to repair the government's image heading toward March elections.

So far, he shook up the Baghdad security command and some officers have been placed in custody for possible negligence after bombings that left at least 127 people dead and more than 500 wounded.

But many lawmakers - mostly political foes - have refused to let the government off the hook.

For them it was prime-time political theater with lengthy portions broadcast on state television. Some jabbed their fingers toward security chiefs and demanded more details and accountability about what went wrong.

"We need you to tell us the truth about when the Iraqi forces will be fully capable of protecting the country," said Maha al-Douri, a Shiite lawmaker.

The bombings were the third such attack since August against government buildings, raising serious questions about the abilities of Iraqi forces ahead of the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops at the end of August 2010.

The former head of Baghdad security command, Lt. Gen. Abboud Qanbar, took the brunt of the backlash on Sunday. He was demoted to No. 2 after the blasts.

On the morning of the attacks, he said Baghdad's security command received intelligence from the U.S. military that insurgents would soon carry out three attacks, including one in or near the protected Green Zone, home to the prime minister's office, parliament and the U.S. Embassy.

He said the tip indicated there would be two car bomb attacks in the morning and another later in the day. Three major explosions shook Baghdad about five hours after the Americans notified the Iraqis.

Qanbar said there was not enough time to chase leads or enough detail in the U.S. intelligence to reassign units.

U.S. military officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Earlier, Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani said 13 suspects had been arrested in connection with Tuesday's bombings.

"There are 13 coffins waiting for criminals implicated in Tuesday attacks, and those criminals will be tried and convicted," al-Bolani told lawmakers.

He did not elaborate, but an official at his office later said the 13 suspects are accused of being al-Qaida-linked insurgents who helped mastermind the bombings. They are the first arrests confirmed after last week's blasts.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to media.

The U.S. military did not immediately confirm the arrests.

But even the announcement of arrests failed to calm lawmakers, who have been growing increasingly testy with the government since al-Maliki's blame-shifting tactics in a parliament address last week. The prime minister attributed security shortfalls to a host of problems, including political infighting and a lack of communication between security branches.

Al-Maliki and other government officials have all tried to counter criticism by citing accomplishments in security training and taking gradual control from U.S. forces.

"We do not need to hear about achievements. We are here to discuss the mistakes and the solutions to end these breaches," complained Waiel Abdul-Latif, a senior Shiite lawmaker.

Violence in Iraq has dropped off dramatically over the past two years, though insurgents have routinely targeted Iraqi security forces or staged high-profile bombings.

On Sunday, a car packed with explosives blew up near a passing police patrol in Fallujah, west of Baghdad, killing at least two people but missing the security chief who was the apparent target, a police official said.

The blast in Fallujah killed at least two guards accompanying police Col. Saad al-Shimari, who was not harmed. At least seven people were injured, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to media.

Near the northern city of Mosul, a car bomb exploded next to a crowd of Iraqi army recruits, killing two people and injuring 19, said a Mosul police official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity. The attack occurred about three miles (five kilometers) east of the city, which is considered the last major urban base for Sunni insurgents.

---

Associated Press Writer Sameer N. Yacoub contributed to this report.

+60 died in bomb explosions in Lahore Multan

2009-12-08T00:29:00.000-08:00

Lahore blasts toll rises to 49, injures 180: DCO
Updated at: 0920 PST, Tuesday, December 08, 2009
LAHORE: The death tally of Lahore twin blasts has mounted to 49 while another 180 persons sustained injuries including some in the worst critical condition, according to Sajjad Bhutta, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Lahore.

According to sources, the two consecutive blasts ripped through Lahore’s commercial center late on Monday night.

According to sources, the first blast was a suicide attack while the second was detonated through remote control device. However, the district administration said that both the blasts were result of suicide bombing and that the heads of both the bombers have been recovered from the site of the incident.

The Edhi Welfare Trust sources have put the death toll at 49. On the other hand, CCPO Lahore Pervez Rathor has confirmed deaths of 37 people in both the attacks. The number of injured is over 180, he added.

Initially, the Director General Rescue Operation said that 38 people died in the incident while 90 others were injured.

Those hurt also included women and children.

The two blasts occurred within seconds of each other at Lahore’s busy Moon Market in Allama Iqbal Town locality here. The first blast took place in the middle of the market while the second one near a private bank.

Fire erupted in the market immediately after the blasts, engulfing a number of shops and motorcycles parked in the nearby parking space.

The powerful blasts also shattered the windowpanes of the surrounding buildings.

Rescue efforts were immediately got underway after the blasts and the bodies and injured persons were started to be rushed in 1122 ambulances to nearby hospitals where emergency had been declared shortly after the tragic incident.

Some of the injured persons are said to be critical in condition.

DCO Lahore and heavy police contingents along with high officials reached the spot of the tragic incident.

Moon market is a commercial center of Iqbal Town, Lahore, where shoppers are normally present in large numbers. A suicide attack had also been launched at a police station in this area on 13 August last year in which 8 people lost their lives.

Multan blast claims 12 lives: Rescue 1122
Updated at: 1255 PST, Tuesday, December 08, 2009
MULTAN: At least 12 people were killed and 10 others injured in the twin blasts in Qasim Bela area of Multan Cantt near a building of a sensitive agency, Geo News quoted Dr Kaleem of Rescue 1122 Tuesday.

Dr Kaleem said the deceased include eight civilians and four security men.

Rescue teams including 1122, police and other relief teams arrived on the spot. Police put security cordon around the whole area of blast site. Also, a military helicopter is hovering over the area for surveillance.

The injured are being shifted to the nearby hospitals including Nishtar Hospital, Civil Hospital and CMH, where state of emergency has been declared.

According to Geo News correspondent, at least 11 injured including children and women were brought to the Nishtar Hospital.

The blast was so powerful that the windowpanes of the nearby buildings were smashed to pieces. The media is being denied access to the blasts site thanks to the sensitivity of the area.

It should be mentioned that the blast occurred in the constituency of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.

According to an eyewitness, he was passing from the area when he heard a low-intensity blast followed by a massive explosion, adding the ISI building was more than half damaged as a result of bombings.

Another eyewitness told Geo News that the gunshots were fired before the blasts.

Some people are feared to be trapped under the rubble of the damaged building.

DIG Arif Ikaram said the blast occurred at 12:10pm in front of a secret agency building, adding he confirmed the killings of at least four people.

----

Terror spate continues: Bomb blasts kill 49 in Lahore market, 9 in Peshawar

* Two blasts, 30 seconds apart, devastate Lahore’s Moon Market, injure over 100
* Subsequent inferno halts rescue efforts
* Officials unsure of the nature of blasts
* Several markets in Lahore to remain closed today

LAHORE/PESHAWAR: Bomb explosions tore through Lahore and Peshawar on Monday, killing at least 47 people and injuring around 150 in the two cities.

Two blasts devastated the busy Moon Market in Lahore’s Allama Iqbal Town and engulfed it in flames, killing at least 38 people, and injuring more than 100. In Peshawar, a suicide bomber killed nine people outside the city’s sessions courts. The Moon Market transformed into a scene of flames and rubble when the two bombs exploded 30 seconds apart at 8:45pm. A suicide bomber had also targeted Moon Market in August last year in which nine people were killed.

The first blast occurred outside a plaza housing a branch of the Muslim Commercial Bank, while the other outside the Allama Iqbal Town police station, situated across the road.

Rescue efforts: As the first bomb went off, the plaza where the bank is situated, and an adjacent building went up in flames, halting rescue work, Nazeer Ahmed, a security guard who was at the spot when the blasts occurred, said. Nazeer said the fire made it impossible to rescue anyone from the burning buildings.

Officials unsure: The Punjab law minister, police officials and officials of the Bomb Disposal Squad, rescue officials and witnesses could not say if the blasts were suicide attacks or remote-controlled detonations.

The officials also could not say for certain how much explosive material had been used in the blasts until the filing of this report.

Punjab Inspector General Tariq Saleem Dogar said the bombs might have been detonated by remote control, while Superintendent of Police Ali Nasir Rizvi said he was not certain if a suicide bomber was involved. “We have recovered 33 dead bodies so far,” said Dr Rizwan Naseer, director general of Rescue 1122, and put the toll for the injured at 95. Lahore police chief Pervez Rathore put the death toll slightly lower: “Twenty-seven people are confirmed dead but the death toll may rise. A total of 137 people were injured,” he said. “The blasts knocked out electricity in the area, as fire engulfed the whole market. We fear there are still dead bodies inside [the buildings].”

Condemning the bomb attack and sympathising with the victims, traders in several parts of the city announced to keep markets closed today (Tuesday), according to a private TV channel.

The twin blasts in Lahore took the number of terrorist attacks across the country in the last 30 days to 11, in which at least 169 people have been killed.

Peshawar: In Peshawar, a suicide bomber blew himself up at the gates of the Peshawar Sessions Court, killing nine people and injuring another 44, police said.

Public Prosecutor Arifullah was among those killed in the attack, while two lawyers, Asad Shangla and Kanwar Kamal Ahmed, were among the injured. The blast occurred outside the main gate of the sessions court on Sher Shah Suri Road in the city’s high security zone, which is situated close to the MPAs’ Hostel, Peshawar Central Jail, Governor’s House and the NWFP Civil Secretariat.

This is the second attack to target court premises in Peshawar in less than a month. Earlier on November 19, a suicide bomber killed 19 people outside the Peshawar Judicial Complex.

Peshawar Police chief Liaqat Ali Khan told reporters at the crime scene on Monday that the suicide bomber arrived at the premises on a rickshaw and tried to enter the court building, but detonated the explosives strapped to his body when the police stopped him at the main gate.

“The attacker was trying to hit sensitive installations but policemen foiled his attempt by sacrificing their lives,” Liaqat said. Bomb Disposal Squad officials said around six to seven kilogrammes of explosives were used in the attack.

NWFP Senior Minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour told reporters at the blast scene that the nation stood by the army until the elimination of terrorists from the country.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani condemned the bombing, a statement from his office said.

The US embassy also condemned the suicide bombing.

“This vicious attack is yet another attack on the democratic institutions of Pakistan and the rule of law. We express our deep condolences to the victims’ families and pray for a speedy recovery for all those injured,” a press release issued by the embassy said. rana tanveer/muhammad aayan/manzoor ali shah/agencies

--------

At least 45 killed as twin bombs hit Lahore
By Mohammad Faisal Ali
Tuesday, 08 Dec, 2009

A woman is comforted by a police officers, after a series of explosions in Lahore. Two explosions ripped through a crowded market in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore on Monday, killed a number people and left many injured, police said. -AP Photo

LAHORE: Two powerful bomb blasts ripped through the busy Moon Market in Lahore’s Allama Iqbal Town late in the night, claiming at least 45.

The blasts, which took place within a radius of 30 metre, also caused a massive fire in a crowded shopping mall. The blasts knocked out electricity supply.

Monday’s strike was the second terrorist attack in Iqbal Town. On August 13, a suicide bomber blew himself up at the same market, killing nine people, including two children.

Lahore Commissioner Khusro Pervaiz told reporters that the death toll could rise as fire-fighters struggled to put out the blaze to rescue the trapped people till late in the night.

Rescue teams retrieved several charred bodies from the building. A number of the injured people taken to different city hospitals were said to be in a critical condition.

According to police, the first blast took place outside a bank and the other near a police station. People ran for their lives as the two blasts took place within a few seconds at about 8.45pm.

SSP (operations) Chaudhry Shafique Ahmed told Dawn that the first blast had been carried out by a suicide bomber.

The Iqbal Town SP said police had recovered some body parts, including the head and legs of the suspected bomber. He said police had also seized a damaged motorcycle allegedly used for planting a time device.

However, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and senior officials insisted that the blasts could have been triggered remotely.

The commissioner blamed India for the blasts. But the law minister said that militants from Waziristan were involved.

A number of shops in the market were destroyed and windowpanes of nearby buildings and houses shattered. Dozens of cars and motorcycles were damaged.

Most people falling prey to the bloody attacks were either shopping or dining out at the time of the incident.

The blasts were heard in a radius of a few kilometres. Panic gripped the area and all major markets in the city were closed. Traders announced closure of the market on Tuesday in protest against the incident.

People accused police of not taking effective precautionary measures despite threats that terrorists could target markets in the city.

‘I was passing through the market when the first blast took place outside the MCB Bank, where people were enjoying their food,’ said Mohammad Qaiser, of Sabzazar.

‘Soon after the blast I found at least 10 people lying on the ground with blood and limbs strewn all around,’ he added.

Imran Hussian, a shopkeeper, said, ‘I was outside the shop when a huge blast shook the entire market. A few seconds later, another explosion was heard on the outskirts of the market.’

He said he and other people ran for their lives. ‘When we returned after some time, we saw the injured screaming and crying for pain. A big fire erupted in the market,’ he said.

Meanwhile, police set up pickets across the city and rounded up several suspects for investigation.

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’کسی کا بیٹا نہیں مل رہا تو کسی کی بہن‘

مناء رانا

بی بی سی اردو ڈاٹ کام، لاہور

زخمی

دھماکے کے زخمیوں میں بڑی تعداد میں عورتیں اور بچے بھی شامل ہیں

شمیم کا بیٹا نہیں مل رہا تو محمد فیاص کی تین بہنیں اور دو بچے لاپتہ ہیں۔ وہ دونوں ایک سے دوسرے ہسپتال بھاگ رہے ہیں کہ انہیں ان کے اپنوں کی کوئی خبر مل جائے۔

لاہور کی مون مارکیٹ میں ہونے دھماکوں کے بعد یہ ایک عام منظر تھا۔ لاہور کے ہسپتالوں میں ایسے کئی پریشان حال لوگ تھے جنہیں یا تو اپنے رشتے داروں کی تلاش تھی یا ان کے اپنے ان ہسپتالوں کے ایمرجنسی وارڈ میں موت و زندگی کی کشمکش میں مبتلا تھے۔

لاہور میں علامہ اقبال ٹاؤن میں واقع کمرشل مارکیٹ مون مارکیٹ میں ہونے والے بم دھماکوں میں جہاں درجنوں افراد ہلاک ہوئے وہاں زخمی ہونے والوں کی تعداد بھی بہت زیادہ ہے۔

جن زِخمیوں کی حالت تشویش ناک تھی ان میں کئی ایسے تھے جن کے بدن جھلس گئے تھے۔

مون مارکیٹ ایک ایسا بازار ہے جہاں ملبوسات، گرم کپڑوں، زیورات، کھلونوں، میک اپ کا سامان غرض کہ ہر قسم کی چیز ملتی ہے۔ اس مارکیٹ میں اگرچہ ہر وقت خریداروں کا ہجوم رہتا ہے لیکن رات کو یہاں خریداروں کی تعداد میں کافی اضافہ ہو جاتا ہے۔ کھانے پینے کی کئی دکانوں اور ریستورانوں کی موجودگی کے سبب رات کو یہاں علاقے کے نوجوانوں کی کافی تعداد بھی موجود ہوتی ہے۔

عبدالرزاق کا بھائی خالد بھی ان لوگوں میں تھا۔ دھماکے نتیجے میں لگنے والی آگ سے اس کے جسم کا کافی حصہ جل چکا ہے اور اس کے گھر والے رو رو کر دعائیں مانگ رہے تھے۔
لاہور کے ہسپتالوں میں ایسے کئی پریشان حال لوگ تھے جنہیں یا تو اپنے رشتے داروں کی تلاش تھی یا ان کے اپنے ان ہسپتالوں کے ایمرجنسی وارڈ میں موت و زندگی کی کشمکش میں مبتلا تھے۔

عبدالرزاق نے بتایا کے مون مارکیٹ میں ان کی بیگوں کی دکان ہے جب پہلا دھماکہ ہوا تو بہت خوفناک آواز آئی۔ انہوں نے اپنےگاہکوں کو جن میں خواتین کی کافی تعداد تھی کہا کہ یہاں سے نکلیں کیونکہ لگتا ہے کہ دھماکہ ہوا ہے لیکن ان کا بھائی خالد وہاں کھڑا رہا اور پھر چند لمحوں کے بعد وہاں بھی دھماکہ ہو گیا اور انہیں تقریبا پندرہ منٹ کے بعد اپنا زخمی بھائی ملا جو کافی جلا ہوا تھا وہ بڑی مشکل سے اسے ہسپتال لے کر آئے کیونکہ وہاں موجود تمام ایمبولینسیں زخمیوں سے بھری ہوئی تھیں اور انہیں بڑی مشکل سے ایک ایمبولینس میں جگہ ملی۔

محمد نعیم اور اس کے دوست سبحان کی مون مارکیٹ میں زیورات کا سٹال ہے۔ نعیم کے مطابق دوسرا دھماکہ ان کے سٹال کے قریب ہی ہوا اور ان کے دوست سبحان کی ٹانگ پر کوئی چیز اڑ کر لگی اور وہ گر پڑے ۔نعیم کے مطابق جس سٹال کے پاس دھماکہ ہوا وہ جرسیوں کا سٹال تھا اور وہاں آگ بھڑک اٹھی جو دیکھتے ہی دیکھتے ہی سارے پلازے میں پھیل گئی۔

محمد نعیم کے مطابق ان کا اندازہ ہے کہ بہت سے لوگ اس آگ کے سبب پلازے میں پھنس گئے تھے۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ پھنسنے والے لوگوں میں زیادہ تر وہ تھے جن کی وہاں دکانیں اور سٹال ہیں۔

شیخ اسپتال میں لائے گئے ایک زخمی کی بہن جو علامہ اقبال ٹاؤن کی رہائشی ہیں ان کا کہنا تھا کہ وہ کچھ دیر پہلے ہی مارکیٹ سے گھر گئیں تھیں اور ان کے بھائی نے کہا کہ وہ کچھ دیر بعد آئے گا۔ ان کا کہنا تھا کہ مون مارکیٹ میں سکیورٹی کا انتظام کافی ناقص ہے جو پولیس والے ہوتے ہیں وہ بھی کوئی زیادہ مستعد نہیں ہوتے اور نہ آنے جانے والوں پر کوئی نظر رکھی جاتی ہے۔

دھماکے نتیجے میں ہلاک ہونے والے ایک خاتون کے بیٹے کو بھی سکیورٹی انتظامات پر بہت سخت اعتراض تھا اور اپنی ماں کے غم میں نڈھال وہ نوجوان کسی اعلی پولیس افسر کی اسپتال آمد پر چلاتا اور انہیں برا بھلا کہتا کہ ان کی غفلت کے سبب وہ ماں کی محبت سے محروم ہو گیا۔

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ملتان: آئی ایس آئی کے دفتر کے باہردھماکہ، نو ہلاک

عبادالحق

بی بی سی اردو ڈاٹ کام، لاہور

حملہ آوروں کا ٹارگٹ خفیہ ایجنسی آئی ایس آئی کا دفتر تھا: کمشنر ملتان

پنجاب کے جنوبی شہر ملتان میں حکام کے مطابق خفیہ ادارے آئی ایس آئی کے دفتر کے قریب بم دھماکے میں کم از کم نو افراد ہلاک اور سینتالیس کے قریب زخمی ہو گئے ہیں۔

دھماکہ ملتان چھاؤنی سے متصل علاقے قاسم بیلہ میں ہوا جس سے آس پاس کی عمارتوں کو شدید نقصان پہنچا۔

کمشنر ملتان محمد علی گردیزئی نے میڈیا سے بات کرتے ہوئے بتایا کہ حملہ آور ایک وین میں سوار تھے۔ انھوں نے بتایا کہ وین بم دھماکے میں نو افراد ہلاک اور سنتالیس سے زائد زخمی ہوئے ہیں۔ انھوں نے بتایا کہ ہلاک ہونے والوں میں تین بچے، دو سکیورٹی اہلکار اور دو سویلین ہیں جبکہ دو لاشوں کے بارے میں خیال ہے کہ وہ حملہ آور تھے۔

انھوں نے بتایا کہ حملہ آوروں کا ٹارگٹ خفیہ ایجنسی آئی ایس آئی کا دفتر تھا لیکن وہاں تک پہنچے میں کامیاب نہیں ہو سکے اور قریبی رہائشی فلیٹوں کے ساتھ گاڑی ٹکرا دی۔ کمشنر ملتان کے مطابق حملہ آوروں کی گاڑی میں آٹھ سو سے ایک ہزار کلوگرام تک دھماکا خیز مواد تھا لیکن زیادہ تر رہائشی فلیٹ دھماکے کے وقت خالی تھے جس کی وجہ سے کم جانی نقصان ہوا ہے۔

انہوں نے بتایا کہ کسی حملہ آور کے بھاگنے کی کوئی اطلاعات نہیں ہیں۔ بقول ان کے تمام حملہ آور مارے جاچکے ہیں تاہم ابھی تحقیقات جاری ہیں اور چھان بین مکمل ہونے کے بعد حمتی طور پرکچھ بتایا جاسکتا ہے۔

آر پی او ملتان عارف اکرم نے میڈیا کو بتایا کہ اس واقعہ کی تحقیقات کے لیے تین مختلف ٹیمیں تشکیل دے دی گئی ہیں۔ جنہوں نے اپنی تحقیقاتی شروع کردی ہیں۔انہوں نے یہ بتایا کہ ابھی تک کوئی گرفتاری عمل میں نہیں آئی۔

ایک وین میں سوار دو سے زائد حملہ آور جیسے ہی خفیہ ادارے آئی ایس آئی کے دفتر سے پہلے قائم پولیس کی چیک پوسٹ کے قریب پہنچے تو ایک مسلح حملہ آور نے گاڑی سے باہر نکل کر پولیس اہلکاروں پر راکٹ فائر کیا۔ راکٹ چیک پوسٹ پر لگنے کے بجائے قریبی عمارت میں جا لگا اور اس دوران حملہ آوروں نے چیک پوسٹ عبور کر کے گاڑی ایک قریبی عمارت سے ٹکرا دی

آغا محمد یوسف

ایک سوال کا جواب دیتے ہوئے انھوں نے بتایا کہ راکٹ لانچر روسی ساخت کےتھے جب کہ اس دھماکے میں استعمال ہونے والی گاڑی کی پرزے میں قبضے میں لیے گئے ہیں اور کچھ موبائل فون اور سمیں بھی ملی ہیں۔

اس سے پہلے ملتان کے ایس ایس پی آپریشنز آغا محمد یوسف نے بی بی سی بات کرتے ہوئے بتایا کہ یہ واقعہ ملتان کے علاقے قاسم بیلا میں پیش آیا ہے۔ انھوں نے بتایا کہ ایک وین میں سوار دو سے زائد حملہ آور جیسے ہی خفیہ ادارے آئی ایس آئی کے دفتر سے پہلے قائم پولیس کی چیک پوسٹ کے قریب پہنچے تو ایک مسلح حملہ آور نے گاڑی سے باہر نکل کر پولیس اہلکاروں پر راکٹ فائر کیا۔

انھوں نے بتایا کہ راکٹ چیک پوسٹ پر لگنے کے بجائے قریبی عمارت میں جا لگا اور اس دوران حملہ آوروں نے چیک پوسٹ عبور کر کے گاڑی ایک قریبی عمارت سے ٹکرا دی۔

انھوں نے بتایا کہ پولیس کی چیک پوسٹ سے کچھ ہی فاصلے پر فوجی چیک پوسٹ تھی۔ دھماکے کے بعد زخمیوں کو فوجی ہسپتال سی ایم ایچ اور نشتر ہسپتال پہنچایا گیا جب کہ تمام علاقوں کو سکیورٹی فورسز نے گھیرلیا تھا اور علاقے میں ہیلی کاپٹر بھی پرواز کرتے رہے۔

دھماکے کے ایک عینی شاہد جاوید بھٹہ کے مطابق وہ اپنے بیٹے کو لینے کے لیے جیسے ہی سکول میں داخل ہوئے تو قریب میں ہی پولیس ناکے کے قریب پہلے فائرنگ اور پھر ایک راکٹ چلنے کی آواز آئی۔ انھوں نے بتایا کہ دھماکے کے نتیجے میں پانچ کے قریب رہائشی فلیٹ تباہ ہو گئے ۔

خیال رہے کہ بم دھماکوں کی اس نئی لہر میں سوموار کو پشاور اور لاہور میں یکے بعد دیگرے دو دھماکے ہوئے۔پشاور میں ہونے والے بم دھماکے میں نو جب کہ لاہور میں کم از کم پینتالیس افراد ہلاک ہوئے تھے۔ ان دھماکوں میں متعدد افراد زخمی بھی ہوئے۔

Two more bodies recovered from rubble

LAHORE: Two bodies were recovered during rescue operations on Thursday from the section of Moon Market that was destroyed in Monday’s twin blasts. An Edhi official said the legs of two victims were still missing, adding that one of the victims was suspected to be a woman. He said the victim’s face and hair had been burnt in the blast and could not be identified, adding that the remains had been shifted to the morgue for an autopsy and identification. Iqbal Town Division Superintendent (SP) Investigation Shoaib Khurram said newspapers were publishing incorrect death toll figures. He said that around 47 people had been martyred in the twin blasts and 42 dead bodies had been handed over to the victims’ families from Mayo Dead House, while one dead body was handed over to the victim’s family from Farooq Hospital. staff report

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Traders, shoppers fear Liberty potential target for terrorists

* Shopkeepers regret government’s decision not to build parking plaza
* Shoppers say market administration risking people’s lives by allowing parking so close to shops

By Afnan Khan

LAHORE: Market officials and shoppers have expressed fears that the Liberty Market may be the next possible target for terrorists.
In the wake of Monday’s attack at the busy Moon Market, citizens have expressed concern over the prevalent security situation and measures being taken by authorities to safeguard one of the city’s key shopping points. Shoppers said they had been lucky not to fall prey to any terrorist attack on Eid, as “the administration, including the parking owners, had been preoccupied with minting money rather than maintaining security”.
The administration had approved a number of private parking lots near the main parking lot. “The parking contractors were not only overcharging, they also had no way of checking suspicious vehicles. They were not doing enough to safeguard visitors,” shoppers claimed.
Regret: Shopkeepers blamed the provincial government’s decision not to build a parking plaza opposite the current parking lot, saying that a lack of parking spaces was a major security concern. Citizens also criticised the government for allowing cars to be parked along a famous hospital complex, adjacent to the market, throughout the fortnight before Eid.
They claimed that the move was not only an inconvenience for people rushing to the hospital, but also a major security concern since it only resulted in added traffic in the area.
Risk: Robina Rana, a shopper, told Daily Times the government and market administration should not have allowed cars to be parked so close to shops in the markets. She said that so many cars being parked near visitors, especially women and children, was a major security threat.
She complained that parking contractors were openly overcharging customers, adding that no one was willing to take action against them.
Safdar Butt, one of the leading Liberty Market traders, told Daily Times the traders were facing a shortage of parking spaces in the area.
He said the market administration was aware of the problems and security hazards faced by shoppers, adding that they were helpless and could not do anything to help the public, as they had not been allowed to build a multi-storey parking lot by the current provincial government. Butt said the Liberty Market administration had asked district government officials to take action against the private contractors who had allowed parking outside nearby houses and overcharged shoppers, adding that their concerns fell on deaf ears. Amjad Zaheer, another prominent trader in market, said shoppers and traders were scared after the Moon Market blast, adding that security measures taken by the traders and the government “were adequate”.
He said the traders had learnt that terrorist might have targetted the market but they were not successful due to the security measures taken by the government. “There might be some security-related issues among traders due to political divisions, but they should unite and resolve their issues in the greater interest of their businesses and the public,” he said.

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Two more foreigners’ vehicles stopped, let go

* 4X4 vehicle stopped on Edgerton Road, released after US Consulate staff intervene
* SP says cars were only stopped for routine checking

Staff Report

LAHORE: Police on Saturday stopped two more cars carrying foreigners in different areas of the provincial capital, but allowed them to go without searching them after their official security squad arrived at the scene.

Police personnel stopped a vehicle carrying American nationals on Edgerton Road, who refused to be searched. US Consulate officials reached the spot and after brief negotiations, they were allowed to go.

In another incident, law enforcement personnel stopped a car near Sherpao Bridge. Sources told Daily Times that the passengers were British nationals working for an NGO. They were shifted to an undisclosed location and later released after verification of their documents.

SP Civil Lines Haider Ashraf said that the vehicles were stopped for routine checking, but were not searched because International Diplomatic Law does not allow local police to check the vehicles of foreigners. He said there was nothing significant about the cars being stopped because it was simply a routine check.

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Massive security steps fail to check use of fancy number plates

By Fazal Sher

ISLAMABAD: Massive security measures taken by Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) and special pickets established by law-enforcement agencies have failed to check the rising use of fancy numberplates, which is not only an open violation of Motor Vehicle Ordinance (MVO) but also causing security problems in the city.

Massive security arrangements across the city and patrolling by the ITP in the wake of increasing terrorist attacks bore no fruit to make the motorists bound to abide by the law and stop using fancy numberplates. “The capital police deployed at the pickets and patrolling ITP did not bother to take any action against the motorists who are using fancy numberplates, as so far the relevant authority has not made any effective efforts to control this violation, which is resulting in an increased use of illegal numberplates, said a police official.

He said it was responsibly of the capital police, ITP and Excise and Taxation Department (ETD) to make collect efforts to check use of unauthorised numberplates, as this negligence could help terrorists. Due to use of fancy and illegal numberplates the identification of a legal and fake numberplate of a vehicle becomes very difficult, he said, adding, the computerised numberplate issued by the ETD had a specific colour and size while the motorists in the city have displayed numberplates of different sizes and colours.

The official said people were using numberplates of various sizes and the digits on these plates were so small in size that they could not be read. Another reason of rising use of illegal numberplates is low amount of fine fixed by the authorities, he said.

He said ITP had sent a summery to the Interior Ministry seeking increase in the amount of fine from Rs 300 to Rs 1,000 to discourage use of fancy and illegal numberplates.

The spokesmen for ITP said they had started a campaign against the vehicles having unauthorised registration numberplates. In the current year, the ITP issued tickets to 10,563 motorists, he added.

He said the ITP before launching the campaign also arranged different seminars to educate people on this issue. “ The ITP issue tickets for using illegal numberplate to a number of people on daily basis,” he said. He said the ITP had also sent a request to ETD to prepare quality numberplate by changing the current format.

Ghadir, the Greatest Eid of All Religions

2009-12-06T06:58:00.000-08:00

عيد الغدير مبارك

يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَبِّكَ وَإِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَه ُُ وَاللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ النَّاسِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ
(67) O Messenger! Make known that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord, for if thou do it not, thou will not have conveyed His message. Allah will protect thee from mankind. Lo! Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk.

It has been narrated from Ziyad ibn Muhammad that he said, "I went to see Abi 'Abdillah [Ja'far ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq] (peace be upon him) and said to him, "Do the Muslims have an 'Eid other than the day of Jumu'ah and al-Fitr and al-Adhha?"

The Imam (peace be upon him) replied to me,
"Yes, the day which the Messenger of Allah (blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) appointed Amirul Mo'minin (peace be upon him) [as the leader of the Ummah after him]."

( Reference : Misbahul Mutahajjid, Page 736)

♡... My felicitations and greetings to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon), Imam Ali ibne AbiTalib a.s.,Hazrat Bibi Fatima Zahra s.a., Imam-e-Zamana(a.s.),and to all the Momineen and Mominaat...♡
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يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَبِّكَ وَإِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَه ُُ وَاللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ النَّاسِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ

Quran and Etrat Internet University

اليَومَ أَكمَلتُ لَكُم دينَكُم وَأَتمَمتُ عَلَيكُم نِعمَتى وَرَضيتُ لَكُمُ الإِسلٰمَ دينًا ۚ
“Today I have perfected your religion and completed my favor upon you, and I was satisfied that Islam be your religion.” (The Holy Quran, 5:3)

Eid al-Ghadir, which is known as Eid al-Akbar (the greatest Eid) in Islamic narrations, could be referred to as the greatest celebration (Eid) of all religions. For the result of the mission of all the messengers of Allah became accomplished on this day.

When Prophet Nuh (Noah) (PBUH) was appointed, he introduced his people to his religion and told them: “Allah has called upon you to have faith in this religion; however, there shall be a prophet after me whose religion is more perfect than mine, so have faith in him and be aware that the most perfect religion will be brought by the last prophet”. Similar to that, Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Isa (Jesus) (PBUT) were appointed and they gradually made the religion more perfect, and they spoke of the most perfect religion, the one brought by the last prophet.

Now, Islam has been brought to people and the religion has reached its most perfect state, and the mission of all Allah’s messengers is manifested in Islam. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) has established Islam within 23 years of enormous endeavors, and has conveyed brotherhood and equality amongst all the Muslims.

Now, he is preparing to visit the house of Allah , and he has called upon all Muslims, no matter what their race or tribe is, to join him in performing Hajjah al-Weedaa’ (farewell pilgrimage), his last pilgrimage.

People were accompanying Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) in performing the Hajj rituals and meanwhile, they heard the last words of him. When returning, Gabriel comes down to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) saying:” O Messenger! Proclaim what has been revealed to you from your Lord.” Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) was worried about the reaction of some of his companions since he was aware of their hypocrisy through revelation (2).

Then, Gabriel came down for the second time:” O Messenger! Proclaim what has been revealed to you from your Lord”. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), the mercy upon mankind, was worried about the ailing hearts and weak faith of new Muslims. As he was looking for a solution, Gabriel came down for the third time:” O Messenger! Proclaim what has been revealed to you from your Lord, for if you do it not you have not conveyed His message and Allah will protect you from the (evil designs of) people.” (3)

What is this message that if not proclaimed, the Prophet’s mission would not be conveyed?
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), who possesses both the states of Prophethood and Imamate, is addressed as “O Messenger!”, which reveals that his state of Prophethood is targeted. On the other hand, the phrase “you have not conveyed His message” indicates that not proclaiming this message would result in not having accomplished the duty of Prophethood.

In the following section of the verse, Allah assures Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) by saying that:” Allah will protect you from the (evil designs of) people.” Here protection does not mean to address physical, financial… protection; because Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) never felt fear during the battles, and his life’s history testifies that he never stood back even a single step in the battles.

Even in the battle of Uhud, when the Muslims were seemingly defeated and their army was collapsed, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) was still fighting against the pagans. In addition to that, Allah describes not only Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), but also other prophets as:” those who proclaim the messages of Allah and have fear in Him, and have fear in no one but Allah.”(4) Therefore, Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH&HP) fear was about damages to the religion and the ignorance of people; hence, the good tidings by Allah were about the victory over the ignorance of people, just like as he told Prophet Moses (PBUH):” Fear not; you are the superior”(5).

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) stops at a place called Ghadir. He summons those who have gone forward to return and wait for the followers to join. Them, he climbs an eminence and gives a sermon:

“Praise be to Allah; I testify that He is the Lord and I am His servant. Gabriel has descended to me thrice, and has ordered me from Allah to stop on this land to proclaim His message. Am I not your Wali (more precious to you than your own lives)?" People replied:" Yes". He continued:” Am I not your prophet and leader?” Again, all the people confirmed. It was then that he took Ali ibn Abi Talib's (PBUH) hands and raised them high, and said, "Whoever has me as his Master (Wali), Ali is his Master (Wali)”.

After that, those that were present came to Ali (PBUH) at the tent which Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) had ordered to be set up, and congratulated him on his new position. They addressed him as Amir al-Mu’minin (Ruler of the Faithful). Historians have mentioned numbers up to 120000 for the people present at that time.

Then, the following verse of the Quran was revealed:” Today, those who disbelieve have despaired of your religion; so fear them not and fear Me. Today I have perfected for you your religion and have completed My favor upon you, and I was satisfied that Islam be your religion.”(6)

In the Holy Quran, the terms "Yaum" and “Yauma’izin” usually refer to the resurrection day; however, the former is used in this verse referring to the issue of Imamate. Since the Holy Quran starts talking about important issues with the terms “Al” and “Yaum”, it is indicated that the aforementioned verse, in which the term “al-Yaum” is repeated twice, contains important news. That important news is indeed appointing the Master and Ruler of the Muslim community after Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP).

أَم يَقولونَ شاعِرٌ نَتَرَبَّصُ بِهِ رَيبَ المَنونِ ﴿٣٠﴾
(30) Or say they: (he is) a poet, (one) for whom we may expect the accident of time?
This important event made the disbelievers disappointed. The enemies of Islam would say: " … we are waiting to see him die” (7), so his religion would be removed; because it is possible to fight against the book and the law and to interpret them according to one’s desires; however, such divine Leader could not be fought.

Therefore, the event of Ghadir made the disbelievers despair of this hope due to the fact that a leader was appointed for the Muslims who possessed virtues such as bravery, wisdom, patience and constancy, just like Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP). There, a divine successor was appointed by Allah to continue Prophet’s path and supervise the Muslims after Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP).

The next section of the verse talks about perfection of religion and completion of favor. Obviously, it does not refer to materialistic favors, because the creatures are constantly blessed by such favors from Allah , and they are not such that could be completed; hence, another type of favor (which is indeed superior to and more important than materialistic favors) is meant.

ِنَّ فى خَلقِ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالأَرضِ وَاختِلٰفِ الَّيلِ وَالنَّهارِ وَالفُلكِ الَّتى تَجرى فِى البَحرِ بِما يَنفَعُ النّاسَ وَما أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ مِنَ السَّماءِ مِن ماءٍ فَأَحيا بِهِ الأَرضَ بَعدَ مَوتِها وَبَثَّ فيها مِن كُلِّ دابَّةٍ وَتَصريفِ الرِّيٰحِ وَالسَّحابِ المُسَخَّرِ بَينَ السَّماءِ وَالأَرضِ لَءايٰتٍ لِقَومٍ يَعقِلونَ ﴿١٦٤﴾
(164) Lo! in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of night and day, and the ships which run upon the sea with that which is of use to men, and the water which Allah sendeth down from the sky, thereby reviving the earth after its death, and dispersing all kinds of beasts therein, and (in) the ordinance of the winds, and the clouds obedient between heaven and earth: are signs (of Allah's sovereignty) for people who have sense.

According to the event of Ghadir, this favor is nothing but the favor of Imamat (Leadership) and Wilayat (Mastership) . Even Allah has admired the favor of prophethood and Imamat as His greatest favors in the Holy Quran, and has used the term Minnah (a significant and enormous favor which is difficult to receive and maintain) regarding these two favors:” Certainly Allah conferred a great favor upon the believers when He raised among them a Messenger from amongst themselves.” (8); “And We desired to bestow a great favor upon those who were deemed weak in the land, and to make them the Imams, and to make them the inheritors.”(9)
وَنُريدُ أَن نَمُنَّ عَلَى الَّذينَ استُضعِفوا فِى الأَرضِ وَنَجعَلَهُم أَئِمَّةً وَنَجعَلَهُمُ الوٰرِثينَ ﴿٥﴾
(5) And We desired to show favor unto those who were oppressed in the earth, and to make them examples and to make them the inheritors,

And finally, the endeavors of all the prophets before Islam and the 23 year endeavors of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) became fruitful on the day of Ghadir, and the argument on mankind became complete.

It is noteworthy that according to the knowledge of Hadith, there are few events reported to be as authentic as the event of Ghadir. Mas’ood ibn Nasser Sajestani in the book “Wilayatkade”, which is printed in seventeen volumes, narrates this event on the authority of one hundred twenty people. Muhammad bin Jarir Tabari in the book “Radd Alaa al-Kharqouziah”, narrates the event of Ghadir from seventy-five different routes, and Ibn Ouqdah mentions 125 different narrators for this Hadith in the book of Wilayat.

It is quoted from Abou al-Ma’ali Jowni that:” I saw a book in a bookbinding store which contained the Hadith of Ghadir, and it was written on its back:” Volume 28 of the routes for the Hadith of Man Kuntu Mawlah (the beginning phrase of the Hadith of Ghadir which means whoever has me as Master)”. Sayyid Murtada writes that:” We have not come up to a single Islamic sect that denies the event of Ghadir”. Finally, the book of Al-Ghadir by Allamah Amini is the most general and complete encyclopedia for narrations about the Ghadir event.

Based on the above, it is on us to celebrate this great Eid. There is a Hadith in Sahih Muslim narrating from Taariq ibn Shahab that

:” A group of Jews told the second Caliph that:” If such a verse had been revealed to us (Today I have perfected for you your religion and have completed my favor upon you) and we knew that day it had been revealed, We would have celebrated that day.”

References:

-Al-Ghadir, by Allamah Amini
-Tafsir al-Mizan, by Alamah Tabatabaii
-Explanations of the Event of Ghadir, by Ayatullah Jawadi Amuli,
-Haqq al-Yaqin, by Allamah Majlisi

Footnotes:

1-The Holy Quran, (5:3)
2-The Holy Quran, (9:101)
3-The Holy Quran, (5:67)
4-The Holy Quran, (33:39)
5-The Holy Quran, (20:67)
6-The Holy Quran, (5:3)
7-The Holy Quran, (52:30)
8-The Holy Quran, (2:164)
9-The Holy Quran, (28:5)

Source: shiastudies. net
-----

SHAKIR: O Messenger! deliver what bas been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people; surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people.

[5:67]

* Man Kunto Maula Fa Ha'za Aliyun Maula *

The Holy Prophet (saww) said: “The day of Ghadir Khumm is the best 'Eid of my nation. It is the day on which Allah, the High, ordered me to mention the appointment of my brother, 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) as the flag and standard of my nation. People shall be guided by him after me and this is the day in which Allah completed the religion and perfected the bounties upon my nation and on which He was pleased with Islam as their religion.”

[Al-Amali of as-Saduq, Page 125, Hadith 8]

Ghadeer pe Nabi (saww) ne aik baat thi kahi
Jalnay waalay ne sun k jo kardi ansuni
Dast e Ali (asws) ko thaam k kaha Rasool (saww) ne
Jiska tha Mai Maula, us ka Maula hai Ali (asws)

Ghadeer momin ki zindagi hai, Ghadeer munkir ki maut bhi hai...

On this auspicious day, let us also not forget that the event of Ghadeer e Qum is the beginning of Kerbala..

Firework blaze in Russian nightclub kills at least 109

2009-12-05T13:26:00.000-08:00

05 Dec 2009 18:29:48 GMT
Source: Reuters
* At least 109 killed, 134 hospitalisedMatch: Perm and others.

Perm (pĕrm, pyĕrm) pronunciation

A city of west-central Russia on the Kama River in the foothills of the Ural Mountains. Founded in the early 18th century when a copper foundry was built there, it grew rapidly as an industrial center in the 19th century. Population: 989,000.

* Deadliest Russian fire for decades

* Kremlin demands severe punishment for club owners

* Prosecutors blame poor safety, rule out bomb attack

(Adds concerns about fire safety, comment, details)

By Denis Sinyakov

, Russia, Dec 5 (Reuters) - At least 109 people were killed and 134 injured when a blaze ignited by fireworks ripped through a packed Russian nightclub, starting a stampede as revellers rushed to escape clouds of toxic black smoke.

The pyrotechnics show went wrong at the Lame Horse nightclub in the Russian city of Perm on Friday night when sparks ste fire to wicker coverings on the walls and ceiling during a party celebrating the club's eighth anniversary.

As partygoers rushed for the only door, scores were choked or crushed to death. Medics said many of those hospitalised were being kept alive with respirators and that some had burns of more than 60 percent.

Some of the severely injured have been sent to specialist burn units in Moscow, St Petersburg and other cities.

A clubber who survived, identifying herself as Svetlana, told Reuters: "Everything was catching fire so quickly as if it was made of hay, it happened in seconds. We could not all get through, everyone was pushing, from all sides."

President Dmitry Medvedev ordered a national day of mourning for Monday and demanded tough punishment for the owners of the nightclub, who he said had repeatedly ignored warnings from fire inspectors that the premises were unsafe.

"They have neither brains nor conscience," Medvedev told ministers in a televised meeting, criticsing the club's owners for failing to come forward immediately after the disaster.

A Reuters photographer in Perm, 1,150 km (720 miles) northeast of Moscow, saw groups of distraught people visit a morgue to identify victims. Others, some weeping or smoking, stared blankly at the lists of the dead.

According to the Emergencies Ministry, the oldest fatality was 44-years-old and the youngest just 21.

Hundreds of red carnations and candles have been placed outside the club.

Friday's fire was Russia's most deadly in decades, emergency officials said, and the worst nightclub fire worldwide since nearly 200 people died at a party in Buenos Aires in 2004.

"This is not a premeditated murder, but this does not lessen the gravity of the crime," Medvedev said.

Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev told Medvedev there was no evidence of a bomb. Russian prosecutors said five employees, including the club's owner and founders, had been detained in on suspicion of breaching fire regulations and manslaughter.

A Perm resident watching firemen pull burned people out of the club said corruption was to blame.

"As always in Russia, there is irresponsibility and bribery," said the local, who only gave his first name, Oleg.

"We need to find the fire inspector who gave permission to this club and why he allowed it," he said.

FIREWORK SHOW

Video footage of the disaster showed a merry crowd celebrating when a presenter suddenly announced:

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are on fire. Leave the hall. Line up in a queue."

Then the camera shows fire roaring along the wicker-covered ceiling of the 500 square metre (5400 square ft) club. Many revellers slowly moved to a narrow exit -- some still sipping cocktails and smoking.

A few moments later, a stampede broke out as heavy black smoke quickly filled the hall and the crowd of more than 200 guests rushed headlong trying to escape.

Immediately after the fire, dozens of charred bodies were piled on the pavement outside the club as medics moved the injured into ambulances.

Blood-covered women in evening clothes and knee-high black boots lay on stretchers.

Russian officials have in the past blamed poor fire safety standards for high death tolls in fires at orphanages, hospitals and other institutions. More than 15,000 Russians died last years in fires, according to government figures.

The Kremlin said the Dec. 7 day of mourning in Russia will have flags at half-mast across the nation. Three days of mourning will be observed in Perm, which is Russia's sixth largest city with a population of 1.2 million. (Writing by Guy Faulconbridge and Amie Ferris-Rotman; Editing by Angus MacSwan)

----------

By MANSUR MIROVALEV, Associated Press Writer Mansur Mirovalev, Associated Press Writer – 2 hrs 50 mins ago

PERM, Russia – President Dmitry Medvedev on Saturday demanded that Russia tighten its notoriously lax fire codes after the deadliest blaze since the Soviet era killed at least 107 people celebrating in a nightclub with a decorative twig ceiling and single exit.

About 130 people were injured, dozens critically, when onstage fireworks set the ceiling of the Lame Horse nightclub ablaze soon after midnight, witnesses and officials said. Many victims were trapped in a panicked crush for the exit as they attempted to escape the flames and thick black smoke.

Officials said club managers had ignored repeated demands from authorities to change the interior to comply with fire safety standards. Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu told Medvedev by videoconference from Perm that the club managers violated the law by running the fireworks display that triggered the fire.

He said the club managers had been fined twice in the past for breaking fire safety regulations, which he did not specify. Russian clubs and restaurants often cover ceilings with plastic insulation and a layer of willow twigs to create a rustic look, one of many uses of combustible materials in buildings by businessmen who bribe officials to look the other way.

The Lame Horse's managers had been scheduled before the fire to report Monday on their progress fixing the flaws.

"They have neither brains, nor conscience," Medvedev said. "They must face the maximum punishment."

He declared a national day of mourning Monday.

Authorities quickly arrested two registered co-owners of the club, its managing director, and two other suspects. One other suspect was injured in the fire and remains in critical condition.

Medvedev demanded that lawmakers draft changes to toughen the criminal punishment for failing to comply with fire safety standards.

Enforcement of fire safety standards is infamously poor in Russia and there have been several catastrophic blazes at drug-treatment facilities, nursing homes, apartment buildings and nightclubs in recent years. The nation records up to 18,000 fire deaths a year, several times the per-capita rate in the United States and other Western countries.

Gennady Gudkov, a senior member of the Kremlin-controlled lower house of parliament, said that toughening criminal punishment won't solve the problem. He told the ITAR-Tass news agency that many fire safety officials are corrupt and often turn a blind eye to violations for money.

Leonid Miroshnichenko, who lost his daughter in the fire, said that he believed the ceiling of twigs and plastic sheeting contributed to the death toll.

"I would like to see the official who allowed this club to open. It was he who killed my daughter," he said.

Video recorded by a clubgoer and shown on Russian television showed partygoers dancing before sparks from pyrotechnic fountains on stage ignited the club's ceiling around midnight. Witness Svetlana Kuvshinova told The Associated Press that the blaze swiftly consumed the twigs.

"People were having fun, and it was the peak of the fun when I looked up and saw flames on the ceiling," Kuvshinova said. "The fire took seconds to spread. It was like a dry haystack."

The footage showed the fire spreading through what appeared to be willow twigs as a host shouted without urgency: "Ladies and gentlemen, guests of the club, we are on fire. Please leave the hall."

"There was only one way out," Kuvshinova said. "They nearly stampeded me."

The video showed people reluctantly heading toward the exit, some of them still holding their drinks and turning back to look at the burning ceiling. Within seconds they started rushing away in panic as flames spread through the hall like a fireball.

"There was only one exit, and people starting breaking down the doors to get out," said a woman who identified herself only as Olga, her face and expensive fur coat smeared with soot. "They were breaking the door and panic set in. Everything was in smoke. I couldn't see anything."

A nightclub fire in the U.S. state of Rhode Island in 2003 killed 100 people after pyrotechnics used as a stage prop by the 1980s rock band Great White set ablaze cheap soundproofing foam on the walls and ceiling. Nightclub fires have killed thousands of people worldwide.

Russia has been on edge since last week's bombing of the high-speed Nevsky Express passenger train midway between Moscow and St. Petersburg, in which 27 people died in the first deadly terrorist attack outside Russia's restive Caucasus republics since 2004. Chechen rebels claimed responsibility for the blast.

Russia's top investigative body said the fire killed 109, while the Emergency Situations Ministry said 107 people had died. The cause for the discrepancy wasn't immediately clear.

Officials said nearly 90 of the more than 130 people injured in the fire had severe burns and scores remained in critical condition. Many of the injured were flown to top emergency hospitals in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Firefighters were on the scene in downtown Perm one minute after the alarm was called in, the Emergency Situations Ministry said, and they took less than an hour to put the fire out. Most of the dead suffocated or were crushed at the exit, officials said.

Many relatives waited for hours at the Perm morgue, not knowing whether their relatives were dead or alive.

"I'm simply devastated, I can't believe it's happening to me," said Yevgeny Porfiryev, his eyes red from tears after he found his 26-year-old son Timur among the dead.

Emergency Situations Ministry officials called the fire the worst in the nation's post-Soviet history. The previous most deadly blaze killed 63 people at a nursing home in southern Russia in March 2007.

___

Associated Press Writers Douglas Birch, Jim Heintz and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report.

----

Sunday, Dec 6, 2009 06:25 PST
Russian club fire death toll reaches 112
By MANSUR MIROVALEV

The owner of the nightclub where at least 112 people died in Russia's worst fire in decades was taken to court for a detention hearing Sunday as shocked and grieving relatives began to bury the victims of the disaster.

About 130 remained hospitalized, many in critical condition, with injuries from the early Saturday blaze, which witnesses said was sparked by onstage fireworks that shot into the decorative twig ceiling of the Lame Horse club.

The federal Investigative Committee said the club owner had been detained along with the club's executive director, its artistic director and a businessman hired to install pyrotechnics on the night of the blaze. The committee did not provide their names.

The commitee's Web site said they were suspected of negligence causing the death of two or more people and violating fire safety rules.

The club owner and two of the three other suspects arrived at Leninsky District Court in this Ural Mountains industrial city to hear whether they will be jailed for the length of the investigation, a police colonel outside the court told The Associated Press. He said was not authorized to give his name. The hearing was closed to the public.

Sergei Dergunov, the man who provided the fireworks, was ordered detained for the duration of the investigation, his lawyer Yekaterina Golysheva said outside the court.

Mourning residents were indignant over what they call negligence on the part of the club's management, which President Dmitry Medvedev also criticized in a nationally televised videoconference on Saturday.

Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the club managers had been fined twice in the past for breaking fire safety regulations, which he did not specify. Russian clubs and restaurants often cover ceilings with plastic insulation and a layer of willow twigs to create a rustic look, one of many uses of combustible materials in buildings by businessmen who bribe officials to look the other way.

Nadezhda Zhizhina placed flowers on the icy ground outside the Perm City Morgue in memory of her 21-year-old son, Sergei.

She said she wasn't expecting the compensation officials have promised to other victims' relatives because Sergei earned pocket money at the club as an unofficial administrator.

"I can't even imagine what to do," Zhizhina said, weeping. "He was a golden boy."

She said Sergei's wife, Yulia, was eight months pregnant.

The disaster has shaken this town of over 1 million, mobilizing even those who didn't lose relatives -- such as Marina Dryonina.

"This is nothing but criminal negligence," she said. "A terrible tragedy for our town."

Many victims were trapped in a panicked crush for the exit as they attempted to escape the flames and thick black smoke.

Emergency Ministry spokeswoman Darya Kochneva said a man flown to a Moscow hospital had died of severe burns, brining the toll to at least 112.

Enforcement of fire safety standards is infamously poor in Russia and there have been several catastrophic blazes at drug-treatment facilities, nursing homes, apartment buildings and nightclubs in recent years. The nation records up to 18,000 fire deaths a year, several times the per-capita rate in the United States and other Western countries.

Medvedev demanded that lawmakers draft changes to toughen the criminal punishment for failing to comply with fire safety standards.

Monday has been designated a national day of mourning, with entertainment events and television programs canceled.

----------

Associated Press writer David Nowak contributed from Moscow.

Q+A:Why would Obama speed the Afghan deployment?

2009-12-05T05:33:00.000-08:00

Patricia Zengerle
WASHINGTON
Tue Dec 1, 2009 2:09pm EST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will unveil plans on Tuesday to send some 30,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan over six months, a senior administration official said, an escalation he hopes will permit a quicker U.S. exit.

The six-month time frame is significantly faster than the 12-to-18 month rollout that Pentagon officials had expected.

Here are some questions and answers about the time frame:

WHY THE RUSH?

Increasing the total number of U.S. troops to 100,000 by late May or early June, from about 68,000 now, is intended to provide a quick and powerful counterpunch as a resurgent Taliban gains ground in Afghanistan.

Analysts said it made sense to get more troops in quickly to be ready for the traditional Afghan fighting season.

"On the military side of things, sooner is always better than later. The later you get around to clearing parts of Afghanistan the tighter a hold the Taliban will have secured over that area," said Stephen Biddle, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank.

The White House must also change the Taliban's perception that it is winning the war if Washington hopes to fragment the Taliban and to peel fighters away from its militant core and from al Qaeda, he added.

"You are not going to make any significant headway until and unless you can convince the Taliban the trajectory of the war has changed and isn't in their favor any longer," Biddle said. "A quick reinforcement is likelier to change their perception than a slow one."

CAN THE PENTAGON SEND SO MANY TROOPS IN SUCH A SHORT TIME?

U.S. Department of Defense officials were surprised by administration estimates that the 30,000 additional troops would be deployed within six months but said it could be done.

They had been planning for a more gradual, 12-to-18 month rollout that would give Obama the flexibility to adjust force levels before all of the troops arrive.

"It's not impossible," one senior Pentagon official said of sending that many more by the end of May or early June. "But I'm not sure that's how McChrystal is going to manage this flow," he added, referring to General Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan.

The more than 20,000 additional troops sent to Iraq during the "surge" by Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush, arrived there between January and July 2007.

McChrystal in August said the United States and its allies had 12 months to turn things around or risk failure. A six-month deployment would fall within that time frame.

"Failure to gain the initiative and reverse insurgent momentum in the near-term (next 12 months) -- while Afghan security capacity matures -- risks an outcome where defeating the insurgency is no longer possible," McChrystal said.

IS THE CALENDAR DRIVEN BY U.S. POLITICS?

By setting a June deadline to get the additional troops in place, Obama could have a slightly clearer picture of whether his new strategy is working before congressional midterm elections in November. The Afghan war -- especially if it is not going well -- could be a major factor in those elections, particularly if the economy is also still in trouble.

By staggering the deployments over a longer period, Obama could have been accused of not giving his military commanders the resources they needed quickly enough and fueled criticism from Republicans.

However, experts argued Obama was likely looking at the bigger picture, rather than at next year's election.

"You cannot predict in any sense if this is going to have a good or negative impact on the election. You can guess all you want but you have no way of knowing," said Anthony Cordesman, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington.

"The president is probably more concerned with a second term and history than trying to time a war to the uncertainties of a congressional election ... presidents are not congressmen," he added.

DOES THIS MEAN LOSS OF LEVERAGE OVER KARZAI?

Some experts had expected Obama to use a staggered deployment to put pressure on Afghan President Hamid Karzai's weak government to do a better job. However, this approach was seen as dangerous by some analysts who believe that U.S. troop deployments should not be tied to Karzai's performance.

(Additional reporting by Alister Bull, Sue Pleming and Adam Entous; Editing by Arshad Mohammed and Eric Beech)

(For more on Afghanistan, click on [nAFPAK])

------------

December 4, 2009, 1:37 pm
John Burns Q. and A. on Obama’s Afghan Plan
By JOHN F. BURNS
Ask John Burns

CAMBRIDGE, England — John Burns, the chief foreign correspondent for The New York Times, has been answering questions through the week about President Obama’s new plan in Afghanistan. To read Mr. Burns’s earlier conversations with readers, see here and here.
Q.

Obama’s plan has all the earmarks of a tragedy in the making. With an 18 month deadline, Al Qaeda and the Taliban will simply lower the level of violence so as to create a false sense of “success.” then, once the coalition forces commence their withdrawal, or shortly after they have withdrawn, they will put their own surge in effect. The 18 month deadline is nothing less than stupid….
Barkley
San Francisco
Q.

I understand the concern over the fact Obama has announced a deadline. It may give Taliban a chance to sit back and wait. But on the other hand, isn’t there a case to say that the Taliban couldn’t really afford to wait? Stopping their pressure will just mean that in 2 years time, it’ll be much harder for them to fight…
Shann Biglione
Los Angeles, Calif.
Q.

I don’t understand all this worry about 18 months. We bought our way through Afghanistan when we aligned ourselves with the northern coalition last time we purchased this country. Why the worry about 18 months? Winter not withstanding, by St. Patrick’s Day we could have the bad guys bottled up in Pakistan once again.
Vernon Brown
Greer, South Carolina
Q.

It seems to me that beating the Taliban in Afghanistan is impossible unless the safe haven in Pakistan is eliminated. But what is the chance that Pakistan is willing and capable of doing this? And is an 18 month commitment to short to induce them to do so?…and why 18 months?… …you’d think that if politics is the reason he’d have gone for 30 months, getting us out in mid-’12 (just in time for our elections, not mid-’11).
bruce the geek
Palo Alto, Calif.
Q.

The support of the Afghan people will not be won in a few months…however, i do support the president setting a timetable for withdrawal beginning 18 months from now. …seven years of no timetable under bush just dragged out the process. By giving the afghanis notice of a withdrawal, Obama will motivate them to accomplish the changes they want to make in the allotted time…
Mark Pine
Md and ma
Q.

Do you think there is an advantage to setting a timeline from the following standpoint: if the Taliban pulls back and waits as some predict, that could provide more security and “breathing room” for accomplishing our stated goals such as training the Afghans and solidifying relationships with local tribal leaders?
Mike K
San Geronimo, Calif.
Q.

I believe that the 18 month deadline would have been better directed at the Afghan government. If there is no measurable action on cleaning up corruption in the government by June 2011 then the U.S. would start drawing down the troops….
Bob
Boise
Q.

The two questions i have in mind since i heard the speech, what if America really wins this war ? Do you believe that this victory could be sustainable with substantial troops cut, newly formed Afghan government and only after 18 months!!!?
samer
Egypt
Q.

The battle ground is not Kandahar or Helmand but the public opinion of streets of America. Taliban understand this very well as well as their handlers in Pakistan. They have to send more body bags to America may be one per week at a time till exit date and they have won the war.
captainjohann
Bangalore, India
A.

After 72 hours, it’s clear that Mr. Obama’s carefully hedged surge plan has satisfied neither the hawks nor the doves, just as he must have known when he decided to deploy 30,000 more troops but to couple that with a pledge that the first of the 100,000 troops America will now have in Afghanistan would begin to come home after 18 months. Others who have wrestled with the policy options have found much to welcome in the plan. But the balance the president has chosen has puzzled, unsettled and in some cases infuriated the two poles of opinion: those who favor a more determined American military commitment, and those who believe the war is already all but lost and the troops should be hastened home now.

The median approach taken by Mr. Obama has been a point of contention on Capitol Hill and, though less obtrusively, among government leaders in allied capitals and allied military commanders, at least some of whom, in Britain at least, worry that 18 months is much too short a time to accomplish the goals Mr. Obama has set, of halting and reversing the Taliban gains in the war, securing Afghan population centers and developing Afghan security forces to the point where they can begin to take over from international troops. Judging from their guarded comments in the last two days, these commanders see little prospect of a significant drawdown of allied troops until well beyond mid-2011, and possibly not until two or three years beyond that – the time frame that senior American commanders, including Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, set out during the months when Mr. Obama’s plans were under exhaustive discussion in Washington.

General McChrystal, the American commander in Afghanistan, has endorsed Mr. Obama’s 18-month deadline in remarks to reporters in Kabul, as you would expect, but he has added a note of reservation by saying that the time line is flexible and “not an absolute.” A similar approach has been evident at hearings on Capitol Hill, where Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, said Wednesday that it made “no sense” to set an exit date if the withdrawal was going to be based on conditions on the ground. That drew a cautiously-worded reassurance from Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, who told the senators that he, too, “adamantly opposed” deadlines. “I opposed them in Iraq, and I oppose deadlines in Afghanistan,” he said. “This will be a gradual process.” Small wonder that many hearing these exchanges were left asking themselves whether mid-2011 was as significant a date as it had seemed listening to the president on Tuesday night.

Patrick Mercer, a retired British army colonel who is a defense spokesman for the opposition Conservatives, encapsulated concerns many in the British forces have about the mid-2011 deadline when he told the BBC it would be wise to remember an old warning that Afghan jihadists have offered to their foreign foes. “They like to say, ‘You in the West have the watches, but we have the time,’ ” he said. Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who had announced last weekend that he would aim at setting a time line for withdrawing the first of Britain’s 10,000 troops by mid-2010, appeared to modify that undertaking under Conservative fire on Wednesday in the House of Commons when he said that British withdrawals would be tied closely to conditions on the ground.

The jihadist polemics have been predictable, as always. Al Qaeda Web sites have revived their mantra about more American boys arriving home in coffins, a line used prominently after President Bush announced the troop surge in Iraq. The Afghan surge, the Afghan Taliban said in a Web site posting on Wednesday, “is a strategy doomed to fail,” paving the way for “more attacks by the mujahedeen” and further damage to “the already trembling economy” of the United States.

Among our readers, at least those who have posted their views on this Web site, views are as divided as they are elsewhere. Many have focused on the 18-month commitment to begin withdrawals, some thinking it may be enough time to strike decisive blows to the Taliban, others that the Taliban will simply wait the period out; some seeing the deadline as just the jolt the Karzai government needs to shake itself out of its indolence and corruption, others viewing it as unrealistic to think anything decisive can be accomplished within the president’s time line, either in building credible Afghan security forces or improving the standards of Afghan government. If the range of these opinions is any guide to what the American public at large are thinking, Mr. Obama could be excused for thinking he has fashioned a policy that has threaded the needle politically at home, however effective it may prove in Afghanistan.

Speaking for myself, and as I suspect for many others outside of government who have firsthand experience of the conflict in Afghanistan, I think that there could be worse policies than one that holds open the American options in the war, as Mr. Obama seems to have done, given the web of political and military complexities in Afghanistan that defy simple, straight-line solutions. Some of our readers have noted that the mid-2011 date he has set for beginning a troop drawdown coincides with the American political calendar, coming as it will about 16 months before the 2012 presidential election; but even if that was a consideration in the White House – and it would be an unusual president who discounted the weight of so momentous an issue in domestic politics – it will not be a bad thing for Mr. Karzai to be reminded that American presidents are ultimately accountable to voters at home, and that Mr. Obama’s patience, and the American people’s, may be at risk of running out.

Q.

Does anybody really believe that a fractured and “tribal” society is going to come together to form a national army. Are they supposed to turn around and kill men from their own “tribe”? And who the heck is going to pay them enough not to take bribes?
David G Brown
Los Angeles
Q.

What on earth is taking so long to “train” sufficient numbers of people in Afghanistan to defend their own country ? Is it a question of will–that the American military cannot find afghanis willing to be “trained” and then willing to do whatever we are asking them to do ? …
Back to basics rob
New York
Q.

Build an Afghan army? There has never been a true national army.
Our interests (a national state that can hold the center and keep the Taliban at the fringes) run counter to Afghan history (strong regions with a weak center). U.S. forces are the ring of the donut. There is no center to hold.
trimtrim22
California
A.

With so much hinging on the success coalition forces have recruiting, training and deploying expanded Afghan security forces, and mentoring them in the field to assume responsibility for the war, Americans will be hearing much more of another senior United States officer in Afghanistan, Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, an old West Point classmate of General McChrystal’s who took command of the Afghan army and police training mission two weeks ago.

That is likely to be one of the Pentagon’s toughest assignments in years, starting with the goal already set before Mr. Obama announced his new plan, under which the Afghan army will be expanded to 134,000 troops from its present 98,000 by the end of October next year. Beyond that, the general will face a Sisyphean task(Match: Sisyphus and others.
Sisyphus

(European mythology)

‘The craftiest of men’, according to the ancient Greeks, and punished for his trickery by endless labour in the underworld. Throughout eternity he was required to roll a marble block to the top of a hill only to have it plunge back down just as it reached the crest. The symbol of futility, Sisyphus had been an avaricious King of Corinth.) in what amounts to a retrofit of the Afghan forces already deployed. Their performance so far has hardly encouraged confidence that they will be ready next year, as the coalition plan envisages, to begin the district-by-district, province-by-province takeover in heavily contested battle zones like Helmand Province that will be necessary if coalition troops are to start coming home.

But like General McChrystal, General Caldwell starts into his task with the advantage of having served in Iraq during the height of the war there, and of having experienced the dangers of illusionism. It may be no more than a footnote in the history of that war, but it was General Caldwell, as command spokesman in Baghdad for 13 months in 2006 and 2007 – (Americans may remember him, too, from his command of the 82nd Airborne Division when it was deployed to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to help evacuate residents trapped by the floods and clear a vast area of the city of debris) — who was the first American general to signal plainly, in public, that the coalition effort in Iraq was in danger of failing.

He did that at a critical moment in October 2006 — three months before President Bush ordered his military surge, but at a time when the idea of deploying extra troops into the Iraq conflict was still highly contentious, within the Baghdad command as much as it was in Washington. At a news conference, he told reporters that the failure of an American offensive to win back control of areas of Baghdad from sectarian death squads and insurgents was, as he put it, “disheartening.” It was a word he told me later he had settled on only after hours of careful review with officers on his staff.

By any reckoning, the general seems likely to face more disheartening days in Afghanistan. But he was only days into his new job before he told this reporter that, for all the difficulties, he believed the task he has been set was achievable.

“Ample challenges, but amongst it all, hope, too,”

he said in an e-mail message from Kabul. Much will now depend on the general — and the president whose plans rest so heavily on his success — being proved right.

+45 killed in Pindi mosque blasts, firing

2009-12-04T03:19:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (APP): As many as ten faithfuls embraced Shahadat and 20 sustained injuries in a suicide blast in parade lane mosque near Qasim market, Peshawar road, Rawalpindi during Juma prayers. According to various private TV channels, the injured have been shifted to nearby Combined Military Hospital (CMH).

Updated at: 1515 PST, Friday, December 04, 2009
RAWALPINDI: Twenty persons have been killed and many injured in Parade Lanes mosque suicide attacks, firing and blasts in Rawalpindi.

DG ISPR has confirmed the reports of blasts and firing around the mosque. According to reports, at least six to seven gunmen entered into Parade Lanes mosque located near Qasim market. They threw hand grenades initially followed by indiscriminate firing. Security forces officials opened retaliatory fire.

Security force cordoned off the roads leading toward the mosque and helicopters are hovering over the affected area.

The injured have been shifted to CMH and other hospitals. Large number of people was present in the mosque when the incident happened as firing is still going on. Security forces and Rescue 1122 teams are present at incident site whereas snipers have been deployed at the buildings in the area.

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AFP) – At least 30 people were killed on Friday when gunmen stormed a mosque in Pakistan's garrison city of Rawalpindi, detonating bombs and shooting at worshippers, the interior minister said.

"There were two suicide bombers and the roof of the mosque collapsed," Interior Minister Rehman Malik told the private ARY television channel.

"According to the information I received a few moments ago, above 30 were killed and there are so many people injured."

Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told AFP that the mosque was situated on Parade Lane, an area frequented by military officers.

"More than one terrorist attacked. They exploded bombs inside the mosque.... There were shots fired but we don't know whether it was from the military or the terrorists," he said.

"Terrorists were killed but we don't yet know how many."

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At least 39 killed in Pakistan mosque attack
04 Dec 2009 10:48:50 GMT
Source: Reuters
* Attackers throw hand grenades, open fire

* Compound attacked in October

* Pakistan under U.S. pressure to fight militants

* For more on Pakistan and Afghanistan, click on [nAFPAK]

By Augustine Anthony

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Militants hurled hand grenades then fired on a mosque near Pakistan's military headquarters after Friday prayers, killing at least 39 people, rescue services said.

The mosque is frequented by military officials in the garrison town of Rawalpindi. A helicopter hovered over the scene, apparently searching for militants who may have fled after the attack, which wounded more than 40.

Pakistan is fighting Taliban fighters blamed for bombings that have killed hundreds of people since an offensive was launched on their stronghold South Waziristan in October.

It faces mounting U.S. pressure to root out Islamist militants operating along border areas to help in the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

"The mosque was attacked by terrorists during Friday prayers. There was more than one attacker, for sure...," said military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas.

"As I said there were certainly more than one attacker, so there is a possibility that some of them may still be hiding in the vicinity."

The violence will press President Asif Ali Zardari to ease the threat from the Taliban insurgency. But he is a deeply unpopular leader who has been at odds with the military, which sets national security policy.

In October, suspected Taliban gunmen wearing army uniforms attacked the army headquarters, killing three hostages and two army commandos. (For more Reuters coverage of Afghanistan and Pakistan, see: http://www.reuters.com/news/globalcoverage/afghanistanpakistan) (Additional reporting by Kamran Haider; Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Alex Richardson) ((E-mail: michael.georgy@thomsonreuters.com; Reuters Messaging: michael.georgy.reuters.com@reuters.net; Islamabad newsr oom: +92 51 281 0017)) (If you have a query or comment about this story, send an e-mail to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com)

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راولپنڈی: مسجد میں فائرنگ اور دھماکے، بتیس ہلاک

شہزاد ملک

بی بی سی اردو ڈاٹ کام، راولپنڈی

راولپنڈی میں پشاور روڈ پر واقع قاسم مارکیٹ میں مسجد میں دھماکوں اور فائرنگ کے نتیجے میں بتیس افراد ہلاک اور چالیس سے زائد زخمی ہوئے ہیں۔

پاکستان فوج کے شعبہ تعلقات عامہ آئی ایس پی آر نے پریڈ روڈ کی مسجد میں ہونے والے اس واقعے میں بتیس افراد ہلاک ہونے کی تصدیق کی ہے۔ آئی ایس پی آر کے مطابق چالیس سے زائد افراد زخمی ہیں۔

تاہم ریجنل پولیس آفیسر اسلم ترین نے اس واقعے میں ہلاکتوں کی تعداد چالیس بتائی ہے جبکہ 83 افراد زخمی ہیں۔

ڈسٹرکٹ ایمرجنسی آفیسر راولپنڈی ڈاکٹر رحمان سے سرکاری ٹی وی سے بات کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ ستائیس افراد ہلاک ہوئے ہیں اور سینتیس افراد زخمی ہیں جن میں سے پندرہ کی حالت تشویشناک ہے۔

فوج نے علاقے کو گھیرے میں لے لیا ہے اور ریسکیو 1122 کی ایمبولینسز کو بھی پریڈ لین میں جانے کی اجازت نہیں دی جا رہی ہے۔ فوجی اہلکار مسجد میں ہوئے ہلاک اور زخمیوں کو پریڈ لین سے باہر لا رہے ہیں جہاں پر ایمبولینسز میں ڈالا جا رہا ہے۔

یہ واقعہ راولپنڈی میں ویسٹریج میں واقع پریڈ لین میں واقع مسجد میں ہوا ہے۔ راولپنڈی کے سی پی او راؤ اقبال نے بی بی سی کو بتایا کہ حملہ آور مسجد سے نکل کر گلیوں میں نکل گئے ہیں اور ان کی تلاش جاری ہے۔

ملک ندیم شفیع ایک عینی شاہد نے بتایا کہ وہ جمعہ کی نماز پڑھنے جا رہا تھا کہ تین دھماکے ہوئے اور اس کے بعد اندھیرا چھا گیا۔
ملک ندیم شفیع ایک عینی شاہد نے بتایا کہ وہ جمعہ کی نماز پڑھنے جا رہا تھا کہ تین دھماکے ہوئے اور اس کے بعد اندھیرا چھا گیا۔

سرکاری ٹی وی کے مطابق سات حملہ آور تھے جنہوں نے مسجد میں موجود تقریباً ستر سے زائد افراد پر پہلے گرینیڈ پھینکے اور اس کے بعد فائرنگ شروع کر دی۔

راولپنڈی پولیس کے کانسٹیبل نے نام نہ ظاہر کی شرط پر بی بی سی کو بتایا کہ حملہ آور سلور رنگ کی کرولا میں آئے تھے اور وہ گاڑی ابھی بھی مسجد کے باہر کھڑی ہے۔

سکیورٹی اہلکاروں نے میڈیا کو جائے وقوعہ سے بہت دور روک دیا ہے۔ علاقے پر فوجی ہیلی کاپٹر کی پروازیں جاری ہیں۔

سرکاری ٹی وی کے مطابق پریڈ لین مسجد میں دھماکے نماز جمعہ کے وقت ہوئے۔ اس مسجد میں سکیورٹی خدشات کے باعث عید الاضحیٰ پر نماز نہیں کرائی گئی تھی۔

واضح رہے کہ پریڈ لین میں حاضر سروس اور ریٹائرڈ جنرل رہتے ہیں۔ بریڈ لین اور اس کے ارد گرد کے علاقے گنجان آباد علاقے ہیں۔

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By Augustine Anthony Augustine Anthony – 35 mins ago

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (Reuters) – Three suicide bombers fired on worshipers then blew themselves up at a mosque near Pakistan's military headquarters after Friday prayers, killing 40 people, including many army officials, police said.

The mosque is frequented by military officials in the town of Rawalpindi, home to Pakistan's military establishment and only a 30-minute drive from the capital Islamabad.

The brazen attack in what should be one of the most secure areas of Pakistan was the latest challenge by militants against the writ of the state. A local television station said people were executed in cold blood.

Pakistan is fighting Taliban fighters blamed for bombings that have killed hundreds of people since an offensive was launched on their stronghold South Waziristan in October.

The nuclear-armed country faces mounting U.S. pressure to root out Islamist militants operating along forbidding border areas to help in the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

"They were three. They first opened fire and then blew themselves up," Rao Iqbal, Rawalpindi police chief, told Reuters.

Witnesses said earlier that attackers hurled grenades then opened fire on the mosque. A policeman said the militants arrived in a grey Toyota car.

The cleric had just finished his sermon with the phrase "Allahu akbar" (God is greatest) when an explosion shook worshippers in the Parade Lane mosque.

"AMERICA'S WAR"

"As soon as we finished prayers. I heard a blast and firing. I saw some wounded laying in the courtyard of the mosque," said Bakhtawar Hussain.

The violence will pressure President Asif Ali Zardari to do more to neutralize the threat from the stubborn Taliban insurgency. But he is an increasingly unpopular figure who has been at odds with the all-powerful military, which sets national security policy.

"There is a possibility that some of them may still be hiding in the vicinity," said military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas.

It was the second brazen assault on the area since October, when suspected Taliban gunmen wearing army uniforms attacked the army compound, killing three hostages and two army commandos.

"Initial information indicates that they were two to three attackers who entered the mosque by scaling a wall," senior police official Aslam Tarin told Reuters of Friday's attack. He said 40 people were killed and 26 wounded.

A helicopter hovered over a wide avenue sealed off by security forces with G3 rifles, apparently searching for militants who may have fled after the attack.

In outlining his Afghanistan strategy in a speech on Tuesday, U.S. President Barack Obama made a plea to Pakistan to fight the "cancer" of extremism and said Washington would not tolerate Pakistan allowing its territory to be a safe haven for militants.

That request may be unrealistic in a country where anti-U.S. feelings and suspicions run high. Many say Pakistan should not be fighting the United States' war against militants. Failure in Afghanistan could heavily damage Obama's presidency.

"This is not our war. This is America's war and as long as we continue to stay in the American bloc things will not change," said Rawalpindi resident Mujtaba Abbasi.

(Additional reporting by Kamran Haider; Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Alex Richardson)

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17 children among 37 martyred in Pindi attack
Updated at: 2230 PST, Friday, December 04, 2009
RAWALPINDI: Thirty-seven people including 17 children, 10 civilians, 10 Army personnel embraced shahadat when terrorists attacked a mosque in Parade Lane, Rawalpindi, Saddar Friday.

According to ISPR, reportedly 4 terrorists approached a mosque inside officers residential colony in Parade Lane, Rawalpindi Saddar and hurled grenades on Namazies followed by indiscriminate firing. Meanwhile two suicide bombers entered the Mosque and blew themselves killing 35 Namazies who were offering Jumma prayers. Security forces personnel in the area responded immediately and 2 other terrorists were killed in exchange of fire.

75 personnel were injured in the same incident. Names of those who embraced shahadat are: Major General Umer Bilal, Brigadier Abdul Rauf, Lieutenant Colonel Fakhar, Lieutenant Colonel Manzoor Saeed, Major Zahid, Major (Retd) Shoaib, Naik Masood, Sepoy Abdul Qayyum, Sepoy Sarwar, Child Bilal Riaz S/O Major General Nasim Riaz, Child Ali Hassan S/O Colonel Shabbir, Child Hassan S/O Colonel Shukhran, Child Sadaul Hassan S/O Lieutenant Colonel Fakhar, Child Zamin S/O Engineer Akmal Hussain, Child Qaisar Khan S/O Syed Akbar, Child Adil Rauf S/O Abdul Raud, Child Muhammad Khan S/O Sultan Bakhsh, Child Fazal Khan S/O Madad Khan, Child Hashim, name not known S/O Brigadier (R) Sadiq, name not known S/O Brigadier Mumtaz, name not known S/O Colonel Qaiser, name not known S/O Colonel Kaleem Zubair, name not known S/O Lieutenant Colonel Shoaib, name not known S/O Major Saleem, name not known S/O Major Ahsan, Deputy Director NLC Taskeen, father of Major General Awais Mustafa, F/O Colonel Kaleem Zubair, F/O Lieutenant Colonel Farooq Awan, Civilian Kahlid Javed, Civilian Ghulam Mujtaba, Civilian Javed S/O Ghani Khan, Civilian Muhammad Fiaz, Civilian Asad and Civilian Name not known.
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Names of killed major general, brigadier, armymen and their kin

ISLAMABAD: Following are the names of the senior army officials and their kin killed in the terrorist attack at a mosque in Rawalpindi’s Parade Lane on Friday. Major General Umer Bilal, Brigadier Abdul Rauf, Colonel Mansoor, Lieutenant Colonel Fakhar, Lieutenant Colonel Manzoor Saeed, Major Zahid, Major (r) Shoaib, Naik Masood, Sepoy Sarwar and Sepoy Abdul Qayyum.

Children killed in the attack included Bilal Riaz, son of Major General Nasim Riaz; Ali Hasan, son of Colonel Shabbir; Hassan, son of Colonel Shukhran; Sadaul Hasan, son of Lieutenant Colonel Fakhar; Zamin, son of Akmal Hussain; Qaiser Khan, son of Syed Akbar; Adil Rauf, son of Abdul Rauf; Muhammad Khan, son of Sultan Bakhsh; Fazal Khan, son of Madad Khan; and Hashim, son of Peshawar Corps Commander Lieutenant Colonel Masood Aslam.

Names of seven children, who according to the Inter-Services Public Relations were sons of senior army officials, were yet to be ascertained. Father of Major General Awais Mustafa, father of Colonel Kaleem Zubair and father of Lieutenant Colonel Farooq Awan were also killed in the attack. According to the ISPR, the civilians killed in the terrorist attack included NLC Deputy Director Taskeen, Khalid Javed, Ghulam Mujtaba, Javed, Muhammad Fiaz and Asad. Names of the remaining people killed were yet to be ascertained. staff report

Parade Lane mosque akin to Masjid-e-Zarrar’

LAHORE: Claiming responsibility for Friday’s attack, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) said the Parade Lane mosque was similar to Masjid-e-Zarrar built in Madina by the munafiqeen, and was “demolished on the orders of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)”. Talking to BBC, TTP chief Waliur Rehman Mehsud said his men attacked senior army officers. “Our militants attacked the military officers (our primary target) and we will continue to attack the army,” he said, adding that the civilians killed in the attack were relatives of army personnel and their deaths “did not matter”. daily times monitor

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36 namazis killed as high-profile army officers targeted in Rawalpindi: Taliban attack masjid

* Terrorists hurl grenades into mosque, fire at worshippers
* Two attackers killed in gunbattle
* Witness says attackers pulled people by their hair and shot them

By Aamir Yasin

RAWALPINDI: At least 36 people – including a major general, a brigadier, a colonel, two lieutenant colonels, two majors, three soldiers and 17 children – were killed and 83 injured when two Taliban suicide bombers, aided by two gunmen, ripped through the Parade Lane Masjid, off Peshawar Road, during Friday prayers.

According to the AFP news agency, Interior Minister Rehman Malik told reporters that the Taliban entered the mosque disguised as worshippers.

Grenades: The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said four Taliban mounted the attack on the mosque – located inside an officers’ residential colony of Parade Lane, Rawalpindi – lobbing grenades and firing at worshipers. “Two of them – wearing suicide jackets – then entered the mosque and blew themselves up. Security personnel in the area responded immediately ... killing the other two Taliban outside the mosque,” said the ISPR.

AP quoted a police official as saying that the attack began when “several gunmen” staged an explosion to break through a checkpoint close to the mosque.

“I was parking my car outside the mosque when I heard a blast ... followed by firing,” said a witness, and put the number of attackers at “more than five”.

Another witness said the assailants retaliated when security personnel fired at them, and an exchange of fire ensued – with a military helicopter hovering over the area.

Others killed in the attack were also members of army officers’ families. Former vice chief of army staff Gen (r) Muhammad Yousaf was injured in the attack, while Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Masood Aslam’s son was among those killed.

Another witness said, “More than eight gunmen ... rushed into the mosque packed with at least 200 worshippers.”

Witness account: A private TV channel quoted a witness as saying that the assailants pulled people by their hair and shot them. Another witness said the Taliban struck immediately after the prayer leader’s Friday sermon.

Security forces and ambulances rushed to the mosque, and the entire area was cordoned off as rescue efforts began.

Security officials also searched the entire area, as it was reported that some Taliban had disappeared into adjoining streets. Survivors said the mosque had been severely damaged. The APP news agency reported security forces had seized a “rocket launcher and several grenades” left behind by the assailants.

Regional Police Officer Aslam Tareen said according to preliminary reports, “four suicide bombers” entered the mosque and started firing at worshippers, in addition to hurling grenades. “Later, two suicide bombers detonated their suicide jackets in the mosque, while the other two attackers were killed in an exchange of fire,” said the RPO. The president, the prime minister and the Punjab chief Minister strongly condemned the attack.

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Saturday, December 05, 2009

Sixth terror strike in twin cities within three months : Fear grips garrison city after mosque attack

* Business activity comes to a standstill in area
* Law enforcement agencies ‘intensify’ patrolling
* Helicopters hover over area to monitor movement of suspected people
* Peshawar Road blocked from Plaza Cinema to Chur Chowk
* Residents stay indoors, demand concrete security plan

By Aamir Yasin

RAWALPINDI: Fear and panic gripped the garrison city on Friday shortly after the suicide attack on a mosque at Parade Lane, Peshawar Road, in which 40 people, including a major general of army, were killed and 83 injured.

It was the sixth terrorist attack in three months in twin cities. On December 2, a suicide bomber attacked the Naval Complex in Islamabad, killing two soldiers and injuring 11 others. On October 20, the terrorist strike at International Islamic University Islamabad, left five dead and 31 injured. On October 10, the terrorists tried to enter army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) and on October 5, a suicide bomber blew himself up at World Food Programme offices, killing at least five people including a foreigner and injuring eight others.

Shops closed: The news about terrorist attack spread like a jungle fire and shopkeepers closed down their shops at Qasim Market and adjoining areas including Afshan Colony, Dhoke Chaudhrian, Westridge Bazaar and Transit Camp Chowk, Saddar, The Mall, Haider Road, bringing the commercial activities to a halt.

Action: The security forces came into action and increased patrolling in every part of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Rangers sealed Qasim Market area. Extra police force and law-enforcement agencies were deployed in surrounding areas and on the rooftops of nearby buildings.

Helicopters kept hovering over the Parade Lane, Peshawar Road to scan the area and watch movement of suspected people.

Road blocked: The traffic police immediately blocked the Peshawar Road with barricades from Plaza Cinema to Chur Chowk and continued to frisk people. They did not allow motorcyclists in the area.

Residents: The residents of the garrison city said how they could live in such tense and fearful situation when terrorists were wandering among them.

“I was at my shop when I heard the sound of blast. It knocked me down. I could not restore my senses for few moments before I got up and ran for shelter,” Riaz Khan, a shopkeeper at Qasim Market -close to the blast site, told Daily Times.

Mohammad Zaman, a resident of Raja Akram Road, said the terrorist activity terrified him and scared his family. “For some time, I was unable to move,” he said.

Intizar Ahmed, a resident of Peshawar Road, said the suicide attackers could hit any place if they enter the area. Why the government does not make a solid plan to get rid of terrorists as thousands of innocent people have been killed in suicide attacks in the country including Rawalpindi and Islamabad, he asked. Ali Hasan, a resident of Valley Road, said he was frightened after the terrorist attack. “We have been confined to our home since afternoon due to fear,” he said.

Raja Rasalat, a resident of Raja Akram Road, said when the police knew that some suicide attackers had entered Rawalpindi and Islamabad then why they were not arresting them. How people would move for their day-to-day work? he asked.

Another resident, Khalid Ahmed, said the mosques, bazaars and residential areas were also not safe for the people. He said the government should take practical steps to ensure protection to life and property of citizens instead of making tall claims.

Clinton upbeat NATO will support U.S. Afghan plan

2009-12-03T22:43:00.000-08:00

04 Dec 2009 02:19:17 GMT
Source: Reuters
* Clinton expects more NATO troop announcements

* Says some countries "stars must align" for public support

* Repeats no firm U.S. withdrawal deadline in mid-2011

By Andrew Quinn

BRUSSELS, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she was confident allies would support U.S. calls for more troops in Afghanistan, as she arrived for a NATO meeting on Friday, but acknowledged that some may not yet be ready politically to go public.

"The response has been positive," Clinton told reporters on her plane to Brussels, where she will spend Friday explaining President Barack Obama's plan to ramp up the U.S.-led campaign against Afghanistan's Taliban insurgency.

Obama will send another 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan, boosting the total U.S. troop commitment to nearly 100,000, to try to stem a resurgent Taliban and prepare Afghan security forces to begin assuming security responsibility in mid-2011, allowing the start of a U.S. withdrawal.

Washington hopes NATO and other allies, which already have about 40,000 troops in Afghanistan, will contribute up to 7,000 more, giving Obama political cover as his fellow Democrats enter a mid-term election year in 2010 with U.S. voters shaken by economic problems and divided over the costly Afghan war plan.

Clinton and other officials spent Wednesday and Thursday defending the plan to U.S. lawmakers. Clinton's NATO trip marked the public start of a campaign to woo overseas leaders.

Clinton said she had engaged in "intensive outreach" with allied foreign ministers and expected a number of public announcements in the coming days of new troops and aid for Afghanistan.

"There's an understanding about the importance of the mission that the president has described, there is a desire to be able to explain it to the publics of various countries," Clinton said of her discussions with U.S. allies.

She acknowledged that in some cases the "political stars" may not yet be aligned to allow for public statements of additional support, but overall she was upbeat about bringing U.S. allies on board. "We feel good about it," she said.

UNCERTAIN CAMPAIGN

European leaders have welcomed Obama's Afghanistan strategy, but many have been in less of a hurry to commit new forces to an 8-year military campaign marked by rising casualties.

NATO officials said on Thursday so far more than 20 countries planned to send more troops to Afghanistan but cautioned that the expected deployments could still fall short of U.S. expectations.

Italy said it would send up to 1,000 more troops. Britain, which has the second largest contingent, plans to boost its troops by 500 to 10,000. Among others who have announced additional deployments are Georgia, Poland, Slovakia, Portugal and Albania.

The Netherlands and Canada plan to withdraw combat forces of 2,100 and 2,800 in 2010 and 2011 respectively, reflecting public unease with the war. Key allies France and Germany appear to be leaning more toward providing trainers for Afghan forces.

Clinton said the United States was seeking a range of help, including civilian assistance and military training, to prepare Afghanistan to take charge of its own destiny. "We've got to bring the Afghan security forces into the fight," she said.

Clinton said she could discuss with NATO allies questions surrounding the timeline for Afghanistan, with U.S. officials scrambling back from suggestions that mid-2011 was a firm date for the start of a troop withdrawal.

Republicans in particular have criticized the notion of "arbitrary" deadlines, saying they could encourage U.S. enemies to wait out the troop "surge" strategy.

Clinton repeated that Washington hoped to begin transferring responsibility to Afghan forces within about 18 months, but that this was not a cut-off point for U.S. support. (Editing by Janet Lawrence) (For more Reuters coverage of Afghanistan and Pakistan, see: http://www.reuters.com/news/globalcoverage/afghanistanpakistan) ((andrew.quinn@reuters.com; NATO newsroom +32 2 287 6830; Reuters messaging: .andrew.quinn.reuters.com@reuters.net )) fg ((For an Interactive Factbox on troops in Afghanistan click on: http://uk.reuters.com//news/factbox?fj=20091202132548.js&fn=TROOPS%20IN%20AFGHANISTAN))

Miandad brother Basher passes away

2009-12-03T11:50:00.000-08:00

Date: 3 December, 2009(Thursday)
Cricdb staff writer
Print Version

© Cricdb
Basher Miandad, elder brother of former Test cricketer Javed Miandad has passed away in Karachi. He was in coma for a month after a traffic accident while returning some 30 days back surrender his life today[Thursday] morning.

Chairman PCB Muhammad Ijaz Butt and Management have expressed their deep sense of grief on the sad demise of Bashir Miandad elder brother of Javed Miandad, Director General PCB. “PCB fully shares Javed's grief and prays that his brother’s soul rests in peace. May Allah almighty give him and his family strength to bear this huge loss,” said PCB.

Bashir was right-hand bat and right-arm medium-fast played five first-class matches for Habib Bank Limited in a span of 1972 – 1982.

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By Syed M. Aslam
Dec 13 - 19, 1999

Bashir Miandad is the Central chairman of Pakistan Small Chamber of Commerce and Cottage Industry. He is also the vice chairman of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s standing committee of Social Welfare and Youth Affairs (FPCCI). He is the elder brother of Pakistani cricket legend Javed Miandad and eldest of five sons of late Miandad Noor Muhammad the Secretary of prestigious Sir Abdullah Haroon Muslim Gymkhana Karachi for 26 years.

Eldest of five brothers, Javed being the third, Bashir in his own rights was a seasoned cricket player who played Ayub Trophy in the late 1960s. He is a senior vice chairman of Pakistan Coconut Plantation Society, an organisation which promotes commercial plantation of coconut trees in the coastal belts of Pakistan. He is also the chief patron on a number of organisations including Pakistan Human Rights Association and Pakistan Small Steel Iron Market Association.

Doubts raised over Obama's Afghan withdrawal date

2009-12-02T12:06:00.000-08:00

By Andrew Quinn and Phil Stewart Andrew Quinn And Phil Stewart – 1 hr 39 mins ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The first of 30,000 new U.S. troops will arrive in Afghanistan in two to three weeks, top U.S. officials said on Wednesday, even as they made clear plans to start bringing the soldiers home in 18 months could slip.

President Barack Obama on Tuesday announced the major increase in U.S. forces fighting the Taliban, bringing the U.S. troop presence there to almost 100,000 in a buildup officials hope will secure Afghanistan and allow U.S. soldiers to start pulling out by the summer of 2011.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, leading off testimony by top Obama officials at the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the first of the new U.S. forces would be sent in 2-3 weeks, starting a quick buildup with an end-point.

Gates said the aim was to start shifting responsibility for security to the Afghans themselves as soon as possible. "Beginning to transfer security responsibility to the Afghans in summer 2011 is critical - and, in my view achievable," he said.

But in a sign that U.S. commanders were keeping their options open, Gates said they would review progress in December 2010 and would not abandon Afghanistan to its fate if the security situation was untenable.

"We're not just going to throw these guys into the swimming pool and walk away," he said.

The top Republican on the Senate committee, John McCain, voiced doubt about the withdrawal plan -- echoing fears that it could allow Taliban militants to wait out the U.S. troop surge and reassert themselves later.

McCain, Obama's defeated Republican rival in the 2008 presidential election, said the goal of securing Afghanistan and eliminating safe havens for al Qaeda extremists was admirable, but an "arbitrary" U.S. pullout date was dangerous.

"A date for withdrawal sends exactly the wrong message to both our friends and our enemies," he said.

U.S. Army General David Petraeus, credited with using a similar troop surge and counter-insurgency strategy to pull Iraq back from the brink, told MSNBC the 18-month withdrawal timeline for Afghanistan was realistic but ambitious.

"It will be very challenging. There will be nothing easy about it. There has been nothing easy. Afghanistan is hard and it's hard all the time and we have our eyes wide open about that," said Petraeus, who now commands U.S. forces in the whole region.

OBAMA'S WAR

Obama's speech set him up as the architect of a new phase of the eight-year old Afghan war, adding $30 billion in costs in the coming year as the country struggles with record federal deficits, high joblessness and the on-going economic bailout.

Many of Obama's fellow Democrats have voiced doubt about escalating the costly conflict, while Republicans have complained that the drawdown date ties the military's hands.

The debate comes at a risky time for Democrats, with an anti-incumbent mood building ahead of mid-term elections next year that could see Republicans take chunks out of Democratic majorities in both chambers of Congress.

Obama himself is up for re-election in 2012.

Gates and other top officials, under sharp questioning by Republicans, suggested that the 18-month withdrawal timeline could change if circumstances on the ground indicate the fight is not being won.

"I do not believe we have locked ourselves into leaving," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the committee, saying the United States wanted to show it did not intend to occupy Afghanistan indefinitely.

"We're not interested in running their country, building their nation. We are trying to give them the space and time to be able to build up sufficient forces to defend themselves," she said.

Clinton said Washington would press Afghan President Hamid Karzai to deliver on promises to fight corruption and would support moves to bring in moderate elements of the Taliban which renounce violence.

KARZAI'S OFFICE WELCOMES PLAN

Karzai's office issued a statement that said Afghanistan welcomed Obama's change in strategy, although unusually it did not provide a comment from Karzai himself.

The top U.S. and NATO commander General Stanley McChrystal, who had said he needed as many as 40,000 troops to win the war, said Obama's promise to boost forces was "the end of the beginning" of the conflict.

But the Taliban, in a statement issued by email, said the increase would only increase their resolve. "This strategy by the enemy will not benefit them," it said.

European leaders were quick to voice support for the new U.S. plan, but most delayed committing new troops to an uncertain, unpopular and deadly military campaign. U.S. officials have said Washington in seeking 5,000-7,000 more troops from allies.

Britain was first off the mark, promising to send 500 extra soldiers, boosting its contingent to about 10,000. Poland said it would send 600 more to join its 2,000-strong force while Italy promised an unspecified number.

Germany, France and others said they would wait and see.

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, speaking in Brussels, said it was realistic to expect Afghans to take over security work in 10 to 15 areas and districts next year but the transition could only happen if conditions were met.

"We will not leave unless we feel sure the Afghan security forces can actually take on responsibility for that specific district or province," he said.

Mullen said the Taliban was now dominant in 11 of Afghanistan's 34 provinces but that the troop buildup would give the U.S. military the upper hand.

Marking a major shift in strategy, McChrystal said the "vast majority" of the new combat troops would be fielded in partnership with Afghan units, a counter-insurgency mentoring tactic he said had not been fully possible in the past because the Afghan army and police were too small.

(Additional reporting by Adam Entous, David Morgan, Vicki Allen and Mohammad Zargham in Washington; David Brunnstrom in Brussels, Sayed Salahuddin in Kabul and Zeeshan Haider, Augustine Anthony and Michael Georgy in Islamabad; Editing by David Storey)

Iran detains British sailors yachting in Gulf

2009-12-01T05:12:00.000-08:00

Raphael G. Satter

London — The Associated Press Published on Monday, Nov. 30, 2009 8:41PM EST

Iran is holding five British sailors after stopping their racing yacht in the Persian Gulf, the British government said. The move could heighten tensions between Iran and major world powers, including Britain, that are demanding a halt to its nuclear program.

The yacht owned by Sail Bahrain was stopped on its way from the tiny island country to the Gulf city of Dubai on Nov. 25 when it “may have strayed inadvertently into Iranian waters,” Britain's Foreign Office said. Sail Bahrain's website identified the yacht as the Kingdom of Bahrain and said it had been due to join the 580-kilometre Dubai-Muscat Offshore Sailing Race, which was to begin Nov. 26.

The event was to be the boat's first offshore race, the website said, adding that the vessel had been fitted with a satellite tracker.

Attempts to reach representatives of the raceboat's owner were not immediately successful.

It is not clear what route the boat took from Bahrain, which is just off the coast of Saudi Arabia, and Dubai, on the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. Richard Schofield, an expert on international boundaries in the Middle East at King's College in London, said it was difficult to understand how its crew could have ended up in trouble with Iranian authorities.

“It's hard to see why, on a regular journey from Bahrain to Dubai, they would have gone through Iranian territorial waters,” he said.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that British officials had been in touch about the matter with their Iranian counterparts for nearly a week. It was not immediately clear why British officials had decided to publicize the case now.

“I hope this issue will soon be resolved,” Mr. Miliband said in the brief statement.

The statement added that the crew members – identified by British media as Oliver Smith, Sam Usher, Luke Porter, Oliver Young, and David Bloomer – were still in Iran but were “understood to be safe.” The statement did not go into further detail and a Foreign Office spokeswoman said she was not in a position to elaborate.

She spoke anonymously in line with department policy. A spokesman for Britain's military also declined comment.

An Iranian Foreign Ministry official said he was not aware of reports a British yacht had been stopped. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press.

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard has the responsibility for protecting Iranian waters in the Persian Gulf. Officials from the Guard and from the regular navy could not be reached for comment on Monday.

Iran is holding three young Americans who strayed across the border from northern Iraq in July. The U.S. has appealed for their release, saying they were innocent hikers who accidentally crossed into Iran. Tehran has accused them of spying, a sign that they could be put on trial.

Fifteen British military personnel were detained in the Gulf by Iran under disputed circumstances in March 2007. Iran charged them with trespassing in its waters, and the Iranian government televised apologies by some of the captured crew.

All were eventually freed without an apology from Britain, which steadfastly insisted the crew members were taken in Iraqi waters, where they were authorized to be.

Mr. Schofield, of King's College, said that Iran had a pattern of taking such action when it was feeling “a little defensive.”

“There's pressure being felt,” he said. “It has happened before.” But he added that, as this case involved civilians, it was less likely to be prey to international tensions.

The phone rang unanswered at the Iranian Embassy in London.

Iran's nuclear chief on Monday said U.N. criticism of its nuclear program had pushed his country to retaliate by announcing ambitious plans for more uranium enrichment. With tensions rising over deadlocked negotiations, France said diplomacy was not working and sanctions against Iran were needed.

“Israel is the American Killing arm“, Chavez

2009-11-29T11:32:00.000-08:00

What a reputation for any religious, civilised or democratic country to have? President Chavez hits the nail on its head by correctly identifying what the real purpose of creating, supporting and arming the Jewish state of Israel by the Americans; although being in breach of 39 UN Security Council Resolutions and despite being led since its independence by terrorists, criminals, assassins and fraudsters. The American CIA was known for inventing all tools to assassinate people, especially those on the left of the political spectrum. But Jimmy Carter had exposed the CIA as a killing machine and fired 750 CIA agents accused of committing homicides. In order to cover all traces, the CIA has long depended on the Israelis to carry out their dirty works in the Middle East, South Africa, Latin America, and in Europe. The US has also asked its allies to let MOSSAD agents to register with the local authorities and to operate unimpeded. These are some of MOSSAD criminal activities:
1.Killing Palestinians in Beirut, Damascus, Malta, Cyprus, Tunis, Rome and Paris.
2.The arming of the Lebanese Falange to kill Palestinians at Sabra abd Shatilla.
3.Training and arming of South African Terra Blanche fascist organisation.
4.Training and arming Latin America death squads.
5.Killing Iraqi and Egyptian nuclear scientists, in Paris and in Libya.
6.Killing Canadian weapon expert Dr Bull, in Brussels.
7.The kidnapping and killing of 355 Iraqi scientists in US-occupied Iraq.
8.The kidnapping and killing of Iraqi pilots in US-occupied Iraq.
9.The kidnapping and killing of Iraqi intelligence officers in charge of Israeli section in US-occupied Iraq.
10.The kidnapping of Israeli nuclear worker, Vanunu from London.
11.The assassination of Hezbullah members outside Lebanon.
12.Assisting the Shah Savak in setting up Iran torture and interrogation centres.
13.Assisting the Americans at Abu Ghraib prison, in US-occupied Iraq.
The roles of the Americans are to identify targets, travel documents, houses, weapons and means of escape. It is the real unholy alliance between the American right wing extremists infesting US intelligence agencies and the criminal Israelis.
Google people should be assassinated too!

I didn't have time to Google all the names and dates of MOSSAD known asassinations in collaboration with the CIA, MI-6 and French intelligence services. Furthermore, many wetern embassaies offer sanctuaries to Israeli MOSSAD agents. During Saddam rule, some MOSSAD agents worked in the Dutch embasy in Baghdad. The Iraqi resistance have a special treat reserved for the Israelis and their agents whenever they are located. MOSSAD place of operations were blown up in Arbil, Kirkuk and in at least four places in Baghdad. Like the Americans, remains of Israelis killed in Iraq are buried in a special cemetry. There is much mooooooooore to come.
Adnan Darwash, Iraq Occupation Times

Dubai house prices seen extending falls on debt crisis

2009-11-29T08:43:00.000-08:00

Sunday, 29 Nov, 2009

Dubai may experience further losses in property values in the coming

months.— Photo from AFP/File
Business

DUBAI: Dubai’s property market is likely to face further price falls

and increased concerns over the availabilty of finance after the

emirate said it would delay debt payment issued by two of its flagship

firms, analysts said.

Dubai rocked the financial world on Nov 25 when it said it would ask

creditors of Dubai World, the conglomerate behind its rapid expansion,

and Nakheel, builder of its palm-shaped islands, to agree to a

standsill on billions of dollars of debt as a first-step to

restructuring.

‘The news plays on investor psyche and house prices may slide a

further 20-30 per cent earlier than our existing view of second half

of 2011,’ said Saud Masud, UBS’ head of research and senior real

estate analyst, Middle East and North Africa.

‘There may likely be further job cuts as a result of any potential

restructuring, and that could directly impact population outflows and

result in housing oversupply.’ State-run Dubai World had $59 billion

of liabilities as of August, a large proportion of Dubai’s total debt

of $80 billion and repayment of Nakheel’s $3.5 billion worth of

Islamic bonds, which were originally due to mature on Dec. 14, was

widely expected by the market to be met.

‘I think residentially there will be an impact. There will be

uncertainty over liabilities for that group going forward and that

will impact pricing,’ said Nicolas Maclean, managing director at real

estate services firm CB Richard Ellis ‘But if you hold property in an

unrelated developer, there may be only be a knock-on effect

short-term,’ he added.

A number of reports published by analysts recently have suggested that

conditions in Dubai’s real estate, where prices have fallen some 50

per cent since their peaks last year, were improving.

Colliers International said in a report earlier in November house

prices rose 7 per cent in the third quarter, posting their first rise

in a year. ‘The real concern is what further provisions banks will

have to make and their ability to put liquidity into the market in

2010, in terms of mortgages and development projects,’ the firm’s

regional director Ian Albert said, adding the increase in activity in

the third quarter was substantially brought about by the availability

of liquidity returning to the market.

EFG-Hermes however said it kept to its forecast of a recovery in house

prices in late 2010.

‘Recently, it has been more local demand, not foreign demand that has

been driving transaction activity. Moreover, we believe the volume of

supply expected to come on stream has been over magnified,’ said Sana

Kapadia, vice president of equity research at the bank in Dubai.

EFG expects on average 20,000 new homes between now and 2012, with

actual supply delivered to be toned downwards, given the slowdown in

construction and underlying liquidity issues, Kapadia added. — Reuters

-----------------------

Abu Dhabi to aid Dubai 'case by case': official

Saturday, 28 Nov, 2009
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People pass by a giant poster of Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,

UAE Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai in Dubai, United Arab Emirates,

Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009. – AP
Business
Dubai house prices seen extending falls on debt crisis
Dubai house prices seen extending falls on debt crisis

ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates and one of

the world's top oil exporters, will 'pick and choose' how to assist

its debt-laden neighbour Dubai, a senior Abu Dhabi official said on

Saturday.

'We will look at Dubai's commitments and approach them on a

case-by-case basis. It does not mean that Abu Dhabi will underwrite

all of their debts,' the official in the government of the emirate of

Abu Dhabi told Reuters by phone.

A policy of selectively assisting cash-strapped companies affiliated

with the government of Dubai, instead of providing blanket assistance,

challenges assumptions made by many investors who assumed that wealthy

Abu Dhabi provided a complete safety net for its racier neighbour.

Dubai's crisis exploded on Wednesday when the emirate, known for

flashy lifestyles and the world's tallest building, said it would

delay payment on debt issued by one of its flagship firms, angering

investors and sending global markets sharply lower.

'Some of Dubai's entities are commercial, semi-government ones. Abu

Dhabi will pick and choose when and where to assist,' said the

official, who declined to be identified because he is not authorised

to speak to the media.

Abu Dhabi, which pumps 90 per cent of the oil that make the United

Arab Emirates the world's third-largest oil exporter, has already

provided $15 billion in indirect support for Dubai through the UAE

central bank and two private Abu Dhabi banks.

How much more support the emirate provides for its cash-strapped

neighbour, however, will depend on how Dubai clarifies its stand on

unresolved issues.

'Until things become clearer, it is very difficult to make any further

investment decision on the bonds. Many things have to be clarified by

Dubai,' the official said.

C.BANK MONITORING

The UAE central bank said it was closely watching events stemming from

the Dubai debt crisis to ensure no harm results for the national

economy, a spokesman for the central bank said on Saturday.

'The central bank is monitoring developments very carefully to ensure

that there is no negative impact on the UAE economy,' the spokesman

told Reuters by phone.

Constitutionally, each emirate in the UAE is a separate legal entity

within the loose federation, and each controls its own natural and

financial resources. The federal government has no guaranteed access

to those resources nor is it obliged to underwrite the liabilities of

any emirate.

International markets were rocked when Dubai said on Wednesday it was

instigating a major restructuring at one of its biggest holding

companies, Dubai World.

As part of the restructuring programme, investors have been advised of

a 'standstill' in repayment of flagship real estate developer

Nakheel's $3.5 billion Islamic bond, or sukuk, due for maturity on

Dec. 14.

Dubai World had $59 billion of liabilities as of August, making up the

majority of Dubai's total debt of $80 billion.

International banks' exposure related to Dubai World could reach $12

billion in syndicated and bilateral loans, banking sources told

Thomson Reuters LPC.

A statement from the Dubai government is expected on Monday, when the

markets reopen following an extended break for Eid, a religious

holiday observed across the Gulf region.

----

Dubai blackout over debt plans to hit markets hard

Saturday, 28 Nov, 2009
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It remains to be seen if the frenetic pace of development in Dubai is

sustainable.— Photo from File
Business
Dubai house prices seen extending falls on debt crisis
Dubai house prices seen extending falls on debt crisis

NICOSIA: A lack of details on how Dubai plans to pay off its

80-billion-dollar debt mountain will hit Gulf stock markets sharply

this week when they trade for the first time since news broke of the

emirate’s problems, analysts predict.

‘It’s a very serious and severe problem that is likely to shake up the

Gulf financial system as a whole. I expect Gulf bourses to dive like

the September crash last year’ following Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy,

warned Saudi economist Abdulwahab Abu-Dahesh.

Abu Dhabi, Dubai’s oil-rich neighbour in the United Arab Emirates, is

widely expected to use some of its wealth to rescue Dubai, but

speculation is rife about what conditions it might impose.

‘Abu Dhabi could quite easily resolve the problems for Dubai if it

wanted to but the question is how and at what price,’ said economist

Jan Randolph, director of sovereign risk at the IHS Global Insight

consultancy.

‘Part of this price now seems to involve the creditors that are

effectively being asked to share in the restructuring efforts.’ Dubai

World, a state-controlled conglomerate whose businesses include global

ports operator DP World and construction giant Nakheel, announced on

Wednesday that it was seeking to suspend debt payments for six months

while the group is restructured.

The contract most directly affected is the redemption due in December

of a 3.5-billion-dollar Islamic bond issued by Nakheel, the company

behind Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah tree-shaped artificial island.

The emirate’s borrowings are the equivalent of a full year’s gross

domestic product, and Dubai World’s overall debt of 59 billion dollars

comprises three-quarters of the emirates’ total debt.

Dubai’s government chose to unveil the shock debt moratorium request

immediately before a four-day break for the Muslim holiday of Eid

al-Adha, giving regional stock exchanges no chance to react.

European markets partly recovered on Friday after sharp falls a day

earlier, but analysts expect the Dubai and Abu Dhabi markets to weaken

on Monday when they reopen.

Elsewhere in the Gulf, investors must wait even longer — the Kuwait

and Qatar bourses resume trade on Tuesday, Bahrain on Wednesday and

Saudi Arabia on December 5.

Oliver Bell of Swiss bank Pictet thinks the Dubai World crisis is a

‘disaster’ for Middle East and North Africa equity markets, and is

braced for a big sell-off, he told the UK’s Citywire financial news

website.

When news of Dubai World’s problems first broke, he ‘hoped it was a

miscommunication,’ but a later statement from Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed

al-Maktoum, head of Dubai’s Supreme Fiscal Committee, confirmed Bell’s

worst fears.

‘This was more alarming as it suggests it has been carefully planned

and they knew markets would be very concerned. Now we are in a vacuum

of no news again,’ he said.

‘If all news stays as it is the UAE market will sell off very sharply

when it reopens after Eid,’ Citywire quoted Bell as saying.

On Thursday, Sheikh Ahmed said ‘further information will be made

available early next week,’ but Randolph said Dubai World’s

announcement has raised many questions that will be hard for Dubai to

answer.

‘This was a crisis waiting to happen; all the tell-tale signs were

there.

Many creditors assumed that the Dubai government/sovereign would

support their

investment and invested companies — this is now in question,’ the

analyst said.

Randolph pointed out that Abu Dhabi has the ‘all-important’ oil wells

and still generates trade surpluses from its exports.

‘Abu Dhabi is virtually debt-free and has huge assets — including the

largest Sovereign Wealth Fund in the World with 400 to 500 billion

dollars in assets and at least four other smaller SWFs and finally

foreign exchange reserves at about 33 billion dollars,’ he said.

But the economist believes Dubai needs to face up to its difficulties

rather than rely completely on help from its richer neighbour.

‘It is necessary that Dubai goes through this restructuring, to sort

out the good assets from the bad, that which has an economically

viable future and that which does not,’ Randolph said.

The Financial Times said on Saturday: ‘Dubai must sort this mess out.

It will not now be able to restore confidence in its solvency without

support from Abu Dhabi.’ For its part, Abu Dhabi should give whatever

help is needed to bring this episode of incompetence to a close. Abu

Dhabi allowed it to be believed that it was backstopping Dubai, so it

should make good its promises.

‘This will require a public guarantee of Dubai’s debts — and soon. The

reputation of the whole UAE depends upon it.’ The Dubai market’s DFM

Index closed on Wednesday at 2,070.89, up more than 40 per cent from

the start of the year but still down by two-thirds from its peak of

6,253.10 two years ago.— AFP

----------

By Andrew Hammond - Analysis

DUBAI (Reuters) - The "Dubai vision," which has suffered a crushing blow from the freewheeling Gulf emirate's sudden debt crisis, is the creation of one man who failed to apply the rules of open governance.

The city state's rapid growth revolved around the ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who outlined his ideas in a book, "My Vision," where he suggested other Arab countries could replicate Dubai's success. Now the model -- always controversial among Gulf Arabs since it involved building shining cities in the desert at breakneck speed through the import of foreign residents, finance and labor -- is on the ropes.

Questions will surface over what went wrong.

This week Dubai said it wanted to delay payment on billions of dollars of its total $80 billion debt, sending global markets plummeting as investors feared defaults could hit the global economy just as it was recovering from the financial crisis.

"Where next for the ruling family in Dubai?" said British historian Christopher Davidson. "The massive loss of legitimacy that the ruler is now facing, the massive loss of legitimacy that his son and crown prince face after lying to the World Economic Forum last week -- where do these guys go from here?"

Sheikh Mohammed, whose face and words grace posters all over town, told the forum this month that the worst had passed for Dubai which was well-placed to pursue its development plans.

The news that investment vehicle Dubai World could not pay a $3.5 billion bond was released just before the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday and UAE national day on December 2. Local media have almost entirely avoided comment on the debacle.

"Dubai could not be more transparent and open about the challenges it is facing due to the global economic downturn as it has been," the English-language Gulf News said. The Arabic daily al-Khaleej praised the UAE's investment climate.

There is uncertainty about what assets are owned personally by the ruling family, directly by the government or simply sponsored either by the ruler or the government.

ENVY OF THE REGION

Dubai was the envy of other Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, who sought to ape some of Dubai's ideas, such as business free zones, financial centers, advanced infrastructure and welcoming Western capital and expertise.

Aside from its more eye-catching projects seen by many as white elephants, such as palm-shaped man-made islands and the world's tallest tower, Dubai developed health services, universities, sports facilities and model urban communities.

Ayman Ali, a London-based Arabic press commentator, said the Dubai model, based on Hong Kong and Singapore, forgot it was dealing with a country and not a corporation in becoming a place where many in the Arab world dreamed of living.

"In the beginning it was aimed at getting rid of bureaucracy and red tape. It worked fine but if you are building a country you shouldn't go on running it like a company," he said.

Dubai ran to catch up with business transparency practices in Singapore and Hong Kong, and never even pretended to expand political participation beyond a small group around the ruler.

In an online interview this year that epitomized the progressive image Dubai has tried to present, Sheikh Mohammed rejected the suggestion he was a "Superman" who ran the freewheeling emirate alone.

"The 'Superman' phenomenon you are talking about does not exist in our organizations and institutions," he told the questioner -- before going on to discuss how his poetry and horse-racing fit into his 24-hour-a-day schedule.

Despite its financial troubles, many still regard Dubai as a pioneer among its neighbors.

"There was a lack of transparency, yes, but Dubai did something whose model was full liberalism. They made mistakes and lacked a lot of things but they are in transition," said Dubai-based Ibrahim Khayat, a Lebanese strategic business analyst. "Singapore has corruption too."

Martin Hvidt, a Danish Middle East Studies professor who focuses on Gulf economies, said the concentration of power in the hands of Sheikh Mohammed and a few advisors meant Dubai could take quick action to rectify mistakes.

"It's too early to write Dubai's obituary," he said.

(Additional reporting by Raissa Kasolowsky; Editing by Samia Nakhoul)

----------
Dubai debt woes may hit U.S. property market

By Elinor Comlay and Jonathan Stempel - Analysis

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Dubai's debt woes could further unhinge an already fragile U.S. commercial real estate, as it illustrates the importance of that tiny country to global investors in an increasingly interconnected world.

A state-owned investment conglomerate Dubai World, with $59 billion of liabilities, set off a global stock market selloff this week after it said it wants to restructure its debt, including at its property subsidiary Nakheel.

"This downturn has had more of a global impact," said Tony Ciochetti, chairman of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Center for Real Estate in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

"As I try to explain to my students, with a global economy, we're all attached at the hip financially in some way, shape or form," he added.

The Dubai news also cast doubt over the strength of the fledgling U.S. economic recovery, and the prospects for a bottoming of property prices.

On Friday alone, the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index .DJUSRE fell 2.9 percent, nearly twice the decline of broader U.S. market indexes.

"Dubai may have to unload some very prestigious properties at distressed prices and this will drive the price of all commercial real estate lower," wrote Richard Bove, a banking analyst at Rochdale Securities in Lutz, Florida.

PRESTIGIOUS PROPERTIES

In the United States, Dubai World's portfolio includes several well-known properties, and the fallout could have a larger impact on the entire real estate market.

The company is a partner with casino operator MGM Mirage (MGM.N) in the $8.5 billion CityCenter project, which would add 6,000 rooms to a Las Vegas Strip gambling corridor already saturated with unoccupied hotel rooms.

Nakheel, perhaps best known as the developer of Dubai's palm-shaped islands, also carries the Mandarin Oriental and W hotels in New York in its portfolio, and has a 50 percent stake in the Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort.

And, through its Istithmar affiliate, Dubai World controls the upscale retailer Barneys New York Inc DBWLDB.UL.

The main threat to U.S. commercial property from Dubai World woes may be "potential for contagion," said Sam Chandan, chief economist at Real Estate Econometrics LLC in New York.

"It has the potential to spill over into the broader perception of real estate development and real estate as being a very risky area for exposure," Chandan said.

Many have already been burned.

U.S. commercial real estate values have already fallen 42.9 percent from their 2007 peak, Moody's Investors Service said.

Last month, delinquencies on U.S. commercial real estate loans that were packaged into commercial mortgage-backed securities reached 4.8 percent, more than six times the year earlier level, according to Trepp LLC in New York.

In a November 23 report, Moody's analyst Nick Levidy said prices could bottom at 45 percent to 55 percent below their peak, implying an additional 5 percent to 28 percent decline, but in a "stress case" could drop 65 percent from their peak.

CURRENCIES AND SUBMARINES

Like U.S. investors, foreign investors were enticed through much of this decade to buy U.S. real estate aided by cheap credit and the hope that property prices would steadily rise for a long time.

Currency fluctuations also provided a boost.

And the U.S. dollar lost about one-third of its value against a basket of currencies .DXY since late 2002, making it easier for foreign investors to scoop up U.S. real estate even when valuations grew too rich for investors at home.

Dubai World's holdings go far beyond real estate. It has a 20 percent stake in Canada's Cirque du Soleil, and also invests in the global bank Standard Chartered Plc (STAN.L) and New York boutique investment bank Perella Weinberg Partners.

Other investments go farther afield -- or under water. Dubai World is suing a former executive in a case arising from a wayward foray into submarine financing.

But Ciochetti suggested it is premature to quantify Dubai World's impact on U.S. commercial real estate.

"It is hard to focus on any one particular participant and then generalize about the whole market," he said. "It illustrates that very few places and participants in the commercial real estate market are totally exempt from the global economic crisis."

(Reporting by Elinor Comlay and Jonathan Stempel; Editing Bernard Orr)

---------

Dubai Official Says Government Won't Guarantee Dubai World Debt

BY SUMMER SAID

CAIRO -- The Dubai government won't guarantee the debts of its once-prized Dubai World conglomerate and creditors should help it restructure, a top government official told state-run Dubai TV Monday.

"The company received financing based on its project schedule, not a government guarantee ... they (the lenders) have deemed Dubai World as part of the government and this is not true," Abdulrahman Al Saleh, director general of Dubai's Department of Finance told the channel.

"The government is the owner of the company, but since its foundation it was established that the company is not guaranteed by the government.

Creditors need ...

-----

Crisis, what crisis? Debt-laden Dubai just shrugs
30 Nov 2009, 2100 hrs IST, REUTERS

DUBAI/ABU DHABI: Glitzy Dubai may face a debt crisis that has sent a shudder through global markets, but you wouldn't know it from officials or
Dubai
Who is who in Dubai corporate map | Burj Dubai: The tallest tower | Dubai's metro
| Dubai's mega projects
local media. World leaders have commented on the crisis -- but not those in the United Arab Emirates itself, where authorities have said little as UAE markets fell and the central bank opened an emergency facility to shore up the banking sector.

Local newspapers, which initially ignored the gravity of the crisis, have begun praising Dubai and its leadership -- and criticising foreign media for blowing events out of proportion. "Dubai is exemplary for investment destinations," was the headline in the Arabic-language Al-Bayan. The English-language Gulf News offered: "Global outcry over Dubai World restructuring is exaggerated."

Conspiracy theories floated to the surface. "This is not the first time Western countries attack Dubai's successes," wrote a contributor to the Gulf News letters page. "Dubai has changed the global trade concepts. People behind this furious campaign are against the success of the sons of the desert who transformed the desert into a dream city."

Dubai shocked creditors on Wednesday when it asked them for a standstill on billions of dollars of debt issued by the Dubai World conglomerate and its property subsidiary Nakheel, builder of luxury homes on three man-made, palm tree-shaped islands. At Candylicious, a gigantic emporium that says it is the world's largest candy store, some customers reckon Dubai's boasts of "biggest, tallest, richest" have lost their allure. "Dubai has taken advantage of people," said Australian school teacher Terry Swain, 43.

Also Read
→ Ripple effects of Dubai crisis may be felt in India: RBI
→ Oil ticks up above $76, eyes on Dubai
→ Global stocks mixed amid Dubai debt crisis
→ What went wrong in Dubai
→ Dubai woes give China chance to buy oil, gold: Report

"The way the government generates money is wrong. The cost of living is extreme. Immigration fees are extreme. It's not safe to keep your money here any more."

DREAMS IN THE SKY

But for others among the tiny emirate's mainly expatriate population of 1.7 million, the dream lives on. "I feel excited, I'm happy to work for this tower," said Ishaq Bhuiyah, a Bangladeshi labourer on the construction site of Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building. "I dream to live in one of the apartments up there, in the sky," he said through a protective mask keeping out the dust. Bhuiyah said he and his mates earn 800 dirhams ($218) per month, including food and accommodation allowances, of which he sends half to his family back home. In Abu Dhabi, the wealthiest of the UAE's seven emirates and source of 90 percent of its oil exports, the mood is harsher.

"Let them ride out the storm," said one Abu Dhabi citizen running on a treadmill in a gym, who asked not to be named. "Abu Dhabi is not responsible for bailing out Dubai whenever it falls," he fumed. "Every action has its consequences so they should learn and realise. Otherwise they will always be leaning on Abu Dhabi to help them out whenever anything goes wrong." Masud Mohammed Said, a 49-year-old Dubai taxi driver from the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar, worked for 18 years for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company before moving to Dubai.

"I listen to my taxi radio and they talk of a new financial crisis, but I don't understand its scope," he said in Swahili. "For the moment I keep driving. Until my tank is empty."

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Dec 1, 10:33 AM EST

Dubai's leader tries to calm panicky investors

By BARBARA SURK
Associated Press Writer
AP Photo
AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Dubai's leader tried to calm panicky investors Tuesday as regional markets tumbled for a second day on news that the city-state's chief conglomerate needs to delay payments on its $60 billion debt for six months.

Government-owned investment company Dubai World - the United Arab Emirates' main engine of growth - gave anxious investors the first bit of clarity they were hoping for on how it might meet its debt obligations. It said it had begun discussions with creditors on $26 billion of its debt that would include restructuring about $6 billion.

The conglomerate is involved in international projects from Gulf banks and ports in 50 countries to luxury retailer Barney's New York and a grandiose six-tower hotel-entertainment complex in Las Vegas. Its potential for a debt default sent jitters through world markets on concerns of new setbacks for Dubai World's large international bank creditors just as they are recovering from the global financial crisis.

Dubai is one of seven highly autonomous statelets that make up the United Arab Emirates and the crisis has sent the UAE's two biggest markets into a tailspin. The Dubai Financial Market sank another 5.61 percent on Tuesday after plunging 7.3 percent on Monday and Abu Dhabi's bourse closed down 3.57 percent following an 8 percent slide a day earlier.

Dubai's ruler, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, tried to reassure investors in his first public statement about Dubai World's debt crisis.

"Our economy is strong and solid and consistent," he told Al-Arabiya satellite television, adding markets were overreacting because of "a lack of understanding about what is happening in Dubai." He did not elaborate.

UAE President Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan also maintained his country's economy was healthy.

However, analysts say Dubai World's debt crisis is a symptom of a broader malaise in the city-state. Dubai has no oil resources. But for the past decade, it has been the freewheeling boomtown, racking up debt as it built extravagant artificial residential islands, malls complete with indoor ski slopes and the world's tallest tower.

The troubles raised concerns in international markets that the large international banks that extended credit to the conglomerate could now face a new setback if it defaults just as those big banks are starting to emerge from the global financial crisis. The big fear is that Dubai's problems could be indicative that the global recovery is not on as solid a footing as many had hoped and there could be other toxic debt problems still to come in developing countries.

World stock markets rose sharply Tuesday on the announcement that Dubai World was in talks to restructure a large chunk of its business. Investors were eagerly awaiting clarity on how it would deal with its debts, specifically reassurances that the company was sitting down with creditors to refinance its debt.

Saurabh Dhall, an independent broker in Dubai, said there is a lot of uncertainty about how the debt crisis will play out. He said it was raising credibility concerns both about Dubai's ability to stand behind its debt obligations and the possibility, however, remote, that the crisis could impact broader government debt in the UAE.

"The major concern is not so much the dollar amount ... of the payments, it's the concern about how this will affect credibility," he said.

Investors were not reassured on Monday when Dubai officials indicated they had washed their hands of Dubai World's debts, arguing that it was an independent company that happened to be owned by the emirate.

The news rattled investors and raised more questions about whether neighboring Abu Dhabi, the oil-rich seat of the UAE's federal government, would step in with a bailout of sort and what such a step would mean for Dubai.

Dubai World said Tuesday in a statement the restructuring would include about $6 billion in Islamic bonds issued by its real estate arm, Nakheel PJSC, the company behind Dubai's iconic, palm-shaped artificial islands. About $3.5 billion of the bonds come due on Dec. 14, and Nakheel was viewed as the litmus test for how Dubai World will deal with its debt woes.

It did not deal with the broader issue of how it would meet its entire crushing debt burden.

Dubai World's statement Tuesday said the restructuring would include Dubai World and certain subsidiaries, including Nakheel World and Limitless World. Excluded from the talks are debts from Infinity World Holding, Istithmar World and Ports & Free Zone World, which includes ports and terminal operator DP World, Economic Zones World, P&O Ferries and Jebel Ali Free Zone.

The conglomerate said all those subsidiaries are on "stable financial footing," and in a statement posted on the Nasdaq Dubai Web site, Jebel Ali Free Zone said it paid a roughly $2 billion Islamic bond, or sukuk, on time Tuesday.

Other UAE markets also felt the weight of Dubai's problems. Qatar's bourse fell 8.27 percent while Kuwait's was off 2.71 percent on Tuesday.

Markets in the Emirates will be closed Wednesday and Thursday for a national holiday and will reopen Sunday after the weekend.

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Dubai crisis to shape 2010 global risk mindset
Tue Dec 1, 2009 10:09am EST

By Natsuko Waki - Analysis

LONDON (Reuters) - Dubai's debt crisis may not sow lasting global contagion, but it may color a 2010 investment landscape where asset managers will likely differentiate more between risks rather than embracing them indiscriminately.

The global market sell-off after last Wednesday's Dubai bombshell on delaying debt payments from its state-owned conglomerates lasted only two days. World stocks have bounced back 2.5 percent this week.

For all the ripples this aftershock of the credit crisis will create, the direct material impact of any debt rescheduling on international banks or governments outside the region pales in comparison to an event like last year's bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, for example.

Of the $26 billion affected by the rescheduling, analysts reckon no more than 50 percent is held by global banks, and individual lenders can absorb that sort of hit. Credit ratings firm Moody's said on Tuesday it saw no reason to alter international bank ratings due to developments.

But while there's little rationale for direct contagion, the implications may seep through market psychology for many months to come.

The event was a reminder of the excessive leverage the world is still trying to shed and triggered what many investors, including giant U.S. bond fund Pimco, saw as a much-needed correction to 2009's surge in risky assets and emerging markets.

While many may see this as a good opportunity to re-enter the market, they will likely be more choosy on their return.

"Fundamentals will become more apparent again. It's the theme that will carry on in 2010. It's going to become much more discerning. We do appreciate next year will be turbulent for investors," said Rekha Sharma, global strategist at JP Morgan Asset Management.

CAVEAT EMPTOR

Growth-sensitive emerging market assets were the main beneficiaries this year of the wholesale shift out of low-risk, low-yielding money market instruments that took place since March of this year.

But the liquidity and growth landscape is set to change next year as Western central banks seek to time their exits from super-cheap money policies flooding the world and as many emerging economies attempt to frustrate speculative flows with a variety of controls, taxes and state intervention.

As a result, country-specific risks are rising in the face of recent capital curbs by the likes of Brazil and Taiwan.

Reflecting these rising idiosyncratic risks(A structural or behavioral characteristic peculiar to an individual or group.), for example, Brazil has moved to the top of Swiss bank UBS's growth surprise rankings followed by China, Korea and Poland.

"We have, since October, been in a decidedly different phase of the recovery where differentiation increasingly matters. Recent events will only serve to intensify the market's scrutiny," Morgan Stanley said in a note to clients.

"If March-September was a beta trade -- buy anything and it will go up -- now it's all about picking your spots. The run-on risks have increased as the scrutiny on sovereign balance sheets has intensified."

DIFFERENTIATION

Investors might also put a greater focus on differentiating between sovereign risks especially after the credit crisis effectively nationalized some private sector risks.

After the Dubai debt crisis, investors demanded higher compensation for holding debt of economies that are less fiscally robust and sold growth-sensitive currencies with weaker economic fundamentals, such as sterling and the New Zealand dollar.

For example, the 10-year Greek yield spread over safe-haven German debt widened to as much as 200 basis points after last week, compared with 100 bps in August.

The cost of protecting debt of Greek and Irish debt against default also surged last week.

The Dubai event may also prompt a review on default risks of quasi-sovereigns and other corporates. Moody's highlighted this point on Tuesday and said any Dubai World default could change long-held assumptions regarding implicit government supports.

Francesco Garzarelli, strategist at Goldman Sachs, said the developments in Dubai serve as a reminder that a sovereign's willingness to assume corporate default risk reflects rational political and economic considerations.

"Just as ... Abu Dhabi evidently could not find enough benefits to justify the fiscal costs of bailing out its neighbor, so too we continue to think that European sovereigns will fail to find justifications for future bailouts of either financial or non-financial corporates," he noted.

-----------------------------------------------------

For a graphic on different emerging market CDS, see

r.reuters.com/zab44g

-----------------------------------------------------

(Editing by Stephen Nisbet)

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http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9CFDEN81&show_article=1
Dubai World loses control of New York hotel
Dec 8 05:46 PM US/Eastern

NEW YORK (AP) - Dubai World's investment arm, Istithmar, lost ownership of the W Union Square New York hotel in a foreclosure auction Tuesday.

One of the hotel's interim lenders, a private equity firm called LEM Mezzanine, acquired the 270-room hotel for $2 million, according to Dow Jones. The sale was another financial blow to Istithmar, which acquired the hotel in October 2006 for $285 million, according to Real Capital Analytics, a data tracking firm.

Calls to Dubai World and LEM Mezzanine were not immediately returned. LEM said in a statement it plans to continue to operate the hotel and hopes to "take full advantage of any market recovery."

New York hotels have struggled in the wake of the national recession and financial downturn that have curbed business and leisure travel. Many properties have slashed their rates to attract business.

At the beginning of December, owners of eight New York hotels worth a total of $985 million were in financial distress, including a Courtyard Marriott and The Time Hotel, according to Real Capital Analytics.

The W was not the only Dubai World hotel in trouble. The Fontainebleau in Miami Beach is also in financial straits. The property's $660 million loan was due in August. Contractors also claim the owner of the historic hotel owes them $60 million.

The New York auction comes almost two weeks after Dubai World revealed it was seeking at least a six-month delay on repaying $60 billion in debt. The news rattled world financial markets and credit agencies slashed the debt ratings on Dubai's state companies, saying they might consider the plan a default.

------

Dubai's Crazy Quilt of Assets

Thursday, December 03, 2009
Source: BusinessWeek

BusinessWeek reports: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum wanted to turn Dubai into the next London or Hong Kong, a global hub for finance and tourism. To help execute his vision, the ruler relied heavily on Dubai World, the web of state-owned companies that includes everything from DP World, which operates 49 ports across the globe, to property developer Nakheel to investment arm Istithmar World. Unlike Abu Dhabi, the wealthy emirate to the southwest, Dubai had little oil production to fuel its efforts. Instead, lenders poured more than $100 billion into Dubai, at least $34 billion of which went to Dubai World.

Now, Dubai World is at the center of the mess in the emirate. Executives at the holding company are scrambling to renegotiate $26 billion in debt, which the government said it may not back. The clock is ticking: Roughly $3.5 billion of the debt comes due on Dec. 14.

"Dubai World is an example of too big to fail but also too big to guarantee,"

says Rachel Ziemba, a senior analyst at Roubini Global Economics, a research firm.

Regardless of the outcome, Dubai World may have to temper its global ambitions. Already, advisers are assessing the portfolio to figure out what holdings can be sold to raise cash. The conglomerate likely will retain control of its infrastructure assets such as the ports, which are the emirate's crown jewels. But its global real estate and retail holdings may be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Dubai World used the cash to fund a flurry of purchases. But dealmakers did so at the height of the credit boom, paying a premium for their global aspirations. The company shelled out $665 million for two New York hotels, the W Union Square and the Mandarin Oriental, whose sale prices each broke a local record of $1 million per guest room, according to Real Capital Analytics. It also has a 50% stake in CityCenter, a resort and casino development on the Las Vegas Strip that's opening this month.

"They defined the peak of the real estate bubble," says Dan Fasulo, managing director of Real Capital Analytics.

Now pieces of the portfolio may be sold to pay off creditors. A group of outside advisers is working with Dubai World to assess the damage and figure out the next steps. For example, AlixPartners, a New York restructuring firm, is dealing with the various businesses owned by Dubai World on potential divestitures and layoffs. "The advisers will review Dubai World's portfolio, focusing on assets where there is still equity that can be sold as well as those that are burning through cash," says Fasulo. In a statement, the conglomerate said Port & Free Zone World (the parent of DP World), Infinity World Holding, and Istithmar World would be excluded from the debt restructuring because of the units' "stable financial footing."

CityCenter, the largest-ever privately financed construction project in the U.S., may be one of the easiest assets for Dubai World to sell. The $8.5 billion project has a relatively small debt load. That could make it more appealing to prospective buyers than other assets in the conglomerate's portfolio.

Some properties may be wrested from Dubai World's control. Troubled loans backed by the W Union Square will be auctioned this month. The winner could use them to gain control of the luxury hotel, according to Real Capital Analytics. The Mandarin, which is suffering from the slump in travel, may not have enough money to cover debt payments, say analysts. If the hotel does fall behind, pieces of the debt may be up for grabs, too.

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TRANSCRIPT-Abu Dhabi gives Dubai $10 bln bailout

DUBAI, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Abu Dhabi has bailed out neighbouring Dubai with $10 billion in surprise aid for debt-laden Dubai World, which said it would use $4.1 billion of it to repay its Nakheel unit's Islamic bond maturing on Monday.

Dubai's government held a conference call on Monday to discuss the deal with a government source taking questions.

Following is a transcript of the key points made by the source, who declined to give his name:

IS THIS A BAILOUT?

Abu Dhabi and Dubai are clearly working as partners here to find a good, fair solution to the Dubai World situation. The key part is buying time to allow Dubai World and creditors the opportunity to come together on consensual restructuring.

There are no conditions. This is a government-to-government fund, the terms of that fund are internal to the government of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These funds are specifically for Dubai World.

I won't go into specifics. There is no conditionality. Abu Dhabi has made it clear it is there to support Dubai, Dubai World and I won't go into specifics of how the money is being handed. What's important is we have two partners that will help each other and help the UAE (United Arab Emirates).

BANKRUPTCY LAW

The government of Dubai has been in consultation for some time with bankruptcy professionals and international judges to develop a framework that is transparent, fair and acceptable to all parties. The current UAE bankruptcy laws are largely untested and (their) administration by Dubai courts poses certain challenges and problems for a large and complex bankruptcy of this size. These (new) laws should allow Dubai World, should it choose it to use the laws to achieve its restructuring and remaining obligations should it not find a consensual restructuring with its creditors.

The decree (for the new laws) was signed last night and will be announced later today.

To the extent it is unable to reach a consensual restructuring with lenders, the government wanted to make sure there was a fair and equitable way for it to restructure its debt. If it doesn't work, we wanted to make sure there was a fair and equitable framework to restructure its debt. I won't say it won't file or will file (for bankruptcy), but we wanted to make sure the company has the protection it needs if it goes to the courts.

DUBAI WORLD ASSET SALES

It is premature to speculate on the outcome of the reorganisation process. All options will be assessed and all options have been discussed between the government of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The plan will be developed in consultation with all stakeholders and probably could include the sale of assets. That will be something agreed to by everybody involved.

Dubai has not given anything up and there are no conditions on the money. Abu Dhabi provided the money to support Dubai and support Dubai World because it believes it's in the long-term strategy of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

This is specifically for Dubai World and the affected assets, which were talked about in earlier press releases. It's not meant to include any other assets. It does not include the ports, Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority. All the things that were talked about that were unaffected remain unaffected and will not be affected in any way.

TIMEFRAME FOR FUNDING

In consultation with Dubai World, it will use the grace period to assess and transfer funds. These funds will be immediately available to the Dubai Support Fund and it will make the first $4.1 billion immediately available to Dubai World.

FUNDING FOR OTHER DUBAI GOVERMENT ENTITIES

It's important to realise that this solution was reached due to exceptional credit circumstances in relation to Dubai World and should not be taken as an indication of how GRE debt will be handled. All GREs will be continually reviewed on a case by case basis. This solution is in relation to Dubai World not be taken into consideration of how other GRE debt should or should not be taken.

WHY DID IT COME DOWN TO THE LAST MINUTE?

Like any other maturity, the bonds (issued by Dubai unit Nakheel) weren't due until today. Any plans or announcement would come on the day the bonds are due. The bonds are technically not due for 14 days. The government wanted to take coordinated action that provided a comprehensive plan and complete solution to the problem.

RESTRUCTURING PLAN

This is something the company will provide clarity on in the next few weeks. We wanted to give the company a framework and provide a process with which they can have that conversation with lenders. From a government perspective, the company needs to find a long-term solution to the capital structure and had to put tools in place for them to do that.

CENTRAL BANK FACILITY

The central bank has come out clearly and they have all agreed that the central bank will inject liquidity into the banks as needed with respect to their exposure to Dubai World and its entities. Alternatively the goal is to provide a framework to provide support and that's the most important thing.

(Compiled by John Irish; editing by Karen Foster) Keywords:
(john.irish@reuters.com, +971 4 366 4248, Reuters Messaging: john.irish.reuters.com@reuters.net)

Outraged Saudis blast govt after deadly Jeddah flood

2009-11-28T14:11:00.000-08:00

350 still missing after rains
Muhammad Humaidan | Arab News

Cars drifted by flash floods are seen piled up in Gwaizah District, east of Jeddah, on Friday. (AN photo by Hasan Hatrash)

JEDDAH: Rescue operations were still continuing particularly in the badly affected areas to the east of the city as the death toll of the recent torrential rains and floods that swept through Jeddah was put at 85-103 by Civil Defense on Friday. However, three more bodies seen by Arab News reporters were discovered in Quwizah district later, bringing the number of the dead to 88.

Capt. Abdullah Al-Amri, the Civil Defense spokesman, said 37 bodies, all Saudis, had been handed over to their families and relatives for burial.

There were, however, no confirmed statistics about the number of people missing but reports Friday put them at above 350.

Director General of Civil Defense in Jeddah Gen. Muhamamd Abdul Rahman Al-Ghamdi said that a total of 1,251 people, whose homes were completely or partially damaged by the rains and the floods, had been accommodated in furnished apartments following an instruction by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. He said efforts were currently under way to provide accommodation to other families.

Gen. Al-Ghamdi said the king’s gesture covered all the residents of Jeddah affected by the disaster, whether they were Saudis or foreigners. He pointed out that his department would be able to deal with the problem of identities and official documents lost in the rain although it was causing delay in accommodating the victims.

“The department is now surveying all the affected areas looking for casualties and survivors,” he added.

Al-Ghamdi said a special committee was currently assessing damage to homes, cars and other property to inform relevant authorities with a view to future compensation.

He told Arab News that work was currently under way to clear the Haramain Expressway. Local contractors were helping remove cars and other debris blocking it, he said.

He reconfirmed that the Directorate General of Civil Defense had plans for the emergency evacuation of people living and working close to the sewage lake (commonly known to the residents of Jeddah as the Musk Lake).

Reports from Jeddah municipality stated that the lake and its retaining dam were safe. However, local residents had feared that the dam might be breached causing more floods in the city.

The municipality allayed these fears by affirming that the dam encircling it has been further fortified.

Field tours by Arab News reporters to the affected areas noted hectic efforts to reopen the Haramain Expressway, which was blocked by hundreds of wrecked and abandoned vehicles as a result of the floods. It is expected that the road might reopen for normal traffic by early Saturday morning.

Many residents of Quwaizah and Hasat Muraikh appealed to the authorities for help. They said they have been without electricity for many days. They also appealed to welfare organizations to provide them with food and medicines.

Al-Ghamdi, however, promised that the electricity would soon be restored in their areas.

----
Updated at: 0100 PST, Sunday, November 29, 2009
RIYADH: A Saudi lawyer said on Saturday he will sue the city of Jeddah, as thousands took to Facebook to blast authorities in a rare burst of open outrage after floods killed more than 100 people in the Red Sea port.

The toll jumped to 103 from Wednesday's floods after authorities discovered more bodies, Saudi-owned private television reported late Saturday.

Human rights lawyer Walid Abu al-Kheir said families of victims of the disaster were supporting the lawsuit, which will allege massive mismanagement of city works construction by the Jeddah government as a key cause for the flooding.

"They didn't make the drainage work. They have told us for three years or more that it has been completed," he said. "Even people from the city government said there were mistakes."

Waleed said he planned to file his lawsuit next Saturday, when government offices and courts reopen after the two-week Eid al-Adha holiday.

A huge rainstorm sparked the flash floods, with many victims caught in their cars and drowning in two metres (6.5 feet) or more of water.

Roads were destroyed and cars and trucks left in piles after the waters receded on Thursday.

Electricity is still out in some of the worst hit parts of the city, the country's second largest after Riyadh.

With public protests banned in Saudi Arabia, Jeddah residents have taken to the Internet to attack the government.

More than 11,000 people joined a Facebook page created three days ago to complain about the floods, saying the city government and contractors were at fault for not building adequate infrastructure.

"We've been talking about this issue for years. Everybody knew this disaster was coming. We've seen something like this on a smaller scale," Saud Kateb, a media technology professor and one of the Internet protesters, told media.

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Saudi Facebook group vents anger over flood
Hassna'a Mokhtar | Arab News

JEDDAH: Following Wednesday’s devastating floods in Jeddah, which left a trail of death and destruction, there is growing anger among residents at the state of the city’s infrastructure.

Some are even threatening to sue the municipality for damages, claiming the flash flooding was a direct result of municipal negligence. A group calling itself the “National Campaign to Save the City of Jeddah” has established an Arabic-language Facebook profile calling for action to ensure the city is never flooded again.

Thousands have rushed to join the group since it was set up on Thursday. By 5 p.m. on Friday, 6,191 Facebook users had joined the group. Thirty minutes later, 153 more people had joined.

“What we witnessed made it clear beyond any doubt that the city of Jeddah is in urgent need to be saved,” the group said on its page.

They have called for a national emergency plan to protect it. The group published nearly 200 photos and numerous videos of the devastation. The group creators said that, contrary to belief, Jeddah residents do not enjoy it when it rains “because of all the damages that happen due to a poor drainage system and poor road planning and infrastructure.”

According to a local e-newspaper, the campaign’s supervisor, Riyadh Al-Zahrani, said that the group was created to unite the efforts of people and organize volunteers to provide assistance and highlight the seriousness of the situation.

“People want to write a petition and send it to the governor. They want to express their feelings about the municipality. It has been shown now that it has no integrity,” Al-Zahrani was quoted as saying.

The King Abdullah Road underpass that was built less than four years ago was completely submerged. “Where is the drainage system? What was the vision of those who designed this project?” asked Al-Zahrani.

Lawyer Waleed Abu Alkhair, one of the campaign’s participants, said that everyone who has been involved in this chaos must be sued.

“We’ll do our best to take this to the Court of Grievances. We’ll ask for compensation to those who suffered losses and damages. That’s the least they should get,” said Alkhair.

Mufleh Al-Qahtani, chairman of the National Society for Human Rights, was reported as saying that victims of the floods have every right to file cases in the Court of Grievances against government bodies.

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Saudia in chaos after ‘self-inflicted flood’
Roger Harrison | Arab News

JEDDAH: Flights were delayed, passenger details were lost and both domestic and international flights were thrown into chaos on Wednesday when Saudi Arabian Airlines’ mainframe computer system crashed. This resulted in Saudia processing passengers, freight and cargo manifests manually and causing long delays.

The problem arose, according to a well-placed source who requested anonymity, when the sprinkler system in their Jeddah computer center turned on and soaked the central booking and manifest handling computers. The system was activated when the part of the sprinkler control system was left exposed to the rain after routine maintenance.

The storms that afflicted Jeddah on Wednesday filled the open covers with rain at about 10 a.m. that worked its way into the system controls and turned it on, presumably from an electrical short.

“All the systems and equipment went offline,” said the source. “It affected Saudia worldwide and this meant that flight plans could not be made, reservations for passengers (could not be) verified and because tickets are all e-tickets, nothing at all was working. It all had to be done manually.”

The rainfall had “affected the electrical feeders for the airline’s main centers of information systems in Al-Kandara district,” said a statement from Abdullah Mishbib Al-Ajhar, the carrier’s assistant director-general of public relations. “It had stopped all the automated systems for air-booking, departures and schedules of pilots and navigators. It had also affected air traffic and delayed all domestic flights during the past 24 hours.”

Since the flooding, people have been unable to book Saudia flights online. Attempts to phone Saudia resulted in unanswered calls or busy tones. Trying to use travel agents was no better. All they could tell would-be passengers was that Saudia’s system was down. One determined traveler drove to Jeddah airport to book a flight only to discover 400 other frustrated people ahead of him trying to do the same.

The anonymous source added that Saudia recently relieved, as a cost-saving exercise, many senior employees who were familiar with the manual booking system and knew the procedures.

“None of the current employees know how to do a load check, passenger manifest reconciliation or much of the other procedures,” he said. “We had delays you would not believe.”