ABU DHABI: The offices of the Muslim Council of Elders in Pakistan, Indonesia, and Malaysia on Sunday marked the International Day of Human Fraternity, observed annually on 4th February. This significant day recognises the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity between His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, and His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, in Abu Dhabi in 2019.
The Indonesian Muslim Council of Elders organised a series of programmes and events to promote the spirit of fraternity and peaceful coexistence among various segments of Indonesian society. The events included a Friday sermon held at the Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, attended by President Joko Widodo of the Republic of Indonesia.
It also organised a sermon-writing competition on the theme of human fraternity. The competition garnered significant interest and participation from many Indonesians across different provinces.
The Indon
esian office also coordinated with the Ministry of Religious Affairs to disseminate the values and principles of the Human Fraternity Document. The ministry issued directives to preachers in approximately 800,000 mosques across Indonesia to dedicate Friday sermons to this vital and central topic.
Furthermore, in collaboration with the Indonesian Committee for Persons with Disabilities, the Council’s branch also organised special events addressing the comprehensive concept of fraternity and equality with 150 People of Determination who participated, honoured and engaged in discussions and workshops.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani office of the Muslim Council of Elders conducted a seminar titled “Human Fraternity: Messages of Hope and Peace in the World.” The seminar focused on efforts to promote the values and principles of human fraternity, with the ultimate goal of achieving peaceful coexistence, acceptance of others, and diversity through dialogue and mutual understanding.
Similarly, the Council’s office in Ma
laysia organised several events and activities aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence in the country, known for its religious and ethnic diversity. Malaysia serves as a pioneering model of harmony and coexistence as an Islamic country that hosts different religions and ethnicities.
Source: Emirates News Agency
RAMALLAH: At least 135 crimes, assaults and violations committed by the Israeli occupation against journalism in Palestine were recorded in January, the foremost of which was the killing of 14 journalists, including eight who were killed by direct missile and bullet attacks against their homes and four others who were killed while on the job, according to the monthly report issued by the Freedom Committee at the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate.
The report stressed that the Israeli attacks on journalists, including the intentional targeting of their homes and the killing of their families, continued unabated. According to the report, 12 inhabited houses were targeted, which led to the killing of dozens of journalists’ family members.
The report affirmed the Israeli occupation soldiers’ lawless measures against journalists in the West Bank, adding that 50 cases of attacks against journalists were recorded, including detaining press crews, preventing them from doing their job and targeting them with live bul
lets.
The report stressed that journalists are faced with violence and intimidation, recording at least 26 incidents in which four journalists were brutally injured by bullets and missile shrapnel, in addition to four others who sustained cuts and bruises in Israeli attacks.
The report recorded four cases of beatings, eight injuries by tear gas and sound bombs and seven cases of destruction and seizure of equipment. In addition, The Israeli occupation detained two journalists and stormed press institutions and the homes of three journalists. One journalist was also subjected to prosecution.
The report also cited the complete interruption of communication and internet services for 14 days last month as a result of the Israeli direct targeting of telecommunications towers in Gaza. Several technical staff were killed by the Israeli occupation while attempting to fix the damage, it added.
The commission said that 116 journalists and media workers have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the I
sraeli aggression on October 7.
At least 35 journalists remain behind Israeli bars under harsh conditions that deny them the most basic rights of prisoners enshrined in international laws and conventions, according to the report.
The report added that the fate of several journalists remains unknown after losing all contact with them on October 7.
Source: Palestine news and Information Agency – WAFA