Author: Jaasir al-Rahman

Copenhagen, Berlin (11/8 – 42) The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) highlighted severe restrictions imposed by the Tajikistani government on religious freedom during a virtual hearing on July 20, 2023. The commission expressed grave concern over the intensified persecution targeting the Pamiri Ismaili Muslim population of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO). Source: https://www.uscirf.gov/events/hearings/religious-freedom-tajikistan-policy-options-country-particular-concern A Pattern of Repression Since 2009, Tajikistan has enacted a complex web of laws to monitor, control, and restrict religious practices. Not only are women and children under 18 prohibited from attending public religious services, but unregistered religious communities are also denied the right to…

Unlike the UK and Australia, the UAE does not have a national health service – but with a range of high-quality clinics and hospitals, insurance covers most costs of patient care. It is mandatory by law for employers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to provide all workers with at least a basic level of health insurance under the Essential Benefits Plan for anyone earning less than Dh4,000 ($1,089) a month. Anyone earning more can benefit from a broader health insurance plan provided by an employer, offering access to more hospitals and services, such as dental and optical coverage. Basic coverage in Abu Dhabi provides workers with…

KYIV, July 18 (Reuters) – Russia and Ukraine presented vastly different accounts of fighting in northeastern Ukraine on Tuesday, with Moscow reporting advances by its troops and Kyiv saying it had seized the initiative in the region. Both sides reported no letup in the fighting. Ukraine has reported a measure of progress in a counteroffensive launched early last month in the east and in capturing villages in the south, while Moscow says it has contained any move forward by Kyiv’s forces. The top U.S. general, General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he believed Ukraine’s counter-offensive…

Frankfurt, Brussels (21/7 – 37) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has once again reversed course, approving Sweden’s bid to join the legacy European military bloc, having been promised a brace of classic F-16 fighter jets. This new deal was hammered out at the recent NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, and included a vow by Türkiye to avoid quarrels with ancient enemy Greece also a NATO member. During a 12 July press conference on in Vilnius, Erdogan touched on several issues important for Türkiye, including ratifying Sweden’s NATO bid, its F-16 jet deal with the US, and a “balancing act” between…

Colombo (25/7 – 30.77) In his book “Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday Massacre: Lessons for the International Community,” terrorism expert Dr. Rohan Gunaratna emphasizes the importance of de-radicalizing Islamic ideology to effectively combat Islamic terrorism. He identifies Wahhabism or Salafism as the root of Islamic terrorism, rapidly spreading worldwide through modern communication tools. Gunaratna warns that merely arresting perpetrators after attacks is insufficient; the focus should be on preventing radicalization in the first place. The Easter Sunday bombings in April 2019, which claimed over 200 lives, were fuelled by extremist ideologies inspired by events in the Middle East and Islamic extremists…

ABU DHABI – The UAE and Türkiye are forging ahead with their strong and dynamic partnership, as evidenced by the recent signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). This landmark agreement opens up new avenues for sustainable growth and economic prosperity, promising numerous trade and investment opportunities for the benefit of both nations. Under the leadership of both countries, the UAE and Türkiye have cultivated close trade and investment ties, aiming to elevate their relations to a broader partnership and drive economic development. The CEPA, signed during a virtual summit in March 2022 with the participation of President His…

Turkmenistan has become the latest country to receive Türkiye’s domestically-developed first fully electric vehicle, Togg, following its previous deliveries to Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. During the opening ceremonies of Arkadağ Smart City, Türkiye’s Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır presented two white Toggs to Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhammedov in the presence of Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) Chairperson Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu. The presence of two separate Toggs at the ceremony was highly appreciated, with gratitude extended to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his involvement. The Turkmenistanis were captivated by the newly acquired Toggs. In adherence to local…

ST. PETERSBURG: Russian firms are keen to develop further ties with the UAE, the country’s deputy prime minister has insisted in a speech lauding economic links between the two nations. Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Denis Manturov — also Russia’s industry and trade minister — noted the special nature of Russian-Emirati relations, which includes strong ties of friendship and a rich history of cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect and trust. His comments came after the ruler of the emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah, Sheikh Saud Al-Qasimi, took part in the opening of the UAE’s pavilion at…

The recent ‘Qatargate’ scandal in the European Parliament, which has seen MEPs & at least one former former MEP languishing in Belgian jail cells, has re-opened another serious issue – one that is institutionalised in Brussels – that of the “fake NGO”. The fake NGO is becoming a major problem in Brussels. Typically, such a body would purport to represent human rights interests: it is always going to be difficult for a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), for example, to say “no” to an approach by a human rights NGO – but easy for NGO to use the cover…

Post-Summit Analysis Russian media outlets adopted a cautious attitude in analyzing the results of the May 18-19 China-Central Asia summit, held in the Chinese city of Xi’an. A source of much wariness was a portion of Chinese leader XI Jinping’s keynote address in which he expressed China’s readiness to “strengthen the capacity of law enforcement, security and defense” in neighboring Central Asian states. Russian media analysis tended to see in Xi’s offer an intent to realign the region away from Russia towards China. Russian-language outlets also devoted attention to the Chinese announcement of a $3.7 billion aid package designed “to strengthen cooperation and development of…