- P*dophilia in Islamic Society? Preacher Zakir Naik's Reply Sparks Backlash
Location: Pakistan
Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik sparked outrage after a video surfaced of him dismissing a Pashtun girl's concerns about societal ills, including p*dophilia, during a public gathering in Pakistan. The girl asked why evils like p*dophilia persist in strictly religious communities, but Naik interrupted her, denying her claims and stating, “There is no mention of p*dophilia in the Quran or any Islamic scripture.” He accused her of defaming Islam and demanded an apology. The exchange ignited backlash on social media, with critics accusing Naik of gaslighting and silencing the girl. One Twitter user remarked, “Her question makes 100% sense...saying she should be sorry for asking such a question is crazy.” Naik, a fugitive wanted in India for money laundering and hate speech, has faced similar criticism before, with his visit to Pakistan drawing condemnation from the Indian government.
- Afghan Taliban Bans Images of All Living Things!
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/afghan-taliban-bans-images-all-living-things
Location: Afghanistan
The Taliban's recent announcement of a sweeping ban on images of living beings in Afghanistan has sent shockwaves through the media landscape, marking a significant escalation in their implementation of strict Sharia law. This controversial move, set to be gradually enforced across the country, prohibits news outlets and journalists from capturing or publishing any images of living things. Saiful Islam Khyber, a spokesperson for the Taliban's Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, emphasized the regime's approach, stating, "Coercion has no place in the implementation of the law. It's only advice, and convincing people these things are really contrary to sharia (law) and must be avoided." However, this assurance contrasts sharply with the reality faced by Afghan journalists and citizens, who are grappling with increasingly restrictive measures that extend beyond media to affect everyday life, including advisories against viewing images on personal devices and the censorship of public advertisements.
- The Dark World of Pakistan's Blasphemy Hunters
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/dark-world-pakistans-blasphemy-hunters
Location: Pakistan
In Pakistan, a disturbing trend of online blasphemy cases has emerged, with vigilante groups spearheading a campaign that has ensnared hundreds of young professionals. These self-appointed "blasphemy hunters" scour the internet for potentially offensive content, leading to arrests and trials that have upended lives. Aroosa Khan, whose son was caught in this web, laments, "Our lives have been turned upside down," highlighting the personal toll of these prosecutions. The Legal Commission on Blasphemy Pakistan (LCBP), one of the most active groups, claims divine sanction for their actions, with leader Sheraz Ahmad Farooqi stating, "God has chosen them for this noble cause." However, human rights organizations warn of the dangers inherent in this vigilantism, pointing to potential abuses of power and the chilling effect on free expression in a country where blasphemy accusations can lead to severe consequences, including public lynchings.
- Bombshell UK FGM Conspiracy Conviction: Man Jailed for Sending Girl to Iraq
Location: United Kingdom
In a landmark legal case that has sent shockwaves through the UK, 47-year-old Emad Kaky has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for conspiring to commit female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage. This marks the first conviction of its kind in UK history since the country made it illegal to have women and girls travel abroad for FGM in 2003. The case, heard at a crown court in Nottingham, exposed a chilling plot orchestrated by Kaky, a former visiting scholar, to send a young girl from Britain to Iraq for these illegal procedures. Judge Nirmal Shant KC delivered a scathing condemnation of Kaky's actions, stating, "What you did, what you had planned, was barbaric." The prosecution's case was bolstered by evidence from Kaky's phone, where he referred to FGM as "normal," and by proof that he had booked and paid for the trip to Iraq while living in Nottingham. This groundbreaking conviction comes against a backdrop of rising concern, with NHS figures showing a 15% increase in FGM-related hospital and doctor attendances. The case not only sets a legal precedent but also highlights the complex challenges in prosecuting such crimes across international borders, with the Crown Prosecution Service having to prove that FGM is also illegal in Iraq. Despite Kaky's academic achievements as a PhD student, which his defense lawyer described as "respected" and "impressive," the University of Nottingham swiftly distanced itself from him, emphasizing that "There is no place for such barbaric offenses in our society."
- Muslim Leader: If Americans Convert, "The Issue of Palestine is Solved"
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/muslim-leader-if-americans-convert-issue-palestine-solved
Location: United States
In a controversial sermon at the Islamic Center of Detroit, Dawud Walid, the executive director of CAIR's Michigan chapter, proposed a radical solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: mass conversion of Americans to Islam. Walid, addressing various groups including progressive Jews and conservative commentators, suggested that their primary focus should be on converting them to Islam, stating, "Our first concern when we are dealing with these Jewish Voices for Peace people, these lefty Democrats, or even some Candace Owens types should be calling them to [convert to Islam and to say:] 'There is no God, but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah' – for their salvation in this life and the next." He further asserted that widespread conversion in America would resolve the Palestinian issue, criticizing Muslims who engage in "transactional" relationships with other groups, particularly regarding LGBT issues, for the sake of social justice. Walid's remarks have ignited debate about religious freedom, political influence, and the complex intersections of faith and geopolitics in contemporary America.
