- What in the World is going on with the “Jewish Tunnels?”
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/what-world-going-jewish-tunnels
Location: United States
The discovery of an illegal underground tunnel beneath a Chabad-Lubavitch synagogue in New York City has sparked controversy, reviving old antisemitic tropes and causing a clash between city authorities and worshippers. The tunnel, 60 feet long and 8 feet wide, was found during an inspection at the Chabad-Lubavitch global headquarters in Brooklyn's Crown Heights. It compromised the stability of nearby buildings, leading to a partial evacuation and citations against the building owners. However, this tunnel, far from being part of a nefarious plot, was actually an initiative by young Chabad students to expand the center in honor of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. This act, which led to the arrest of nine students and violent protests, was condemned by Chabad leaders, with Queens Rabbi Shaul Wertheimer reflecting, “I’m not excusing their actions... But someone who’s willing to destroy, vandalize, and deface a synagogue, their own synagogue at that, I would have to imagine they need a little bit of help, and I hope they’re able to get that help.”
- The United Kingdom Finally Banned This Islamist Group
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/united-kingdom-finally-banned-islamist-group
Location: United Kingdom
The UK government, led by Home Secretary James Cleverly, has officially designated Hizb ut-Tahrir as a terrorist organization, citing its antisemitism and support for Hamas, particularly for praising the latter's surprise attack on Israel on October 7th. The decision follows incidents where group followers were heard chanting "jihad" at a pro-Gaza rally. The ban, effective January 19th, makes association with or support for Hizb ut-Tahrir a criminal offense under UK terrorism laws, aligning it with groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS. Offenses can lead to up to 14 years in prison. Cleverly emphasized, “Hizb ut-Tahrir is an anti-Semitic organization that promotes and encourages terrorism, including praising and celebrating the appalling October 7 attacks.” The UK joins other nations in banning the group, which has been accused of glorifying and supporting terrorist groups. Labor’s Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper supported the decision, stating, “Those who incite violence and promote or glorify terrorism have no place on Britain’s streets and must face the full force of the law.” Meanwhile, Hizb ut-Tahrir refuted the allegations, condemning the ban as a desperate move by Britain, comparing it to authoritarian regimes.
- Muslim Vigilante 'Moral' Policing Goes Wrong in India
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/muslim-vigilante-moral-policing-goes-wrong-india
Location: India
In the south Indian state of Karnataka, a case of mistaken identity led to a brutal attack when seven men and two minors from the Muslim community assaulted two cousins, mistaking them for an interfaith couple. The incident occurred at a park, where the girl, a Muslim wearing a hijab, and her Hindu cousin, who sported a tilak (religious forehead mark), were waiting together. The attackers, misled by the pair's religious symbols, refused to believe the girl's pleas that the boy was her cousin. The boy, injured in the assault, managed to call the police after three hours. The attackers, identified and arrested, face charges including attempted murder and assault. The girl, recounting the ordeal, said, “They snatched our mobile phones. They took him to another room and assaulted him. They also hit me, asking why I was roaming around with a Hindu boy being a Muslim girl.”
- The Netflix Movie That Enraged Hindu Nationalists... Over Food
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/netflix-movie-enraged-hindu-nationalists-over-food
Location: India
Netflix's removal of the film "Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food" from its platform has sparked controversy in India. The film, set in Tamil Nadu, depicts a Brahmin woman aspiring to be a top chef, challenging traditional norms by cooking and eating meat. Brahmins are members of a high caste in Hinduism, traditionally associated with priesthood and adherence to strict vegetarianism. This portrayal, alongside a suggestion that Lord Ram ate meat during his exile and an inferred theme of "love jihad" - an unproven conspiracy theory that Muslims are converting Hindus to Islam through marriage - ignited protests from right-wing Hindu nationalists, particularly the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a hardline Hindu nationalist organization. Facing backlash, Zee Entertainment, co-producers of the film, issued an apology and withdrew the film for re-editing. This incident reflects the growing influence of right-wing Hindu groups in India's cultural sphere since the BJP's rise to power in 2014. Actress Parvathy Thiruvothu criticized the film's removal, stating, “Censoring left, right, and center until we won’t be allowed to breathe,” highlighting concerns over increasing censorship in the Indian film industry. VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal hailed the film's removal as a "victory for all Hindus."
Armin Navabi, in his latest article for Queer Majority titled 'By Any Means Necessary: Iran, Hamas, and the Left,' skillfully unravels the complex alliances between Western leftist movements and Islamic far-right groups. This piece offers a critical examination of the unlikely alliance, particularly in the context of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran and its long-term consequences. Navabi expertly navigates through historical and contemporary events, revealing how these collaborations have led to the suppression of women's rights, civil liberties, and the erosion of progressive values. This article is essential reading for those keen to understand the complexities of political alliances and their impact on social justice movements. Explore this nuanced and educational narrative that sheds light on the dangers of ideological extremities and their relevance in today's global political arena."
