Headline News 30/08/2017

Headlines:

First Iran, now Qatar: Saudi Dominance over Hajj

Innocent Die in Somali Government Raid

The Genocide in Myanmar continues

Details:

First Iran, now Qatar: Saudi Dominance over Hajj

Once again Saudi Arabia is using Hajj for its own political gain. For Muslim pilgrims in Qatar who hoped to perform one of the pillars of Islam, the annual Hajj that began this week is out of reach. This is because Saudi Arabia - which oversees and manages Islam's two holiest sites in Mecca and Medina - has made it impossible for them to go. The Qatari Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, which regulates and organises the annual Hajj for Qatari citizens and residents, announced it hasn't received responses from its Saudi counterpart on travel logistics or security guarantees. The official Qatar News Agency reported on Tuesday that Qatar's religious authorities "did not find any cooperation or positive response from the Ministry of Hajj, which has led to confusion and suspension of the regulatory process for Qatar's pilgrims". Last year it was Iran this year Qatar.

Innocent Die in Somali Government Raid

Ten civilians, including three children, have been killed in an attack by Somali forces in Lower Shabelle, according to on the ground witnesses within the country. Many have accused the government of conducting indiscriminate attacks under the guise of targeting al-Shabab fighters. In fact, the government claims that the attack was supported by international partners; a spokesperson in Africom has confirmed that the US supplied tactical support. This news comes after Mohamed Abdullah ‘Farmanjo’ declared Somalia a war zone - however it is clear that the US has great interest in expanding its operations within the country. These inner tensions are in fact a product of US foreign policy to equip warlords so as to fragment the landscape into different regions. These recent attacks by government forces are an indication that the war against ‘terror’ is something which warrants external assistance, thus paving the way for further intervention within the region.

The Genocide in Myanmar continues

Satellite imagery analysed by Human Rights Watch has shown large areas within Myanmar set on fire with a reported 100 people killed since Friday. Clashes between police and civilians have been cited as the cause with blame being levied on Rohingyans who are dubbed as "Extremists." However, almost everyone viewing the conflict knows full well that civilians do not have such capabilities and use of weapons has been found in discovered cases. The bastion of Democracy in Myanmar has blamed charity organisations who have been "breeding terrorism" and has once again refused to point the finger at the perpetrators. Indeed, many of those being persecuted inside and outside Rakhine state are those very people who voted for Syu Kyi. Democracy has once again failed the Muslims as the Genocide continues, unhindered.