Sayidina

NEWS

  • Philippines opens Muslim women-dedicated beach in top resort island

    The island of Boracay in the Philippine Aklan province is seen in a video released by its Tourism Office on Sept. 10, 2024. (Malay-Boracay Tourism Office)

    MANILA — Philippine tourism authorities inaugurated on Tuesday a beach for Muslim women travelers in Boracay, the country’s top resort island, to attract visitors from neighboring Muslim-majority countries and the Middle East.

    Located in the province of Aklan, in the center of the Philippine archipelago, Boracay is known for its white sand beaches and coral reefs that make it one of the world’s most popular holiday islands.

    Developing Muslim-friendly properties and attractions in Boracay has been on the Philippine Tourism Department’s agenda since earlier this year, as it undertook initiatives to ensure that visitors have access to halal products and services.

    The new Muslim-friendly cove area — Marhaba Boracay — is located in Boracay Newcoast township and is a place “where Muslims, especially women, would feel comfortable,” Tourism Undersecretary Myra Paz Abubakar told Arab News.

    “We know that a lot of foreign visitors go to Boracay. So, it’s also a good invitation for our Muslim brothers and sisters to consider also to visit Boracay because now we have something to offer there, like halal food. Then this beachfront is also for our Muslim friends.”

    The Philippines is enjoying an increasing number of visitors from neighboring Muslim-majority Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, as well as from Middle Eastern countries.

    “Marhaba cove represents our dedication to ensuring that all travelers, regardless of faith, can enjoy the world-renowned shores of Boracay,” Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said during the inauguration ceremony.

    “We reaffirm our commitment to transforming the Philippines into a destination for everyone to enjoy.”

    In 2023, visitor arrivals from Muslim-majority countries increased by 120 percent compared with the previous year, according to data from the Department of Trade and Industry. Last year, Muslim visitors comprised nearly 11 percent of the Philippines’ total foreign arrivals.

    “This year, we are on track to continue this positive trajectory with nearly 270,000 Muslim visitors recorded in just the first half of 2024,” Frasco said.

    “The Department of Tourism has also proactively ensured that our Muslim guests feel at home during their stay. Hence, we have accredited 289 Muslim-friendly accommodation establishments and 237 restaurants across the country with significant concentrations in certain areas of the country.”

    The Marhaba cove is developed by Megaworld, one of the largest Philippine hospitality chains, with whom the DTI signed an agreement earlier this year that all of its properties would be converted into Muslim-friendly tourism establishments.

    AN

  • Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan convicted of rape on appeal in Switzerland: court

    Swiss leading Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan arrives at Geneva’s courthouse on May 27, 2024, prior to his appeal trial over charges of rape and sexual coercion. (AFP)

    GENEVA — A Swiss appeals court on Tuesday said it found Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan guilty of rape and sexual coercion in a Geneva hotel 15 years ago, overturning an earlier lower court acquittal.

    The court said it “annuls the judgment of 24 May 2023,” and sentenced the 62-year-old former Oxford University professor to three years in prison, two of them suspended.

    The announced verdict, first reported by public broadcaster RTS, was slightly more lenient than the three years prison — half suspended — requested by the prosecutor in the case.

    Ramadan, a charismatic yet controversial figure in European Islam, has always maintained his innocence.

    Ramadan’s accuser, a Muslim convert identified only as “Brigitte,” had testified before the court that he subjected her to rape and other violent sex acts in a Geneva hotel room during the night of October 28, 2008.

    The lawyer representing Brigitte said she was repeatedly raped and subjected to “torture and barbarism.”

    Ramadan said that Brigitte invited herself up to his room. He let her kiss him, he said, before quickly ending the encounter.

    He said he was the victim of a “trap.”

    Brigitte was in her forties at the time of the alleged assault. She filed a complaint 10 years later, telling the court she felt emboldened to come forward following similar complaints filed against Ramadan in France.

    AN-AFP

  • Israel strike on Lebanon kills Hezbollah commander: source, army

    BEIRUT — An Israeli strike Tuesday on eastern Lebanon killed a Hezbollah commander, a source close to the group and the Israeli military said, the latest in near-daily exchanges throughout the Gaza war.

    The Iran-backed Lebanese group has traded fire with Israeli forces in support of ally Hamas since the Palestinian militant group’s October 7 attack triggered war in the Gaza Strip, with repeated escalations during more than 11 months of the cross-border violence.

    A source close to Hezbollah told AFP that Mohammad Qassem Al-Shaer, “a field commander” in the group’s elite Radwan Force, “was targeted in an Israeli strike on a motorcycle in the Bekaa” Valley in Lebanon’s east, far from the Israeli border.

    Hezbollah earlier announced Shaer had been killed by Israeli fire, but did not refer to him as a commander.

    The Israeli military said its air force had “eliminated the terrorist Mohammad Qassem Al-Shaer in the area of Qaraoun,” in the Bekaa Valley.

    It referred to Shaer as “a Hezbollah Radwan Force commander.”

    Elsewhere in Lebanon, the health ministry said an “Israeli enemy” strike on a building in the southern city of Nabatiyeh “caused light injuries to nine people.”

    The cross-border violence since early October has killed some 615 people in Lebanon, mostly fighters but also including 138 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

    On the Israeli side, including in the annexed Golan Heights, authorities have announced the deaths of at least 24 soldiers and 26 civilians.

    AN

  • Bayi 30 hari maut selepas diberi susu oleh jururawat

    KOTA BHARU — Bayi lelaki berusia 30 hari meninggal dunia selepas diberi susu oleh seorang jururawat yang ditugaskan menjaga bayi itu di sebuah pusat jagaan ibu bersalin di sini, petang semalam.

    Dalam kejadian kira-kira jam 5.30 petang itu, bayi berkenaan disahkan meninggal dunia ketika dibawa untuk mendapatkan rawatan di Kota Bharu Medical Centre (KBMC) di sini.

    Ketua Polis Daerah Kota Bharu, Asisten Komisioner Mohd Rosdi Daud, berkata siasatan awal mendapati kejadian berlaku jam 5.30 petang di sebuah pusat jagaan ibu bersalin di sini.

    “Dalam kejadian itu, mangsa seorang bayi lelaki berusia 30 hari didapati tidak sedarkan diri selepas diberikan susu oleh seorang jururawat sebelum disahkan meninggal dunia ketika dibawa ke KBMC.

    “Susulan kejadian berkenaan, pihak polis menahan jururawat berusia 20-an yang ditugaskan menjaga bayi terbabit jam 6 petang tadi untuk siasatan lanjut,” katanya dalam kenyataan hari ini.

    Mohd Rosdi berkata, polis akan mendapatkan perintah tahanan reman terhadap jururawat itu di Mahkamah Majistret esok.

    “Kes disiasat mengikut Seksyen 31(1) (a) Akta Kanak-Kanak 2001,” katanya.

    BH ONLINE

  • 3 kerani sekolah dikejarkan ke hospital dipercayai terhidu gas ammonia

    KOTA KINABALU — Tiga kerani di Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Likas, di sini, dikejarkan ke hospital selepas mengalami sesak nafas dan muntah dipercayai akibat terhidu gas ammonia, hari ini.

    Pengarah Pendidikan Sabah, Datuk Raisin Saidin, mengesahkan insiden kira-kira jam 1.30 tengah hari itu yang menyebabkan dua daripada kerani berkenaan menerima rawatan di Hospital Queen Elizabeth (HQE), manakala seorang lagi di HQE 2.

    Beliau memaklumkan kejadian itu hanya membabitkan tiga kakitangan wanita berkenaan, dan tiada murid atau guru di sekolah sama dilaporkan mengalami gejala sama.

    “Satu insiden kebocoran gas disyaki ammonia, dilaporkan berlaku di Pejabat Am SK Likas kira-kira jam 1.30 tengah hari tadi.

    “Bagaimanapun, tiada murid dilaporkan terjejas, kecuali tiga kerani sekolah yang berada di Pejabat Am ketika itu.

    “Ketiga-tiga mereka dikejarkan segera ke hospital selepas mengalami gejala mual, sesak nafas serta muntah. Keadaan mereka kini dilaporkan stabil,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan, di sini.

    Susulan itu, Raisin berkata, pihak sekolah segera mendapatkan bantuan Pasukan Khas Bahan Kimia Berbahaya (HAZMAT) daripada Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM) Sabah bagi memantau situasi di SK Likas.

    Namun, beliau berkata, hasil pemantauan dan penilaian HAZMAT mendapati bacaan udara di lokasi kejadian adalah normal.

    “Penilaian HAZMAT juga mendapati tiada sisa radioaktif dan kebocoran bahan kimia.

    “Bagaimanapun, HAZMAT mengarahkan supaya bilik (Pejabat Am) dibiarkan terbuka semalaman.

    “Secara keseluruhan, hasil pemeriksaan HAZMAT mengesahkan keadaan udara di persekitaran SK Likas berada dalam keadaan selamat dan terkawal,” katanya.

    Raisin berkata, insiden itu tidak menjejaskan sesi pengajaran dan pembelajaran di sekolah berkenaan.

    Begitupun, beliau berkata, pihak sekolah telah diarah memastikan tahap keselamatan murid dan warganya sentiasa terjaga.

    Terdahulu, tular dakwaan dalam media sosial bahawa berlaku kebocoran gas ammonia yang membabitkan ramai mangsa.

    Namun, dakwaan itu disangkal Jabatan Pendidikan Sabah melalui laporan awal kejadian yang dikongsikan Raisin.

    BH ONLINE

  • 4 tahun tak jumpa, anak temui rangka bapa dalam pangsapuri

    KUALA LUMPUR — Rangka seorang pesara ditemui dalam sebuah pangsapuri di Kepong di sini, Khamis lalu selepas beberapa tahun kelibatnya tidak dilihat penduduk setempat.

    Ketua Polis Daerah Sentul, Asisten Komisioner Ahmad Sukarno Mohd Zahari, berkata rangka lelaki berusia 72 tahun ditemui anak lelaki mangsa yang datang untuk bertemunya selepas empat tahun mereka terputus hubungan.

    Katanya, anak mangsa mendapati kediaman bapanya berkunci dan gagal dihubungi.

    “Anak mangsa bertindak memecahkan pintu rumah berkenaan sebelum menemukan bapanya dalam keadaan hanya tinggal rangka.

    “Difahamkan, bapa mangsa tinggal berseorangan selepas bercerai dengan ibu mangsa,” katanya dalam kenyataan, hari ini.

    Katanya, kali terakhir anak mangsa berhubung dengan bapanya pada 2020.

    “Rangka mangsa kemudian diserahkan kepada keluarganya untuk dikebumikan dan tempoh kematian sebenar mangsa tidak dapat dipastikan,” katanya.

    Sementara itu, tular mesej di media sosial mengenai penemuan mayat warga emas itu yang dikatakan sudah tidak kelihatan sejak empat tahun lalu.

    Dalam mesej yang tular mengatakan kejadian itu tidak disedari penduduk setempat kerana mangsa pernah memaklumkan kepada rakan dan penduduk mahu pulang ke kampung sebelum kehilangannya.

    “Sehinggakan semalam (Khamis) anak arwah datang mencari dan pihak JMB terpaksa mengumpil kunci untuk melihat keadaan rumah.

    “Ramai terkejut kerana tiada siapa yang mengetahui dan tiada bau busuk di kawasan berkenaan,” katanya.

    BH ONLINE

  • Pukul isteri dengan batang penyapu sawang, penghantar barang dipenjara 5 tahun

    KUALA LUMPUR — Seorang lelaki dipenjara lima tahun oleh Mahkamah Sesyen di sini hari ini kerana memukul isterinya dengan batang penyapu sawang, menampar dan menendang wanita itu selepas mangsa tidak menyerahkan rantai anak mereka dan enggan meminjam wang RM500 daripada keluarganya di kampung.

    Hakim Dr Azrol Abdullah menjatuhkan hukuman itu ke atas penghantar barang, Che Nohhud Afnan Che Omar, 33, dan memerintahkannya menjalani hukuman penjara daripada tarikh tangkap pada 21 Ogos lalu.

    Lelaki itu mengaku bersalah kerana mencederakan isterinya, Nur Atiyah Mohd Ali, 34, dengan memukul mangsa menggunakan batang penyapu sawang, batang kayu penggaru badan, menampar dan menendang seluruh badan wanita di sebuah rumah di Jalan Jerejak, Taman Setapak, Wangsa Maju di sini pada jam 8 malam, 19 Ogos lalu.

    Dia didakwa mengikut Seksyen 324 Kanun Keseksaan yang membawa hukuman penjara hingga 10 tahun atau denda atau sebat atau dengan mana-mana dua daripada hukuman itu dan dibaca bersama Seksyen 326A akta sama yang memperuntukkan hukuman penjara hingga dua kali tempoh maksimum atau denda atau sebat.

    Mengikut fakta kes, wanita itu dipukul, ditendang dan ditumbuk oleh suaminya selepas mangsa enggan menuruti permintaan tertuduh agar menyerahkan rantai milik anak mereka kepada tertuduh selain meminta isterinya untuk meminjam wang RM500 daripada ibu bapa wanita itu.

    Hasil siasatan polis mendapati, keterangan mangsa bahawa beliau dipukul oleh suaminya adalah konsisten dengan laporan perubatan yang mengesahkan kesan lebam pada badannya adalah disebabkan perbuatan tertuduh.

    Terdahulu, Timbalan Pendakwa Raya Mohamad Ikhwan Mohd Nasir memohon hukuman setimpal kerana lelaki itu menyebabkan kecederaan teruk kepada isterinya.

    “Tertuduh sepatutnya melindungi isteri dan bukan mencederakannya. Mohon mahkamah menjatuhkan hukuman setimpal dengan menimbangkan kesan trauma dialami mangsa,” katanya.

    Che Nohhud Afnan yang tidak diwakili peguam memohon hukuman ringan atas alasan mempunyai tanggungan keluarga selain bekerja sebagai penghantar barang pencuci.

    BH ONLINE-BERNAMA

  • Pegawai kementerian bergelar Datuk bersama dua kakitangannya ditahan SPRM, disyaki seleweng dana kerajaan RM400,000

    KUALA LUMPUR — Seorang pegawai kanan sebuah kementerian bergelar Datuk bersama pegawai khas dan pemandunya ditahan Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) kerana disyaki menyeleweng dana kerajaan berjumlah kira-kira RM400,000 semalam.

    Sumber berkata, ketiga-tiga mereka ditahan ketika hadir bagi memberi keterangan di Pejabat SPRM Putrajaya.

    Sumber berkata, suspek bergelar Datuk berusia lingkungan 50-an itu adalah Setiausaha Bahagian yang bertanggungjawab mengawal selia sebuah daripada agensi badan berkanun kerajaan.

    “Dua yang lain adalah pegawai khas dan pemandu beliau dan semua ditahan ketika hadir bagi memberi keterangan di Pejabat SPRM Putrajaya.

    “Suspek utama dipercayai melakukan perbuatan itu baru-baru ini dengan mengemukakan kertas cadangan program untuk kelulusan peruntukan dan kemudiannya disalurkan kepada sebuah agensi kerajaan berkaitan,” katanya.

    Sumber berkata, suspek turut disyaki berpakat dengan orang dalam agensi kerajaan terbabit dan mengeluarkan wang peruntukan berkenaan secara tunai yang bernilai ratusan ribu ringgit dan kemudian digunakan untuk keperluan peribadi.

    Berikutan itu, katanya, suspek utama dan seorang lagi ditahan untuk siasatan lanjut serta direman hari ini, manakala seorang lagi dibebaskan dengan jaminan SPRM.

    “Suspek bergelar Datuk direman empat hari sehingga Jumaat ini, manakala seorang lagi suspek lelaki berusia lingkungan 30-an direman dua hari sehingga esok.

    “Seorang lagi suspek lelaki berusia lingkungan 40-an yang juga penjawat awam dibebaskan dengan jaminan,” katanya.

    Perintah reman dikeluarkan Majistret Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin selepas permohonan dibuat SPRM di Mahkamah Majistret Putrajaya pagi tadi.

    Sementara itu, Ketua Pesuruhjaya SPRM, Tan Sri Azam Baki ketika dihubungi mengesahkan tangkapan itu dan berkata, kes disiasat mengikut Seksyen 23 Akta SPRM 2009.

    BH ONLINE

  • Palestinian death toll in Gaza surpasses 41,000: health authorities

    GAZA — The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 41,020, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday.

    During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 32 people and wounded 100 others, bringing the total death toll to 41,020 and injuries to 94,925 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October 2023, it added.

    At least 40 Palestinians were killed and more than 60 others wounded in an Israeli airstrike on tents sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Tuesday.

    “Israeli warplanes launched rockets at tents housing displaced Palestinians at the entrance to Mawasi in Khan Younis, causing widespread destruction and resulting in numerous casualties,” Palestinian medics told Xinhua.

    Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said that the attack targeted senior Hamas leaders operating from a hidden command center in a humanitarian area of Khan Younis.

    Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage.

    XINHUA

  • 40 killed in Israeli attack on Gaza

    GAZA — At least 40 Palestinians were killed and more than 60 others wounded in an Israeli airstrike on tents sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, Palestinian and Israeli sources said Tuesday.

    “Israeli warplanes launched rockets at tents housing displaced Palestinians at the entrance to Muwasi in Khan Younis, causing widespread destruction and resulting in numerous casualties,” Palestinian medics told Xinhua.

    Dr. Mohammed Al-Mughair, director of supply at the Civil Defense, confirmed that rescue teams had recovered 40 bodies and come to the aid of more than 60 injured individuals.

    He said that the bombardment created craters up to nine meters deep, suggesting the Israeli use of explosive missiles. “We are facing one of the most horrific massacres committed in this war,” he lamented.

    Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said that the attack targeted senior Hamas leaders operating from a hidden command center in a humanitarian area of Khan Younis.

    These individuals, he said, were involved in planning and executing “terrorist operations” against the army and Israeli civilians.

    Adraee added that the army took extensive measures to reduce civilian casualties.

    Hamas has not yet commented on these reports.

    Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a Hamas attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and around 250 others taken hostage.

    XINHUA