Category: Agama

ISIS Launches Malay-Language Propaganda Newspaper In Southeast Asia

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 — Terror group Islamic State (IS) is trying to increase its reach in South-east Asia by launching a Malay-language publication for its supporters in the region, according to a Berita Harian (BH) report.

The Malay daily reported today that the publication called Al Fatihin was launched in southern Philippines on June 20, and is being distributed in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, southern Thailand, as well as southern Philippines itself.

An unnamed security expert was quoted saying that the act can be seen as an “unofficial warning” that the Malay archipelago is in IS’s sights.

“This psychological campaign means that the terrorists have a big objective, which is to expand their influence among people who understand the Malay language,” said the source.

“Based on the way the language is used, we believe the writer or editor of the paper may be from this country,” the source added.

Al Fatihin means “The Conqueror” in Arabic.

A paper by the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore last month gave some details on the newspaper’s first issue’s contents.

The 20-page edition focussed on the month of Ramadan and the act of jihad or “holy struggle”, with a three-page message from Egyptian ideologue Abu Hamzah al-Muhajir, also known as Abu Ayyub al-Masri, calling on IS fighters to “continue their jihadist activities, search for martyrdom and kill and crucify the polytheists, disbelievers, oppressors and transgressors”.

It also featured Syrian martyr Abu Bilal al-Himshi, and various news excerpts from Raqqa in Syria to the Philippines, information and statistics on military operations, a map of IS provinces across the glove, and alms collection and distribution statistics in Syria.

According to BH, its editor also invited all militant groups in Indonesia and the Philippines to unite and pledge allegiance to IS leader and self-styled caliph Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi.

Bukit Aman’s Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division senior assistant director Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay refused comment on the matter to the daily, claiming the matter was still being investigated.

However he told the daily that IS is believed to be expanding its media arms, in the fields of information technology, audio visual, processing and publishing to maintain its global communications.

“It is proven through the production of their official IS applications including an official ‘live broadcast’ radio from the official IS media centre in Iraq that is broadcasted all over the world,” said Ayub.

Regional security expert Bilveer Singh, an adjunct senior fellow at Centre of Excellence for National Security at RSIS recently warned of possible increase in IS activities in the region as the terrorist organisation has begun losing its hold on territories in Iraq and Syria.

There had been a recent increase of attacks linked to IS globally, including bombings at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, the slaying of hostages in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and in South-east Asia, a suicide bombing in Solo, Indonesia, as well as the grenade attack which injured eight people at a bar in Puchong — reportedly the first in Malaysia linked to the IS.

Source: www.themalaymailonline.com

July 12, 2016
JB Malls ‘On High Alert’

Shopping malls and popular tourist destinations in Johor are beefing up security to ensure public safety in light of the recent Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) threats.

A Johor Bahru City Square shopping mall official, Ms Joyce Lee, told The Star that the management had been training its staff to be more vigilant.

She said: “We have also set up a standard operating procedure for more effective training and police have been doing frequent rounds in the vicinity.”

She said the mall had about 2.3 million visitors a month last year.

“Our shoppers are a mix of locals and Singaporeans.

“We take the security issue very seriously and constantly monitor the place through closed-circuit television (CCTV) and patrols,” she said.

Sutera Mall centre manager Crystal Soon said they have also been conducting impromptu bomb emergency drills in the mall.

Ms Soon said the exercises were carried out discreetly to avoid panic or chaos, adding that the mall receives about 700,000 visitors a month.

The added security measures come after Malaysian police have said the June 28 blast in a bar in Selangor was the work of Malaysian ISIS militants.

Police said the blast, which injured eight people, was caused by an old hand grenade that was thrown into a crowd watching a Euro 2016 match.

At least 15 people, including two low-ranking policemen, have been arrested in connection with the attack.

Malaysia has also ramped up security following the blast, including putting its main transport hub in the capital on high alert.

On Friday, police denied claims circulating on social media that militants are targeting locations in Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur.

STEPPED UP

Security at KL Sentral railway station will be stepped up to similar levels as the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to safeguard against an extremist attack, Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said early last week.

All passengers and bags destined for KLIA from KL Sentral will be subjected to security checks, said Mr Liow. More CCTV cameras and screening machines will also be installed at KL Sentral, he said.

Mr Liow said he also ordered security measures to be increased at all airports and train stations.

“We are on high alert,” he said.

While the security level at the gateways is now at “amber”, Mr Liow urged the public not to panic.

Meanwhile, a terrorism expert said Malaysians have joined ISIS’ new battalion in the Philippines.

Dr Rohan Gunaratna, who heads the Nanyang Technological University’s International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, said the new regional base was set up due to difficulties faced by ISIS recruits in going to Syria and Iraq.

“Now we have seen that in the Philippines, ISIS has created Katibah Al-Muhajir, the Battalion of Migrants.

“They are (made up of) Malaysians and Indonesians,” he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times yesterday.

“There are about 10 Malaysians (there now),” he added, citing intelligence on the new battalion.

Citing an ISIS propaganda video released last month, Mr Gunaratna said the militant group told its South-east Asian supporters to head to the battalion in the Philippines if they found it hard to go to Syria and Iraq.

Source: The New Paper

July 11, 2016
Anak Osama Bin Laden Ancam Balas Dendam Pembunuhan Bapa

Anak pemimpin al Qaeda, iaitu Osama bin Laden mengancam untuk membalas dendam terhadap Amerika Syarikat (AS) atas pembunuhan bapanya.

Demikian menurut satu rakaman audio yang dimuat naik online.

Hamza bin Laden berjanji menerusi ucapan sepanjang 21 minit yang bertajuk “Kami Semua adalah Osama”, bahawa dia akan meneruskan perjuangan kumpulan militan tersebut terhadap AS dan sekutunya, menurut kumpulan risikan SITE.

“Kami akan terus menyerang dan menyasarkan kamu di negara kamu dan di luar negara sebagai respons terhadap penindasan yang kamu lakukan ke atas rakyat Palestin, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Yaman, Somalia dan tempat-tempat Muslim yang lain yang tidak bertahan di bawah penindasan kamu,” tegas Hamza.

“Ini bukan balas dendam untuk Osama tetapi ini adalah balas dendam bagi pihak mereka yang mempertahankan Islam.”

Osama bin Laden terbunuh semasa berada di tempat persembunyiannya di Pakistan oleh para komando AS pada tahun 2011 dalam satu serbuan besar-besaran terhadap kumpulan militan yang melancarkan serangan pada 11 September 2011.

Dokumen-dokumen yang dijumpai di tempat tersebut dan diterbitkan oleh AS pada tahun lalu mendakwa sekutunya cuba menyatukan semula pemimpin kumpulan itu dengan Hamza, yang ditahan dalam rumah oleh Iran.

Hamza, yang kini berusia 20an tahun, berada di samping bapanya di Afghanistan sebelum serangan 9/11 dan meluangkan masa bersamanya di Pakistan setelah pencerobohan AS menyebabkan kebanyakan pemimpin kanan al-Qaeda ke sana, menurut Institut Brookings.

Diperkenalkan oleh ketua baru kumpulan tersebut, iaitu Ayman al-Zawahiri dalam satu mesej audio pada tahun lalu, Hamza adalah suara orang muda bagi kumpulan itu di mana para pemimpinnya semakin menua, bersungguh-sungguh mahu memberi inspirasi kepada para anggota militan di seluruh dunia yang sekarang ini mendapat motivasi daripada ISIS.

“Hamza muka baru bagi al Qaeda, seseorang yang ada kaitan secara langsung dengan pengasas kumpulan itu. Dia musuh yang bijak bertutur kata dan berbahaya,” menurut Bruce Riedel dari Brookings.

Source: Berita MediaCorp

July 11, 2016
From A Non-Muslim To Muslims: May The Blessed Month Of Ramadan Be Upon You Once Again

Ramadhan and Aidil Fitri

Ive talked to 3 friends yesterday. As a non Muslim, i ignorantly told them “tahan lagi! One more day and you dont have to fast!”

To my suprise, all three reprimanded me. I honestly thought they would say “insya Allah!”. Nope. Instead, they, on separate occassions, told me the same thing along this line :” no! I will miss Ramadhan and the fasting. It was a beautiful experience and i cant wait for the next Ramadhan to come!”

Long have we live under the same roof and yet we couldnt truly empathize or understand the true feelings of each other. I am quite confident that most non-Muslim friends, out of good will, would have thought that our Muslims friends and family will find relief towards the end of Ramadhan, assuming that fasting is some sort of hardship to them.

Most Muslim however will reply you quite the otherwise, that the fasting month really give them peace, solace, and is definitely a privilege to look forward to.

I then recalled Monyet King (now Pisang Raja)’s story about his maid, who never fast when she was back jn indonesia, but fasted religiously as she starts her work here in KL. The reason was simple: back in Indonesia she survived as a poor hard labour and needed to eat to work so that her family can be fed. Now that she has a better life in malaysia she can then indulge in her religious obligation to fast, of which she did so voluntarily and jovially.

The Ramadhan is truly a humbling month for all to enjoy. The annual affair reminds muslim to be forgiving, patience, and to empathize with the less fortunate. Working in a 99% Muslim organization, i must say that i felt their effort in improving their “zahir” and “batin”. I felt their peace, their forgiveness, and patience. It is a beautiful reminder to all.

Another friend told me, she looked forward to ramadhan more so than syawal’s aidil fitri. Reason is simple : Ramadhan gave her peace and she found solace with The Creator through her efforts of humbling herself. Syawal Aidil Fitri on the otherhand is just another festive and cultural celebration disproportionately blown up through heavy capitalism, consumerism, and commercialization.

A true muslim, she said, will appreciate Ramadhan more than the Eid, and i tend to concur with her.

Now that ramadhan has come to an end, I hope the month long of endurance and peace would extend to all mankind throughout the year.

Selamat Hari Raya aidil Fitri and May the next blessed and holy month of Ramadhan reach all of us in no time.

Source: Tai Zee Kin

July 10, 2016
Kolam Renang Awam Austria Haramkan Burkini Atas Alasan Kebersihan

HAINFELD, AUSTRIA: Pakaian renang untuk wanita Muslimah atau ‘burkini’ kini diharamkan di sebuah kolam renang awam di bandar Hainfeld, Austria.

‘Burkini’ dilarang untuk memastikan kolam renang tersebut mematuhi peraturan kebersihan, kata anggota parti berhaluan kanan, Freedom Party (FP) yang juga ahli majlis perbandaran, Peter Terzer.

Katanya seperti ditukil Russia Today (RT) dan NÖN.at: “Kami amat puas hati dengan peraturan baru ini. Dengan ini, kami boleh memastikan, tidak ada seorang pun yang memakai burkini boleh masuk ke dalam kolam renang itu.”

Larangan kontroversi tersebut juga mendapat sokongan dari datuk bandar Hainfeld, Albert Pitterle, lapor RT.

Beliau berkata keputusan itu tidak sepatutnya dianggap luar biasa kerana menurutnya, ia sejajar dengan peraturan kolam renang yang wujud sejak berdekad-dekad lamanya.

Menurut RT, bulan lalu, sebuah lagi kolam renang awam di bandar Neutraubling di Jerman turut mengharamkan wanita daripada memakai burkini.

Ini setelah seorang pengunjung wanita membuat aduan tentang seorang wanita yang memakai burkini di kolam renang tersebut.

Datuk bandar Neutraubling, Heinz Kiechle, dilaporkan tidak senang hati dengan pemakaian burkini, yang katanya “bertentangan dengan usaha perpaduan dan mengiktiraf antara satu sama lain yang kerap dibincangkan di banyak bandar.”

Selain itu, lapor RT, anggota parti FP di Austria, Encik Terzer, juga menggesa agar keselamatan lebih ketat dilaksanakan di kolam renang itu.

Beliau merujuk kepada laporan-laporan yang mendakwa beberapa wanita didakwa diserang secara seksual oleh pendatang asing di kolam-kolam renang di Austria, yang menyebabkan beberapa kemudahan riadah mengharamkan semua pelarian lelaki.

Dalam kes terbaru, pihak berkuasa bandar Mistelbach di Austria mengharamkan secara sementara semua pelarian daripada sebuah kolam renang awam.

Ini setelah seorang remaja perempuan berusia 13 tahun diganggu secara seksual oleh seorang lelaki muda “berkulit gelap”, yang dipercayai seorang pencari suaka.

Bahkan menurut RT, pihak berkuasa tempatan memasang papan tanda tertera “hari ini semua pelarian tidak dibenarkan masuk” menyusuli insiden itu.

Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

July 9, 2016