https://www.middleeastmonitor.com Latest news from the Middle East and North Africa Tue, 08 Aug 2023 12:23:54 +0000 en-GB Middle East Monitor 30 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&quality=85&strip=all&zoom=1&ssl=1 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com 32 32 116394717 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230801-indonesia-buys-drones-worth-300m-from-turkiye-aerospace/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 14:39:01 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657116 Indonesia has bought 12 new drones from Turkish Aerospace worth $300 million, its Defence Ministry said on Tuesday, the latest in a series of purchases aimed at modernising the country's ageing military equipment, Reuters reports. The deal comes after Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, in July warned his cabinet to maintain a "healthy" budget as he highlighted outsized spending by the country's security agencies, including the Defence Ministry. In January, Defence Minister, Prabowo Subianto, sealed an $800-million deal to buy 12 Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets, which drew criticism as they were considered too old. Indonesia, in February, also bought 42 Rafale fighter jets for $8.1 billion, which will be disbursed in phases over several years. At 134.3 trillion rupiah ($8.89 billion), the Defence […]]]> 657116 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230721-uk-quran-burning-desecration-deeply-insulting-to-muslims/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 16:31:31 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654391 Britain has condemned the desecration and burning of the Quran, Islam's holy book, in the Swedish capital city of Stockholm, Anadolu Agency reports. In a written statement issued by a spokesperson of UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the British government said such actions are "deeply insulting to Muslims around the world and completely inappropriate". Saying the UK denounces hatred on the basis of religion or belief, the Foreign Office said: "We will defend freedom of religion or belief for all, and promote mutual respect. We recognise the deep suffering experienced by Muslims around the world caused by the burning of the Quran." READ: UN Human Rights Council condemns attacks on Quran despite Western states' rejection Arab and Islamic states […]]]> 654391 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230721-iran-denies-oil-on-tanker-seized-by-indonesia-belongs-to-tehran/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 14:46:54 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654374 Iran's Oil Ministry said the oil cargo of an Iranian-flagged super-tanker seized by Indonesia last week does not belong to Tehran, Iranian state media reported on Friday, Reuters reports. An Oil Ministry statement, reported by the country's state media, did not identify the owner of the cargo of "MT Arman 114", an Iranian-flagged super-tanker suspected of involvement in the illegal trans-shipment of crude oil, which Indonesia's coast guard said on 11 July it had seized. "Published news linking the cargo of this ship to … Iran have no validity and this is done with the aim of creating a negative atmosphere against our country," the Oil Ministry statement said, without elaborating. READ: Iran says Oman presented some initiatives for revival of […]]]> 654374 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230719-morocco-to-become-first-african-country-to-become-partner-of-asean/ Wed, 19 Jul 2023 11:33:48 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653647 Morocco has received an agreement in principle to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which would be a first for an African country. The decision was made during the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 11-12 July. A formal decision will be made at the upcoming 43rd ASEAN Summit. The announcement was made by Rabat yesterday with a press release from Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs which said the achievement will contribute "to regional peace, stability, security, and development and prosperity in both regions." ?Statement: Morocco receives the agreement in principle to obtain the status of Sectoral Dialogue Partner from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).?https://t.co/qHZDq2vOhW@ASEAN pic.twitter.com/VizYmddEgT — Moroccan Diplomacy ?? […]]]> 653647 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230714-irans-diplomatic-drive-raisis-focus-on-the-global-south/ Fri, 14 Jul 2023 07:55:35 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652188 It's been quite a busy year for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in terms of diplomatic engagement. In February he made an official state visit to China, where 20 agreements were signed, in addition to receiving pledges from President Xi Jinping to strengthen security and economic cooperation – more on that later. Beijing was also the venue where Raisi's administration agreed to resume diplomatic relations with regional rival Saudi Arabia the following month. In May, Raisi visited close regional ally Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and signed long-term cooperation agreements. During his visit, Raisi also symbolically prayed at the historic Umayyad Mosque, achieving a gesture that Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan once famously vowed to do in 2014 at the height of […]]]> 652188 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230711-indonesia-seizes-iran-flagged-tanker-suspected-of-illegal-oil-transfer/ Tue, 11 Jul 2023 19:20:55 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651573 Indonesia's coastguard said, on Tuesday, it seized an Iranian-flagged super tanker suspected of involvement in the illegal trans-shipment of crude oil, and vowed to toughen maritime patrols, Reuters reports. The "MT Arman 114" was carrying 272,569 metric tons of light crude oil, valued at 4.6 trillion rupiah ($304 million), when it was seized last week, the Indonesian authorities said. The Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) was suspected of transferring oil to another vessel without a permit on Friday, the South-east Asian nation's maritime security agency said. The vessel was captured after being spotted in Indonesia's North Natuna Sea, carrying out a ship-to-ship oil transfer with the Cameroon-flagged "MT S Tinos", the agency's chief, Aan Kurnia, said. "MT Arman was spoofing […]]]> 651573 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230703-turkiye-intelligence-agency-exposes-ghost-network-of-mossad-operatives/ Mon, 03 Jul 2023 15:00:33 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=649023 Turkiye's National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) has exposed a vast "ghost" network of dozens of operatives working for the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, in the latest Turkish operation to bust a foreign espionage ring. According to the Turkish newspaper, Daily Sabah, the MIT recently uncovered a cell of 56 Mossad operatives, based primarily on confessions obtained from seven relevant people who were apprehended in an operation conducted in collaboration with the Istanbul Police Department's Anti-Terrorism Branch. Citing MIT documents, the paper reported that the spies were tied to nine networks overseen by nine senior Mossad agents based in the Israeli capital, Tel Aviv, and were responsible for the gathering of biographical intelligence on non-Turkish foreign nationals residing in Turkiye. The operatives […]]]> 649023 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230624-weighing-expansion-brics-increasingly-draws-membership-requests/ Sat, 24 Jun 2023 15:36:09 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=646894 The BRICS group, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, continues to attract applications from numerous countries as it explores expansion opportunities, Anadolu Agency reports. Anadolu compiled the developments regarding the enlargement process of BRICS. Amid the search for a multipolar world, Brazil, Russia, India and China laid the foundations in 2009, with South Africa joining in 2010. BRICS, while criticising the unequal structures and resolutions of the Group of Seven (G-7) and the UN Security Council, calls for reforms in international structures and norms to establish a multipolar order. With a combined population representing nearly 42 per cent of the world's population, the BRICS countries control 18 per cent of global exports. The collective gross domestic product (GDP) of […]]]> 646894 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230614-israel-did-not-attend-midwifery-conference-as-indonesia-bans-its-flag/ Wed, 14 Jun 2023 09:25:40 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=644600 No Israeli delegation participated in the 33rd Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives being held in the Indonesian island of Bali after they were told the Israeli flag would not be raised at the conference, Israeli media reported. According to the news sites, an email sent by the ICM's director general to the leadership of the Israel Midwives Association about two weeks ago said: "There is sensitivity in Indonesia regarding the raising of the Israeli flag and the remembrance of the State of Israel." The ruler of Bali and his wife were due to attend the summit and it was feared that the presence of an Israeli delegation may lead to the event being cancelled. As a result, the […]]]> 644600 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230523-authoritarian-century/ Tue, 23 May 2023 15:55:00 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=639121 Could the end of liberalism be the end of diverse multi-ethnic states, from Indonesia to the United States? Azeem Ibrahim seems to think so and aims to make the case that a post-liberal world is not only authoritarian, but also dangerous to the internal harmony of many countries throughout the world. He argues, "The ideological core of liberalism is that all human beings have equal inherent moral worth and that, therefore, they must all have their dignity equally recognised and be given freedom to pursue their own well-being and interests, at least in so far as it does not interfere with anyone else's ability to do the same."  This is the essence of liberalism he outlines in his new book […]]]> 639121 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230523-indonesia-irans-raisi-meets-widodo-in-jakarta-signs-trade-deal/ Tue, 23 May 2023 11:51:12 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=638632 Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has met with his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo as part of a two-day visit to Jakarta aimed at strengthening economic ties. Leading a high-level delegation, Raisi was officially welcomed by Widido shortly after arriving today. The two presidents took part in a ceremony symbolising peace and friendship between the two countries by planting a sapling at the Merdeka Palace, after receiving a 21-gun salute, PressTV reported. The pair later signed a preferential trade agreement (PTA), the second deal of its kind struck between Indonesia and a Middle Eastern country. The first agreement was signed in July of last year with the UAE. Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi visits Indonesia to meet his counterpart Joko Widodo in a […]]]> 638632 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230418-argentina-to-replace-indonesia-as-u20-world-cup-host-following-protests-against-israel/ Tue, 18 Apr 2023 13:18:48 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=629899 Argentina has been chosen to host the Under-20 World Cup after FIFA stripped Indonesia of its right to stage the tournament due to Jakarta's refusal to host the Israel national team, FIFA announced yesterday. "FIFA is delighted to announce that this year's edition of the U-20 World Cup will take place in Argentina, as the home of the world champions opens its doors to tomorrow's superstars of world football," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. "Having this year's edition taking place in a country that lives and breathes football will be a tremendous inspiration for the stars of tomorrow." Argentina Economy Minister Sergio Massa said it signed "all the international deals that FIFA demanded from our government." With the Under-20 World […]]]> 629899 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230418-indonesia-group-hacks-into-israel-ministries-websites/ Tue, 18 Apr 2023 09:37:44 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=629823 Israeli media outlets reported yesterday that an Indonesian hacker group has breached the websites of several Israeli ministries, exfiltrated data and published some of it. The Jerusalem Post reported that the Indonesian hacker group, which calls itself VulzSecTeam, penetrated the websites of the Israeli ministries of education, health and foreign affairs, the Israeli police and bus and train companies. Earlier this month, Anonymous Sudan carried out several cyberattacks against Israeli targets, including the websites of banks, the Israeli postal service and cybersecurity giant Check Point.  The group also infiltrated the websites of many major universities in Israel, causing hours of disruption. Last Friday, the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the operating systems of the Israeli "warning sirens" application had […]]]> 629823 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230417-new-israel-spyware-exposed-for-targeting-journalists-politicians-in-several-countries-shut-down/ Mon, 17 Apr 2023 13:39:32 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=629584 A new Israeli spyware, revealed last week for targeting journalists and opposition politicians in several countries is shutting down, reported The Times of Israel. QuaDream, founded by a former Israeli military official and former veteran employee of the NSO company, has been struggling with financial issues in recent months, but suffered a full-blown collapse, after a report published by Citizen Lab, identified the hacking tools of the Israeli firm used against advocacy agencies, opposition figures and journalists across 10 countries. According to Haaretz, employees were called for a pre-termination hearing yesterday. The staff has been reduced to only two people to ensure the safety of the remaining equipment, while the firm puts up its intellectual property for sale. Citizen Lab, […]]]> 629584 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230405-pakistan-indonesia-condemn-israel-police-raid-on-al-aqsa-mosque/ Wed, 05 Apr 2023 13:42:23 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=626787 Pakistan and Indonesia, on Wednesday, strongly condemned an Israeli police raid on Palestinian worshippers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Occupied East Jerusalem, which resulted in injuries and large-scale arrests, Anadolu News Agency reports. Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement blamed "impunity granted to Israel", which has "emboldened Tel Aviv to violate basic human rights with abandon." "I strongly condemn the Israeli police attack on Palestinian worshippers in Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem. Brutal attack is violative of sanctity of (the) holy month of Ramadan," Sharif said in a tweet. Earlier, on Wednesday, Israeli police said they detained 350 Palestinians from the complex, with witnesses saying they used excessive force, including tear gas. Strongly condemning the violence committed by […]]]> 626787 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230403-palestinian-land-day-a-battle-against-fascism/ Mon, 03 Apr 2023 14:30:15 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=625938 Palestinians marked Land Day on 30 March. On this day in 1976, the Israeli occupation forces confiscated thousands of dunums of privately owned or communal lands within the borders of areas with a Palestinian majority, and a general strike and marches spread from the Galilee to the Negev. Ten Palestinians were killed, hundreds were wounded, and hundreds more were arrested during the fierce attack by the Israeli occupation security forces. Land Day is considered a pivotal event in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict over land and in the relationship between Palestinian citizens, as this is the first time, since 1948, that Arabs in Palestine organise large-scale protests in response to Israeli policies in a collective national capacity. There is no doubt that […]]]> 625938 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230403-the-price-of-solidarity-palestine-indonesia-and-the-human-rights-dilemma/ Mon, 03 Apr 2023 13:57:36 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=625970 When I shared the news on social media that Indonesia had refused to host the Israeli team at the Under-20 FIFA World Cup scheduled from 20 May 20 to 11 June in Indonesian cities, some readers were unimpressed. Although any news related to Palestine and Israel often generates two sharply different kinds of responses, the latest act of Indonesian solidarity with the Palestinian people failed to impress even some pro-Palestine activists in the West. Their rationale had nothing to do with Palestine or Israel, but the Indonesian government's human rights record. This supposed dichotomy is as omnipresent as it is problematic. Some of the most genuine acts of solidarity with the Palestinians – or other oppressed nations in the Global […]]]> 625970 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230331-hamas-official-urges-azerbaijan-to-stop-normalisation-with-israel/ Fri, 31 Mar 2023 15:51:19 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=625639 The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, called Thursday on Azerbaijan to reverse its decision to normalise relations with Israel, saying it would come at the expense of the Palestinian people's rights. This came a day after Baku opened an embassy in Tel Aviv, after more than 30 years of diplomatic ties. "It is unfortunate that Azerbaijan normalises relations with the Zionist entity and opens an embassy in Tel Aviv, because this represents support for the Zionist entity at the expense of Palestinian rights," said the Hamas leader, Ismail Radwan, in remarks to Quds Press. "The Azerbaijani government must back down from the series of normalisation with the Zionist entity, which is committing war crimes against our Palestinian people, and has become […]]]> 625639 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230330-fifa-strips-indonesia-of-u-20-world-cup-for-anti-israel-policy/ Thu, 30 Mar 2023 14:15:54 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=625409 FIFA has stripped Indonesia of the right to host the Under-20 World Cup tournament due to Jakarta's refusal to host the Israel national team. Football's world governing body announced its decision following a meeting between the chair of the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI), Erick Thohir, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The 24-team tournament was scheduled to be held across six Indonesian cities between 20 May and 11 June. Israel was set to make its debut in the competition. "FIFA has decided, due to the current circumstances, to remove Indonesia as the host of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023," said the international body. "A new host will be announced as soon as possible, with the dates of the tournament currently […]]]> 625409 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230327-fifa-postpones-u-20-world-cup-amid-indonesias-rejection-of-israels-participation/ Mon, 27 Mar 2023 07:38:26 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=624742 FIFA yesterday canceled the draw for the Under-20 FIFA World Cup that was slated to take place in Indonesia next week, due to Jakarta's refusal to host Israel's team. FIFA's decision is a preliminary measure and may be followed by other decisions that would lead to the withdrawal of Indonesia's right to host Indonesia the tournament. Official sources were quoted by the media as saying that the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) was in talks with the FIFA over the "possibility of Singapore hosting Israel's team matches due to Jakarta's political stance." Qatar was reported to have been willing to host the tournament if an agreement between FIFA and the PSSI was not reached. The 24-team tournament is scheduled to be […]]]> 624742 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230324-islamic-giving-plays-increasing-role-in-helping-forcibly-displaced-unhcr-official/ Fri, 24 Mar 2023 15:56:27 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=624525 Islamic giving plays an increasing role in helping the forcibly displaced people, a UN refugee agency official said on Friday, Anadolu News Agency reports. At the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, Khaled Khalifa, a senior advisor to the High Commissioner and UNHCR representative to Gulf Cooperation Council Countries, launched the fifth Islamic Philanthropy Annual Report, "which shows the power and growing potential of Islamic giving to save lives and build better futures for the forcibly displaced globally". According to the report, 6 million people, who have been forcefully displaced and living in 26 countries, have benefited from the Zakat (obligatory almsgiving in Islam) and Sadaqah (voluntary charity) funds since the UNHCR's Refugee Zakat Fund was piloted in […]]]> 624525 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230302-multilateralism-ideal-response-to-shifting-global-system-turkiye-fm/ Thu, 02 Mar 2023 13:24:42 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=618977 Multilateralism should be the MIKTA nations' response to a shifting global system marked by "global complexities and multiple crises," Turkiye's Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, said on Thursday, Anadolu News Agency reports. "We are living through the transformation of the international system, marked by global complexities and multiple crises. We all believe that effective multilateralism should be our response. Not isolationism or unilateralism," Cavusoglu said, addressing the 23rd MIKTA foreign ministers meeting on the sidelines of the ongoing G-20 gathering in India's capital, New Delhi. "I am happy that the common sense of MIKTA, a grouping of Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkiye, and Australia, represents a successful practice in that regard," he said. READ: Russia discusses normalising ties between Turkiye, Syria Stressing […]]]> 618977 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230227-indonesia-field-hospital-treats-over-2000-people-in-quake-hit-turkiye/ Mon, 27 Feb 2023 13:45:51 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=618344 Physicians and paramedical staff from Indonesia have treated over 2,000 people in earthquake-hit Turkiye, an official from the country said on Monday, Anadolu News Agency reports. Dr. Corona Rintawan, deputy Head of Indonesian Field Hospital, said in a written statement that around 70 per cent of patients, who were treated by the Indonesian emergency medical team, complained of "respiratory problems". The health problems, he said, could have been caused due to weather, shelter conditions and dust as the process of dismantling of debris is still going on. Indonesia set up its field hospital on 15 February in the Hassa district of Hatay, one of the 11 provinces hit by the massive twin earthquakes on 6 February, which caused widespread devastation. […]]]> 618344 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230209-turkiye-quake-and-other-major-natural-disasters-this-century/ Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:45:13 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=613437 On Monday, two massive earthquakes, just hours apart, which devastated cities and towns across a huge swathe of southern Turkiye and north-west Syria, are rapidly becoming one of the worst disasters this century, with the death toll already more than 16,000. Indian Ocean Tsunami  A 9.15 magnitude earthquake off Sumatra on 26 December, 2004, triggered a tsunami that barrelled into Indonesia, Thailand, India Sri Lanka and many other countries in the region, killing at least 230,000 people, leaving 43,000 missing and devastating villages and tourist islands. Haiti 2010 Earthquake  A 7.0 magnitude earthquake on 13 January, 2010, devastated Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, and killed about 316,000 people. The United Nations estimated 80,000 buildings in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas were destroyed. Myanmar […]]]> 613437 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230207-move-away-from-hypocrisy-global-south-demands-energy-justice/ Tue, 07 Feb 2023 15:45:00 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=612317 Rich countries should stop throwing up roadblocks to poorer ones trying to secure energy supplies and do more to help them make the green transition, officials from Global South nations told the India Energy Week conference on Tuesday, Reuters reports. The criticism highlights the gaping political fault lines in the battle against climate change and underscores the challenges in drafting effective decarbonisation strategies. Tanzania's Energy Minister, January Makamba, called for "a move away from hypocrisy" by wealthy nations refusing to finance gas projects, while a senior official from Bangladesh said its energy security was compromised by the higher gas prices caused by Western sanctions on Russia. Makamba said Japan rejected a proposal last week to finance a gas-fired power plant […]]]> 612317 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230207-uae-gifted-mosque-in-indonesia-to-open-before-ramadan/ Tue, 07 Feb 2023 15:10:41 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=612339 The official opening of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Indonesia is to take place before the start of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, which is expected to commence this year on 22 March. The mosque which shares the same name and similar design to the iconic landmark in Abu Dhabi was gifted by the UAE to the country with the world's largest Muslim population. The smaller replica of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is in Surakarta, Central Java, and was inaugurated last November by UAE President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan and his Indonesian counterpart, Joko Widodo. I was pleased to join President Joko Widodo in Solo, Indonesia to inaugurate the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Named in honour […]]]> 612339 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230202-hamas-meets-indonesia-envoy-in-lebanon/ Thu, 02 Feb 2023 10:15:03 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=611451 Hamas' representative in Lebanon Ahmed Abdul-Hadi on Tuesday met the Indonesian Ambassador Hajriyanto Thohari at the embassy's headquarters in Beirut and discussed developments related to the Palestinian cause, the Palestinian Information Centre has reported. In a statement, Hamas' media office in Lebanon said the movement's media and political relations director Abdul-Majid Al-Awad attended the meeting during which Hamas highlighted the living conditions of the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. The two sides discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian arena, especially after the formation of a far-right Israeli government. Abdul-Hadi talked about the dangers threatening the Palestinian cause as a result of the Israeli government's unprecedented aggressive and racist practices, especially with regard to Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque, settlement activity, the blockade on Gaza and […]]]> 611451 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230104-indonesia-working-group-condemns-racist-israeli-aggression-at-al-aqsa-mosque/ Wed, 04 Jan 2023 14:12:57 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=603700 Indonesia's Working Group for Al-Aqsa condemned on Wednesday the "racist aggression" at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem by Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir. "This unjustified provocation constituted a gross violation of human rights principles and must be confronted," said the group. Members also slammed the composition of the cabinet formed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and their avowed commitment to the colonial settlement of the occupied Palestinian territories. With the inclusion of notorious far-right extremists such as Ben-Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich and Avi Maoz, the Indonesian group warned of an escalation of Israel's ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people, particularly in occupied Jerusalem. "We call on world leaders to stand against this new racist and xenophobic regime, which poses […]]]> 603700 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221231-president-erdogan-turkiye-contributed-to-establishing-global-peace-tranquility-security-in-2022/ Sat, 31 Dec 2022 15:52:33 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=603254 With its roles in the Black Sea grain initiative and the mediation in the Russia-Ukraine war, Turkiye contributed to establishing global peace, tranquility, and security in 2022, Turkiye's president said on Saturday, Anadolu reports. In his New Year's message, Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized that Ankara made a very important contribution to the solution of the global food crisis by implementing the Istanbul grain export deal and securing its extension, which allows exports of food from key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea. "We contributed to the establishment of global peace, tranquility, and security. We acted as a mediator in resolving conflicts, including the Ukraine crisis," Erdogan said. Extending New Year greetings, Erdogan wishes "every member of our nation as well […]]]> 603254 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221230-is-mbs-quietly-overcoming-the-stain-of-khashoggis-murder/ Fri, 30 Dec 2022 13:09:01 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=603121 When Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (aka MBS), the de-facto ruler of the largest Gulf country, was accused of ordering the brutal 2018 murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, his ambitious plans to revolutionise his nation's economy faced collapse. MBS had gained momentum the previous year by touring the US with his entourage, he booked the entire Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. He dined with Michael Douglas, Dwayne Johnson, and Morgan Freeman at Rupert Murdoch's mansion. He met with Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson and even Kobe Bryant and Oprah. He signed a $350 billion arms deal with former President Trump. MBS became the face of reform in a country long controlled by the strict edicts of Wahhabi Salafism, a version of Islam which rejects modernisation and outside influences. The Saudi crown prince returned to his home country with ambitious plans that had the financial backing of major western players. Richard Branson was to direct […]]]> 603121 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221216-a-new-order-what-we-should-learn-from-cop27-and-the-g20-summit/ Fri, 16 Dec 2022 12:34:53 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=601108 The COP27 and the G20 Summit took place at an important juncture. They occurred in tandem with important international developments: Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Lula's election in Brazil, Xi's third term, the US restrictions on semiconductor exports to China and the US midterm elections. As such, both the COP27 and G20 hint at the future of global order. While they confirm that there is still no end in sight for globalisation, they also signal that globalisation's substance has been altered, and the global order is under reconstruction. Meanwhile, some latent issues persist. For example, in an ideal world, trade and climate-related policies are supposed to go hand in hand. In reality, this is not always the case. Sometimes, trade policies […]]]> 601108 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221206-indonesia-outlaws-sex-outside-of-marriage/ Tue, 06 Dec 2022 10:37:27 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=598811 Indonesia has outlawed sex outside of marriage, defamation of the president and expanded laws against blasphemy in a new set of laws that have drawn widespread criticism from human rights groups. The government tried to pass a similar law in 2019 but after a draft was released tens of thousands of protesters who felt like their constitutional rights had been violated took to the streets. Under the new laws, unmarried couples who live together face up to a year in jail or a ten million Rupiah fine, the equivalent of $710, and parents or children will be able to report unmarried couples to the police. According to the blasphemy law, anyone who persuades another person to be a nonbeliever can […]]]> 598811 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221116-international-union-of-muslim-scholars-ask-oman-mufti-to-become-its-head/ Wed, 16 Nov 2022 13:31:57 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=594375 The International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) has asked the Grand Mufti of Oman, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Khalili, to become its head. In a short video posted by Qatari journalist Jaber Al Harmi on Twitter, Secretary-General of the Union, Sheikh Ali Qaradaghi, proposed the offer to Sheikh Al-Khalili. According to Al Harmi, the delegation of the scholars, which included Libyan Sheikh Ali Sallabi and Mauritanian Sheikh Mohammad Hassan Ould Al Diddo, visited Sheikh Al-Khalili in Muscat. Al-Khalili did not respond to the offer, but said he "fears being a burden on the Union." READ: Oman Mufti hails escape of Palestinian prisoners from Israel prison On 10 September 2022, the Union named Indonesian Sheikh Habib Salem Saqqaf Al-Jafri as its head until the […]]]> 594375 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221113-turkish-president-to-attend-g20-summit-in-indonesia/ Sun, 13 Nov 2022 11:25:26 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=593182 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the 17th G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, the Turkish Communications Directorate said on Saturday, reports Anadolu Agency. Erdogan will hold meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the summit, which will take place on November 15-16. He will also meet his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo on Monday. The two leaders will discuss bilateral relations and steps that can be taken to further develop cooperation. OPINION: The Turkish economy's War of Independence]]> 593182 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220929-indonesias-aqsa-working-group-condemns-settlers-storming-al-aqsa-ibrahimi-mosques/ Thu, 29 Sep 2022 07:35:17 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=583466 Indonesia's Al-Aqsa Working Group yesterday condemned the recent celebration of the Jewish New Year in Al-Aqsa and Ibrahimi Mosques. The activities conducted between 25-27 September triggered widespread unrest in the occupied West Bank. The statement said the celebrations and rituals constituted deliberate harassment, blasphemy and terrorism against the sanctity of the mosques. The group warned that if left unchecked, these "provocative actions" can trigger a religious conflict. It added that the celebration of the Jewish New Year in the mosques highlight "that the Zionists have absolutely no good intention in building peace in the region and the world." The group called on Muslims everywhere to respond to the Zionist aggression with concrete measures. "Maintaining the two noble mosques is the responsibility of all Muslims, not only Muslims in Palestine," the statement read. READ: Sudan authorities launch cases against newspaper, Bar Association]]> 583466 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220926-turkiye-says-malaysia-indonesia-interested-in-buying-armed-drones/ Mon, 26 Sep 2022 16:43:41 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=582723 Turkiye said that Malaysia and Indonesia had expressed keen interest in buying armed drones from Turkish Defence firm, Baykar, Reuters reports. According to the report, Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, announced Malaysian-Turkish partnership during a press conference in Tokyo. "Many Asian countries, especially Malaysia and Indonesia, show great interest in our defence industry products. Agreements are being signed," Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, said. "We would most gladly meet Japan's need for drones," the Minister added, on a visit there to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. International demand for Turkish drones has soared after their impact on conflicts in Syria, Ukraine and Libya. On 21 September, Reuters reported that Baykar delivered 20 armed drones to the […]]]> 582723 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220921-indonesia-denies-holding-secret-talks-with-israel/ Wed, 21 Sep 2022 11:43:13 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=581734 The Indonesian Foreign Ministry denied a Jerusalem Post report that Jakarta had sent a delegation to Israel on a secret visit, stressing that publishing such a hoax reflects an old way for the Israeli media to gain profits. "As long as Palestine is under Israeli occupation, Indonesia will not open diplomatic relations with Israel," the Foreign Ministry's Middle East Director Bagus Hendraning Kobarsyih told a local English-language news site Tempo yesterday. Bagus added that the Israeli media often fabricates such unfounded news to use in its favour and emphasised that Indonesia's position remains unchanged, including its support for a two-state solution. The Israeli newspaper reported that two delegations from Pakistan and Indonesia were in Israel on secret visits. It claimed […]]]> 581734 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220920-pakistan-indonesia-delegations-visit-israel-in-apparent-normalisation-efforts/ Tue, 20 Sep 2022 19:16:17 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=581661 Pakistani and Indonesian delegations are currently on a visit to Israel to deepen ties, amid a seeming increase in the possibility of the countries' normalisation with the occupation state. According to a report by the Pakistani news site, ProPakistani, the delegation began their visit to Israel today and is being headed by Pakistani-American, Nasim Ashraf, the former head of the Pakistan Cricket Board and a former Pakistani Minister of State for Human Development under Prime Minister, Pervez Musharraf 's government. In a statement given to the news outlet, Ashraf said he was "delighted and honoured" to participate in efforts "to promote peace and interfaith dialogue" by heading the delegation. "Such people-to-people contacts are very important to develop understanding and harmony […]]]> 581661 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220920-61-of-young-egyptians-say-climate-concerns-are-a-deterrent-to-having-children/ Tue, 20 Sep 2022 12:43:43 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=581293 A recent study by GlobeScan has revealed that 61 per cent of young people in Egypt say that climate concerns are a deterrent to them having children. In Turkey 54 per cent don't want to have children because of climate change implications. Egypt had the highest percentage of people citing climate change as a deterrent alongside other countries where the majority also agreed, including South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand. In Indonesia only 18 per cent of people agree that it is a deterrent and in Kenya the figure is 23 per cent. The study also revealed that after surveying 29,293 participants from 31 countries, some 65 per cent of people say that climate change is a serious issue. This […]]]> 581293 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220830-indonesia-politician-visits-israeli-settlements-in-occupied-west-bank-report/ Tue, 30 Aug 2022 10:17:21 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=576276 An Indonesian politician is currently visiting illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank where he has met local leaders, Israel Hayom newspaper reported. The paper said Samuel Tabuni, a candidate for the position of governor of the Indonesian province of West Papua, arrived in Israel to visit settlements in the West Bank. The newspaper pointed out that Tabuni visited settlements in the northern occupied West Bank and met with the head of the Shomron Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, of the Likud party. READ: US pressures Israel to ease travel of Palestinians via Jordan According to the paper, the public visit is a precedent in relations between Israel and Indonesia, "the largest Islamic country in the world" and one which does […]]]> 576276 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220812-israel-tech-experts-visit-indonesia-to-build-ties/ Fri, 12 Aug 2022 13:01:44 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=572947 Israeli tech professionals and trade officials visited Indonesia last month to explore investments, technology ventures and social impact initiatives. Organised by the Israel-Asia Centre, a three-month online programme was also arranged and attended by nearly 100 Israelis and Indonesians. Rebecca Zeffert, the Israel-Asia Centre founder and executive director, noted that despite the lack of diplomatic relations, there is still "tremendous untapped potential in education, fintech, cybersecurity, AI, mobility, healthcare, agritech and water technologies." "The online programme is an opportunity for participants from both sides to dip their toe in the water, but the trip, in person, took these relationships to a whole new level," she explained. "This was the first time that most of us had met in person after […]]]> 572947 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220708-saudi-fm-meets-india-counterpart-in-indonesia/ Fri, 08 Jul 2022 07:40:19 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=566047 Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud yesterday met with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. The agency said the meeting took place in the Indonesian island of Bali, on the sidelines of the meeting of the foreign ministers of the G20 countries. The official agency added that the meeting dealt with bilateral relations and ways to support them in various fields to serve the interests of the two countries as well as to support stability. This comes weeks after a diplomatic row erupted between New Delhi and the Gulf states over blasphemous remarks about the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made by […]]]> 566047 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220701-uae-indonesia-sign-free-trade-agreement/ Fri, 01 Jul 2022 10:14:52 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=564771 Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates today signed a free trade agreement, strengthening economic ties between Southeast Asia's largest economy and the major oil producer Gulf state, Reuters reports. The Indonesian Trade Ministry's Director General of International Trade Negotiations Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono told the news agency the agreement had been signed in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital. This came as Indonesia's Defence Minister, Prabowo Subianto, is on an official visit to the UAE where he met yesterday with his Emirati counterpart Mohammed Bin Ahmed Al Bowardi. During the meeting, the parties discussed cooperation and joint coordination between the two friendly countries in the defence and military fields and ways to enhance them in the best interest of the two countries. Al Bowardi […]]]> 564771 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220628-indonesia-slammed-for-allowing-israel-to-take-part-in-u-20-world-cup/ Tue, 28 Jun 2022 13:53:52 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=564136 The Aqsa Working Group (AWG), a humanitarian movement for Palestine, has rejected Israel's participation in the under-20 soccer World Cup, which is to be held next year in Indonesia. It comes after ​​Israel's national youth soccer team qualified for the semi-final of the 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Slovakia, on Saturday night. AWG's rejection is due to the Israeli state's repeated violations against Palestinian rights, including barbaric attacks and acts of violence on Palestinian children and the elderly. The Chairman of the AWG Presidium, Muhammad Anshorullah, added that the rejection is also due to the commitment of the Indonesian people, who oppose all types of colonialism, in accordance with the principles of humanity and justice, stated in the 1945 […]]]> 564136 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220429-cost-of-the-ukraine-war-felt-in-africa-global-south/ Fri, 29 Apr 2022 08:54:34 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=552215 While international news headlines remain largely focused on the war in Ukraine, little attention is given to the horrific consequences of the war which are felt in many regions around the world. Even when these repercussions are discussed, disproportionate coverage is allocated to European countries, like Germany and Austria, due to their heavy reliance on Russian energy sources. The horrific scenario, however, awaits countries in the Global South which, unlike Germany, will not be able to eventually substitute Russian raw material from elsewhere. Countries like Tunisia, Sri Lanka and Ghana and numerous others, are facing serious food shortages in the short, medium and long term. The World Bank is warning of a "human catastrophe" as a result of a burgeoning […]]]> 552215 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220426-oic-affirms-jordans-custodianship-of-jerusalem-holy-sites/ Tue, 26 Apr 2022 09:57:22 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=551456 Jerusalem and the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque are a red line for the whole Islamic nation, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) announced yesterday. "There is no security or stability in the region without Jerusalem's complete liberation from the Israeli occupation," the OIC's Secretary-General, Hussein Taha, said during an extraordinary meeting of the body's executive committee in Saudi Arabia's coastal city of Jeddah. Taha urged OIC members "to unify political, economic and media efforts to protect the city of Jerusalem and its holy sites and to take appropriate political and legal measures against Israel to stop its continuous violations against the Palestinian people and their holy sites." He called on the international community "to respect the OIC decisions" and work together […]]]> 551456 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220425-oman-houthis-release-14-foreigners-held-in-yemen/ Mon, 25 Apr 2022 09:30:16 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=551303 The Omani Foreign Ministry yesterday said it had facilitated the release of 14 foreigners who were held by the Houthi group in the Yemeni capital city of Sanaa, and transferred them to Muscat. The ministry said in a statement that those freed included a "British man, his wife and child, seven Indian nationals, a Filipino, an Indonesian, an Ethiopian and a Myanmar national." The ministry did not provide details on what had led to their detention. The statement added that the Omani facilitation had come "in compliance with high orders by the Sultan of Oman, Haitham Bin Tariq, to work on recent requests by the governments of the United Kingdom, Indonesia, India and the Philippines to assist in the release […]]]> 551303 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220407-mbs-most-popular-foreign-leader-for-indonesians-survey-shows/ Thu, 07 Apr 2022 14:46:16 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=547259 The foreign world leader who Indonesians have the most confidence in, out of all others, is Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, a survey by a think tank has found. In the survey published by the Australia-based Lowy Institute this week – titled 'Charting their own course: How Indonesians see the world' – it stated its finding that a majority of Indonesians, at 57 per cent, "have confidence in Saudi Arabian Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud". Furthermore, Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Zayed came second, with 52 per cent reportedly having confidence in him. Both leaders came after Indonesia's own President, Joko Widodo, of course. Although it is not entirely clear why a majority of Indonesians […]]]> 547259 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220202-iraq-top-target-for-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-in-2021/ Wed, 02 Feb 2022 11:32:41 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=531310 Iraq was the top target for China's Belt & Road infrastructure initiative in 2021, receiving $10.5 billion in financing for projects including a heavy oil power plant, a study published today said. Reuters reported that in total, China's engagement through investments and contractual cooperation across the 144 Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) countries was $59.5 billion, in line with the $60.5 billion in 2020, according to the report by the Green Finance & Development Center at Shanghai's Fudan University. However, in Arab and Middle Eastern countries, investment last year rose by about 360 per cent and construction engagement by 116 per cent compared to 2020, the study said. Iraq, where the United States ended its combat mission last year, has become the […]]]> 531310 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220118-indonesia-health-officials-visited-israel-to-discuss-covid-19-amid-normalisation-talks/ Tue, 18 Jan 2022 15:12:20 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=527585 A delegation from Indonesia visited Israel in recent days to discuss the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to The Associated Press (AP). The health officials met with Israeli officials "to learn how to deal with the Covid pandemic," the report said. The visit comes amid speculation that the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, which currently has no diplomatic ties with Israel, may be looking to normalise relations, following the US-brokered Abraham Accords which saw normalisation between Israel with Bahrain and the UAE; they were followed by Sudan and Morocco. However, the Indonesian government denies the visit took place, AP reported. Israel's Foreign Minister would not confirm the report but claimed that Israel "believes in international cooperation in every regard to the […]]]> 527585