Somalia: Two Rival Somali Clans Reach a Peace Agreement in Middle Shabelle Region

26 October 2009
Hassan Osman Abdi

Adan Yabal — Two rival Somali clans have reached a peace agreement in Aden Yabal district in Middle Shabelle region, officials told Shabelle radio on Monday.

The two Somali clans' militias fought in the border between Middle Shabelle and Hiran region in central Somalia for a period and they successfully -and completely- reached a peace deal in parts of the region, after the Islamist fighters of Harakat Al-shabab Mujahideen and elders put pressure on how they would end the conflicts of both rival clans.

There were also more traditional elders from the warring clans who were involved in the mediating efforts and displayed at least 10 articles not to fight once again and end everything on the Sharia law.

Sheik Ali Mohamud Raghe better known as (Sh. Ali Dere), the spokesman of Harakat Al-shabab Mujahideen who is in Aden Yabal district, where the peace agreement was reached, had talked at the scene and said that a step will be taken against who ever tries to violate the peace agreement reached there in Lower Shabelle region in southern Somalia.

The spokesman ordered to pay back what every that the two warring sides robbed from during their fighting adding that the two clans were required to pay the compensation with in 4 months following the Sharia law.

Hassan Mohamud Hassan known as (Ganey), one of the rival clan elders from Abgal talked more on how they saw the agreement and welcomed it greatly while another clan elder from Hawadle tribe called Sheik Mohamed Yusuf also welcomed the deal very well.

The peace deal between both the rival clans of Hawadle and Abgal concludes a long termed conflict between the two sides for months who were fighting over grass lands disputes and revenge in the region in southern Somalia.

Source: allAfrica.
Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/200910261745.html.

Somalia: Hizbul Islam Threaten Journalists

24 October 2009

Mogadishu — A member of Hizbul Islam rebel faction that is fighting to topple Somalia's interim government has threatened Somali journalists and accused them of supporting the government, Radio Garowe reports.

Sheikh Mohamed Moallim Ali, the information secretary for Hizbul Islam, told a Friday press conference in the capital Mogadishu that Somali journalists interview government officials and African Union (AMISOM) commanders.

"The news you report is against the jihad and you are not nationalists willing to defend your people and your country," Sheikh Mohamed told reporters.

He urged journalists to "defend the country by using your voice." As an example, he accused Somali news organizations in Mogadishu of "exaggerated reporting" on a story covering AMISOM compensation payments to camel owners after AMISOM peacekeepers mistakenly killed a group of camels.

"We will know what you are in the coming days," said Sheikh Mohamed. Somalia is considered Africa's most dangerous country for journalists to operate.

Source: allAfrica.
Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/200910261708.html.

Desert in UAE to green in 39 years

24 October 2009

Dubai: Progress during the last 39 years reflects the environmental accomplishments of the UAE and shows the stages of transforming such a desert into green meadows.

Gulf News involves an academic opinion on the process of agricultural renovation, Dr Mohammad Abdul Mohsin Salem, Assistant Dean for Scientific Research College of Food and Agriculture at the United Arab Emirates University.

Initiatives

"Since the formation of the federation until today, huge deals have been implemented to contribute to greening the desert under very drought and harsh environments. All credit should go to Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who supported environmental initiatives along with technical expertise that are available and a lot of things that have been promptly accomplished.

"Today, for example, the UAE has [an] up-to-date network of universities, research institutions and government authorities with environment interests and responsibilities, such as the Ministry of Environment and WaterMinistry of Environment and WaterLoading... as a federal umbrella and many local environmental agencies, many civil societies and NGOs [non-government organisations]," he said.

"Today these organisations are tremendously well-built and well-established and all of them seek the same vision -- upgrade the UAE environmental system and furnish the UAE zones with as many green sceneries as possible.

"In the field, many native and exotic plants have been introduced and hundreds of forest and crop lands have been established in the last 39 years.

"Therefore, there is [an] abundance of [educational] materials on the environment, yet there are no studies that have found an impact of ecotourism as an industry on the local environment, as well as fund the research deal with adapted the local plant as potential forage or fodder to livestock sector in UAE.

"We should assist to establish domestic doctoral degrees offered in environmental sciences. We still need more time, energy and effort to encourage young Emirati students to go into [the] environment and applied sciences or involve them in environmental organisations," he says.

Officially announced wildlife reserves in the UAE:

1998 - Al Wathbah Lake wildlife reserve, Abu Dhabi

2001 - Moroj wildlife reserve, Abu Dhabi

1982 - Hatta wildlife reserve, Dubai

1982 - Al Kwaneej wildlife reserve, Dubai

1982 - Nad Al Shaba wildlife reserve, Dubai

1982 - Mushrif Park, Dubai

1998 - Al Aweer wildlife reserve, Dubai

1998 - Ras Al Kour wildlife reserve, Dubai

1998 - Jabal Ali wildlife reserve, Dubai

2000 - Seer bunair reserve, Sharjah

1995 - Dadna reserve, Fujairah

1995 - Al Aggah reserve, Fujairah

1995 - Al Bidayah reserve, Fujairah

1995 - Al Figaat reserve, Fujairah

• Wildlife reserves in Abu Dhabi:

- Seer Baniyaas

- Hizam Giyathe

- Al Maydoor

- Bainoonah Al Kobra

- Al sodood Al Gadimaah

- Al Hadwaniyah (West)

- Al Hadwaniyah (East)

- Al Mugirah

- Al Arifah

- Al Wathbah

- Al Wathbah (Marine)

- Moroj

- Gabat al silaa

- The Beach Palace

- Hizam Al Gabat

- Ghantoot

- Bidaa Zayed

- Rawdat Al Reef

- Al Salmiyah

- Al Shawamikh

- Samaliyah island

- Garin Al Aish

- Al Ajbaan

- Masnoaa island

- Jabal Hafeet

-The Marine reserve

• Wildlife reserves in Dubai:

- Hatta

- Al Khawaneej

- Nad Al Shaba

- Mushrif buffer zone

- Al Awir

- Rash Al Kour

- Jabal Ali

- Al Maha

• Wildlife reserves in Sharjah:

- Sir Bu Naeer

- Kouhr Kalba

- Seeh Al Masmoot

• Wildlife reserves in Umm Al Qiwain:

- Al Zarayah

- Al seerah

- Al Kuwairiyah

- Al Siniyah

- Al Dab

- Al Gallah

- Al Halah

- Al Harmalah

- Hatim

- Al Akaab

• Wildlife reserves in RAK:

- Al Sahrawiyah

- Al Hamra Island

- Kouhr Al rams

- Kouhr RAK

- Roos Al Jibal

• Wildlife reserves in Fujairah:

- Dadna

- Al Aggah

- Al Bidayyih

- Al Figait

- Al Hafiyyah

- Ahfirah

- Zakat

- Al Goub

Green accomplishments:

-Green Building Roof by Dubai municipality

- Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, a city with a sustainable, zero-carbon, zero-waste ecology

-The establishment of Emirates Green Building Council

- The establishment of Metro Dubai, that runs on electricity

• The project of Hizam Al Gabat in Abu Dhabi

Source: WATANI

Wildlife Reserves in the UAE

Al Wathbah Lake (Name of the reserve), 1998 (Announcement Year), Abu Dhabi (Emirate)

Moroj, 2001, Abu Dhabi

Hatta, 1982, Dubai

Al Khawaneej, 1982, Dubai

Nad Al Sheba, 1982, Dubai

Mushrif Park, 1982, Dubai

Al Aweer, 1998, Dubai

Ras Al Khor, 1998, Dubai

Jebel Ali, 1998, Dubai

Seer Bunair, 2000, Sharjah

Dadna, 1995, Fujairah

Al Aggah, 1995, Fujairah

Al Bidayah, 1995, Fujairah

Al Figaat, 1995, Fujairah

Green accomplishments

- Green Building Roof by Dubai municipality

- Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, a city with a sustainable, zero-carbon, zero-waste ecology

- The establishment of Emirates Green Building Council

- The establishment of Metro Dubai, that runs on electricity

- The project of Hizam Al Gabat in Abu Dhabi

By Fatma Salem

Source: Zawya.
Link: http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20091024081425/Desert%20in%20UAE%20to%20green%20in%2039%20years.

Morocco blocks Le Monde over royal cartoons

RABAT, Oct 22, 2009 (AFP) - Morocco on Thursday blocked distribution of the Thursday and Friday editions of the French newspaper Le Monde over cartoons deemed unrespectful to the royal family, a senior Moroccan official said.

The Thursday edition carries on its front page a sketch by Le Monde's star cartoonist Plantu of a hand reaching out of a Moroccan flag to create a child-like drawing of a funny face wearing a crown.

"Trial in Morocco against the caricaturist Khalid Gueddar who dears to draw the Moroccan royal family," the caption on the cartoon says.

The Friday edition, on an inside page, runs the Gueddar cartoon in question, alluding to the September 25 wedding of Prince Moulay Ismail, a cousin of King Mohammed VI, to a German convert to Islam.

"We will never accept, on grounds of freedom of expression, a systematic attack on national symbols," the senior official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Gueddar went on trial 10 days ago on charges of lacking respect for a member of the royal family, alongside Taoufik Bouachrine, director of the Akhbar Al Youm newspaper in which Gueddar's cartoon first appeared.

The trial resumes Friday in Casablanca, while the offices of Akhbar Al Youm remain closed to its journalists on orders from the interior ministry.

Syria slams Israel’s ‘criminal’ acts in mosque compound

DAMASCUS - Syria accused Israel on Monday of “criminal” acts against Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, a day after police raided the revered Al-Aqsa mosque compound and clashed with Palestinian worshipers.

“Syria strongly denounces Israel’s flagrant violations against Al-Aqsa mosque,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

“Israel is carrying out criminal acts against Muslim holy sites and Arab heritage,” the ministry said.

It also urged the international community “and those who want to establish peace in the Middle East to condemn Israeli violations and act to put an end to them.”

Israeli police twice entered Al-Aqsa mosque compound on Sunday and clashed with stone-throwing Palestinian youths, after Muslim leaders called on their followers to defend the site.

The flashpoint site is holy to both Muslims, who call it Al-Haram Al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary), and Jews who refer to is as Temple Mount.

Israeli police reopened the site to Muslim worshipers and tourists on Monday as calm returned to the area.

Ireland outlines tax laws for Shariah-compliant products

Ireland, like other European countries, is warming to Islamic finance and Dublin has emerged as an Islamic investment fund rival to the Channel Islands and Luxembourg. Indeed several Shariah-compliant funds are registered there, including the Oasis Crescent Global Equity Fund which is based in Dublin and so is the planned CIMB Global Islamic Equity Fund which is due to be launched over the next month or so.

Last week the Irish Revenue Service, the tax authorities, outlined in detail the tax treatment of Shariah-compliant products and structures for the funds, leasing and Takaful (Islamic insurance) industries.

Part 27 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997 governs the taxation of funds. Chapter 1A of that Part applies the gross-roll-up taxation regime to all funds set up after March 31, 2000. According to the Revenue Service, the regime does not impose an annual tax on the profits of the fund but requires the fund/fund manager to deduct and account for tax out of payments made to unit holders - except for certain classes of unit holder who can, by use of a declaration procedure, be paid gross. Provided the fund is constituted in accordance with Chapter 1A, these arrangements apply irrespective of whether the fund is a Shariah-compliant fund or a conventional fund.

Any income received by a service provider, which is linked to the profits or performance of a fund should be treated as fee income where it relates to duties performed by the service provider. There is no specific VAT exemption for funds but would depend on the activities of the fund.

There is no stamp duty on the issuance or redemption of units/shares in a fund. In addition, the transfer of units/shares in a fund is not chargeable to stamp duty to the extent that the fund is an investment undertaking within the meaning of section 739B of the TCA 1997 or a common contractual fund within the meaning of section 739I of the TCA 1997.

As for Ijarah (leasing) transactions, the Irish Revenue Service says the provisions of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 will apply as if the Ijarah arrangement in relation to operating leases were a conventional operating lease arrangement, or if the Ijarah Muntahia Bittamleek in relation to finance leases were a conventional finance lease. Accordingly, a company that accounts for the transaction as a finance lease under generally accepted accounting practice may be taxed in accordance with the provisions of section 80A TCA 1997, in respect of relevant short term leases on making a claim and the Ijarah arrangement in relation to hire purchase, were a conventional hire purchase arrangement.

However, this confirmation is limited to Ijarah that refers to the leasing of plant and machinery and other chattels. It does not apply to the lease of immovable property.

Where the lease contract requires the lessee to make an additional payment toward a charitable cause in the event of a lease rental becoming overdue, the transaction will be treated as if the lessee had made the payment directly to the lessor and the lessor made the payment toward the charitable cause (which is in fact the normal sequence of payments). The lessee will be entitled to a deduction and the lessor will be treated as having received the income but will be entitled to a deduction under section 848A TCA 1997, subject to the provisions of that section.

There is no stamp duty for Ijarah (Leasing and Hire Purchase) arrangements where the asset involved does not comprise immovable property or an interest in immovable property. The VAT treatment of an Ijarah (Finance Lease and Hire Purchase) arrangement in relation to immovable property transactions will depend on the specifics of the agreements. Generally, such agreements are likely to be regarded as the supply of a freehold equivalent interest by the lessor to the lessee at the time the agreement is entered into. As regards arrangements which cover goods other than immovable property, the normal VAT rules concerning leasing (a supply of services), transfer of title (supply of goods) or hire purchase (a supply of goods), as appropriate, would apply.

Previous guidance given by the Revenue Service in relation to the taxation of conventional operating and finance leases and to hire purchase arrangements will, in substantially similar circumstances, also apply to the equivalent Ijarah transactions.

In relation to General Takaful and ReTakaful arrangements, contributions received by a Takaful provider from policyholders (Takaful members) and by a ReTakaful company from Takaful companies, as members of the ReTakaful arrangement, are to be treated as taxable income. Whether the income is on the trading account will depend on the facts and circumstances of the case.

The Revenue Service confirmed the deductibility of expenses incurred by a Takaful company or a ReTakaful company for management, marketing, and claims and commissions should be treated in the same way as such expenses were incurred by a conventional insurance or a reinsurance company with the same level of activity. Similarly, the deductibility of a contribution payment paid to a Takaful or a ReTakaful company is to be treated in the same way as an insurance or reinsurance premium for a conventional insurance policy or a reinsurance arrangement.

The provisions of sections 76 to 83 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 apply in respect of the taxation of a Takaful or a ReTakaful arrangement as if such arrangements were conventional insurance or reinsurance arrangements respectively. In addition, the taxation of a Family (Life) Takaful company, which is an assurance company within the meaning of section 730A TCA 1997, and its members (policyholders) is to be determined under Chapters 4 and 5 of Part 26 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. In this regard, an amount paid by an insured person is to be treated in the same way a payment under a conventional life assurance policy is. Similarly, a maturity or claim amount paid by a Family (Life) Takaful company is to be treated in the same way a claim or maturity payment under a conventional life assurance policy is.

As there are no existing Family (Life) Takaful arrangements in Ireland, the provisions relating to the taxation of old basis business should not apply to the Family (Life) Takaful arrangements.

Under the VAT Act 1972, Takaful (General and Family (Life)) and ReTakaful arrangements are exempt from VAT under paragraph (xi) of the First Schedule to the Act. But a liability to stamp duty under the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act (SDCA) 1999 will arise in relation to policies of insurance or policies of life insurance issued under Takaful (General and Family (Life)) and ReTakaful arrangements where the risk is located in Ireland.

By Mushtak Parker

PCHR Condemns IOF's Raid of al-Aqsa Mosque

GAZA, October 26, 2009 (WAFA)- The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) strongly condemned the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) raid of the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday morning, and their use of excessive force against Palestinian civilians who attempted to stop the raid.

The raid and related incidents followed a call by extremist Jewish groups, particularly the 'Organization for Human Rights on the Temple Mount,' urging extremist Jews to break into the al-Aqsa Mosque and its yards to conduct Talmudic rituals to mark Rambam's ascension. Since Saturday night, IOF have been intensively deployed throughout the Old City of Jerusalem. The al-Aqsa Mosque and worshipers had previously been subjected to a similar assault on 27 September 2009, when a number of Israeli settlers attempted to break into the yards of the Mosque.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 08:00 on Sunday, 25 October 2009, the Israeli police and 'Border Guards' broke into the yards of the al-Aqsa Mosque in the old town of occupied East Jerusalem. Some police units closed all gates of the Mosque.

According to eyewitnesses, heavily armed Israeli forces broke into the yards of the al-Aqsa Mosque through the al-Maghariba Gate in the west side of the Mosque. IOF employed sound bombs and tear gas and chased and violently beat worshipers and other individuals in the yard, including women, children and elderly people. IOF also closed all the Mosque's gates and arrested the guards. At least 200 worshipers were trapped inside the Mosque, as IOF closed the doors with iron chains and locks. IOF did not allow the entry of food and water to those who were held inside the Mosque. A number of worshipers suffered from tear gas inhalation. In the meantime, an Israeli police aircraft had been hovering over the area since the morning.

At approximately 10:00, IOF broke into the room designated for the Azan (the call for prayers) and damaged equipment; the Azan was not transmitted.

At approximately 11:00, the Israeli police dispersed a peaceful demonstration organized by women who were on their way from Bab Hatta area towards the al-Aqsa Mosque to express solidarity with those who were inside the Mosque.

At approximately 11:30, IOF allowed men aged over 50 to enter the al-Aqsa Mosque. However, less than half an hour later, IOF broke into the yards again and violently beat all those who were in the area, including two journalists and three paramedics. They also arrested a number of Palestinian civilians, including Hatem Abdul Qader, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, but released them later. IOF also besieged a number of worshipers in the Dome of the Rock Mosque and the Southern Mosque after locking the doors. IOF further prevented journalists and medical crews from entering the al-Aqsa Mosque.

Clashes between Palestinian civilians and the Israeli police continued until the afternoon. According to medical sources, 25 civilians, including 7 women, were injured. Most injuries resulted from violent beating, tear gas and shrapnel from sound bombs.

PCHR strongly condemns repeated attacks by IOF against the al-Aqsa Mosque, and stresses that:

1) East Jerusalem is an integral part of the Palestinian Territory that were occupied by Israel following the June 1967 war.

2) Measures taken by Israeli occupation authorities following the occupation of the city, in the foremost, the Israeli Knesset's decision on 28 June 1967 to annex the city, its decision on 30 July 1980 considering 'complete and united Jerusalem as the capital of Israel' and the decision to expand the municipal boundaries, a flagrant violation of international law and United Nations resolutions.

3) Measures and plans implemented by Israeli occupation authorities in occupied Jerusalem can never change its legal status.

4) Such actions are in violation of Article 53 of the Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and Relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I). Article 16 of Protocol I prohibits ' any acts of hostility directed against historic monuments, works of art or places of worship which constitute the cultural or spiritual heritage of peoples, and to use them in support of the military effort.'

5) Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 prevents the Occupying Power from 'deporting or transferring parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.'

In light of the above:

1) PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, jointly or individually, to fulfill their legal and moral obligations to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) according to Article 1 of the Convention, and believes that the international silence and inaction encourage Israel to act as a State above law and perpetrate more violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including efforts intended to establish a Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.

2) PCHR calls upon the international community to immediately act to force the Israeli government to stop all settlement activities in the OPT, especially in East Jerusalem, and to dismantle existing settlement, the existence of which constitute war crimes under international humanitarian law.

3) PCHR calls upon the European Union and/or its Member States to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israeli Association Agreement, which links continuous economic cooperation between the two parties with Israel's respect for human rights, and to stop dealing with Israeli products, especially those produced in Israeli settlements in the OPT, including East Jerusalem.