Latest news with #AbdulAziz
Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- General
- Borneo Post
SEDC chairman, wife given Kelabit names, signifying honour from community
Isaac puts the Kelabit traditional vest, 'Sapa Arit', on Abdul Aziz, after the presentation of Kelabit name certificate to the latter, witnessed by Nur Ashima (right) and others on stage. KUCHING (June 22): The Rurum Kelabit Sarawak (RKS) held a private ceremony today to officially declare the Kelabit name for Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain. According to RKS president Dato Isaac Lugun @ Maran Tadun, the formal conferment of the traditional Kelabit name 'Raja Buren', was made in recognition of Abdul Aziz's longstanding support for, and connection to, the Kelabit community. In Kelabit tongue, 'Raja' means 'king' and 'Buren' means praiseworthy. Moreover, Abdul Aziz's wife Puan Sri Datin Amar Nur Ashima Aziz was also presented with the certificate bearing her Kelabit name, 'Sinah Raja Buren' – acknowledging her grace, strength, and support as a partner in service, in keeping with the tradition of recognising both individuals in such a conferment. 'The conferment of a Kelabit name is a time-honoured tradition that reflects the community's respect and recognition for individuals who have maintained meaningful ties with the Kelabit people, and who are regarded as embodying the spirit of community, wisdom, and service — qualities exemplified by 'Tan Sri Raja Buren' (Abdul Aziz) and 'Sinah Raja Buren' (Nur Ashima). 'This gesture reflects the Kelabit community's appreciation of individuals who have stood in solidarity with us over the years,' explained Isaac. Meanwhile, Abdul Aziz, in his speech, said he was deeply moved by the honour accorded upon him by the Kelabit community. 'The name 'Raja Buren' will be with me, guide me, and keep me anchored in this meaningful relationship. 'It is also a promise that I will continue to support, to uphold, and honour the aspirations of the Kelabit people in any way I can,' he said. Abdul Aziz (seventh right) and Nur Ashima (seventh left) in a group photo with Isaac (fourth right) and other guests, including Dr Chan (sixth right) and Lorna (fifth right), taken after the ceremony. The event was also attended by former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan and wife Dato Lorna Enan Muloon. The programme included a reflection on the significance of the Kelabit name by RKS advisor Datu Ose Murang @ Tadun Bala, and remarks by Pemanca Caleena Lallang Sakai @ Ribed Inan, who spoke on behalf of the community. In his speech, Ose spoke about an occasion in 2006 when Abdul Aziz, who was then the state secretary, visited Bario to officiate at several events including a dialogue with the Kelabit community there. 'During that visit, he (Abdul Aziz) also climbed up the 2,424m Mount Murud, the highest mountain in Sarawak,' he said.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Rochdale grooming gang fiends who abused girls as young as 12 still living in UK as Pakistan REFUSES to take them back
TWO prolific Rochdale grooming fiends are still living in the UK - because Pakistan refuses to take them back. Qari Abdul Rauf and Adil Khan were part of a nine-strong gang of Asian men convicted of sex offences against vulnerable girls in 2012. 5 Up to 47 girls as young as 12 were plied with alcohol and drugs and gang-raped across Rochdale during a two-year reign of terror. Then-Home Secretary Theresa May ordered the pair to be sent back to Pakistan in 2014 as it would as it would be "conducive to the public good". But ten years later, Rauf and Khan still remain in Rochdale where their victims are forced to live alongside them. It has now emerged Pakistan is refusing to take the predators back, The Telegraph reports. An official claimed it would be "extremely difficult' to allow in such dangerous criminals. The battle has also been further complicated by Rauf and Khan renouncing their Pakistani citizenship. After they both exploited a loophole by ripping up their passports, they became "stateless", which can block a deportation. Rauf and fellow gang leader Khan, who got a 13-year-old girl pregnant, lost a lengthy fight in 2018 against deportation alongside a third member of the gang, Abdul Aziz. They subsequently launched another bid - insisting the order breaches their human rights as they both have wives and children in the UK. Their appeals were rejected but both have remained in Britain ever since. Sources for the Interior Ministry have said "progress" could be made if the UK were to take part in talks. They also suggested returning direct flights to the UK by its national airline PIA, which were suspended for safety reasons, could help. But UK officials said this suggestion had not been raised in discussions. The subject of grooming gangs has been thrust back into the spotlight this week following a bombshell report by Baroness Casey. The scathing review found councils, police and the Home Office repeatedly "shied away" from dealing with uncomfortable questions on the ethnicity of rapists who targeted young girls. Rauf and Khan were ringleaders of a prolific grooming gang in Rochdale, which has been plagued by sexual exploitation. Khan got a 13-year-old girl pregnant and trafficked another girl, 15, to others - using violence when she complained. He was sentenced to eight years in 2012 and released on licence four years later. Dad-of-five Rauf trafficked a 15-year-old girl and raped her in a secluded area before taking her to a flat in Rochdale where others had sex with her. He was caged for six years and released in November 2014 after serving two years and six months of his sentence. A Home Office spokesman said it would do 'everything in our power' to deport foreign nationals who commit 'heinous' crimes in the UK. He added: 'The UK and Pakistan are working in partnership on shared migration and return priorities. "Both countries recognise and respect our common obligations to return those with no right to remain in our respective countries." 5 5
Middle East Eye
5 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Israeli settlers continue raids in the occupied West Bank despite Iran attacks
Israeli settler groups have continued their attacks on Palestinian property in the occupied West Bank even as Israel entered a state of emergency over ongoing Iranian attacks. Palestinian sources reported that settlers attacked Palestinian property and set fires near Ramallah, Nablus and Qalqilya. In al-Mazra'a al-Sharqiya, east of Ramallah, settlers vandalised and set fire to Palestinian property on Saturday evening. One group of settlers attacked an industrial facility in the town and smashed the windshield of a vehicle. Abdel Samad Abdel Aziz, the owner of the facility, told Middle East Eye that 70 settlers had attacked the stone factory with the intention of destroying it, and the townspeople gathered to confront them. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "When we went to the factory, we found the settlers had set fire to the existing vehicles and mobile rooms," he explained. "They were all armed, and we tried to confront them, unarmed." The settlers attacked the townspeople with sticks and stones while the Israeli army was still present and did nothing to disperse the settlers. The industrial zone in which the factory is located employs 800 Palestinian workers and is worth $200m to the local economy. 'They were all armed, and we tried to confront them, unarmed' - Abdel Samad Abdel Aziz "The settlers' goal is to undermine the Palestinian economy in the eastern part of Ramallah, which is concentrated in our town," said Abdul Aziz. "This area includes two cement and brick factories, 11 stone factories, and several blacksmith and carpentry workshops that serve tens of thousands of Palestinians." Abdul Aziz and his brothers, who own several factories, hold American citizenship, but this was ignored by the Israeli army and the settlers, he said. The settlers then attempted to burn down several homes in the town, but residents continued to confront them and defend their property. The Israeli army, however, intercepted and attacked the Palestinians. "They don't want quiet, they want constant problems. They even destroyed the olive trees on the sides of the road. Everything in their ideology is terrorism," he added. Sporadic attacks Settler attacks have not ceased despite the declaration of a state of emergency following the outbreak of war between Israel and Iran. The Israeli army has imposed a complete closure on the West Bank, preventing Palestinians from moving freely. Settlers attacked Palestinian vehicles with stones on Monday on al-Mu'arrajat Road, northwest of Jericho, and uttered provocative language, disrupting traffic and forcing several vehicles to turn back and take other routes. Israeli forces kill 80 Palestinians in ambushes on Gaza aid centres Read More » Another group dismantled a tin house belonging to a Palestinian in the neighbouring village of Arab al-Malihat, which had been inhabited by a family displaced during the previous attack on the Arab al-Kaabneh Elementary School in the village a few months earlier. A settler demolished an agricultural room in Kafr ad-Dik, west of Salfit, with a bulldozer on Monday morning, claiming it lacked a permit. The operation was carried out with full protection from the Israeli army. For several days, a group of armed settlers has been carrying out extensive land levelling operations on Palestinian land in the village of Yasuf, east of Salfit. Since the inauguration of the current Israeli government in 2022, settlers have escalated their attacks and assaults against Palestinians, with direct government support and instructions from far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Grooming gang ringleader who Keir Starmer helped jail in 2012 has STILL not been deported back to Pakistan after winning human rights battle
A notorious grooming gang ringleader who the Prime Minister helped put in jail cannot be deported back to Pakistan after winning a human rights battle. As Director of Public Prosecutions between 2008 and 2013 - before entering politics - Sir Keir Starmer insists he tackled Asian child abuse rings 'head on'. Among those jailed was Abdul Aziz, known as 'The Master' by fellow members of the infamous Rochdale grooming gang locked up for a total of 77 years in 2012. They were brought to justice after the future PM appointed Nazir Afzal as chief crown prosecutor for North West England. After reviewing the file, in 2011 Mr Afzal overturned the original Crown Prosecution Service decision not to put the men on trial on the grounds that the main victim was 'unreliable'. Four of the abusers faced being deported after being freed from jail as they had dual British-Pakistani citizenship. However the Mail later revealed how Aziz - now 54 - cannot be thrown out of the country because he renounced his Pakistani citizenship in 2018. He did so five days before the Court of Appeal threw out a bid by the taxi driver and two other members of the gang against being stripped of British nationality. Adil Khan and Qari Abdul Rauf, both now 55, also renounced their Pakistani citizenship - but only after the court case. However, despite losing appeals against deportation both also remain living in Rochdale after claims they would be rendered 'stateless'. Rauf - understood to have working for a takeaway delivery app - was this year branded 'a monster' by shocked neighbours. Aziz ferried victims to sex parties as far away as Leeds and Bradford. He was convicted of trafficking and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child and jailed for nine years. A fourth member of the gang, 72-year-old Shabir Ahmed, did not contest being stripped of his British citizenship, it is understood. He is the only member still behind bars, serving a 22-year sentence.
Hans India
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Wakf Board chief Aziz, Jagan extend Bakrid greetings to Muslims
Vijayawada: Abdul Aziz, Chairman of the AP Waqf Board, stated that the festival of Bakrid (Eid al-Adha) is a profound symbol of sacrifice. He emphasised that the core message of this festival is to show compassion and kindness towards the poor. In a statement released on Friday, ahead of Bakrid on Saturday, he extended his greetings to all Muslims and the people of the State. He noted that Muslims who perform 'Qurbani' (sacrificial offering) on Bakrid receive immense blessings. He reiterated that the festival signifies dedication to sacrifice and urged everyone to show brotherhood towards others. Sacrifice elevates an individual, and Muslims celebrate Bakrid in remembrance of a great saint's sacrifice. The tradition of 'Qurbani' annually reminds believers to sacrifice anything they hold dear for divine favour. He concluded by wishing for Allah's blessings upon everyone. Former Chief Minister and YSRCP president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy extended heartfelt Bakrid greetings to Muslim brothers and sisters. He highlighted that Bakrid, the festival of sacrifice, conveys the profound message of sacrifice and patience. Y.S. Jagan noted that Bakrid is celebrated in remembrance of the noble sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim. He emphasised that the festival stands as a testament to the spirit of sacrifice. He further remarked that Muslims, transcending distinctions of rich and poor, and beyond all hatred and animosity, observe this festival with utmost devotion and faith. In his message, Y S Jagan wished for Allah's blessings to be upon all people always.
