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<keyword id="20073647" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Assam-Legislative-Assembly" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Assam Legislative Assembly" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Assam Legislative Assembly">Assam Legislative Assembly</keyword> today officially amended the rule providing for two-hour break <keyword id="22976740" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jumma-break" source="keywords">Jumma break</keyword>, historically observed to facilitate <keyword id="22977235" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Muslim-legislators" source="keywords">Muslim legislators</keyword> to offer Fridays prayers. Assam Chief Minister <keyword id="19952756" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Himanta-Biswa-Sarma" source="keywords">Himanta Biswa Sarma</keyword> has expressed his gratitude towards the Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary for the decision that he said has been taken to prioritise the productivity of the assembly. "By doing away with the 2-hour Jumma break, <keyword id="20697861" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Assam-Assembly" source="keywords">Assam Assembly</keyword> has prioritised productivity and shed another vestige of colonial baggage. This practice was introduced by Muslim League's Syed Saadulla in 1937. My gratitude to Speaker Biswajit Daimary and our legislators for this historical decision," Sarma said in a post on X. According to the previous rule, the sitting of the Assembly on Friday used to be adjourned at 11 am to facilitate Muslim members to go for <keyword id="22977239" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="namaaz" source="keywords">namaaz</keyword>, but, as per the new rule, the Assembly will conduct its proceedings without any adjournment for religious purposes. As per the amended rule, Assam assembly will commence its proceedings at 9:30am every day, including Fridays. The order stated that the amendment was done to scrap the <keyword id="22977237" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="colonial-practice" source="keywords">colonial practice</keyword> which aimed at dividing the society on a <keyword id="22977238" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="religious-basis" source="keywords">religious basis</keyword>. As per the order, the proposal was first presented to the Rules Committee headed by Biswajit Daimary, Speaker of the Assembly, which unanimously agreed to drop this rule. The official order reads, "Since the creation of the Assam Legislative Assembly, the sitting of the Assembly on Friday used to be adjourned at 11 am to facilitate Muslim members to go for namaaz. The Assembly used to resume its proceedings in the post-lunch session after the Muslim members had come back from the namaaz. On all other days, the House used to conduct its proceedings without any such adjournment for religious purposes." It further read, "Biswajit Daimary, Hon'ble Speaker took note of this matter and in view of the secular nature of the Constitution, proposed that the Assam Legislative Assembly must conduct its proceedings on Fridays like any other day without any adjournment to facilitate Muslim members to go for namaaz. "Accordingly, the proposal to do away with this rule in the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly was placed before the Rules Committee headed by the Hon'ble Speaker. The Rules Committee unanimously agreed to drop this rule. Accordingly, today, the House adopted a motion to amend this rule so as to provide for sitting of the House for conduct of its proceedings on Fridays like any other day. So, today history has been created by doing away with this colonial practice which was aimed at dividing the society on religious basis."

Assam Assembly ends practice of two-hour Jumma break, running since 1937

Defending its 2019 law criminalising <keyword id="20415107" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="triple-talaq" source="keywords">triple talaq</keyword>, the Centre has told the <keyword id="19895345" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Supreme-Court" source="keywords">Supreme Court</keyword> that the practice is "fatal" for the social institution of <keyword id="19896575" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="marriage" source="keywords">marriage</keyword>. In an affidavit filed in response to petitions challenging the law, the Union of India said despite the top court setting aside the practice in 2017, it has "not worked as a sufficient deterrent in bringing down the number of divorces by this practice" among the members of the community. "It is submitted that Parliament in its wisdom has enacted the impugned Act to protect the rights of married <keyword id="19943278" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Muslim-women" source="keywords">Muslim women</keyword> who are being divorced by triple talaq. "The impugned Act helps in ensuring the larger constitutional goals of <keyword id="20809677" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gender-justice" source="keywords">gender justice</keyword> and <keyword id="20250318" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gender-equality" source="keywords">gender equality</keyword> of married Muslim women and helps subserve their fundamental rights of non-discrimination and empowerment," the affidavit said. On 22 August 2017, the <keyword id="19936355" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="apex-court" source="keywords">apex court</keyword> had declared instant triple talaq (talaq-e-biddah) unconstitutional. On August 23, 2019, the top court agreed to examine the validity of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019. Violation of the law entails imprisonment of up to three years. Two Muslim organisations -- <keyword id="22278513" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jamiat-Ulama-I-Hind" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind">Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind</keyword> and Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema -- have urged the court to declare the law "unconstitutional". Jamiat claimed in its petition that "criminalising a mode of <keyword id="19911325" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="divorce" source="keywords">divorce</keyword> in one particular religion while keeping the subject of marriage and divorce in other religions only within the purview of civil law, leads to discrimination, which is not in conformity with the mandate of Article 15".

Centre defends 2019 law on triple talaq in SC, says practice 'fatal' for marriage

The <keyword id="20507886" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uttar-Pradesh-Assembly" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Uttar Pradesh Assembly" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Uttar Pradesh Assembly">Uttar Pradesh Assembly</keyword> on Tuesday passed the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) <keyword id="19896367" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bill" source="keywords">Bill</keyword>, 2024 that provides for a maximum <keyword id="20028410" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="punishment" source="keywords">punishment</keyword> of life imprisonment, making the law stricter in cases of fraudulent or forced conversion. Earlier the maximum punishment provided for those found guilty of marrying a woman by deceiving her and converting her religion was 10 years with a fine of Rs 50,000. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna introduced the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the House on Monday. It has been proposed that if a person threatens, attacks, marries or promises to marry or conspires for it, or trafficks a woman, minor or anyone with the intention of conversion, then his crime will be placed in the most serious category. In such cases, there is a provision of 20 years imprisonment or life imprisonment. Under the amended provisions, now any person can register an FIR in conversion cases. Earlier, to give information or complaint about the case, the presence of the victim, her parents, or siblings was necessary. It has been proposed that such cases will not be heard by any court below the Sessions Court and along with this, the bail plea will not be considered without giving an opportunity to the public prosecutor. Also, all the crimes under the amended Act have been made non-bailable. Chief Minister <keyword id="19898780" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Yogi-Adityanath" source="keywords">Yogi Adityanath</keyword> had taken this initiative with the intention of curbing '<keyword id="20101303" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="love-jihad" source="keywords">love jihad</keyword>', a term coined by some <keyword id="6368818" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hindu" source="Orion">Hindu</keyword> outfits for alleged forcible conversion. An ordinance was issued for curbing forced conversion in November 2020 and later, after the bill was passed by both the houses of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature, the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act-2021 came into force.

UP Assembly passes amendment bill enhancing punishment under Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act

After the Supreme Court ruled on June 10 that a <keyword id="20100511" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Muslim-woman" source="keywords">Muslim woman</keyword> is entitled to claim <keyword id="22407616" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="maintenance-after-divorce" source="keywords">maintenance after divorce</keyword>, <keyword id="20066703" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Commission-for-Women" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="National Commission for Women" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="National Commission for Women">National Commission for Women</keyword> (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma welcomed the decision and stated that all <keyword id="20013419" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="personal-laws" source="keywords">personal laws</keyword> related to women should be equal across all religions. Speaking to ANI, Rekha Sharma said, "I always say that <keyword id="19927138" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="womens-rights" source="keywords">women's rights</keyword> should be universal and not determined based on <keyword id="19969367" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="religion" source="keywords">religion</keyword>. All personal laws related to women should be equal across all religions. Under the Hindu Marriage Act, you get alimony after divorce, so why should a Muslim woman not get it? I welcome what the Supreme Court has said." The Supreme Court on June 10 ruled that a divorced Muslim woman is entitled to seek maintenance from her husband under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), asserting that any discrimination against Muslim women in matters of alimony under the secular laws of the country would be regressive and against <keyword id="20809677" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gender-justice" source="keywords">gender justice</keyword> and equality. Earlier, the <keyword id="20066702" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NCW-chief" source="keywords">NCW chief</keyword> wholeheartedly welcomed the Supreme Court's landmark ruling, stating that the decision is a significant step towards ensuring <keyword id="20250318" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gender-equality" source="keywords">gender equality</keyword> and justice for all women, regardless of their religion. The NCW Chairperson emphasised that the decision reinforces the principle that no woman should be left without support and protection under the law. The NCW remains committed to advocating for women's rights and ensuring that justice prevails for every woman in India, she emphasised. Rekha Sharma also addressed the "lewd" comment incident that occurred earlier regarding a picture of the widow of Kirti Chakra recipient Captain Anshuman Singh. NCW chief Rekha Sharma said, "It was a very derogatory comment that we saw on social media, and we immediately took suo motu cognizance of it. The police have filed an FIR against this person. However, the individual is most likely from Pakistan." "Many such comments are being made, and we are taking those comments very seriously and urging the police to file FIRs in those cases as well," she added. Delhi Police acknowledged the National Commission for Women's (NCW) letter to the Delhi Commissioner of Police, demanding the arrest of the man and submission of a detailed report to the panel within three days. The police said a complaint was received from the National Commission for Women, alleging that a social media user had made an extremely lewd and derogatory comment on a picture of the widow of a late soldier. Taking cognizance of the complaint and after a preliminary examination of its contents, a case FIR under Sections 79, BNS-2023, and Section 67 of the IT Act 2000 has been registered at the Police Station Special Cell, and an investigation is underway. Captain Anshuman Singh, a doctor, was posted with the 26 Punjab as a medical officer in the Siachen Glacier area. On the night of July 19, 2023, there was a fire incident at an Indian Army ammunition dump at the camp where he was posted. Captain Singh saw a fibreglass hut engulfed in fire and immediately acted to rescue four to five individuals trapped inside. He went inside the medical investigation room, which was also on fire, to retrieve the critical medical aid box but could not make it out due to heavy fire amid strong winds. He was awarded the Kirti Chakra posthumously. Captain Singh's wife, Smriti, and his mother received the award from President Droupadi Murmu.

All personal laws related to women should be equal across all religions: NCW chief Rekha Sharma

<ul class="summary-list"><li>During Ramadan, Muslims gather to break fast and honor community practices.</li><li>This year, queer and trans Muslims created their own celebrations to rethink tradition and feel connected.</li></ul>On a chilly evening in late March, New York City's LGBT Community Center was filled with the warmth of belonging. A crowd of more than 100 Muslims — dressed in traditional dresses and robes in vibrant teal, rich brown, and bright red — set the room abuzz with chatter as they waited for the official call to Maghrib prayer, the set time for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-support-your-muslim-coworkers-who-are-fasting-during-ramadan">breaking fast during Ramadan</a>.Juicy dates, a symbol of abundance, were scattered on each table, as they would be at any Islamic iftar, a gathering where Muslims observing Ramadan eat and break a period of fasting. Among the dates were <a target="_blank" href="https://gaycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IftarPrayerCompanion-Small.pdf">brochures</a> reading "There is no one way of being Muslim," along with affirmations to help guests embrace the intersection of queerness and Islamic faith.Many guests at The Center said these welcoming messages could be rare. "I've never been anywhere like this," Armana Khan said.<div type="image" title="Drag queens perform at an LGBTQ Ramadan event at The Center." height="1247" width="1662" msid="109383120" hostid="261" sizebytes="240306"></div>From March 11 to April 9, the Islamic holy month of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/a-look-at-how-muslims-celebrate-ramadan-around-the-world-2022-4">Ramadan</a>, Muslims worldwide gathered for acts of togetherness. They held iftars in crowded makeshift tents at local recreational centers, stood shoulder to shoulder in mosques, and prayed late into the night to deepen their Islamic practice.But for queer and transgender Muslims, this practice of ummah, or the connectedness Muslims feel while exercising their faith together, has often made them feel excluded from traditional Ramadan celebrations.For Khan, a 30-year-old transgender Pakistani Muslim living in Queens, New York, childhood trips to the mosque were tinged with discomfort and dysphoria because of gender-based separations."It was always really uncomfortable being on the men's side, and all I wanted to do was go to the women's side and be with my sisters and friends," Khan said. "Especially during Ramadan when we went more frequently, it became a place where I felt isolated."Though Khan maintains a spiritual relationship with Islam in her everyday life, she can't remember the last time she participated with other Muslims in public. While attending The Center's queer iftar, Khan said she finally felt welcomed, not ashamed, in both her Muslim and her transgender identities.<div type="image" title="Young adults at an LGBTQ Ramadan event at The Center" height="1365" width="1820" msid="109383121" hostid="261" sizebytes="279048"></div>The iftar — which included prayers led by a queer Muslim community member named Shiffa, and joyful drag-queen performances — was just one of many ways queer and transgender Muslims fostered community this Ramadan.<h2>Reimagining togetherness and faith during Ramadan</h2>Many queer and transgender Muslims said they'd felt isolated from traditions that emphasize togetherness, like praying at community mosques, fasting for Ramadan, or performing the Muslim pilgrimage called Hajj.While <a target="_blank" href="https://features.hrw.org/features/features/lgbt_laws/">over 30</a> majority-Muslim countries <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lgbtq-rights-around-the-world-maps-2018-10">criminalize queerness</a> in some capacity, many Islamic scholars disagree about whether Islam "<a target="_blank" href="https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2322&amp;context=ilj">accepts</a>" queer and transgender people. Each scholar, institution, and government leads with their own interpretation of and perspective on Islam.<div type="image" title="LGBT Ramadan event at The Center" height="1314" width="1751" msid="109383122" hostid="261" sizebytes="250508"></div>Sophia Uppal, a 28-year-old who's nonbinary, described their relationship with Islam as complicated. Some of Uppal's favorite childhood memories include waking up early to their mom preparing sehri, or the meal Muslims eat before sunrise to prepare for the day's fast.But they said they'd also felt disconnected from Islam for so long because of the expectation to adhere to a heterosexual and cisgender lifestyle. "My mom would dress me up in hijab and clothes that did not feel aligned with me at all," Uppal said. "Now it's sometimes a deep trigger when I see gendered Islam forced upon me."Both Uppal and Khan look back on their Islamic upbringings and recall feeling pressured to conform to generations of tradition and subjectively interpreted religious texts. At first, these teachings — like the interpretation that if a person was queer or transgender they couldn't be a Muslim — made Uppal and Khan feel excluded from their communities. But infusing queer and transgender experiences into Islamic tradition has helped Uppal and Khan create <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ramadan-fasting-helped-these-women-realize-they-were-burned-out-2021-5">new relationships with their Muslim identities</a>.At the iftar, Khan reflected on how she reconciled her queer and Muslim identities during Hajj, one of Islam's five pillars."When I went on the Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj, I continued to have very LGBT thoughts in my mind," Khan said. "I wondered, 'If God really hated me, why would he keep these thoughts in my mind and at his holiest place, nonetheless?' I realized then it was because God allowed me to be in his house the way that I am. Otherwise, he wouldn't have invited me to Mecca or even to Islam."<div type="image" title="Portrait of LGBTQ community member, Dena." height="4045" width="5394" msid="109383123" hostid="261" sizebytes="2122602"></div>For Dena Igusti, a 27-year-old Indonesian Muslim, gathering with fellow queer people every day during Ramadan allowed them to reconnect with the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-show-ramadan-around-the-world-as-muslims-celebrate-holy-holiday">community aspect of Islam</a> they enjoyed when growing up."This is my first Ramadan where I've had every iftar exclusively with other queer Muslims, and it reminds me of the small community gatherings I had growing up," Igusti said. "We don't gather in an optic way but in a real deep sense of care for each other. It has really solidified my relationship with Islam and continued to show me the beauty of my faith."<h2>Fostering a more inclusive Muslim community around the world</h2>While there are very few examples of queer Muslim religious leaders, Imam Daayiee Abdullah, 70, the executive director of the Mecca Institute, and his ethos — "We don't tell anyone they are a Muslim; they tell us" — have been a guiding force for queer Muslims worldwide who are seeking to build community.The Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity began hosting inclusive virtual and in-person events for all kinds of Muslims in response to the widespread exclusion of queer Muslims from Islamic-identified spaces."MASGD spaces are not spaces where we're going to ask you to tell us your whole backstory about your devoutness to Islam or how you came into the faith," said Mx Yaffa, an indigenous Palestinian who's the executive director of MASGD. "We're not going to ask you the flip side either: about how queer you are or what part of the spectrum you fall upon."<div type="image" title="Portrait of Armana, Queer/Trans muslim influencer." height="5382" width="7176" msid="109383124" hostid="261" sizebytes="2534790"></div>MASGD aims to foster inclusive spaces, especially during Ramadan. This year, the organization launched a calendar to catalog the many queer-Muslim-focused Ramadan events hosted around the world, like queer Taraweeh and Jummah prayers, iftar events, and Chaand Raat celebrations. Hosting organizations included Queer Crescent, Queer Shia Collective, Masjid al-Rabia, the Halal and Queer Collective, and others.At its inception in 2013, MASGD was one of the few organizations in the world that emphasized ummah for queer and transgender Muslims, but now it's one of dozens.<h2>Queer-centered Ramadan celebrations highlight the beauty of layered identities</h2>At The Center's iftar, when Shiffa delivered the adhan, or call to prayer, the crowd went silent.After attendees <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/breathtaking-photos-of-eid-celebrations-around-the-world-2020-5">broke their fast</a>, they joined together in song and dance and enjoyed drag performances by queer and transgender Muslims from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds."To be in an Islamic space where I didn't have to question if I was Muslim enough or if people supported my trans identity was radically transformative," Khan said.<div type="image" title="LGBTQ Muslim community members dancing." height="1141" width="1522" msid="109383125" hostid="261" sizebytes="146162"></div>Being surrounded by fellow queer Muslims this Ramadan, Igusti said it was evident that their queerness is naturally complementary to their Islamic practice. Igusti added that each side of their identity continued to reveal different but inseparable parts of the other.Yaffa similarly said these inclusive community events served as reminders of how each side of their identity strengthened the other."To me, Islam has never been this contradictory thing to everything else that I am. My <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/same-sex-couple-took-pictures-in-traditional-south-asian-clothes-2019-12">identities amplify and elevate</a> each other," Yaffa said. "I'm a better queer and trans person because I'm Muslim, and I'm a better Muslim because I'm a queer and trans person."

This Ramadan, queer and transgender Muslims made their own community

In 2020, <keyword id="19915884" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Facebook" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Facebook" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Facebook">Facebook</keyword> parent <keyword id="19911549" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Meta" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Meta" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Meta">Meta</keyword> faced heavy criticism for allowing the "Stop the Steal" movement to spread like wildfire on its platform. This far-right movement falsely claimed that electoral fraud had deprived Donald Trump of victory in the 2020 United States presidential election, leading to widespread violence in the country. Now, Meta has come under fire again for a similar role in promoting political polarisation during <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s ongoing <keyword id="19895394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="keywords">Lok Sabha</keyword> <keyword id="19900767" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="elections" source="keywords">elections</keyword>. A recent research report by the corporate accountability group Ekō, in collaboration with India Civil Watch International, has revealed alarming shortcomings in Meta's ability to detect and block <keyword id="21749265" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-generated-ads" source="keywords">AI-generated ads</keyword> that promote <keyword id="20028741" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hate-speech" source="keywords">hate speech</keyword>, election disinformation, and incitement to violence. These findings are particularly concerning given the critical election period in India, which several experts have termed as the most important Lok Sabha elections in recent times. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Infiltrating election silence periods" comment="subhead" text="Infiltrating election silence periods">Infiltrating election silence periods</cmsannotation> The investigation, spanning the third and fourth phases of India's seven-phase election, targeted 189 contentious constituencies during the election's 48-hour "silence period." This period mandates a halt on all election-related advertising, in order to grant citizens some breathing room to make a considered voting decision. However, researchers found that Meta failed to enforce these restrictions, allowing the dissemination of harmful political advertising, mainly by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (<keyword id="14666" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bjp" source="Orion">BJP</keyword>). <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Type of ads approved by Meta" comment="subhead" text="Type of ads approved by Meta">Type of ads approved by Meta</cmsannotation> Between May 8-13, the study organisations received publishing approvals for 14 self-submitted highly inflammatory advertisements, meaning that Meta’s auto-check systems were unable to pick up on the posts’ disturbing content. These ads contained violent rhetoric anywhere from targeting Muslim minorities, spreading disinformation by exploiting communal conspiracy theories, and inciting violence through Hindu supremacist narratives. One ad even mimicked a recent AI-doctored video of Home Minister Amit Shah, which had recently gained enough notoriety to sanction arrests of some opposition party members. The approved ads were placed in English, Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati and Kannada, and mimicked or exaggerated existing Hindu-supremacist propaganda, such as: <ul><li>Ads targeting BJP opposition parties with accusations of Muslim favouritism</li><li>Dog whistles about Muslim “invaders” and calls for violence against <keyword id="20024988" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Muslims" source="keywords">Muslims</keyword></li><li>Narratives claiming electronic voting machine tampering, calling for uprisings</li><li>Hindu supremacist language and calls for burning Muslims</li><li>A call for executing a lawmaker accused of Pakistani allegiance</li><li>Disinformation about affirmative action policies</li></ul>Each ad featured manipulated images created using common AI tools such as Stable Diffusion, <keyword id="20004545" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="midjourney" source="keywords">Midjourney</keyword>, and Dall-e, highlighting how easily AI can amplify harmful content. This news comes despite Meta’s earlier announcements to detect and label AI-generated content to protect the electoral process. Of the total 22 provocative ads that had been submitted to the platform, 14 were reportedly approved within 24 hours, despite them all breaching Meta’s own policies on hate speech, misinformation, and violence. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Exploiting Meta's weaknesses" comment="subhead" text="Exploiting Meta's weaknesses">Exploiting Meta's weaknesses</cmsannotation> The research also highlighted vulnerabilities in Meta’s automated ad review system. When faced with regional roadblocks, researchers managed to simply set up dummy Facebook accounts from outside India to circumvent Meta's security measures and post these ads — including during the silence period. Even in the rare chance that these ads were flagged by the platform, slightly adjusting the content was enough to bypass Meta’s scrutiny, the researchers found. This reveals how easily bad actors can exploit Meta’s platform to spread disinformation and incite violence. Civil society groups, both in India and internationally, have called on Meta to enforce stricter measures during elections, emphasising the need for transparency and accountability. As India continues its electoral process, the need for robust action from social media giants like Meta is more critical than ever to protect democratic integrity and public safety. A comprehensive report of the investigation can be accessed <a href="https://aks3.eko.org/pdf/Meta_AI_ads_investigation.pdf" data-type="tilCustomLink">here</a>.

Facebook parent Meta’s systems fail to block anti-Muslim propaganda advertisements amid ongoing Lok Sabha elections, claims report

Greeting the <keyword id="29199" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="muslim" source="Orion">Muslim</keyword> community across the world on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, US President <keyword id="99719" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="joe-biden" source="Orion">Joe Biden</keyword> on Sunday reiterated that the <keyword id="6356955" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="united-states" source="Orion">United States</keyword> will continue working non-stop to establish an immediate and sustained <keyword id="42031" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ceasefire" source="Orion">ceasefire</keyword> for at least six weeks as part of a deal that releases hostages. "While we get more life-saving aid to <keyword id="39746" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gaza" source="Orion">Gaza</keyword>, the United States will continue working non-stop to establish an immediate and sustained ceasefire for at least six weeks as part of a deal that releases hostages. And we will continue building toward a long-term future of stability, security, and peace. That includes a two-state solution to ensure Palestinians and Israelis share equal measures of freedom, dignity, security, and prosperity. That is the only path toward an enduring peace," Biden said. The United States will continue to lead international efforts to get more humanitarian assistance into Gaza by land, air, and sea, he said. "Earlier this week, I directed our military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier on the coast of Gaza that can receive large shipments of aid. We are carrying out airdrops of aid, in coordination with our international partners, including Jordan. And we'll continue to work with Israel to expand deliveries by land, insisting that it facilitate more routes and open more crossings to get more aid to more people," Biden said. In a message, Biden said as the new crescent moon marks the beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, he and the First Lady extend their best wishes and prayers to Muslims across the US and around the world. "The sacred month is a time for reflection and renewal. This year, it comes at a moment of immense pain. The war in Gaza has inflicted terrible suffering on the Palestinian people. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of them civilians, including thousands of children. Some are family members of American Muslims, who are deeply grieving their lost loved ones today," he said. "Nearly two million Palestinians have been displaced by the war; many are in urgent need of food, water, medicine, and shelter. As Muslims gather around the world over the coming days and weeks to break their fast, the suffering of the Palestinian people will be front of mind for many. It is front of mind for me," said the US president. Biden noted that in the US they have seen an "appalling resurgence" of hate and violence towards Muslim Americans. Islamophobia has absolutely no place in the United States, a country founded on freedom of worship and built on the contributions of immigrants, including Muslim immigrants, Biden said. "My administration is developing the first-ever National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Related Forms of Bias and Discrimination, to take on hate against Muslims, Sikhs, South Asians, and Arab American communities, wherever it occurs. No one should ever fear being targeted at school, at work, on the street, or in their community because of their background or beliefs," he said. "To Muslims across our country, please know that you are deeply valued members of our American family. To those who are grieving during this time of war, I hear you, I see you, and I pray you find solace in your faith, family, and community. And to all who are marking the beginning of Ramadan tonight, I wish you a safe, healthy, and blessed month. Ramadan kareem," Biden said.

US will work towards 6-week ceasefire in Gaza: Biden

<ul class="summary-list"><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/open-ai-sam-altman-daily-routine-schedule-for-productivity-2024-1">OpenAI CEO Sam Altman</a> recently discussed antisemitism and Islamophobia surrounding the Israel-Gaza war.</li><li>He says Jewish tech workers like himself have had more support from the industry. </li></ul>OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says Palestinian tech workers he's spoken with don't feel free to express themselves because they fear it may hurt their careers.Altman took to Twitter on Thursday to share his thoughts."Muslim and arab (especially palestinian) colleagues in the tech community i've spoken with feel uncomfortable speaking about their recent experiences, often out of fear of retaliation and damaged career prospects. our industry should be united in our support of these colleagues; it is an atrocious time," he <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/sama/status/1743080079515959364">said</a> in a tweet Thursday. "I continue to hope for a real and lasting peace, and that in the meantime we can treat each other with empathy."One commenter asked, "How are the Jewish colleagues?" to which Altman <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/sama/status/1743084034723627349?s=20">responded</a>: "I am jewish. i believe that antisemitism is a significant and growing problem in the world, and i see a lot of people in our industry sticking up for me, which i deeply appreciate. i see much less of that for muslims."Tech companies have struggled to manage employee discussions about the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/south-africa-accuses-israel-of-genocide-asks-un-court-intervene-2023-12">Israel-Gaza war</a>.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-paused-jewish-and-muslim-employee-message-boards-messages-show-2023-11">Apple deleted Slack messages from employees about the war</a> before pausing dedicated Slack channels for Muslim and Jewish employees, Business Insider's Ashley Stewart previously reported. At Google, some employees published an <a target="_blank" href="https://medium.com/@notechforapartheid/googleopenletter-868f0c4477db">open letter</a> in November saying Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian workers at the company were subject to "hate, abuse, and retaliation" and "a double standard when it comes to freedom of expression."Meanwhile, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tech-leaders-web-summit-canel-conference-paddy-cosgrave-israel-palestine-2023-10">Paddy Cosgrave</a>, an Irish entrepreneur and the cofounder of Web Summit, a technology conference held in Europe each year, faced backlash for accusing Israel of war crimes against Palestinians. Attendees and companies like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/intel-siemens-pull-out-cancel-sponsors-web-summit-ceo-israel-2023-10">Intel and Stripe subsequently pulled out of the conference</a>, and Cosgrave resigned amid mounting pressure.

Sam Altman says tech world 'should be united' in supporting Muslim colleagues      

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Many of Michigan's "uncommitted" voters are Arab Americans or Muslim Americans.</li><li>A top Biden campaign official says they need to remember that Trump pushed a Muslim ban.</li></ul>President Joe Biden's has a problem in Michigan, and it remains unclear if his campaign knows how to address it.On Tuesday, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/uncommitted-biden-michigan-previous-primaries-trump-israel-gaza-2024-2">over 100,000 Democrats</a> marked their ballots as "uncommitted" rather than vote for Biden in the presidential primary, accounting for just over 13% of the vote.Many — though not all — of those voters are Arab Americans and Muslim Americans who live in the southeastern part of the state, particularly in and around the city of Dearborn. Some have even had family members in recent months amid Israel's war in Gaza.The "Listen to Michigan" campaign, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rashida-tlaib-uncommitted-biden-israel-gaza-michigan-primary-2024-2">backed by Rep. Rashida Tlaib</a> and managed by her younger sister, had urged Democrats in the state to vote "uncommitted" to push the Biden administration towards implementing a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and ceasing military support for Israel.In an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2024/02/29/1234602096/joe-biden-uncommitted-age-donald-trump-michigan-gaza-israel">NPR interview</a> released Thursday, Mitch Landrieu — the former mayor of New Orleans and the national co-chair of Biden's reelection campaign — suggests that those voters needed to be made more aware of former President Donald Trump's agenda, including the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-passes-bill-reverse-trump-travel-ban-from-muslim-countries-2020-7">so-called "Muslim ban"</a> that he enacted early in his presidency."We're going to continue to talk to them and then ask them to think about the choices and what the consequences are about electing somebody who wants to have a Muslim ban, electing somebody who is going to be much, much worse than the difficult circumstances that we have right now," said Landrieu.The former New Orleans mayor also noted that Biden campaign and administration officials have met with community leaders in Michigan in recent weeks, and that Israel's ongoing bombardment of Gaza is a "very difficult issue."In response, Listen to Michigan campaign manager Layla Elabed fired back."It's deeply offensive that President Biden keeps suggesting he has a messaging issue among Arab Americans and young people rather than a funding bombs issue," said Elabed. "Biden's re-election chances will be judged by how much of Gaza is left standing by November."The campaign followed that up with a tweet accusing Biden of using Trump as a "human shield."The Listen to Michigan campaign has been explicit about its intnetions to leverage votes in the crucial battleground state: Trump won Michigan by roughly 10,700 votes in 2016, far less than the 100,000 who voted "uncommitted" on Tuesday.And they've made clear that they're not interested in a "lesser of two evils" argument."President Biden himself, by failing to call for a ceasefire, is on track to deliver the presidency back to Donald Trump and his white supremacist buddies," said Abbas Alawieh, a spokesperson for Listen to Michigan, in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/joe-biden-age-memory-war-israel-2024-2">call with reporters</a> earlier this month.

Biden campaign official says 'uncommitted' Michigan voters should remember that Trump 'wants to have a Muslim ban' 

Islamabad [Pakistan], September 20 (ANI): Addressing a meeting of his party, PML(N), former Pakistan Prime Minister said that India reached the moon and successfully hosted the G20 Summit while Pakistan was begging other countries for money to stay afloat. Addressing the party meeting in Lahore virtually, prior to his return to Pakistan, Sharif said, "Today, Pakistan's Prime Minister is going from one country to another to beg for funds while India is setting foot on the moon and hosting world leaders at the G20 summit. Why couldn't Pakistan achieve similar feats? Who is responsible for our shambolic state?" The former PM added that the poor were struggling for food in Pakistan. "What have we done to our country?" he questioned. Criticising the ongoing state of Pakistan's economy, Sharif said, "Those who did this to our country are the biggest criminals." The <keyword id="1186153" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pakistan-muslim-league-nawaz" source="Orion">Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz</keyword> (PML-N) supremo claimed further that India had followed economic reforms initiated by his government in 1990. "When Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the Prime Minister of India, it had only a billion dollars in their treasury. Now, their foreign exchange reserves have risen to USD 600 billion," Sharif said. He added that Pakistan was having to beg other countries for even one billion dollars. "We are begging for even one billion dollars. What have we come to? Where do we stand in India's eyes? We are asking for money from China and the Gulf," Sharif noted. Meanwhile, <keyword id="11977746" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="shehbaz-sharif" source="Orion">Shehbaz Sharif</keyword> said that his brother and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are set to arrive in Pakistan on October 21, Pakistan-based Geo News reported. Pakistan is reeling from one of its worst economic and political crises that have impacted the masses. As the nation grapples with a severe economic crisis and soaring inflation, this financial safety net of the people of Pakistan appears to be eroding, Dawn reported. Recently, as Pakistan continues to face economic challenges, the International Monetary Fund made it tougher for the country to ride its fiscal challenges, as it rejected a proposal for any tariff adjustment or provision of additional subsidy, Geo News reported. Earlier, in July, amid the sweeping economic crisis in the country, Pakistan increased the electricity base rate by PakistRupees (PKR) by 7.5 per unit, resulting in massive disquiet and provoking widespread protests. Pakistan's Ministry of Finance has warned of challenges originating from uncertain external and domestic economic environments, including higher inflation and external debt repayments, due to lesser foreign exchange inflows, according to Geo News. (ANI)

India reached moon, hosted G20 Summit, we are begging for funds, laments former Pak PM Nawaz Sharif

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Mazi Melesa Pilip is the GOP candidate in the special election to replace George Santos.</li><li>She recently suggested some Muslims "won't like" her campaign because she's Israeli.</li></ul>Mazi Melesa Pilip, the GOP's chosen replacement for the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/george-santos-expelled-congress-what-happens-next-2023-11">recently expelled</a> George Santos, suggested that some Muslims will oppose her candidacy due to her prior service in the Israeli Defense Forces.The Nassau County legislator made those comments during an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.israelhayom.com/2023/12/21/some-wont-like-seeing-a-former-israeli-soldier-running-for-congress-but-i-know-the-vast-majority-will-be-with-me/">interview</a> with Israel Hayom, a right-wing Israeli news outlet, published on Thursday."I know there will be a handful of Muslims who won't like seeing a former Israeli soldier running for Congress, it will deter them," Pilip told the outlet. "The progressive Democrats will also not like it, and they have great influence and know how to make noise but I know the vast majority will be with me, because the US is a friend of Israel, and the American people are with us."Business Insider reached out to Pilip's campaign seeking clarification of her comments but has not yet received a response.Pilip has said that she served in the IDF's Paratroopers Brigade, describing herself as a "paratrooper" despite serving as a gunsmith rather than a parachutist. She <a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/mazi-pilip-third-district-special-election-suozzi-ugev6jhb">told</a> Newsday that all members of the paratrooper unit identify as "paratroopers."Her candidacy is taking place against the backdrop of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, spurred by the October 7 Hamas terror attack. More than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed since then, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.A county-level legislator for less than two years, Pilip's candidacy poses both opportunities and challenges for the GOP in the Long Island district <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/george-santos-expelled-congress-what-happens-next-2023-11">once occupied</a> by George Santos.She's an Ethiopian-born Jewish woman with 7 children, a profile unlike the typical Republican politician and one that may resonate with a broader swath of the electorate.But she's also a relatively inexperienced politician and has struggled to articulate clear positions on key issues since her selection by local party leaders last week.On abortion, she has simply <a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/mazi-pilip-third-district-special-election-suozzi-ugev6jhb">said </a>that she won't support "the national abortion ban" without clarifying whether she supports any restrictions at the state or federal level.And she has declined to offer her views on Donald Trump, the former president and likely 2024 GOP nominee, simply saying she will support the party's nominee."Why will I answer something like this?" she <a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/mazi-pilip-third-district-special-election-suozzi-ugev6jhb">told Newsday</a> when asked about Trump. "It's a personal question."Pilip is set to face former <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-tom-suozzi-george-santos-democrats-special-election-2023-12">Rep. Tom Suozzi</a>, a relatively moderate Democrat, in the February 13 special election.

The GOP's replacement for George Santos says some Muslims 'won't like' her running for Congress because she's a former IDF member

A stamp depicting <keyword id="30388" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sikhs" source="Orion">Sikhs</keyword>, <keyword id="6373137" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hindus" source="Orion">Hindus</keyword>, <keyword id="6358087" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="muslims" source="Orion">Muslims</keyword> and their places of worship feature on one of the four stamps issued by the <keyword id="232502" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="royal-mail" source="Orion">Royal Mail</keyword> to mark the <keyword id="6604166" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronation" source="Orion">coronation</keyword> of King Charles III on May 6. Captioned "Diversity and Community", the stamp reflects a multi-faith community and the cultural diversity of contemporary British society, a news release stated. The stamp features figures representing the Jewish, Islamic, Christian, Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist religions and is representative of all faiths and none. "The background shows aspects of both rural and urban Britain and includes some of the many different places of worship that are found around the United Kingdom," the release noted. Presented in a miniature sheet, the stamps illustrate the Coronation ceremony and the traditional street party, as well as some of the causes His Majesty has dedicated his years of public service to. This includes cultural diversity and community, the global ties of the Commonwealth, which he now leads, and sustainability and biodiversity. This is only the third time in history that Royal Mail has issued stamps to mark a Coronation. The previous two occasions were for King George VI in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. "Royal Mail is proud to issue this set of commemorative stamps which celebrate the Coronation, and some of the causes which His Majesty has championed throughout his many years of public service," Simon Thompson, Chief Executive of Royal Mail, said. "This is only the third time we have issued Coronation stamps and I am delighted that they mark the start of a new reign and a new chapter in our history," Thompson added. The stamps were designed by Atelier Works and feature newly commissioned wood engravings by British artist Andrew Davidson. Royal Mail will also be applying a special postmark to stamped mail to mark the event. The postmark will run from April 28 until May 10. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/healthcare-related-tax-deductions-under-section-80d-in-2023-24/articleshow/99906557.cms">Decoding Section 80D: The healthcare-related tax deductions available to you</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/trais-ai-spam-filters-will-provide-relief-from-spam-calls-and-messages/articleshow/99907790.cms">TRAI's new AI spam filters will provide relief from spam calls and messages</a>

You Searched For "Muslims" and got 12 results

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Sam Altman says tech world 'should be united' in supporting Muslim colleagues

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