INTERNATIONAL
www.AZMuslimVoice.com
MAY 2012
11
UAE official pledges Ruling family detains pro-reform ship for disputed island member in UAE
By Associated Press DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) _ The ruler of one of the United Arab Emirates has promised he would order a ship that could travel to and from a disputed island claimed by his country but controlled by Iran. Tuesday’s remark by Sharjah ruler Sheik Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi is the latest salvo from the Emirates over Abu Musa, the largest of three islands claimed by both
the Arab country and Iran. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit to the island earlier this month inflamed the dispute over the territories. Sultan spoke on a television show after a viewer called in complaining there is no practical way to get to Abu Musa, which lies near the mouth of the Persian Gulf. Sultan says the boat would be fast and safe, in line with highest international standards.
By Associated Press DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) _ A rights group says a member of the ruling family in the northern United Arab Emirates is under guard in a palace in a possible crackdown on suspected Islamist groups. The
London-based
Emirates
Center for Human Rights says Sheik Sultan al-Qasimi, a cousin of the ruler of the emirate Ras al-Khaimah, was being held in the ruler’s palace Wednesday after being detained by armed men late last week. Officials in the UAE had no official comment. Sheik Sultan is linked to an
Islamist group and has been under pressure for calling for democratic reforms. Six pro-reform activists are currently being held by UAE officials. Ras al-Khaimah, at the northern tip of the UAE, is one of the country’s seven semiautonomous emirates.
Bahrain: Jailed hunger striker in good health By Associated Press
MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) _ A jailed activist on a hunger strike since early February is in ``good health’’ and receiving medical care, Bahraini officials said Wednesday, responding to opposition groups claiming his condition was sharply deteriorating. The statement by Bahrain’s Interior Ministry came after social media postings raised alarms about the fate of Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who has been on hunger strike since Feb. 8. Al-Khawaja, 51, and seven other Shiite activists were sentenced to life in prison last year. The convictions were part of Bahrain’s crackdown during the 14-month-old uprising by the country’s Shiite majority, which seeks to reduce the wide-ranging powers of the ruling Sunni dynasty. The Interior Ministry statement described al-Khawaja as ``is in good health, despite rumors’’ and added that ``he is in hospital, receiving full medical care.’’
On Monday, an appeals court delayed a decision until at least April 30 on efforts by al-Khawaja and others to challenge their convictions, which were issued by a military-led court. Earlier this month, Bahrain rejected Denmark’s request to take custody of al-Khawaja, who is also a Danish citizen. On Monday, Danish Foreign Minister Villy Soevndal called the situation ``very, very serious.’’ Al-Khawaja has become a powerful rallying point for near daily protests in the strategic kingdom, which is home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet. In the latest violence, Bahraini authorities said an explosion wounded four police officers during clashes late Tuesday in one of the anti-government strongholds. At least 50 people have been killed in unrest since February 2011.
government institutions,’’ she said in a statement.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland expressed concern. ``We condemn the use of violence in all its forms, whether against peaceful demonstrators or police and
Also the State Department issued an updated travel alert for Bahrain, warning of ``spontaneous and at times violent anti-government demonstrations’’ that can include
SHAHNAWAZ CURRIM
The alert urged Americans to avoid all demonstrations, ``as even peaceful ones can become unruly.’’ It did not call on U.S. citizens to leave.
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