Latest news with #Fattah
The Star
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Orang Asli villagers bridge gap to kids' studies
Compiled by BENJAMIN LEE, and ORANG Asli villagers from Pos Balar in Gua Musang, Kelantan, have taken it upon themselves to build a temporary bridge to cross the torrential Sungai Balar as school holidays draw to an end, reported Berita Harian. The new bridge, made out of wood, was built with a team of 57 villagers with the primary goal of enabling their kids and teachers from the nearby villages to attend the nearby SK Balar across the river with the first term holidays ending on June 9. Orang Asli Village Development and Safety Committee chairman Hanan Anjang said the temporary bridge took nearly eight hours to complete and was the third one built at the exact crossing location. He said the bridge was a temporary measure as plans for a new permanent bridge have finally been announced to be in the works. 'We were informed that the construction of a new bridge will begin this month but while waiting for the new bridge to be completed, residents still need to cross the river to get to school. 'So, we rebuilt the temporary bridge for the third time to ease access for parents and teachers,' he said. Previously in March, a permanent steel suspension bridge crossing for the river was destroyed after heavy rains resulted in extremely strong currents that left Pos Balar villagers isolated. On June 1, the Orang Asli Development Department announced the construction of a new RM400,000 bridge for Pos Balar. > Actress Amira Othman has denied talks of her potential marriage to fellow actor Fattah Amin, Kosmo! reported. The 31-year-old singer said there were currently no wedding plans, despite appearing to have grown closer to Fattah in the eyes of their fans. 'There has been all kinds of speculation with some even saying I'd be getting married in May, but I was performing in Johor. So, it was all just playful teasing from my fans. 'There's nothing like that (getting married). 'If anything is really happening, I'll definitely share it,' she told the daily. Speculation began shortly following Fattah's divorce from Nur Fazura Sharifuddin in October last of the pair's close relationship only intensified after they were featured together in several high-profile brand campaigns, with social media photos of them together also going viral.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Egypt illegally detaining Alaa Abd el-Fattah, UN investigators find
The British-Egyptian human rights activist and writer Alaa Abd el-Fattah is being illegally detained by the Egyptian government, an independent UN panel has found after an 18-month investigation. He is being held in a Cairo jail while his mother, Laila Soueif, based in Britain, is on hunger strike. She is holding a daily one-hour vigil outside Downing Street, the limit her health and weight loss allows. She is on day 241 of the hunger strike, and her body weight has halved. Keir Starmer, the UK prime minister, last week called for a second time for the Egyptian president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, to show clemency, saying the Egyptian government was causing the family great anguish. In a report released to the family, the UN working group on arbitrary detention also asked the Egyptian government 'to take the steps necessary to remedy the situation without delay', adding 'the appropriate remedy would be to release Abd el-Fattah immediately and accord him an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations, in accordance with international law'. Unusually, the Egyptian government mounted a full defence of its actions to the UN panel. The UN group gave a withering verdict on the standards of justice in Egypt, including the suppression of free speech. It concluded that the activist's continued imprisonment was arbitrary and illegal owing to the absence of a warrant at the time of his arrest and the lack of explanation of reasons for his arrest or the allegations against him. It found Fattah was arrested for exercising his freedom of expression, not afforded a fair trial, and was detained based on his political views. Egypt is not obliged to comply with the report, but its findings add to the damage being done to the country's reputation by continuing to detain one of it most prominent writers. Fattah was arrested in September 2019, and was finally sentenced in December 2021 to five years in jail for spreading false news and harming Egypt's national interest. The UN panel found the allegation stemmed from Fattah sharing a Facebook post about the death of a prison inmate. Fattah's English barrister, Can Yeğinsu, said: 'The UN working group has delivered a clear and unequivocal decision: Alaa Abd el-Fattah's detention is arbitrary and in breach of international law. Egypt is now obligated to release Alaa immediately.' Richard Ratcliffe, the husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British-Iranian held in a Tehran jail for five years, said: 'Having a ruling from the working group of arbitrary detention is a club no family wants to belong to. You worry repeatedly about whether to file, and then the UN system is so slow, so you can wait for years. Then when it comes, it is a moment of clarity – an acknowledgment of the injustice under international law. 'The crime is not Alaa's; the criminals are those still holding him, and provoking his family to desperation. For our family, our WGAD ruling was also a relief: we thought it would mark an end to the UK government's prevarication, and the beginning of firm action on Nazanin's case. In the end, it did. 'But for Alaa's family, time is so much shorter. The ruling needs to be implemented now. The law is clear, but so is the heavy cost of continuing to ignore it.' Fattah's cousin Omar Robert Hamilton urged the UK to take Egypt to the international court of justice over the detention. The working group in its report said the use of excessively broad and vague concepts such as 'dissemination of false information' were incompatible with international standards of freedom of expression and should be abolished. It also suggested it was a crime against humanity to use 'rotation sentencing', whereby the prosecution changes the original charge so that the defendant's period in pre-trial custody is not counted as part of the sentence.
Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Top 10 traditional Eid-al-Adha recipes you must try in 2025
No celebration is truly complete without the comfort of traditional food, and Eid al-Adha is no exception. As families gather to observe one of the most spiritually profound festivals in Islam, the kitchen becomes a place of shared joy, remembrance, and gratitude. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, will be observed in the United States from the evening of Friday, June 6, to the evening of Saturday, June 7, 2025. Rooted in the story of Prophet Ibrahim's unwavering faith and devotion, the festival is a time for prayer, reflection, and acts of charity. It's also a moment when homes fill with the aroma of time-honored recipes — dishes passed down through generations that bring families together and honor the spirit of giving. Here are 10 traditional Eid-al-Adha recipes you must try this year to make your celebration both heartfelt and flavorful. Mutton Biryani Mutton biryani is a rice dish that is infused with fragrant spices, saffron, and slow-cooked mutton. Though now enjoyed globally, biryani remains a quintessential Eid preparation, known for bringing families together over generous servings. Nihari Nihar is cooked with much patience and love. It is rich with deep spices and tender cuts of lamb, and is often served during early Eid mornings as a nourishing, celebratory dish. Seekh Kebabs For seekh kebab the meat is grounded along with spices and herbs and then skewered over open flames or grills. The smokey flavor just adds to the richness of the dish. Mutton Korma A rich curry made from yogurt, roasted spices, and tender lamb or goat meat, often served with flatbreads or pilaf. Kofta Bil Tahini (Meatballs in Tahini Sauce) Popular across the Levant, this dish features lamb meatballs baked in a tangy, creamy tahini sauce. It is sometimes served with potatoes or tomatoes for added depth. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Mansaf Jordan's national dish — lamb cooked in a fermented yogurt sauce (jameed), served atop rice and shrak (thin bread). It's a revered dish representing generosity and honor, especially during Eid feasts. Maqluba This signature dish in the Middle East and surrounding regions, maqluba means "upside-down". It consists of meat, rice, and vegetables layered in a pot, flipped dramatically onto a tray before serving. Raan (Spiced Leg of Lamb) A whole leg of lamb marinated overnight in garlic, yogurt, and warm spices, then slow-roasted until fall-off-the-bone tender — this showstopper often takes center stage at the Eid table. Sheer Khurma Sheer Korma or "milk with dates," is a sweet dish made with fine vermicelli, milk, dried fruits, and cardamom. Served at the end of the main course, sheer khurma is the perfect way to end a dinner. Fattah (Egyptian Lamb & Rice Dish) A festive Egyptian favorite during Eid al-Adha, Fattah layers crispy flatbread, rice, and succulent boiled lamb, all topped with a garlicky, vinegar-tomato sauce. It's bold, comforting, and deeply rooted in celebration, traditionally prepared right after the Qurbani.
New Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Fattah Amin: 'I'm disappointed'
KUALA LUMPUR: Popular actor Fattah Amin has expressed his disappointment after his film, Kulit Wayang, failed to receive a positive reception following its release on May 8. Fattah said that, like any other actor, he hopes his work will be recognised and watched by the public, given the significant effort and commitment invested in the film's production. "Of course, there's a feeling of disappointment because, if possible, we want many people to watch every piece of work we present. "The first time I watched my performance in this film, I was personally grateful that all the hard work and commitment given were successfully translated in the best possible way. "The character of Tok Dalang that I play isn't easy because I have to speak the Kelantan dialect and perform wayang kulit. "But I think perhaps the producer or director has their own strategy; maybe they intend to submit this film to film festivals, rather than focusing on box office collections," he said. When asked why the film didn't captivate audiences, Fattah suggested that one of the main factors was likely the genre and the audience's initial perception of the theme. "I think it might be due to the genre. Many people believe this film is solely about wayang kulit, leading some to be sceptical. "Additionally, some might think this film is only for people from the East Coast, but in reality, when they watch it, most praise it and realise that it's not just for people from Kelantan, the East Coast, or fans of wayang kulit. "Regarding screening times, that's not my decision. It's just that when many local films are screened in the same month, it's actually healthy competition. "I'm actually happy when there are so many local films in cinemas because we went through a phase where there were no new works. "So now that local films are becoming more vibrant, that's a very good development for the industry," he added. Besides Fattah, the film, directed by Dain Said, also stars Pekin Ibrahim.
France 24
20-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Mother of jailed Egyptian-UK activist returns to full hunger strike
Laila Soueif, 69, eased her strike in March after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had "pressed" for Fattah's release in a call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. She began consuming 300 calories a day through a liquid nutritional supplement but still went without food. With her son still languishing in jail two months later, Soueif said it was time to return to taking just rehydration salts, tea without sugar and vitamins. "I'm going to be on full hunger strike, which means I take zero calories," she told AFP outside Downing Street, home to Starmer's official residence. Soueif said she would also return to protesting outside Downing Street for an hour every day during the week, following a brief pause after Starmer's intervention. The London-based mother began her protest on September 29, 2024, which she said marked the day Fattah was due to be released after completing a five-year sentence. Fattah, 43, a pro-democracy and rights campaigner, was arrested by Egyptian authorities in September 2019 and given a five-year sentence for "spreading false news". He was a key figure in the 2011 revolt that toppled Egyptian autocrat Hosni Mubarak and was given UK citizenship in 2022 through his British-born mother. Fattah launched his own hunger strike on March 1 after hearing about his mother's admission to hospital, which he continues, according to the campaign group. Soueif, a mathematician and activist, was in February admitted to a London hospital with dangerously low blood sugar and blood pressure, and given a glucose drip.
