Latest news with #Hanafi
NDTV
26-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
The Story Of Turkey-Pakistan 'Brotherhood' And Why It Runs Deep
That the Turkey-Pakistan brotherhood runs deep is a fact amply underlined by the Turkish response to the recent military tensions between India and Pakistan. But what makes this alliance so strong is not just diplomacy, but history and tradition. Not only had the waning Ottoman Khilafat (or Caliphate) movement influenced the formation of Pakistan, but the shared tradition of the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam, culturality, and moderate Sufism is such that the two countries often fondly call each other 'Kardeslers', meaning "brothers" in Turkish. The fact that both Turkey and Pakistan were also in the same 'blocs' during the Cold War era - the Baghdad Pact (later Regional Cooperation for Development, and then Economic Cooperation Organisation), the Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO), or even Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) and D-8 being examples - helped them geopolitically cement their underlying religio-cultural-historical connection. The 1965 And 1971 Wars In 1951, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Treaty of Eternal Friendship. That led to Ankara progressively upping its support to Pakistan in all its wars with India. If the 1965 war saw Turkey supporting Pakistan diplomatically, by 1971, that had turned into material support as well in the form of aircraft assistance. Now, in the latest four-day conflict between the two countries, Turkey is believed to have supplied over 350 drones to Pakistan, along with military advisors and operatives to use the same. The mysterious landing of a Turkish C-130, followed by a visit by Lt Gen Yasar Kadioglu (Chief of Turkish Intelligence) in Pakistan days before Operation Sindoor, also raised suspicions. All this is in addition to the already signed deal to allow for upgrading of Pakistani F-16s at Turkish facilities and supply four stealth corvettes, 30 T129 ATAK helicopters, Kemankes cruise missiles, etc. The Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has personally thanked the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for his "strong support and unwavering solidarity" during the Indo-Pak conflict. A Very Close Association For the two countries, their once-rhetorical support for each other has now decidedly turned into a more strategic one. Just as Islamabad readily concurs with Ankara on Northern Cyprus and refuses to recognise the Armenian genocide, Ankara backs Islamabad on the plebiscite line on Kashmir as well as its bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group. But this is not a new shift by any measure. In his memoir, In the Line of Fire, former Pakistani President and dictator Pervez Musharaff fondly recounted how he spent his childhood in Ankara and "their [the people's] very visible love and affection for Pakistan and Pakistanis". It's also worth noting how the Indian Embassy road in Ankara has been renamed Cinnah Caddesi, meaning Jinnah Avenue. A Simultaneous Slide It was Turkey's oscillating and contradictory relationship of the 'state' with Islam that had inspired Muhammad Ali Jinnah - and Pervez Musharaff, decades later - to view the country as a model nation that Pakistan must emulate. However, both countries' regressive slide towards puritanism has occurred almost in tandem - in Turkey with the rise of Recep Erdogan, and in Pakistan with the tightening of the vice-like grip of religious narratives. If a more secularist and progressive Kemal Mustapha Atatürk had inspired Pakistani leaders like Jinnah, Ayub, Yahya or even Musharaff, religious hardliners like Erdogan, who rail brazenly at the "West", are the latest poster boys in Pakistan today. Surely, the bitterly contested domestic politics of Turkey, with the Progressives in the opposition and the religious conservatives under Erdogan, has a role to play too. Both benefit much more from batting on behalf of a "brother muslim nation" like Pakistan. The sheer distance and relatively lower commercial angularities with India are not enough for it to prefer Delhi over Islamabad. A Rival To Sheikhdoms Bonhomie with Pakistan is also rooted in Turkey's own ambition to emerge as a leader within the Ummah, or the Islamic World, which is hitherto dominated by Saudi-led Sheikhdoms. Given how India has built stable relations with such Sheikhdoms, the non-Arab majors like Turkey and Pakistan, which were historically treated as "lessers" within the Ummah, are now seeking to stitch a rival "bloc" involving other non-Arab nations, such as Malaysia, Iran and the perennially contrarian but Arab, Qatar. The deliberate exposé of the Khashoggi murder by the Turkish authorities was designed to embarrass the Saudis, underlining the internal rift within the Ummah. Also, with the US, India and Sheikdoms working conjointly on many fronts, Pakistan is left with only Turkey, along with China, to afford it some bragging rights. By standing up for Pakistan, Erdogan wants to project the imperialist grandeur of "Pasha" - the highest ranking official harking back to the Ottoman era - something the Turkish President desperately seeks to revive. The Indian Approach However, for India, Turkey's indulgence of Pakistan has resulted in Delhi asserting its own anti-Turkey view on Northern Cyprus, conducting naval exercises with Turkey's rival, Greece, and even becoming Armenia's largest arms supplier. The Indian reaction is a more recent phenomenon and a fallout of the Erdogan era. The Turkey-less India-Middle East-Europe-Economic Corridor, aimed at countering Ankara's rival geostrategic initiative of 'Iraq Development Road', which shortchanges India, is part of New Delhi's approach. In a way, Erdogan's own electoral considerations, the solidification of India's relations with Arab Sheikdoms, Afghanistan (increasingly a pain point with Pakistan now), the US and the forever sectarian Iran, will ensure that Turkey and Pakistan continue to deepen their jointmanship, something that is bound to irk Delhi. As of now, the overwhelming nationalistic fervour in India has resulted in calls to de-prioritise Turkey as a destination for tourism and other exchanges. But that's barely enough to push Turkey to revisit its stance. Supporting Pakistan makes more sense to the calculative and ambitious Erdogan. The dearth of 'Turkish Delight' for India ought not to surprise anyone. (Lt. Gen. Bhopinder Singh (born 20 March 1946) is the former Lieutenant Governor of The Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Pondicherry and an Indian Army officer who has been awarded the PVSM.)
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
NES Security Door forges alliance with Swiss firm Skinrock, eyes innovation and export growth
PETALING JAYA: NES Security Door Marketing Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian manufacturer of security and safety doors, formalised an international collaboration with Switzerland-based Skinrock AG, marking the start of a strategic alliance focused on material innovation and international market growth. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony was held in conjunction with the official launch of NES's newly completed manufacturing facility in Klang, Selangor, officiated by Investment, Trade and Industry deputy secretary-general (industry) Datuk Hanafi Sakri. The collaboration comes as Malaysia's manufacturing sector demonstrated vigorous growth with sales reaching RM1.9 trillion in 2024, a 4.6% increase over the previous year. This includes the non-metallic mineral products, basic metal and fabricated metal products sub-sector, which covers steel and aluminium fabrication, recording a 3.2% year-on-year sales growth in December 2024, reflecting healthy performance in areas aligned with NES's core manufacturing focus. Skinrock is globally recognised for its pioneering development of ultra-thin, flexible natural stone veneers that are used extensively in high-end architectural and interior design applications. Under the MoU, NES and Skinrock will explore collaborative opportunities in product integration, research and development, and international distribution, including applying Skinrock's natural stone veneers in NES's upcoming products. Hanafi said, 'By bringing together Skinrock's expertise in natural stone technology with NES's commitment to high-quality, design-driven production, this partnership lays the foundation for creating export-ready products that are both functional and architecturally unique. It reflects a growing confidence in the ability of Malaysian companies to deliver differentiated solutions for the global market.' Skinrock founder Uelli Stiffler said in his speech, 'We're excited to deepen our presence in Southeast Asia through this collaboration. Working with NES allows us to explore new applications and bring our material innovation to a broader market. We hope this inspires more cross-border partnerships between European and Malaysian industries.' With the new factory boosting NES's production capacity from 800 to 2,000 units per month, the partnership arrives at a pivotal moment as the company positions itself to capitalise on Malaysia's dynamic, export-driven manufacturing sector. NES's export roadmap for 2025 targets markets in Taiwan, the Philippines and Australia, with plans to expand into North America, South Asia and the Middle East. Backed by a targeted 20% annual growth rate, NES aims to generate RM45 million in annual export revenue by 2027. 'This MoU is a major milestone, but it is part of a much bigger journey,' said NES founder Datuk Seri Dom Tee. 'We're not just building doors, we're building a globally competitive brand. Our sights are set on going public by 2028, with a market valuation target of RM400 million. With meaningful partnerships and consistent growth, we're confident that we can provide a platform for Malaysian companies to stand tall globally.' Looking ahead, NES will debut new offerings under the NES x Skinrock brand, incorporating Skinrock's natural stone veneers as a distinctive design and selling feature. Among the upcoming initiatives is the 'Master Craft's Artist' series, a curated line of one-of-a-kind doors created in collaboration with local andinternational designers, highlighting the artistic and technical potential of Malaysian manufacturing.
Daily Express
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
OK for Muslims to attend these events: Council
Published on: Saturday, May 17, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 17, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Chairman of the Muafakat Committee, National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI) Datuk Dr Nooh Gadot Kuala Lumpur: It is permissible for Muslims to attend invitations or events for non-Islamic celebrations without any religious rituals, says the Chairman of the Muafakat Committee, National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI) Datuk Dr Nooh Gadot. He stated that this includes open house events or dinner gatherings in conjunction with non-Islamic celebrations and the like, provided that the food served is halal and there is no entertainment or activities prohibited by Islamic law. Advertisement 'However, scholars from the four schools of thought, namely Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i and Hambali, have unanimously agreed that it is haram and completely forbidden for Muslims to attend ritual ceremonies of non-Islamic religious celebrations. 'This prohibition includes non-Islamic religious rituals held in places of worship as well as in other venues where such rituals are commonly performed,' he said in a statement on Thursday (May 15). According to him, respecting followers of other religions does not mean supporting or participating in their worship, but participation in any form of other religious celebrations or rituals, whether directly or indirectly, is contrary to Islamic teachings and can undermine faith. 'The participation of Muslims in non-Islamic religious practices brings negative consequences such as undermining the belief in monotheism, violating legal boundaries and references to valid fatwas, creating liberal thoughts without guidance from Islamic law, as well as undermining Islamic identity in society, besides causing confusion among the younger generation,' he said. Advertisement Nooh stated that the Muslim community in Malaysia can refer to the notification regarding 'Muslims Also Celebrate the Religious Holidays of Non-Muslims' published by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) in 2005, as well as the legal guidelines and state fatwas on this matter. At the same time, he emphasised that maintaining faith is the responsibility of every Muslim and that the Islamic community should avoid any form of participation in the religious rituals of other religions, even for cultural or symbolic reasons. 'Educational institutions, mosques, and the media need to strengthen the proper education of faith based on the beliefs of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah. All parties, including parents, teachers, community leaders, and authoritative bodies, must act wisely to guide the community so that they do not get caught up in the confusion of values between religion and culture. 'The general public is also advised to always preserve their faith and religious sensitivity by not participating in any ceremonies, parades, or religious rituals of non-Islamic faiths. Such participation is feared to cause confusion, spark polemics and jeopardise the harmony of the multi-religious society in this country,' he said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
MKI: Muslims may attend non-Islamic celebrations if no rituals involved
KUALA LUMPUR: It is 'harus' or permissible for Muslims to attend invitations or events for non-Islamic celebrations without any religious rituals said the Chairman of the Muafakat Committee, National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI) Datuk Dr Nooh Gadot. He stated that this includes open house events or dinner gatherings in conjunction with non-Islamic celebrations and the like, provided that the food served is halal and there is no entertainment or activities prohibited by Islamic law. "However, scholars from the four schools of thought, namely Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hambali, have unanimously agreed that it is haram and completely forbidden for Muslims to attend ritual ceremonies of non-Islamic religious celebrations. "This prohibition includes non-Islamic religious rituals held in places of worship as well as in other venues where such rituals are commonly performed," he said in a statement today. According to him, respecting followers of other religions does not mean supporting or participating in their worship, but participation in any form of other religious celebrations or rituals, whether directly or indirectly, is contrary to Islamic teachings and can undermine faith. "The participation of Muslims in non-Islamic religious practices brings negative consequences such as undermining the belief in monotheism, violating legal boundaries and references to valid fatwas, creating liberal thoughts without guidance from Islamic law, as well as undermining Islamic identity in society, besides causing confusion among the younger generation," he said. Nooh stated that the notification regarding "Muslims Also Celebrate the Religious Holidays of Non-Muslims" published by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) in 2005 and the legal guidelines and state fatwas on this matter can be referred to by the Muslim community in Malaysia. At the same time, he emphasised that maintaining faith is the responsibility of every Muslim and that the Islamic community should avoid any form of participation in the religious rituals of other religions, even for cultural or symbolic reasons. "Educational institutions, mosques, and the media need to strengthen the proper education of faith based on the beliefs of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah. All parties, including parents, teachers, community leaders, and authoritative bodies, must act wisely to guide the community so that they do not get caught up in the confusion of values between religion and culture. "The general public is also advised to always preserve their faith and religious sensitivity by not participating in any ceremonies, parades, or religious rituals of non-Islamic faiths. Such participation is feared to cause confusion, spark polemics, and jeopardise the harmony of the multi-religious society in this country," he said.–BERNAMA
The Star
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
It is permissible for Muslims to attend celebrations without any religious rituals, says MKI
KUALA LUMPUR: It is permissible for Muslims to attend invitations or events for non-Islamic celebrations without any religious rituals, says the Chairman of the Muafakat Committee, National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI) Datuk Dr Nooh Gadot. He stated that this includes open house events or dinner gatherings in conjunction with non-Islamic celebrations and the like, provided that the food served is halal and there is no entertainment or activities prohibited by Islamic law. "However, scholars from the four schools of thought, namely Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i and Hambali, have unanimously agreed that it is haram and completely forbidden for Muslims to attend ritual ceremonies of non-Islamic religious celebrations. "This prohibition includes non-Islamic religious rituals held in places of worship as well as in other venues where such rituals are commonly performed," he said in a statement on Thursday (May 15). According to him, respecting followers of other religions does not mean supporting or participating in their worship, but participation in any form of other religious celebrations or rituals, whether directly or indirectly, is contrary to Islamic teachings and can undermine faith. "The participation of Muslims in non-Islamic religious practices brings negative consequences such as undermining the belief in monotheism, violating legal boundaries and references to valid fatwas, creating liberal thoughts without guidance from Islamic law, as well as undermining Islamic identity in society, besides causing confusion among the younger generation," he said. Nooh stated that the Muslim community in Malaysia can refer to the notification regarding "Muslims Also Celebrate the Religious Holidays of Non-Muslims" published by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) in 2005, as well as the legal guidelines and state fatwas on this matter. At the same time, he emphasised that maintaining faith is the responsibility of every Muslim and that the Islamic community should avoid any form of participation in the religious rituals of other religions, even for cultural or symbolic reasons. "Educational institutions, mosques, and the media need to strengthen the proper education of faith based on the beliefs of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah. All parties, including parents, teachers, community leaders, and authoritative bodies, must act wisely to guide the community so that they do not get caught up in the confusion of values between religion and culture. "The general public is also advised to always preserve their faith and religious sensitivity by not participating in any ceremonies, parades, or religious rituals of non-Islamic faiths. Such participation is feared to cause confusion, spark polemics and jeopardise the harmony of the multi-religious society in this country," he said. – Bernama
