Latest news with #IndiaStrikes
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Faith groups in Bradford call for calm after India strikes
Faith groups call for calm after India strikes 7 minutes ago Share Save Hayley Coyle BBC News, Yorkshire Share Save BBC Representatives of the Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities in Bradford met on Wednesday after the events of the previous night Representatives of different faith groups in Bradford have called for calm after India launched a series of strikes on sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The strikes came two weeks after a militant attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir which saw 26 people killed. Pakistan has denied any involvement in that attack. Sofia Buncy, a community activist in Bradford who also works with the Council for Mosques, said people felt "understandably very vulnerable and emotional" after the events of the past 24 hours. "Many of us, especially here in Bradford, have ties to Pakistan, India and Kashmir. We have family members there and friends or family visiting there," she said. Sofia Buncy said Bradford had strong inter-faith relations Ms Buncy said after the news of the missile and air strikes emerged on Tuesday evening, there had been "a real feeling of panic for the wellbeing of those who are there". There was also "grief in certain areas - people have not been able to get hold of family members". "There have been blackouts in communication. So, there's a lot of fear," she said. However, Ms Buncy added: "We've been very lucky in Bradford that over the decades we've had very strong inter-faith relations, very organic, and the door is always open. "So, we were able to have those very honest and forthright conversations as Muslim, Sikh and Hindu communities last night and this morning: how do we work through this together, from a point of unity, from a point of understanding, and a point of reconciliation?" Ravinder Dharni said he was concerned about the possible "ripple effect" of the situation Ravinder Dharni, a voluntary worker, businessman and chairperson for the Bradford Hindu Council, said it was important to show that the different communities in the city stood "shoulder to shoulder". While Mr Dharni explained that Hindus in Bradford felt "distressed" about the "innocent people that are going to get involved in this crossfire", he said it was also important for communities in the city to show solidarity. "We are more concerned that nothing happens here in our faith centres, in our groups and in our businesses," he said. Mr Dharni said he was concerned about the "ripple effect" of the conflict, adding that different communities lived in "peace and harmony" in Bradford and all faiths worked collectively together. "Bradford is a multi-cultural city and we know how important it is. People might remember us for the riots or being the curry capital of the UK, but we also want people to remember we have different faiths and work together," he said. Simmy Sekhon said he believed "compromise has to be reached" Meanwhile, Simmy Sekhon, a solicitor, businessman and spokesperson for the Yorkshire Sikh Forum, said it was a time for "compromise", not for "escalating situations". "If there is one thing we can learn from VE Day, it is the 80 years of peace in Europe that happened after conflict ended," he said. Mr Sekhon said he believed it was the time to "make new friends". "The reality is, here in the UK, we live, work and play together and the circumstances in India and Pakistan must be resolved by politicians," he said. "They can learn from the way we interact and try to understand each other, but compromise has to be reached." Mr Sekhon added that he wanted people "across the divide line" to "share the love we share here in places like Bradford and in Yorkshire". Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Arab News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan launches first Shariah-compliant ‘Green Sukuk' to attract eco-friendly investment
Pakistan interior minister meets US envoy, conveys 'serious concerns' over India strikes ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker on Wednesday to convey his country's 'serious concerns' over India's military strikes inside Pakistani territory and its implications for regional peace, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said. Several countries have called for calm between India and Pakistan amid soaring tensions in South Asia, following Indian attacks on six locations inside Pakistan on Wednesday. Islamabad said Indian strikes killed at least 26 civilians and injured 46. In response, Pakistan claimed to have downed five Indian fighter jets and struck Indian military posts along the Line of Control. Naqvi met Baker in Islamabad to provide her a 'comprehensive' briefing in the aftermath of the Indian strikes and evolving security situation in South Asia, APP reported. US Political Counselor Zachary Harkenrider and Pakistan's Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry were part of the meeting. 'During the meeting, Minister Naqvi gave a comprehensive briefing to the US delegation on the aftermath of the Indian aggression, expressing Pakistan's serious concerns over the incident and its implications for regional peace,' APP said. Naqvi accused India of putting South Asia's peace and stability at stake, APP said. He further stressed 'India has torn apart regional harmony and by targeting civilians, it has blatantly violated international laws.' Naqvi said Pakistan had acted responsibly and showed maximum restraint in the face of Indian provocation. 'We gave a strong and appropriate response in defense of our homeland,' Naqvi was quoted as saying. 'Pakistan will never allow any compromise on its national security.' INTERNATIONAL REACTION US President Donald Trump had reacted to the incident on Wednesday night, condemning the escalation, expressing hope that the fighting would end quickly. 'It's a shame,' he said. 'Just heard about it. I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past. They've been fighting for a long time. They've been fighting for many, many decades. I hope it ends very quickly.' Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he was monitoring the situation closely and would continue to engage with the leadership of both countries for a 'peaceful resolution.' A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said India's actions were 'regrettable,' urging both countries to exercise restraint and refrain from further complicating the situation, Reuters reported. United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan called on Pakistan and India 'to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid further escalation that could threaten regional and international peace,' Emirates News Agency-WAM reported. Turkiye urged India and Pakistan to act with common sense amid the military escalation between them, its foreign ministry said on Wednesday, saying India's latest military action created the risk of an 'all-out war.' In a statement, the ministry reiterated its support for Pakistan's call for an investigation into a militant attack that killed 26 in the Indian-administered side of the Himalayan region on April 22. The UK is ready to support both India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions, Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said on Wednesday, following the worst violence between the nuclear-armed arch-foes in two decades. 'Our message would be that we are a friend, a partner to both countries. We stand ready to support both countries. Both have a huge interest in regional stability, in dialogue, in de-escalation and anything we can do to support that, we are here and willing to do,' he told BBC radio.
