Latest news with #MohammedAmin
NDTV
22-05-2025
- General
- NDTV
Heavy Winds, Storms Destroy Schools In Jammu And Kashmir's Poonch
Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir): Schools located in the Line of Control (LoC) areas of Gagrian and Sawjian villages of Poonch district suffered from structural damage due to heavy wind and storms on Thursday. Schools in the Mandi zone, located close to the LoC, have suffered extreme damage after their roofs were blown away by the storms. "Schools in our Mandi zone have suffered a lot due to the storms here... The high school here suffered the most, and is located very close to the LoC. The roofs of the schools have completely blown away which has created a lot of problems for our students and staff," said a school staff member speaking to ANI. He thanked the Indian Army for sending assistance for the repair of the school and also requested concerned authorities to raise funds for reconstruction. "The Indian Army has helped us a lot, they cleared the debris which fell here... I would like to request concerned authorities to raise funds for the reconstruction..." he added. Mohammed Amin, Head Master of Government High School, Gagrian, said the debris of the school has blocked roads and grounds. "These schools are at zero point. The winds here ruined the roof of the school, and have also blocked the road and the ground of our school. The Army has helped us a lot during this...." Amin told ANI. Meanwhile, on May 17, in another act of service towards the public, the Indian Army carried out a door-to-door outreach in villages located near Loc in Poonch, which were severely affected due to shelling. As part of the relief efforts, Army jawans distributed essential supplies, including medicines and rations, to the residents, while also interacting with them to understand their needs. A local resident said, "Our areas were affected by the shelling. The Indian Army has played a very important role on the borders, and they are providing us with relief material. We thank the Indian Army. We stand in support of the Indian Army." "They are providing us with rations. I pray to God for the long life of these Army personnel. We are with them. Just as they are bravely guarding the borders, we too stand in solidarity with them here in Poonch," stated another resident. Intense shelling by Pakistan during the recent conflict with India has left a trail of destruction in the border villages and districts across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir with locals suffering damages to their houses and livelihood.
Tahawul Tech
05-05-2025
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
'Sovereign AI is more than just technology – it's a commitment to governance, ethics and citizen empowerment.' – Mohammed Amin, Dell Technologies
Mohammed Amin, Senior Vice President, CEEMETA, at Dell Technologies, has penned an op-ed, which calls for collective responsbility when it comes to shaping the future of AI. The AI Imperative: 5 Steps to Transforming Public Sector Services Artificial Intelligence is no longer an abstract construct; it's actively reshaping the region's public sector. But this transformation hinges on more than just adoption. For governments to unlock AI's full potential, it's not just about implementing technology – it's about doing so thoughtfully and strategically. To truly harness AI's potential and avoid pitfalls, governments must navigate a complex web of ethical considerations, data security imperatives, and the urgent need for workforce readiness. Here are five key steps to ensure AI empowers societies, strengthens governance, and enhances public services. Define a Clear Vision for AI Integration A successful AI strategy starts with a strong vision. Governments need to go beyond isolated projects and adopt a holistic approach that aligns AI initiatives with national priorities – whether it's improving healthcare, streamlining public services, or boosting economic resilience. Take public services like tax processing or healthcare administration. AI can speed up tasks, reduce errors, and improve citizen experiences. But success isn't just about efficiency – it's about impact. Governments should set clear, measurable goals, such as reducing service wait times or improving citizen satisfaction. This vision must also be supported by cross-agency collaboration, so AI solutions work seamlessly across different departments, rather than in silos. When governments lead with a clear AI vision, they build public trust and show that AI is here to serve, not replace, people. Establish Ethical AI Frameworks AI can only be as good as the values it's built on. Public trust in AI depends on fairness, transparency, and accountability. To build ethical AI systems, governments should: Reduce bias: AI models must be trained on diverse, representative datasets to prevent discrimination. AI models must be trained on diverse, representative datasets to prevent discrimination. Ensure transparency: AI-driven decisions must be explainable, particularly in sensitive areas like healthcare, law enforcement, and public benefits. AI-driven decisions must be explainable, particularly in sensitive areas like healthcare, law enforcement, and public benefits. Create strong oversight mechanisms: AI governance should be aligned with privacy laws and democratic values, as seen in frameworks like the EU AI Act. Ethical AI isn't just about compliance – it's about trust. Citizens should feel confident that AI decisions are fair, clear, and in their best interests. Strengthen Data Security and AI-Ready Infrastructure AI relies on data, and that data must be secure. Without strong safeguards, governments risk exposing sensitive citizen information to cyber threats or external influence. To protect national security and maintain AI sovereignty, governments must: Invest in AI-ready infrastructure: This includes high-performance computing (HPC), secure cloud environments, and edge AI solutions that process data within national borders. This includes high-performance computing (HPC), secure cloud environments, and edge AI solutions that process data within national borders. Ensure data sovereignty: Governments should prioritize local AI infrastructure, reducing dependency on foreign tech providers. Companies like Core42 in the UAE are already advancing sovereign cloud solutions to maintain data control. Governments should prioritize local AI infrastructure, reducing dependency on foreign tech providers. Companies like Core42 in the UAE are already advancing sovereign cloud solutions to maintain data control. Implement strong data governance policies: Governments need clear regulations to dictate how data is collected, stored, and used responsibly. By securing infrastructure and enforcing strong governance, governments can harness AI without compromising data sovereignty or public trust. Upskill the Public Sector Workforce For AI to succeed, people must be prepared to work alongside it. A tech-savvy public sector is no longer optional – it's essential. To build an AI-ready workforce, governments should focus on: Training and reskilling programs: Equip the public sector workforce with the skills to leverage AI tools effectively in their daily roles. Recruit AI specialists: Fill talent gaps with experts like data scientists, machine learning engineers, and AI ethicists. Foster a culture of innovation: Encourage experimentation with AI tools to improve effectiveness and discover new applications. A 2025 Emerging Technologies Adoption Readiness Index found that Saudi Arabia's public sector has a 74.69% readiness rate for AI and emerging technologies. As AI adoption accelerates, governments that prioritize workforce readiness will lead the way in digital transformation. Build Sovereign AI Ecosystems through Public-Private Collaboration AI innovation flourishes in vibrant ecosystems where governments, businesses, and academia collaborate. Strong public-private partnerships can drive research, spur entrepreneurship, and ensure that local priorities guide development. Governments can take several steps to develop sovereign AI ecosystems: Support local AI startups and R&D : Invest in businesses and research institutions working on solutions tailored to national priorities. : Invest in businesses and research institutions working on solutions tailored to national priorities. Introduce regulatory sandboxes : Provide safe environments for controlled testing of AI applications before their full-scale deployment. : Provide safe environments for controlled testing of AI applications before their full-scale deployment. Encourage knowledge-sharing: Foster collaboration between public and private sectors to break down silos, share expertise, and accelerate progress. By developing homegrown AI capabilities, governments can reduce reliance on foreign tech providers, fortify national security, and create self-sustaining ecosystems. These efforts ensure that public sector AI remains a tool for empowerment, not dependence. By investing in homegrown AI capabilities, governments can create self-sustaining AI ecosystems that reduce reliance on foreign technologies and ensure national security. Shaping the Future of AI: A Collective Responsibility Sovereign AI is more than just technology – it's a commitment to governance, ethics, and citizen empowerment. Governments must lead in shaping AI with a clear vision, strong ethical foundations, and collaboration between public and private sectors. By doing so, AI can become a force for societal progress and economic resilience. The time to act is now – let's shape AI to serve the public good and build a resilient digital economy.
Shafaq News
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Kirkuk: Kurds face army blockades despite land return ruling
Shafaq News/ Kurdish farmers in Kirkuk's Dibis district are still unable to access and cultivate their land despite the passage of the Property Restitution Law in the Iraqi Parliament, a local representative said on Sunday. Kurdish MPs and officials argue that the law aims to return properties to their original Kurdish and Turkmen owners, confiscated under eight decisions made by the Council between 1975 and 1979. These decisions were intended to enforce demographic changes in disputed areas. Mohammed Amin, a representative of the farmers in Dibis, told Shafaq News that Iraqi army forces prevented Kurdish landowners from working their fields in five villages. "These lands belong to the Kurds, and the head of the Property Restitution Committee has formally urged the Kirkuk governor to begin legal procedures for returning them to their rightful owners," he affirmed, adding that recent clashes in the Shanagha village, where tensions flared between Kurdish farmers and Iraqi army personnel, remain under judicial review. On February 17, Kirkuk Governor Rakan Saeed confirmed that the soldiers involved in the Shanagha incident had been detained. The government committee formed by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani later began its work in Kirkuk to investigate the incident that drew widespread condemnation and prompted the dispatch of a high-level delegation to examine the case and its broader implications.
Shafaq News
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Kirkuk farmers sue Army: Stop attacking farmers, fight ISIS instead
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, the Iraqi judiciary received a lawsuit against Army personnel who recently assaulted farmers in Kirkuk Province, northern Iraq. Mohammed Amin, the representative of Kirkuk farmers explained that the legal action was not intended to punish the personnel. 'I did not file the lawsuit to punish the soldiers, but to deter the mentality that assaults unarmed civilian citizens, including Kurds,' he said during a press conference." "I want to prosecute those who issued the orders for the soldiers to carry out the assault," he added. "Instead of protecting the area from ISIS, they are attacking farmers." On Monday, several farmers from Shanaga village and neighboring areas in the Al-Dibis district of Kirkuk province reported that, following a court decision to return Kurdish-owned lands, an army force prevented them from cultivating the lands and also assaulted their representative, Amin. The action sparked widespread condemnation from both official and political entities, prompting the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, to form a high-level investigative committee and dispatch the Deputy Minister of Justice to Kirkuk to review the incident and its repercussions.
Rudaw Net
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi forces blocking Kurdish farmers from lands in Kirkuk 'unconstitutional': KRG
Also in Iraq Over 12,500 Iraqi nationals with ISIS ties repatriated from Syria Deadlines for US-led coalition withdrawal unchanged: Iraqi gov Kurdish official says land return law to be finalized 'within two days' Senior Iraqi ISIS commander captured in Syria: SANA A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Tensions are escalating in Sargaran subdistrict, northwest of Kirkuk, as the Iraqi army has again barred Kurdish farmers from accessing their confiscated lands. The Monday incident has sparked a wave of criticism from Kurdistan Region officials and parties. Raw footage filmed by Rudaw shows Iraqi army and anti-riot forces clashing with civilians from Shanagha village in the Sargaran subdistrict, who attempted to enter their farmland. In one instance, an Iraqi security officer is seen as trying to forcibly remove a local from his tractor. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) swiftly reacted to the incident, describing the Iraqi army's use of force as 'unconstitutional' and 'contradicting the principles of the new Iraq.' The KRG called for an immediate halt to the military intervention, urging the prevention of further escalation. The Monday clashes come despite recent advancements in Iraq's legislature, including the passage of the Property Restitution Law last month. The law aims to return lands confiscated, in Kirkuk and other disputed areas, during the Baathist era to their original Kurdish and Turkmen owners. These lands were previously given to Arab settlers, a practice believed to have been a push by the Baathist regime to alter the disputed regions' demographic makeup. Shakhawan Abdullah, the Iraqi legislature's second deputy parliament speaker, asserted on Monday that the land restitution law was indeed ratified by the Iraqi presidency and will soon be implemented, with all obstacles to its enforcement now addressed. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), one of two ruling parties in the Kurdistan Region, urged Baghdad 'to prevent the army from interfering in land restitution matters.' The PUK further urged the Iraqi army forces 'to abide by their national and constitutional responsibilities' and refrain from interfering in internal affairs and using force against civilians. This incident is not the first of its kind. In November, Iraqi armed forces also blocked farmers from preparing their fields for the winter season. The head of the Farmers Defense Committee, Mohammed Amin, then told Rudaw that Arab farmers were additionally preventing the Kurdish farmers from farming their lands.
