Latest news with #MuhammadAzam
Malay Mail
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Four Malaysian players join Asean All-Stars for showdown against Manchester United
KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — Four of Malaysia's finest footballers are in the Asean All-Stars squad to face English Premier League (EPL) giants Manchester United in a friendly at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here on Wednesday (May 28). ShekhinahPR, the official public relations agency for the friendly, said the quartet are Muhammad Azam Azmi Murad, Muhammad Adib Abdul Ra'op, Muhammad Haziq Nadzli and Declan Lambert. Terengganu FC right-back Muhammad Azam, known for his pace and attacking runs, said he is honoured to represent the country in the friendly. 'Wearing the national colours in this All-Stars side is a proud moment. I aim to give my all and show what Malaysian football can achieve,' he said in a statement issued by ShekhinahPR today. Penang FC winger Muhammad Adib, meanwhile, expressed excitement about the opportunity to play against a world-class team. 'This is more than just a match; it's a chance for all of us to demonstrate our skill and heart on the international stage,' he said. Meanwhile, Perak FC goalkeeper Muhammad Haziq said he is ready to step up to the challenge of facing some of the world's top attacking players. 'Standing between the posts against a team like Manchester United is a challenge I've dreamt of. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to keep our side in the game,' he said. Kuala Lumpur (KL) City FC's Lambert, who has been a Malaysian international since 2022, will anchor the defence with his experience and leadership. 'I'm honoured to lead this defence alongside my national teammates. Together, we'll show the spirit of Malaysian football,' he said. The Asean All-Stars team will be coached by South Korean Kim Sang Sik, who recently led Vietnam to the 2024 Asean Championship title. The friendly, which is part of Manchester United's pre-season tour, is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans and highlight the best of Southeast Asian football talent. — Bernama
The Mainichi
17-05-2025
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Pakistan Islamic complex denies being used as terrorist hub
MURIDKE, Pakistan (Kyodo) -- The administrator of an Islamic religious and educational complex in Pakistan has denied a claim by India that the site is a terrorist hub, following a May 7 missile strike that killed three people, and called for peace and dialogue between the two nations. The facility in Pakistan's Punjab province, near India's Punjab state, was one of six sites targeted by Indian missiles and airstrikes that day. New Delhi has blamed Pakistan-based militants for the April 22 shooting that killed 26 people in India-administered Kashmir. Muhammad Azam, administrator of the facility once run by a militant group but now managed by the Pakistani government, told Kyodo News that Indian missiles struck a mosque and residential quarters of the complex, which also includes primary and secondary schools, a seminary, a vocational center, dormitories and a clinic. Even before the April 22 shooting, Indian government officials had claimed the complex was a hub for militants, specifically Lashkar-e-Taiba, the group India blames for the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed more than 170 people. "We have no ties, direct or indirect, with any militant groups," said Azam. "Each institution is overseen by a government-appointed administrator who monitors everything from education to boarding, nutrition and overall conduct," he said. Located in Muridke, a town on the outskirts of Lahore, the 27-hectare compound houses 11 institutions, including two schools with 1,400 students and a seminary with 650 students. The complex, formerly known as Markaz-e-Taiba, meaning "Center of Good," was founded in 1987 by Hafiz Saeed, co-founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Saeed has been imprisoned since 2019 on multiple convictions related to terror financing. The government took over the facility in 2019, renaming it the Government Health and Education Complex Sheikhupura and appointing 11 administrators to oversee its operations. In the wake of the April 22 shooting that killed tourists in Pahalgam, in Indian-administered Kashmir, India carried out airstrikes on six sites in Pakistan, including the complex in Muridke, while blaming a lesser-known militant group in the country for the attack. Pakistan responded with heavy artillery and mortar shelling on Indian villages along the Line of Control, which divides the two parts of disputed Kashmir, and also launched missile and drone attacks on targets in India. Although India and Pakistan agreed to a cease-fire on May 10, tensions remain between the two countries, both considered de facto nuclear powers. Azam said the three workers killed in the May 7 Indian attack had remained at the site despite a government order for a full evacuation. "Had the rest of the staff and families not been moved out, the death toll could have been catastrophic," Azam said, gesturing toward the damaged mosque, where the roof had caved in and rubble and shattered doors littered the prayer hall. Despite the destruction of the mosque and parts of the residential buildings, Azam said the facility remains committed to its educational and humanitarian mission, with hopes of resuming operations after restoration work is completed. Repeatedly denying the accusation that the complex is a base for militant activities, he said, "We cannot and do not allow any such activity at a facility that hosts schoolchildren and families." "I urge the Indian government to engage in dialogue (with the Pakistan government) and address contentious issues through peaceful means," he added. India and Pakistan have contested Kashmir since the partition of the subcontinent in 1947. India last carried out an airstrike on Pakistan in 2019, targeting a militant training camp in the Pakistani-administered part of Kashmir following a suicide bombing that killed 40 security personnel in the Indian-controlled area. "Let's not forget -- war brings nothing but death and devastation. It's time to break this cycle and restore normalcy for the people on both sides of the border," Azam said.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Lucknowites condemn Pahalgam terror attack
1 2 3 4 5 6 Lucknow: In a powerful display of solidarity and sorrow, residents of Lucknow came together on Wednesday to condemn the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam. People from all walks of life—traders, students, teachers, saints, and civil society members—joined hands to express their outrage and pay homage to the victims. The Travel Trade Association of Uttar Pradesh (TTAUP) organised a silent candle march from the Taj Residency hotel to the 1090 Crossing. Participants held candles and placards to pay tribute to the innocent lives lost. "This act not only disrupts peace but also deeply impacts the livelihoods of countless people associated with tourism. We appeal to the authorities to take decisive steps to ensure safety for travelers across the country," said TTAUP president Muhammad Azam. Meanwhile, the Lucknow Vyapaar Mandal held a flambeau march at Gandhi Marg, Hazratganj, with torch-bearing protesters chanting slogans against terrorism. "This is not just an attack on Kashmir, it is an attack on humanity. We stand united against such senseless violence and urge both state and central governments to take a firm stance against those responsible for spreading terror and fear," said Amarnath Mishra, president of the Lucknow Vyapaar Mandal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo In another heartfelt tribute, Civil Society, Lucknow organised a peaceful protest and candle march from Ghantaghar to Rumi Darwaza, drawing participants from diverse backgrounds. "We all condemn what happened in Pahalgam and urge the govt to take strict action against the people and organisations involved. It's time for decisive policy reforms and enhanced intelligence coordination to prevent such attacks in the future," said Samajwadi Party spokesperson Abbas Haider. The Akhil Bhartiya Vyapaar Mandal also staged a protest march from Darulsafa to Lucknow Nagar Nigam office in Lalbag. "We demand strict and immediate action against those who dare to destroy peace in our country. These repeated attacks on civilians are unacceptable. The govt must act swiftly to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety of all citizens," said Sandeep Bansal, national president of ABVM. Led by its president Sanjay Gupta, the Uttar Pradesh Adarsh Vyapaar Mandal also staged a protest and torched an effigy symbolising terrorism. The saint and seer community of Lucknow also took to the streets in Hazratganj, offering prayers and condemning the violence. "Our scriptures teach peace, and this violence violates every moral and spiritual principle. It is heartbreaking to see such hatred targeting innocent lives. We pray for peace in the valley and strength for the grieving families," said Vivek Tangdi. At Lucknow University, students and faculty gathered at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Hall to pay homage to the victims. "We offer our heartfelt tributes to those who lost their lives and pray for the swift recovery of the injured," said vice-chancellor Alok Kumar Rai.
New York Times
19-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Pakistan Hosts Top Cricket Championship, but India Skips the Party
Cricket-mad Pakistan's nearly three-decade wait to host a major global championship ended on Wednesday, but the celebrations have been laced with disappointment because of the absence of a familiar rival: India. Eight of the top teams in cricket's 50-over format will compete for the Champions Trophy from Feb. 19 to March 9, but only seven of them will play in Pakistan. India will play its matches in the United Arab Emirates after refusing to travel to Pakistan. The subtext-laden Pakistan-India cricket rivalry is one of the greatest and fiercest in sports. Hundreds of millions of people around the world tune in to every clash between the neighbors, whose cricket teams have become symbols of national identity. In this tournament, that match will be played on Sunday in Dubai, as will the final on March 9 if India reaches it. The cricket authorities in both Pakistan and India have appeared satisfied with the compromise, but many fans in Pakistan were disappointed. 'It is frustrating that India refuses to play here,' said Muhammad Azam, 31, a software engineer who was meeting his friends at a tea stall in Karachi, the Pakistani city where the home team is playing New Zealand on Wednesday. 'We need to separate politics from sports and allow cricket fans from both countries to enjoy the game without barriers,' said Faiq Ali, 32, one of Azam's friends. Why won't India play in Pakistan? Since the partition of India at the end of British colonial rule in 1947, which created Pakistan as a homeland for the region's Muslims, the two countries have fought several wars, including over the disputed territory of Kashmir, and engaged in a nuclear arms race. India has also accused Pakistan of supporting militant groups that carry out terrorist attacks on its soil, which Pakistan denies. There was often enough political room for the countries to host each other's cricket teams. India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka even co-hosted the World Cup in 1996. But separating the political tensions between Pakistan and India from cricket became almost impossible after 2008, when Pakistani militants crossed into India and attacked Mumbai, killing more than 160 people. Without a substantial thaw in relations between their governments, India's cricket team has not traveled to Pakistan since 2008. The countries have only played each other in global tournaments like the World Cup and the Champions Trophy. Pakistan played in India during these tournaments, including before a hostile crowd in 2023, but India has refused to play in Pakistan. There has been no formal statement from the Indian cricket authorities about refusing to play the Champions Trophy on Pakistani soil. Rajeev Shukla, vice president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, suggested that the decision was based on security concerns. Why is the Champions Trophy a big deal for Pakistan? The growing threat from Islamist militants kept many countries' teams away from Pakistan for years. After a militant attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in the city of Lahore in 2009, international cricket matches in Pakistan dried up entirely. Pakistan's team was forced to play its home matches in exile in the United Arab Emirates. Improved security conditions years later slowly convinced major teams to start playing in Pakistan again, and 16 years after the attack in Lahore, the Champions Trophy is a chance for Pakistan to show it can host big tournaments again. Players from countries that previously kept their teams away because of security fears — Australia, New Zealand and England — have arrived. Boulevards and buildings in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, the three host cities, are decorated with Champions Trophy banners. Why was India allowed to play in Dubai? India is the world's biggest and most lucrative market for cricket, with broadcast deals worth billions of dollars. India's cricket revenues dwarf those of other countries, making it impossible to hold international tournaments without it. 'What India has been able to do consistently over the past 20 years is bully countries into doing what it wants them to do,' Sharda Ugra, an Indian sportswriter who has covered cricket for decades, said of India's financial power. Without India, the broadcast deals for global tournaments organized by the International Cricket Council would be much smaller, putting the Indian cricket authorities in a strong position on matters such as playing in Pakistan. Some Pakistani fans are looking on the bright side, with many getting the opportunity to watch a global tournament in person for the first time. As for the future? 'I have faith,' said Awais Shahid, 20, a Pakistani fan in Karachi. 'One day, we will see an India-Pakistan series in Pakistan again. It has to happen.'
