Latest news with #Qurban
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- New Straits Times
Imam dies in crash moments after rehearsing berzanji with son
SEGAMAT: Moments before their vehicle plunged into a ravine on Jalan Labis–Segamat yesterday, an imam was rehearsing berzanji recitations with his son ahead of a religious competition. The 6.47pm crash killed both Mohd Fitri Md Said, 39 and his nine-year-old daughter Nurin Insyirah, near Kampung Kwongsai, here. His wife, Nurain Farhana Johari, 32, and their other children - Muhammad Zikri, 11, Nur Atiya, 2, and Nur Husna, 4, sustained injuries but have since been discharged from hospital. The incident unfolded as the family were heading to Segamat from Felda Redong to buy a toy for the youngest child. Their vehicle skidded, overturned three times and landed in a swampy ravine. Mohd Fitri, the imam at Masjid Nurul Falah in Felda Redong was coaching Muhammad Zikri for an upcoming berzanji recitation competition. Berzanji is a poetic narration of Prophet Muhammad's life, recited in praise and prayer. Muhammad Zikri said he crawled out of the wreckage through a broken window and waved at passing vehicles to seek help. "I saw my father's right leg twitching and my sister Nurin Insyirah's hand and leg moving, but they were unconscious," said the Year 5 pupil, visibly shaken. A teacher who was driving pass the crash site, spotted the boy and placed an emergency call. Mohd Fitri's sister, Rozy, 47, recalled remarks he had made in the days leading up to the accident. "He kept saying he wanted to resign from all his roles — as an imam, Parents, Teachers Association president, and even as the person in charge of slaughtering livestock during Qurban," she said. "He even handed over his slaughter knife to Zikri with his name engraved on it." Rozy said the family now believes those words were a premonition. "He sounded like someone who knew his time was near," she said. Mohd Fitri and Nurin Insyirah will be laid to rest at the Felda Redong Muslim cemetery later today.
Saudi Gazette
30-04-2025
- Science
- Saudi Gazette
Wildlife Center completes biodiversity survey in the Red Sea
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH —The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) has implemented a comprehensive scientific plan to survey biodiversity and monitor its health along the Saudi Red Sea coast, as part of its ongoing efforts to protect the marine environment and support the sustainability of its natural resources. The plan was based on the environmental sensitivity map prepared by the center. Coastal sites were classified according to environmental sensitivity levels, with priority given to highly sensitive areas. Field operations were conducted to comprehensively survey biodiversity at 64 coastal sites, monitoring the health status of biological communities, including fish and invertebrates. Changes in sea surface temperatures were monitored across 37 sites using advanced measuring devices to monitor the impact of physical changes on marine ecosystems. Dr. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the NCW, emphasized that implementing this plan falls within the center's commitment to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to promote environmental sustainability. He noted that environmental surveys and monitoring the health status of biodiversity constitute a vital scientific tool for detecting early indicators of environmental change and disturbances, and supporting the formulation of effective policies to protect natural Qurban explained that these efforts have contributed to providing accurate scientific data that supports programs to protect biodiversity and sustain marine ecosystems, and enhances the center's ability to accurately and early assess environmental added that the project's full reliance on national competencies reflects Saudi Arabia's drive to build leading local capabilities capable of managing its environmental resources efficiently and NCW continues to implement its field programs throughout the year, as part of its commitment to protecting marine and terrestrial biodiversity and enhancing Saudi Arabia's regional and international standing in the areas of environmental protection and sustainability.
Shafaq News
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq arrests about 150 members of extremist Qurban cult
Shafaq News/ On Monday, the Iraqi security forces arrested 148 members of the outlawed Qurban sect, including the group's chief ideologue known as 'Al-Arif.' Iraq's National Security Service (INSS) chief, Abdul Karim Al-Basri, announced that the arrest took place in Basra, Muthanna, Wasit, Maysan, and Dhi Qar provinces, where the group was reportedly operating in covert locations. 'Qurban sect poses a serious societal threat, particularly as such movements attract disillusioned youth and have been linked to multiple suicides,' Al-Basri warned. The group, locally known as 'Al-Allahiya,' has gained notoriety for its extreme rituals. Followers reportedly venerate Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb, the first Imam in Shia Islam, as a divine figure and engage in sacrificial rites, including drawing lots among members, with the selected individual offered as a symbolic sacrifice.
Shafaq News
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq arrests Al-Qurban sect member over suicide ritual
Shafaq News/ Iraqi police arrested a suspect belonging to the 'Qurban' group in Wasit province, for overseeing a lottery-based suicide sect, the Interior Ministry announced on Tuesday. In a statement, Wasit Police Command said that its criminal investigation unit conducted the arrest during a security operation based on precise intelligence. 'During the questioning, the suspect confessed to supervising suicide rituals, in which a lottery determines who will hang themselves to death, in addition to persuading young people to join the extremist movement and receiving financial support from outside Iraq,' the statement added, pointing out that the suspect has been referred to the relevant authorities for legal action. The Qurban sect, also known as the 'Allahiyah,' is a controversial and clandestine religious group that has attracted attention in Iraq, especially in the southern governorate of Dhi Qar. This sect advocates unconventional beliefs and practices, including self-sacrifice or "offering oneself" in religious ceremonies. The extremist group was founded during the tenure of the late religious leader Mohammed Mohammed Sadiq Al-Sadr, who distanced himself from the sect. Additionally, the group is not recognized by any mainstream Muslim sect. The group's practices first made headlines in 2023 after an apparent case of linked suicides. The Alahiya movement again raised concerns in May 2024 when several of its followers in Dhi Qar, including a 15-year-old boy, were reportedly found dead in acts of apparent ritual suicide. In July 2024, Iraqi security forces arrested 39 members of the sect in the provinces of Wasit, Basra, Muthanna, and Diwaniyah after they engaged in extreme rituals, including attempted suicides.
Gulf Insider
07-02-2025
- Science
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Launches Winter Census Of Water Birds In Farasan Reserve
The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) has launched annual winter census of water birds in Farasan Islands Reserve, as part of its efforts to monitor the numbers of migratory birds, assess the health of wetland ecosystems, and take appropriate measures to protect biodiversity and enhance its sustainability. The environmental survey will record more than 10,000 water birds from 45 different species, such as the pink-backed pelican, the giant heron, the white-eyed gull, the terns, and the plovers, in view of the prominent environmental role of Farasan Islands as one of the main stations for migratory birds in Saudi Arabia. The CEO of NCW, Dr. Muhammad Ali Qurban, explained that the winter census of water birds is a major scientific step to monitor environmental changes and enhance Saudi Arabia's efforts to protect biodiversity. Saudi Arabia is committed to protecting migratory birds and their natural habitats in accordance with global environmental standards and international agreements, he said. Qurban stressed that Saudi Arabia seeks to enhance environmental sustainability in accordance with the Kingdom's Vision 2030. 'We work to monitor and protect natural environments through accurate scientific programs, including environmental exploration trips and monitoring of migratory water bird. We cooperate with national and international bodies to support strategies for protecting the environment and biodiversity,' Qurban said. The Farasan Islands are an integrated natural environment that attracts large numbers of migratory water birds due to the diversity of their natural habitats, including mangrove forests, sandy and muddy beaches, coral rocks, and coastal salt marshes, which provide suitable places for feeding, breeding, and resting during winter migration periods. The reserve is one of the most important natural stations for migratory water birds in Saudi Arabia. It hosts rare and endangered species during their annual migration journeys, and contributes to achieving environmental balance and enhancing biodiversity within national and international environmental protection strategies.
