Latest news with #Sharialaw
IOL News
24-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Durban businessman Farhad Hoomer launches political party advocating Sharia law
Farhad Hoomer has lodged an application to register his political party, Islamic State of Africa Image: Al- Qalam A Durban businessman, previously accused of terror related activities, has now ventured into politics. Farhad Hoomer has lodged an application to register a political party, Islamic State of Africa (ISA), with its manifesto focusing on implementing Sharia law. Speaking to the Sunday Tribune, Hoomer said he had applied to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) earlier this month. His intention was to contest the local government elections taking place next year. His entry into politics has raised eyebrows, with the not-for-profit platform that enables the public to shape government policies, amendments and proposals, calling on people to have their say regarding Hoomer's application to the IEC. Hoomer acknowledged the objections to the party and its name, but said he also had the support of many others in the community. 'There is a pastor who has been with the DA (Democratic Alliance) for many years and is helping me with the registration. He also raised concern about the name of the party, but I'm not bending the rules. I want to be clear from the outset what the party is about. I do not want to enter politics as a snake and then try to implement Sharia law,' said Hoomer. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Sharia law is the system of religious laws within Islam and is derived from the Qur'an. It lays down the governing principles to promote human welfare. Hoomer was of the view that democracy has failed, more people have been impoverished resulting in increased crime and social ills. 'Under Sharia law, the government is obligated to provide work for people and if work cannot be provided then the government must give an income to the unemployed. The West has demonised Sharia Law and therefore it is seen as terrorism, when in fact history tells us that wherever Sharia law has been implemented, not just in Muslim countries, the people and the country prospered,' said Hoomer. He said he wanted the opportunity to educate people about Sharia law because if implemented would result in reduced taxes and no interest rates, which would equate to a better lifestyle for the masses. 'I decided to go into politics because of the injustice. People have been enslaved by the banking system. The stock market is an open gambling school. Interest rates are only making the rich richer. We need justice. We need transparency and we need accountability from the government,' he said. Hoomer was no stranger to controversy, with a number of run-ins with the law since 2018. He has been accused of several terror-related activities, including being associated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). He was arrested and charged along with a group of others for the 2018 murder of a Muslim priest and a mechanic at a Verulam mosque as well as the planting of incendiary devices at a number of shopping malls. But the charges were later withdrawn. Hoomer has also been sanctioned by the US and has been flagged as a terrorist. However, he has not been convicted of any of the crimes. 'So does being accused still make me a criminal? If I have a criminal record, you can hold it against me but I don't,' said Hoomer, providing evidence of charges against him being withdrawn. The IEC has confirmed receiving Hoomer's application and objections to it. Masego Sheburi, the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer of Electoral Operation said the application was to contest elections in the eThekwini Municipality. 'Consistent with the scheme, the party published its intention to register. The purpose of publication of intention to register is to facilitate objections by any interested party. We confirm that objections to the registration of the party have been received within the 14 days permitted by the Electoral Commission Act,' he said.
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Trump ends Saudi Arabia visit with familiar tune playing, here's why it's turning heads
Trump ends Saudi Arabia visit with familiar tune playing, here's why it's turning heads Show Caption Hide Caption Donald Trump closes Saudi investment forum with 'YMCA' Donald Trump ended his speech in Saudi Arabia with "YMCA," a song associated with the LGBTQ+ community, in a country where homosexuality is illegal. President Donald Trump closed out his time in Saudi Arabia with a familiar tune, though its presence playing in the conservative Gulf nation has raised some eyebrows. As is typical at the end of many of his U.S. campaign rallies, The Village People's 'YMCA' began playing, backdropping a photo opportunity with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The president was in the kingdom on May 13 as part of his first foreign trip in his second term, eschewing tradition and traveling to the Middle East instead of Mexico or Canada. It's his second presidential visit to the Middle East, following his 2017 visit which also included a stop in Saudi Arabia. This time he's also traveling to neighboring Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. 'Perfecto': Wealthy Gulf rulers bring A-game to Trump charm offensive The song is a well-known LGBTQ+ anthem in the U.S., making its appearance at an official event with top Saudi officials an eyebrow-raising contrast, as the kingdom has effectively outlawed homosexuality and alternative forms of gender expression. Saudi Arabia's judicial system is based on an interpretation of Sharia law, a broad set of laws and precepts that aim to guide or govern the daily lives of Muslim people. In Saudi Arabia, interpretation of sharia can result in penalties for homosexual acts, and Human Rights Watch says police in the country 'routinely arrest people based on their gender expression.' Clips of the pair shaking hands alongside the disco beat are making the rounds on social media. Laura Loomer, a far-right conspiracy theorist with ties to the Trump administration, mentioned the scene in a post on X: 'YMCA in Saudi Arabia. What a timeline we live in.' Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
