Eid prayers held amid tight security in Sambhal, flowers showered on mosque-goers
Sambhal (PTI): People heading to the Shahi Eidgah in Sambhal were welcomed with a shower of flowers on Monday, as members of the Muslim community extended a gesture of unity and brotherhood.
Social worker Saeed Akhtar Israeli and his team led the flower shower, not only on the mosque-goers but also police and administration personnel stationed in the area.
"This initiative was taken to promote unity and communal harmony," Israeli told reporters.
"Just as we distributed gulaal and water guns during Holi to foster brotherhood, today we showered flowers on those celebrating Eid and officials. Our country embodies the Ganga-Jamuni culture where people of all faiths celebrate festivals together. We prayed for peace, prosperity and relief from unemployment and inflation in the country," he added.
The occasion was marked by heavy security, with Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi confirming that prayers were conducted peacefully at more than 100 mosques and eidgahs by 10:30 am.
"We had deployed 10 companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and one company of the Rapid Action Force (RAF). Drones and volunteers were also stationed to ensure smooth proceedings. The people returned home safely after the prayers," he said.
Vishnoi added special arrangements were also in place for the ongoing Navratri celebrations.
Samajwadi Party leader and Sambhal MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq, however, slammed the ban on street prayers and also vowed to strongly oppose the Waqf bill.
Following the prayers at Shahi Eidgah, the MP extended Eid greetings to the nation and called for unity.
"Today, millions across the country have offered Eid prayers. I convey my heartfelt greetings to everyone and pray for the progress of our people, our society and our nation," he said.
Asked about the restriction on street prayers, Barq strongly condemned the move.
"I deeply regret this ban. Our Constitution is secular and grants freedom to all religions to celebrate their festivals. There should be no double standards … When other religious events can be held on roads, why object to a 10-minute prayer?" he asked.
"As a citizen and a member of Parliament, I will stand firmly against any injustice towards my people," he added.
He also addressed the opposition to the Waqf bill, acknowledging that while some wore black armbands in protest, others did not.
"Regardless of the form of protest, the entire community stands against this Bill that seeks to strip 40 crore Muslims of their rights. As Parliament reconvenes tomorrow (Tuesday), I will voice my opposition to this Bill along with my party members," he added.
Communal tension has been simmering in Sambhal since a clash on November 24 resulted in the deaths of four civilians and injuries to several people, including security personnel. The violence had broken out during a protest against a court-ordered survey at the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid.
The court had ordered the survey while hearing a petition that claimed the mosque was built on the site of a demolished Hindu temple.
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Canada, US to launch formal talks to review their free trade agreement in mid-January
Toronto (AP): Canada and the US will launch formal discussions to the review their free trade agreement in mid-January, the office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said.
The prime minister confirmed to provincial leaders that Dominic LeBlanc, the country's point person for US-Canada trade relations, “will meet with US counterparts in mid-January to launch formal discussions," Carney's office said in a statement late Thursday.
The United States-Mexico-Canada trade pact, or USMCA, is up for review in 2026. US President Donald Trump negotiated the deal in his first term and included a clause to possibly renegotiate the deal in 2026.
Carney met with the leaders of Canada's provinces on Thursday to give them an update on trade talks with the US.
Canada is one of the most trade-dependent countries in the world, and more than 75 per cent of Canada's exports go to the country's southern neighbour. But most exports to the US are currently exempted by USMCA.
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Trump cut off trade talks to reduce tariffs on certain sectors with Carney in October after the Ontario provincial government ran an anti-tariff advertisement in the US. That followed a spring of acrimony, since abated, over Trump's insistence that Canada should become the 51st US state.
Carney said earlier Thursday that Canada and the US were close to an agreement at the time on sectoral tariff relief in multiple areas, including steel and aluminum. Tariffs are taking a toll on certain sectors of Canada's economy, particularly aluminum, steel, auto and lumber.
Carney also said trade irritants flagged this week by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are elements of a “much bigger discussion” about continental trade. Greer said a coming review of the Canada-US-Mexico trade deal will hinge on resolving US concerns about Canadian policies on dairy products, alcohol and digital services.
Carney and the provincial premiers agreed to meet in person in Ottawa early in the new year.
Canada is the top export destination for 36 US states. Nearly USD 3.6 billion Canadian (USD 2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day.
About 60 per cent of US crude oil imports are from Canada, as are 85 per cent of US electricity imports.
Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the US and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security.
Carney said US access to Canada's critical ministers is not a certainty.
“It's a potential opportunity for the United States, but it's not an assured opportunity for the United States. It's part of a bigger discussion in terms of our trading relationship, because we have other partners around the world, in Europe for example, who are very interested in participating,” Carney said earlier Thursday.
