Mangaluru: Highland Islamic Forum inaugurates Seerat Campaign with interfaith get-together
Mangaluru: Hinghland Islamic Forum (HIF), Mangaluru on Friday inaugurated Seerat Campaign with an interfaith get-together that was held HECC in Vaslane of the city. The event was themed “Misunderstanding” and aimed towards clearing popular misunderstanding among different religions.
Mohammed Kunhi, Manager, Shanthi Prakashana, Fr. Clifford of St. Joseph seminary Jeppu and Asha Latha Pai, Rtd. Asst. professor of Mangalore University College were present at the get-together at the interfaith get-together.
Speaking at the event, Asha Latha Pai noted that all the religion across the world preaches one universal principle that is humanity. She also noted that one of the most beautiful pillars of Islam ‘Jihad’ has been taken out of context across the world and that people should understand it better.
“Jihad is an Arabic word for struggle. In Islam it stands for struggling and battling the evil inside within oneself like lust. Today it is associated with terrorism and the battle against anti-Islamic forces. It is not the case we need to raise above hate and be humans first.” Asha Latha added
She also noted that people should walk the path of personalities like Abraham Lincon and Swami Vivekananda who rose above religious and other discriminatory lines to set new benchmarks of compassion.
Fr. Clifford in his address also gave accounts and references from the books of various religions that calls for humanity irrespective of religious lines. He also shared his personal life experiences where he encountered people of other religious at various stages and lent support to him when he was in distress.
Mohammed Kunhi, Manager, Shanthi Prakashana spoke about the life of Prophet Mohammed and gave an insight on how he made differences to lives of people. He also noted that the Quran clearly states that he was not made messenger to people of Islam alone or he was not sent down for people of a certain region of the world but he was made the messenger and prophet for everyone in the universe.
Earlier Highland Islamic Forum, President, Sajid AK presented introduction of the organisation and also shed light upon the Seerat Campaign that is organised by the organisation every year. He also spoke about various other social work the organisation takes part in including organising blood donation camps twice a year.
Adil Parvez presented vote of thanks to dignitaries and guests while Mishaal compered the event.
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South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children
Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.
The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.
An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.
The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.
Police have since launched a search for the suspects.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.
The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.
According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
