INTERNATIONAL

March 21 Counter-terrorism police in the West Midlands are investigating attacks on five mosques in Birmingham overnight. Police responded to reports of a man smashing windows with a sledgehammer at a mosque in Birchfield Road at 2.32am, but when they arrived at the scene they discovered the attack had taken place some time earlier. ALSO READ: Muslims the Terrorists? A Timeline of Islamophobic Attacks Against Muslims in the Western World Around 42 minutes later, police were alerted to a similar attack at a mosque in Slade Road, Erdington. Patrols were stepped up across the city and officers discovered further damage at places of worship in Witton Road, Aston, and on Broadway in Perry Barr. A further investigation was launched after pictures emerged on social media showing...

March 18 Dozens of graves were being dug in a Christchurch cemetery on Monday for the 50 worshippers killed in two mosque attacks, as families clamoured for the return of their dead. Coroners said they hoped to let grieving relatives fulfil Islamic burial customs soon, but insisted they had to move carefully through their investigation into the horrific multiple murder. As New Zealand grappled to come to terms with the slaughter — the worst attack on Muslims in a Western country — tales of heroism, suffering and incredible grace emerged. Farid Ahmad, whose 44-year-old wife Husna was killed as she rushed back into a mosque to rescue him, refused to harbour hatred toward the alleged gunman, Australian-born, self-avowed white nationalist, Brenton Tarrant. “I would say to him ‘I...

March 16 The 28 year old Australian terrorist who shot dead 49 Muslim worshipers inside two New Zealand mosques has been charged with murder by a New Zealand court. Identified as Brenton Harrison Tarrant, appeared before district court judge Paul Kellar in Christchurch on Saturday morning and was charged with one count of murder, The Guardian reported. "There is one charge of murder brought at the moment, it is reasonable to assume that there will be others," the judge was quoted as saying by The Guardian. Tarrant has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on April 5. ALSO READ: New Zealand Terrorist Streamed a Live Video of Mosque Shootings Meanwhile, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reiterated to the public on Saturday morning that New Zea...

March 16 Queensland Senator Fraser Anning has been slammed for his "disgusting" comments in the wake of the Christchurch mosque massacre. In a media statement issued this afternoon, that has been widely condemned on social media, Senator Anning said the attacks highlighted the "growing fear over an increasing Muslim presence" in Australian and New Zealand communities. He went on to claim the real cause of the bloodshed that has left at least 49 people dead is New Zealand's immigration policy. "I am utterly opposed to any form of violence within our community, and I totally condemn the actions of the gunman," Senator Anning said. "However, while this kind of violent vigilantism can never be justified, what it highlights is the growing fear within our community, both in Austr...

March 15 Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that increasing “Islamophobia” after the 9/11 terror attacks in the US was responsible for the attack on two mosques in New Zealand that killed at least 49 worshipers. “Strongly condemning” the terror attack on the mosques in New Zealand, Prime Minister Khan tweeted: This reaffirms what we have always maintained: that terrorism does not have a religion. Prayers go to the victims and their families.” At least 49 people were killed in attacks on the Al Noor Mosque in central Christchurch and the Linwood Mosque in the city’s outer suburb, in what appeared to be the worst attack on Muslims in a western country. Khan said that increasing Islamophobia after 9/11 was responsible for this act of terror and Muslims were demonize...

March 15 The Australian terrorist who livestreamed himself opening fire upon devotees at the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch also posted a manifesto online addressing his reasons for the attack. Police have taken three people into custody after the terrorists shot at worshippers as they gathered for Friday prayers. At least 40 people are dead with another 20 people seriously injured. The man, who identified himself on Twitter as ‘Brenton Tarrant’ from Australia, livestreamed his deadly attack and turned the camera on himself before carrying out the attack. In a vile 73-page manifesto posted online, he described himself as “just a regular White man”. The 28-year-old noted he was born “to a working class, low-income family … who decided to take a stand to ensure a future for my...

March 15 At least 27 people have been shot dead in shootings at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch during Friday Congregation prayers. One suspect is in custody but police warned they are still tracing an active shooter. Police commissioner Mike Bush urged everyone to avoid all mosques across the country. He told residents in Christchurch: “Close your doors until you hear from us again.” The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, said it was “One of New Zealand’s darkest days”, calling the attacks “an unprecedented act of violence”. The city has been placed in lock down, with schools and public buildings closed. Nearby climate change protests were evacuated and council staff have been looking after children separated from their relatives in the chaos. Ardern spoke ...

March 15 Many people were killed in a mass shooting at a mosque in the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Friday, a witness said. New Zealand police said on Facebook that one person is in custody, but police believe there may be other offenders. There is a police presence at a number of scenes, they said. And while police said the incident was "evolving" and "we are working to confirm the facts," they said they can confirm "there have been a number of fatalities." Police have not yet described the scale of the shooting but urged people in central Christchurch to stay indoors. And New Zealand media reported a shooting at a second mosque in a Christchurch suburb. Witness Len Peneha said he saw a man dressed in black enter the Masjid Al Noor mosque in central Christchurch at a...

March 14 The Indian External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj on Thursday challenged Imran Khan, the Pakistani prime minister, saying that if he wants peace then he should hand over Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar to India. Speaking at a conference Swaraj said if Imran Khan is such a big statesman and wants to have good ties with India, then he should just hand over Azhar to India. “Imran Khan is showing a lot of gratitude. He wants to conduct peace talks. If Imran Khan is grateful, why can’t he handover Masood Azhar? Let us see his big heart. He should give us Azhar. Why doesn't he give us Masood Azhar?” she said. Meanwhile, China blocked India’s bid in the UN Security Council for the fourth time to get JeM Chief Masood Azhar listed as designated “global terrorist” by putti...