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Najmuddin Ahmad Farooqi
MALICIOUS & FALSE CAMPAIGN AGAINST ARAB/ ISLAMIC COUNTRIES-ON THE PATH OF PROGRESS, SOCIO-CULTURAL & ECONOMIC REFORMSĀ
A disinformation campaign inimical to the interests of Arab/ Islamic/ Muslim countries is phenomenally on the rise for quite some time. Reason of this belief is a section of media falsely and surreptitiously implicate the names of those countries with a number of alleged social and religious evils and also with an ill intention highlight their failures on growth and development fronts. I am really astonished the same media camouflage and shower praise on select country or countries of their preference or choice despite the fact that those countries run the system with bigotry and have poor track record. A neutral analysis reverse the story altogether. In this very context a message first seen probably in 2018, recently resurfaced on SM. The text of the message is a copy-cut-paste from the articles written by Hosein Askari an Irani scholar who is considered an expert on KSAĀ affairs.
Ā
ASKARI writes (Please read the excerpts fromĀ “a” to “f”Ā below):
a) “In my opinion, Islam was hijacked by oppressive and corrupt “rulers” immediately after the death of Mohammadļ·ŗ.”
b) In an interview to MNA Tehran on Nov 13, 2018 he said beyond doubt, “MohammadĀ BinĀ SalmanĀ (MBS)” ordered for Khashoggi kidnapping, murder and disposal of the body.”
c) He further said “I donāt believe that MBS can survive”. How can the Al-Sauds pretend to be upholders of Islamic faith ? The custodian of two holy mosques ? Their only claim to legitimacy is religion. How canĀ MBSĀ be respected by a foreign leader and especially in Muslim world ?”
d) “”itās tme to make peace withĀ Iran“,Ā HosseinĀ writes in Harvard Business School Magazine edition jan-Feb 1994 :”We nurse an abiding dislike for everything Iranian from humiliation of hostage standoff to Iranās alleged support for international terrorism”.
e)Ā “There is plenty inĀ IranĀ to arouse dismay, distaste, and deep distrust. Nevertheless in my opinion Iran has more genuine long-term potential as a trading partner and as an economic and even political ally of US thanĀ SaudiĀ Arabia, Iraq, Syria, or Egypt. Israel aside, no country in Middle East today presents more promising opportunities for U.S business thanĀ IslamicĀ RepublicĀ ofĀ Iran.
f) In short,Ā IranĀ has settled its internal strugglesŲ re-emerged with functional republican institutions. According toĀ Askari, SaudiĀ ArabiaāsĀ future holds painful transformation of totally a feudal society with no constitution, no freedom of religious worship.”
g) “IranianĀ institutions and respect for human rights may not live up to Western ideals, but they are years ahead of their neighbors. While the clerics chose a constitution giving unsurpassed authority to supreme religious leader, still they did create a constitution and in doing so affirmed the concept and much of the practice of civil and political rights. While law not permits criticism of Khomeini or his successor as Iranās religious leader, on all political and other points there is freedom of religious worship, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press.
b) In an interview to MNA Tehran on Nov 13, 2018 he said beyond doubt, “MohammadĀ BinĀ SalmanĀ (MBS)” ordered for Khashoggi kidnapping, murder and disposal of the body.”
c) He further said “I donāt believe that MBS can survive”. How can the Al-Sauds pretend to be upholders of Islamic faith ? The custodian of two holy mosques ? Their only claim to legitimacy is religion. How canĀ MBSĀ be respected by a foreign leader and especially in Muslim world ?”
d) “”itās tme to make peace withĀ Iran“,Ā HosseinĀ writes in Harvard Business School Magazine edition jan-Feb 1994 :”We nurse an abiding dislike for everything Iranian from humiliation of hostage standoff to Iranās alleged support for international terrorism”.
e)Ā “There is plenty inĀ IranĀ to arouse dismay, distaste, and deep distrust. Nevertheless in my opinion Iran has more genuine long-term potential as a trading partner and as an economic and even political ally of US thanĀ SaudiĀ Arabia, Iraq, Syria, or Egypt. Israel aside, no country in Middle East today presents more promising opportunities for U.S business thanĀ IslamicĀ RepublicĀ ofĀ Iran.
f) In short,Ā IranĀ has settled its internal strugglesŲ re-emerged with functional republican institutions. According toĀ Askari, SaudiĀ ArabiaāsĀ future holds painful transformation of totally a feudal society with no constitution, no freedom of religious worship.”
g) “IranianĀ institutions and respect for human rights may not live up to Western ideals, but they are years ahead of their neighbors. While the clerics chose a constitution giving unsurpassed authority to supreme religious leader, still they did create a constitution and in doing so affirmed the concept and much of the practice of civil and political rights. While law not permits criticism of Khomeini or his successor as Iranās religious leader, on all political and other points there is freedom of religious worship, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press.
REBUTTAL
While out of curiosity we refer to the sources authentic as none other thanĀ UN, “Pew”, other internationally recognisedĀ agencies to understand about the corresponding facts, surprisingly that shows a contrary picture.
“Pew”Ā ResearchĀ Centre‘ is a nonpartisan Washington based think tank speaks on social issues conducts opinion polls taking opinions of a larger cross section of peoples, demographic research random surveys research etc. While the internationally considered benchmarks to judge the Global rankings by countries are; Lower poverty rates, access to quality healthcare system, strong economies, better job prospects, adequate wages, security, law & order, GDP, GDP Per Capita, Consumer Price Index (CPI). Efficient Infrastructures, Education and Research opportunities, general standard of living, Political stability etc are the benchmarks to measure a country’s ranking. All these traits have been completely ignored byĀ Askari. According to a report published in the year 2022 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) was the fastest growing economy, leaving behind countries like China, India, and other struggling economies of Western Europe & North AmericaŪĀ For reader’s convenience ranking by country is divided into following sectionsĀ (I)Ā toĀ (VI)Ā :
( I ) GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) 2022
Source, World Bank & UNO, as on July 25, 2023 In chronological order of world rankingŪ
(Rank)(Country)(GDP Growth%)( GDP per capita in $ )
5Ā Ā Ā Ā IndiaĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 7.00Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 2389
16Ā Ā IndonesiaĀ Ā Ā Ā 5.31Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 4788
17 Saudi ArabiaĀ Ā 8.74Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 30436(Highest)
19Ā Ā Ā TurkeyĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 5.57Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 10616
27Ā Ā Ā IsraelĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 6.46Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 57758
28Ā Ā Ā Ā UAEĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 7.41Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 53758
31Ā Ā EgyptĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 6.59Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 4294
34 BangladeshĀ Ā Ā 7.10Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 2688
36Ā Ā MalaysiaĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā 8.69Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 11972
40Ā Ā Ā IranĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 2.75Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 4388
( II ) PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
These rights include physical integrity rights such as freedom from torture or political imprisonment, empowerment rights such as freedom of speech and assembly, worker’s rights, freedom from child labor, economic and justice rights, right to a fair trial, (freedom from political imprisonment, freedom from extrajudicial killing): Category A. from top & BŪ from bottom :
COUNTRYĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā RANKING
AŪ under this category comes only US and EU countries hence name not mentionedB.Ā MalaysiaĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 41
IsraelĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 46
IndonesiaĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 54
TurkeyĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 55
EgyptĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 56
UAEĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 61
KSAĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 79
IndiaĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 83
IranĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 85
These rights include physical integrity rights such as freedom from torture or political imprisonment, empowerment rights such as freedom of speech and assembly, worker’s rights, freedom from child labor, economic and justice rights, right to a fair trial, (freedom from political imprisonment, freedom from extrajudicial killing): Category A. from top & BŪ from bottom :
COUNTRYĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā RANKING
AŪ under this category comes only US and EU countries hence name not mentionedB.Ā MalaysiaĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 41
IsraelĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 46
IndonesiaĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 54
TurkeyĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 55
EgyptĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 56
UAEĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 61
KSAĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 79
IndiaĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 83
IranĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 85
( III ) HUMAN FREEDOMĀ INDEXĀ (HFI)Ā 2023
HFI Encompasses; Personal + Economic Freedom.Ā Categories of HFI : Rule of Law, security and safety religion, civil society expression, Identity and relationship, legal system and Property Rights, access to sound money, freedom to trade etc. The Human Freedom Index gives each country a score from 0 to 10, wherein a score of 10 represents the most freedom and 0 represents no freedom at all:
TOPĀ Ā Ā TENĀ Ā Ā Ā COUNTRIES
NAMEĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā SCORE
SwitzerlandĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 9.01
New ZealandĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 8.88
DenmarkĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 8.83
IrelandĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 8.79
SwedenĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 8.75
EstoniaĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 8.75
IcelandĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 8.73
LuxembourgĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 8.71
FinlandĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 8.70
NorwayĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 8.58
TENĀ WITHĀ Ā LOWESTĀ Ā HFI
IraqĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 4.73
KSAĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 4.53
SomaliaĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 4.49
EgyptĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 4.24
VenezuelaĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 4.22
IranĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 4.03
MyanmarĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 3.88
SudanĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 3.81
YemenĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 3.43
SyriaĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 2.96(IV)EXECUTIONĀ OFĀ CAPITALĀ PUNIS
CountryĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā YearĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Numbers
IRANĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 2022Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 596
2023Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 834
KSAĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 2022Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 147
2023Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 170
CHINAĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 2023Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 834
EGYPTĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 2022Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 24
RAQĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 2022Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 14+
KUWAITĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 2022Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 7
USA : 18 in 2022, 24 in 2023 & 6 in 2024
AFGHANISTAN : from 2021 to April 2024 : 5 in open stadium in full public view
UAE: Nil after 2017
PAKISTAN : from Jan 2020 to Aug 2021 : NIL
INDONESIA :Ā last in 2016
MALAYSIA : last only one in 2017
TURKIYE Nil since 1984, in 2004 Death sentence abolished
BANGLADESH: Between Jan 2018 to Dec 2022, Amnesty International recorded 13
INDIA: a) Rejecting governments’s data on number of execution of capital punishment since independence, People’s Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) has unearthed the records show 1422 executions carried out just in a single decade (1953 to 1964). The real number should be manifold. PUDR found this startling information in the appendix of Law Commission”s 35th report on the death sentence.
b) There is steady increase in number of suicides also. According to home ministry sources, the number of suicides during 2001 was 1,08,506; in 2002, it rose to 1,10,417. In 2003, 1,10,851 people decided to end their lives. These figures are just a grim indicator of the real situation considering they are based on police records.
IraqĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 4.73
KSAĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 4.53
SomaliaĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 4.49
EgyptĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 4.24
VenezuelaĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 4.22
IranĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 4.03
MyanmarĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 3.88
SudanĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 3.81
YemenĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 3.43
SyriaĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 2.96(IV)EXECUTIONĀ OFĀ CAPITALĀ PUNIS
CountryĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā YearĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Numbers
IRANĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 2022Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 596
2023Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 834
KSAĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 2022Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 147
2023Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 170
CHINAĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 2023Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 834
EGYPTĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 2022Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 24
RAQĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 2022Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 14+
KUWAITĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 2022Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 7
USA : 18 in 2022, 24 in 2023 & 6 in 2024
AFGHANISTAN : from 2021 to April 2024 : 5 in open stadium in full public view
UAE: Nil after 2017
PAKISTAN : from Jan 2020 to Aug 2021 : NIL
INDONESIA :Ā last in 2016
MALAYSIA : last only one in 2017
TURKIYE Nil since 1984, in 2004 Death sentence abolished
BANGLADESH: Between Jan 2018 to Dec 2022, Amnesty International recorded 13
INDIA: a) Rejecting governments’s data on number of execution of capital punishment since independence, People’s Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) has unearthed the records show 1422 executions carried out just in a single decade (1953 to 1964). The real number should be manifold. PUDR found this startling information in the appendix of Law Commission”s 35th report on the death sentence.
b) There is steady increase in number of suicides also. According to home ministry sources, the number of suicides during 2001 was 1,08,506; in 2002, it rose to 1,10,417. In 2003, 1,10,851 people decided to end their lives. These figures are just a grim indicator of the real situation considering they are based on police records.
( V )Ā NUMBER OF UNIVERSITIES AND GROSS ENROLMENT RATIO (GER) IN HIGHER EDUCATION (HE) ( THE NUMBER OF UG & PG COLLEGES NOT INCLUDED CONSIDEREDĀ ) :
The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) measures the number of students enrolled in HE as percentage of eligible population aged 18 to 24 years.
INDIA: 1074 Universities ( 56 central+ 460 state+ 430 Pvt+ 128 Deemed as per UGC list ). As per official data of the Ministry of Education in 2023 the GER in higher education level in India was 27.1%Ū The data also shows a significant gap between male and female GER, with females consistently having lower GER than males during all past years. Moreover, the GER for SCs and STs is considerably lower than the national average for all categories.
SAUDIĀ ARABIAĀ : Univ. 35 ( King Abdul Aziz University has enrolled 117000 students ( Girls 61000+ Boys 56000 ) Estimated GER in HE 56.28% ie 1.97 million students in population 3.80 million of Age Group 18-24 during 2022-23. The KSA government allocates 25% of its annual budget for education including vocational training and spends around 13.17 billion U.S. dollars on primary education and research. Not surprised if this is highest across the globe. The system provides the student free education, books and healthcare.
IRANĀ : Univ. 45 ;Ā Estimated GER in HE is 50% ie 5 million students in the population of 10 million in the age bracket 18-24 years during 2022-23
IRAQĀ : Univ. 40 ;Ā 7.40 million enrolled in HE2018
UAEĀ : Univ. 25 ; GER in HE 52.71% in 2020
KUWAIT: Univ. 7; GER in HE
QATAR: Univ. 7 ; GER in HE 35.09%
SYRIA: Univ. 22 ; GER in HE 43% ie 2.30 million
INDONESIAĀ : Univ. 100 ; GER in HE 43.60% in 2022
MALAYSIAĀ : Univ. 70 ; GER in HE 40.40%
EGYPTĀ : Univ. 80; Estimated GER in higher education is 33.77% ie 3.72 million students in the population of 9.08 million in the age bracket 20-24 years
TURKEYĀ : Univ. 200; GER in HE 20%
PAKISTANĀ : Univ. 170 ; 3.30 million students enrolled for HE in 20-21
BANGLADESHĀ : Univ. 150 ; GER in HE 20.80%
AFGHANISTAN: Univ. 35 ; In 2021 there were nearly 10 million students and 220,000 teachers in Afghanistan.
MOROCCO: Univ. 11 ; GER in HE 11% in 2020-21
NIGERIA: Univ. 170 ; GER in HE 17% in 2020-21
SUDAN: Univ. 52 ; GER in HE 28.40% in 2020-21
ISRAEL: Univ. 10 ; GER in HE 50.10% in 2021
KAZAKHSTAN: Univ. 124 ; GER in HE 50% in 2023
KYRGYZSTAN: Univ. 61 ; GER in HE 55.4% in 2022
TURKMENISTAN: Univ. 18 ; Not available ( NA )
UZBEKISTANĀ : Univ. 58 ; GER in HE 14.92% in 2020
LEBANON: Univ. 41 ; GER in HE 50+% in 2020
YEMENĀ : Univ. 46 ;Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā N A
USAĀ : Univ. 339 ; Estimated GER in 2022-23 42.33% ie 18.58 million students in the population 43.89 million between 15 – 24 age group.
SAUDIĀ ARABIAĀ : Univ. 35 ( King Abdul Aziz University has enrolled 117000 students ( Girls 61000+ Boys 56000 ) Estimated GER in HE 56.28% ie 1.97 million students in population 3.80 million of Age Group 18-24 during 2022-23. The KSA government allocates 25% of its annual budget for education including vocational training and spends around 13.17 billion U.S. dollars on primary education and research. Not surprised if this is highest across the globe. The system provides the student free education, books and healthcare.
IRANĀ : Univ. 45 ;Ā Estimated GER in HE is 50% ie 5 million students in the population of 10 million in the age bracket 18-24 years during 2022-23
IRAQĀ : Univ. 40 ;Ā 7.40 million enrolled in HE2018
UAEĀ : Univ. 25 ; GER in HE 52.71% in 2020
KUWAIT: Univ. 7; GER in HE
QATAR: Univ. 7 ; GER in HE 35.09%
SYRIA: Univ. 22 ; GER in HE 43% ie 2.30 million
INDONESIAĀ : Univ. 100 ; GER in HE 43.60% in 2022
MALAYSIAĀ : Univ. 70 ; GER in HE 40.40%
EGYPTĀ : Univ. 80; Estimated GER in higher education is 33.77% ie 3.72 million students in the population of 9.08 million in the age bracket 20-24 years
TURKEYĀ : Univ. 200; GER in HE 20%
PAKISTANĀ : Univ. 170 ; 3.30 million students enrolled for HE in 20-21
BANGLADESHĀ : Univ. 150 ; GER in HE 20.80%
AFGHANISTAN: Univ. 35 ; In 2021 there were nearly 10 million students and 220,000 teachers in Afghanistan.
MOROCCO: Univ. 11 ; GER in HE 11% in 2020-21
NIGERIA: Univ. 170 ; GER in HE 17% in 2020-21
SUDAN: Univ. 52 ; GER in HE 28.40% in 2020-21
ISRAEL: Univ. 10 ; GER in HE 50.10% in 2021
KAZAKHSTAN: Univ. 124 ; GER in HE 50% in 2023
KYRGYZSTAN: Univ. 61 ; GER in HE 55.4% in 2022
TURKMENISTAN: Univ. 18 ; Not available ( NA )
UZBEKISTANĀ : Univ. 58 ; GER in HE 14.92% in 2020
LEBANON: Univ. 41 ; GER in HE 50+% in 2020
YEMENĀ : Univ. 46 ;Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā N A
USAĀ : Univ. 339 ; Estimated GER in 2022-23 42.33% ie 18.58 million students in the population 43.89 million between 15 – 24 age group.
(Ā VIĀ )Ā HAPPINESSĀ INDEX;Ā
Global ranking of happiness by country is measured on following consideration: (1) Economy (2) citizen engagement (3) communications & technology (4) diversity (social issues) (5) education & families (6) food & shelter (7) government and politics (8) law & order (9) health (10) religion & ethics (11) transportation (12) work etc.Ā ThreeĀ IslamicĀ countriesĀ j
KSA is a glaring example of paradigm shift from a conservative approach of the past regimes to a more pragmatic and flexible regime now, under the supervision of Crown PrinceĀ MohammadĀ Bin Salman popularly known asĀ MBS.Ā An ambitious “vision document 2030” launched in 2016 byĀ MBSĀ the then Dy Crown Prince has become the first ever world leaders to launch such a document. The regime’s goal is to build Saudi Arabia a robust economy, reducing dependence on oil, diversify the revenue, exploit its unique geographical location and become a global hub that connects Asia, Europe and Africa.
Today Nation’s 60% of population under 35 look at the young leadership ofĀ MBSĀ with hope. A large number of talented motivated and male and female youth get equal opportunity taking part to transform their country. Curbing the powers of religious police is a giant step forward cultural and social reforms get rid of suffocating restrictions earnĀ MBSĀ a big support and admirationŪ At the same time, in order to remove the general misgivings, Crown prince hosted leaders of other religions focused on advantages and virtues of interfaith cooperation. Inviting Jewish rabbis and Christian preachers encourage them to engage in dialogue with one another along with the local ulema. The bottom line, Saudi Arabia is seemingly better off and happier today than ever before. Ask the youth forming 60% population, what they think ?, and get the answer.
Under the auspices of the “Great futures” campaign begun in 2024 within the framework of KSA and Great Britain Strategic Partnership Council, reviewed the extensive progress that has been made in modernising and diversifying the bilateral relationship, to the benefit of the people of both countries. They agreed on projects of new cooperation in multi spherical programmes:
EDUCATION ; The two Kingdoms celebrated the establishment of five independent British schools in KSA. Moreover, Kingdoms have reaffirmed their mutual objective to double the number of such institutions by the year 2025. The two Kingdoms have also welcomed University of Strathclyde’s becoming first UK higher education institution to establish a physical presence within KSA, in partnership with Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University. Nearly14,000 Saudi students currently pursuing studies in Uk.
HEALTHCARE : The partnership agreed to collaborate in digital transformation, antimicrobial resistance, climate health and to explore cooperation in biotechnology and preventative medicine.
FINANCIAL SERVICES ; Agreed to continue cooperation in the areas of banking, Insurance, asset management etc.
BILATERAL TRADE ; ā¬ 17.3 billion, targetted to increase Ā£30 billion by 2030.
INVESTMENT ; $21 bn of investment in UK and U.K foreign direct investment stock into KSA reaching $13 billion as of 2023.
SANCTITYĀ OFĀ “HARMAIN-SHARIFAIN
Moreover a campaign is also on, for the alleged unIslamic and anti Islamic conduct of Saudi regime n the day to day progress developments and reforms of the country and that eventually lead to unrest among the Non-Arab Muslims living across the globe and specially inĀ the Indian subcontinent. There is general perception among global Muslim Community that Saudi Arabia the country as a whole and specially the cities of Mecca and Medina are holy places and it is incumbent upon the KSA regime to protect and preserve the sanctity and maintain the status quo as per sharia. First is the birth place of Islam and the Prophetļ·ŗ and the other being the Prophetļ·ŗ migration and his success in the early growth of Islam, respectively. Although the regime rebutted the rumours time and again yet not succeeded. The intentional false and fabricated propaganda is still on and hell bent to tarnish Saudi’s image. The cities of Mecca and Medina are considered as the highest seat of Islamic faith by a large majority of global Muslims. Need is felt to make the people aware of the reality and unravel the truth in front of them so as the rumours stop spreading any further.
The boundaries encompassing the sacred areas are limited to the precincts and not spread to the entire cities from end to end. There is a thin line in the interpretation of holiness of the two cities separately.Ā (1)Ā Masjid e Haraam or Haram e Mecci andĀ (2)Ā Masjid e Haraam or Haram e Madani.
Ā
1.For Masjid Haraam Mecci Quran Surah Tauba verse 28 says:
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(( Oh believers! After this year entry to Non Muslims ( who don’t believe is IslamĀ ) wouldn’t be permitted to enterĀ Masjid e Haram or Haram e Mecci or inside the hudood e haram.Ā And don’t fear for povertyŲĀ ifĀ Allah want will shower prosperityŪ undoubtedly Allah is wise know everything )). We may observe in this verse the reference is “Masjid e Haraam (Ł
Ų³Ų¬ŲÆ ŲŲ±Ų§Ł
))”, and “HaraamĀ refers toĀ ONE,Ā for more than one it is calledĀ HarmainĀ Sharifain.
Ā
2. No Quranic verse for Hudood e haram Madani. According to Sharia Entry to Non Muslims is permissible here, subject to the approval by competent authority with a rider “for aĀ limitedĀ period only“. In Arabic the sacred area comes under the two cities Mecca and Madina is called “HARMAIN-SHARIFAIN” or “HijazĀ Muqaddas“. Hazrat Umar Bin Abdul Aziz was a highly respected Caliph during Umayyad rule, allowed non Muslim labours in the construction of Masjid e Nabvi and his decision was taken according Sunnah of IInd and IIIrd Caliphs Amirul Momineen Hazrat Umar Farooq Bin Khattab (RA) and Amirul Momineen Hazrat Usman Bin Affan (RA) respectively.
Now that should be evidently clear that the designated and specified area treated as holy and sanctified is very well defined as per Sharia ( Kitab and Sunnah ). Pre and post birth Islam of there were no sovereign boundaries called Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as existing today. Even it was named Saudi Arabia in 1932 after the name of King Ibn Saud. Why Saudi Arabian regime doesn’t have the right to progress and prosper like any other country in the world ( then there are 56, 57 Islamic/ Muslim countries ).
Heavy projects include, development of “Diriyah” the birthplace of first Saudi state; the preservation and development of the coastal city of Jeddah;Ā NEOMĀ the future city has garnered the lionās share of attention. By 2030 country is supposed to draw 70 million international tourists a year, tourism to contribute 10% of GDP.Ā Women empowerment in the role of Nation building is growing day by day. Framing of new legislations, uplift and strengthen the position of women in the society, who are now effectively partnering in all round developments economic, social, science, culture etc. An initiative to empower women in civil services enhance their leadership role. Moreover the capability of women leaders enables the authorities to nominate them in the boards of directors as well as foreign delegations.
Excerpts from the official website of US Government; 2019-REPORT ON KSA’s INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM :Ā The Basic Law of Governance establishes KSA a sovereign state with official religion Islam. The Basic Law says sharia is the āfoundation of the Kingdomā, constitution is Quran and Sunna. The Basic Law requires the state to protect human rights as per sharia. Human Rights Commission (HRC), a govt entity of 28 membersĀ includingĀ twoĀ SHIAĀ mem
PALESTINEĀ UNFORGETTABLEĀ HORREN
The mounting loss of life and property in the barbaric war by Israeli army attacking and killing hundreds of thousands of Palestinian people women children and old alike. The loss is horrendous unforgettable irreparable and unprecedented. The continuous one sided attack led by Netanyahu and their war crimes is a gross violation of Geneva convention. The international court of justice (ICJ) has taken a serious note of it. The destruction to infrastructure is so grave that no place in Gaza is safe to live. No words of condemnation will suffice. The audacious Biden administration taking side with Netanyahu has shaken the very soal of a country known to be the oldest vibrant and the most liberal democracy in the world. The shocking attack by Hamas on Oct 7, 2023 killing over a hundred Israeli civilians is equally condemnable.
The scale of retaliatory onslaught by Israel is not only unjustifiable but unequivocally condemnable in the strongest possible words. The war crimes would undoubtedly leave an ugliest blot on the reputation and credibility of Israel and the future will remember Netanyahu a “ButcherĀ ofĀ humanity”.Ā No words can console no aid, financial or otherwise can compensate the loss to Palestine and Palestinians suffered to an unimaginable level. Although UNGA, UNSC, EU, African, South American and Asian Countries all have shown solidarity with Palestine but as a matter of fact the institutions have failed to contain or prevent the defiant Bibi and his army.
The GCC, OIC and Arab league together have continuously maintained their tough stand against Israel’s criminal offensive pressurising the international community, UNGA, UNSC & ICJ for a permanent ceasefire and the day after for an immediate implementation of the two state solution, Palestine along the 1964 borders.
Nowadays a paradigm shift in the international diplomacies of the nations can be observed from the facts of interdependence of the nations in the bilateral relations depending upon the geopolitics, free trade, economic considerations etc. vis a vis a country believes in strengthening its military power primarily pretending for the “balance of power”. However as a matter of fact to defend, defeat or as a counter offensive in case of any potential threat from a hostile neighbour.
The developing countries basically focus to establishing a peaceful nuclear program. Such an example can be seen in the case of ongoing negotiations between Saudi regime and US for establishment of a Nuclear Program in KSA. The dialogues process began much before Oct 7, 2023 and that is still on. Reportedly as part of the deal KSA is supposed to improve diplomatic relations with Israel. Principally the regime is in agreement for a dialogue with Israel but of course not with any pre condition that may dilute their policy on Palestine ever since 1977 during Crown Prince Fahad’s regime of the two state solution, Palestine to become an independent state along the 1967 borders.
(Due diligence observed in the collection of data from globally acceptable neutral and well acknowledged sourcesŪ However
errors and omissions are not ruled out, specially in the number of universities as their numbers keep on changing)
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