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Mysuru, Nov 12: Zameer Ahmad Khan, the Tourism and Waqf minister of Karnataka, who stirred a controversy by addressing the Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy as ‘Kaala Kumaraswamy’ has tendered apologies for his remarks.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Tuesday, Minister Zameer stated that he will apologise if remarks have hurt JD-S workers.

“We both are very close. Then, in a total of 24 hours, we were together for 14 hours. He used to fondly address me as “kulla” (shorty) and I used to address him as “kariyanna” (blacky, kaalia),” Minister Zameer stated.

“I am not addressing him as ‘kaalia’ for the first time. I have not said something highly derogatory. It is being made as big in the backdrop of elections. With love, he used to call me a shorty and I called him a blacky. If I had caused pain to anyone by my words I apologise,” he said.

He further stated: “Kumaraswamy had said that he didn’t want the votes of the Muslim community. But now they are attempting to purchase Muslim votes. Against this backdrop, I have made the remark.”

Minister for Home G. Parameshwara stated on Tuesday, “Minister Zameer and Kumaraswamy are close friends. Their comments against each other are not significant.”

Zameer Ahmad Khan, the Tourism and Waqf minister of Karnataka stirred a controversy on Monday as he addressed the Union Minister as ‘Kaala Kumaraswamy’.

JD-S on Tuesday demanded a public apology and resignation of Minister for Waqf and Tourism Zameer Ahmad Khan over his ‘racist’ remarks.

“Remember, there is no place here for your divisive policies. You have insulted the people by making ethnic, racist and discriminatory statements. You should apologize to the people of the state and resign,” the JD (S) demanded in the post.

Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju reacted sternly to the racist jibe and stated, “I strongly deplore Congress Minister Zameer Ahmed calling Union Minister and former Chief Minister of Karnataka Kumaraswamy as 'Kaalia Kumaraswamy'.

Riyadh: The Jam'iyyatul Falah (JF) Riyadh Unit held its Annual General Body Meeting at Loaloah Istirah in Riyadh on Thursday, October 3, 2024.

The gathering commenced with Master Ayman reciting verses from the Holy Quran, setting a solemn tone for the event. Br. Haneef Bardila warmly welcomed attendees, including JF Life Members, Office Bearers from various organizations, and guests, and extended his congratulations to all present.

During the meeting, Br. Muhammad Ashfaq, President, delivered the Annual Report, highlighting the unit's achievements, while Treasurer Br. Nazeer Ahmed presented the Annual Financial Report.

Br. Ashfaq updated members on the ongoing efforts of Jam'iyyatul Falah in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts for the year 2023-2024. Expressing gratitude for the support of the members and the committee, he encouraged the youth to join JF, emphasizing the importance of continuing the mission initiated by their elders 36 years ago.

The primary guest, Br. Yasin Baig, inspired the audience with a message underscoring the significance of service. He encouraged everyone to heed the Prophet's (pbuh) words: “Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you become busy, and your life before your death.” He also spoke about the responsibility and blessing of serving the community through Jam'iyyatul Falah, stressing the promise of rewards in both this life and the hereafter.

Following his address, Br. Ashfaq Ahmed (President) formally dissolved the current committee and entrusted Br. Abdul Hameed and Br. Fazlur Rehman with the election process. A new Executive Committee was then formed for the 2024-2025 term, with Br. Salman Noor elected as the President, Br. Abubaker Irfan as General Secretary, and Br. Nazeer Ahmed continuing as Treasurer. Additionally, 26 other members were appointed to the Executive Committee.

The evening concluded with a dinner for all participants, and Br. Haneef congratulated the newly formed JF Riyadh Executive Committee and all attendees for their contribution to the event's success.

Office Bearers Elected for the 2024-2025 Term

President: Salman Noor

Vice President: Fazlur Rehman

General Secretary: Abubaker Irfan Sheikh

Joint Secretary: Irshad Moideen

Treasurer: Nazeer Ahmed

Joint Treasurer: Akhil Ganjimutt

Auditor: Haneef Bardila

Advisors: Sheikh GK, Abdul Hameed Wenz, Abdul Basheer Beary

NRCC Representatives: Mohammed Ashfaq, Akthar Shaikh

NRCC Rep. at JFCC: Parvez Ali

Sports Coordinators: Shareef Ahmed, Ayaz Ahmed, Mohammed Mahir, Sameen Gurukambla, Mohammed Gazali, Javed Khan

Event Coordinators: Abdul Hameed Nazeer, Sharief Thokur, Sadhik Mohammed

Media Coordinator: Parveez Ahmed

Committee Members: Sadique Moideen, Sayed Sameer, Mohammed Khizer, Mohammed Sarfaraz, Fareed Mohammed, Suhail Ahmed

The UN humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon has warned that the “picture of life in Lebanon remains grim,” highlighting an "alarming" level of human suffering and significant humanitarian consequences due to the ongoing Israeli carnage.

Imran Riza, the UN Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), provided a stark overview of the Arab country's dire circumstances in a statement released on Monday.

“The current picture of life in Lebanon remains grim. Yesterday, airstrikes reportedly killed 23 people, including seven children, in the village of Aalmat in Mount Lebanon,” Riza said on X.

An airstrike in the city of Tyre on the same day resulted in the tragic deaths of five siblings from a single family, all of whom had special needs, according to his statement.

He added that in the last week, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 241 individuals and left 642 others injured in Lebanon, as reported by the Ministry of Health.

“In the past month, more than 185,000 people have fled their homes in their search for safety within the country, bringing the total to over 870,000 people internally displaced,” Riza said

The UN official highlighted that numerous individuals, including the elderly and those with health issues, are staying behind while witnessing the ruins of their ancestral homes.

He urged for the swift safeguarding of civilian people and infrastructure, emphasizing the necessity to uphold international humanitarian law and end the ongoing violence.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that Israeli forces bombed a house in the town of Maydoun in Bekaa on Monday night, killing three people and destroying the house.

Earlier, Israel bombed the northern town of Ain Yaaqoub, killing at least 14 people.

The killings came as Israeli military continued to pound Lebanon, bombing shops selling electrical appliances in the southern city of Tyre and carrying out air raids on the towns of Shamshtar in eastern Baalbek and Roumine in southern Nabatieh.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Health said Israeli attacks killed at least 54 people across the country on Monday.

Israel’s merciless attacks continue despite calls from the UN Security Council for an immediate ceasefire and directives from the International Court of Justice urging measures to prevent genocide and alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and Lebanon.

In Lebanon, at least 3,243 people have been killed and 14,134 others wounded in Israeli attacks since the war on Gaza began on October 7, 2023.

The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah opened a support front for Palestinians in Gaza only a day after the Israeli regime unleashed its genocidal war on the besieged territory.