Read More Atheist Republic The Foiled ISIS Terrorist Plot That Is Shaking Canada
Location: Canada
In a dramatic turn of events, Canadian authorities thwarted a chilling ISIS-inspired terror plot poised to strike Toronto, arresting 62-year-old Ahmed Eldidi and his 26-year-old son Mostafa in a Richmond Hill hotel on July 28, 2024. After a high-speed, multi-agency investigation, the duo was caught in what police describe as the “advanced stages” of planning a devastating attack on Canada’s largest city. The plot’s sinister nature was revealed through a shocking video where the Eldidis, wielding an axe and machete in front of an ISIS flag, detailed their violent intentions. The elder Eldidi, already notorious for a 2015 ISIS video showing him dismembering a prisoner, now faces aggravated assault charges alongside terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder. RCMP Assistant Commissioner Matt Peggs emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “This was an imminent threat, and we were able to prevent serious injuries or loss of life.” Despite their denials in court—Mostafa proclaiming, “I did not do any of it”—the father-son pair remains behind bars under strict non-communication orders, awaiting a fate that could reshape their lives forever.
Forced Marriage In Australia Leads to Daughter’s Murder
Location: Australia
In a landmark case, Australia has witnessed its first imprisonment under the country’s forced marriage law, shedding light on a tragic tale of cultural pressure and filial duty gone awry. Sakina Muhammad Jan, a Hazara refugee from Afghanistan, was sentenced to three years in prison for coercing her 21-year-old daughter, Ruqia Haidari, into a marriage that ultimately led to her murder. The case unfolded when Haidari was forced to marry Mohammad Ali Halimi in 2019, only to be killed by him six weeks later. Judge Fran Dalziel, presiding over the case, highlighted the conflicting desires of mother and daughter, stating, “She wanted to pursue study and get a job,” referring to Haidari’s aspirations that were cut short. The court heard how Jan, driven by societal pressure and a desire to restore her family’s reputation after Haidari’s previous divorce, arranged the marriage despite her daughter’s wishes. This case has brought to the forefront the complex interplay between cultural norms, parental authority, and individual rights in Australia’s multicultural society, while also exposing the potentially deadly consequences of forced marriages.
The Islamic Republic Silenced Her Song: Hijab-less Female Singer Jailed
Location: Iran
In a troubling display of Iran’s ongoing suppression of artistic expression and women’s rights, young singer Zara Esmaeili was arrested on August 3, 2024, for performing without a hijab in public spaces. This act violates both Iran’s mandatory hijab law and the ban on public singing, highlighting the severe restrictions placed on women and artists in the Islamic Republic. Esmaeili, known for her viral videos singing in metro stations and parks, was taken into custody with her whereabouts unknown, leaving her family in distress. Faravaz Farvardin, an Iranian singer and activist, condemned the arrest, stating that “Iranian authorities often fabricate charges to justify their crackdown on female singers.” This incident is part of a broader pattern of repression in Iran, where women are prohibited from singing or dancing in public due to conservative interpretations of Islam. Despite these risks, many Iranian women continue to challenge these restrictions, using social media to share their performances and voice their dissent. Esmaeili’s arrest, along with recent crackdowns on other artists like rapper Toomaj Salehi and Grammy-winning singer Shervin Hajipour, underscores the Iranian regime’s intensifying efforts to silence artistic expression and enforce gender apartheid.
Iran’s Brutal Message: Young Freedom-Fighting Protester Executed
Location: Iran
In a stark illustration of Iran’s brutal crackdown on dissent, 34-year-old Reza Rasaei was executed on August 6, 2024, for his alleged role in the death of an IRGC intelligence official during the 2022 anti-government protests. Rasaei, a member of the marginalized Kurdish and Yarsan communities, was arrested and sentenced to death in a case rife with controversy. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, condemned the execution, citing reports of torture and forced confessions. Eyewitnesses and sources close to Rasaei’s family disputed the regime’s accusations, claiming he was not involved in the altercation that led to the official’s death. The execution took place against a backdrop of ongoing tension between the Iranian government and protesters, with Rasaei reportedly joining a gathering where people chanted slogans like “Death to the child-killing government” and “Woman, Life, Freedom.” Amnesty International stated that Rasaei’s death sentence was handed down after an “unfair trial” based on “forced confessions,” highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Iran and the regime’s harsh response to those who dare to challenge its authority.
Niqab Crackdown: What’s Behind Somalia’s Latest Action
Location: Somalia
In a controversial move, authorities in the southern Somali city of Kismayo have launched an aggressive crackdown on Islamic face veils known as niqabs, citing urgent security concerns. Police chief Warsame Ahmed Gelle told Somali state television that security forces have been conducting operations to “fight” the veils, with officers stopping women in the streets and forcibly confiscating hundreds of niqabs. Women caught wearing the garment, which covers the whole face except for the eyes, now face fines or jail time. This action comes in the immediate aftermath of a deadly attack on August 2nd, 2024, at a popular beachfront resort in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, which killed 37 people and wounded many others. The attack was claimed by al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamist group that controls large parts of central and southern Somalia. While a niqab ban has technically been in place since 2013 due to security risks, it has rarely been enforced until now.