World Court orders Myanmar to protect Rohingya Muslims
Winners emerge in Muhammed IV Foundation Qur’an competition
The International Court of Justice on Thursday ordered Myanmar to take urgent measures to protect its Muslim Rohingya population from persecution and atrocities, and preserve evidence of alleged crimes against them.
Mostly Muslim Gambia launched a lawsuit in November at the United Nations’ highest body for disputes between states, accusing Myanmar of genocide against Rohingya in violation of a 1948 convention.
Thursday’s ruling dealt
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The second edition of Moroccan King Muhammed IV Foundation for African Oulema Qur’an Recitation Competition ended in Abuja last Saturday, with six reciters emerging the overall winners in the male and female categories.
The winners were presented cash and other consolation prizes at a brief ceremony, which was attended by Moroccan Ambassador to Nigeria, Moha Ou Ali Tagma; with Gambia’s request for so-called preliminary measures, the equivalent of a restraining order for states. While the court’s final decision could take years to reach, the 17 judge panel made clear in a unanimous ruling that the court believes the Rohingya are in danger now, and steps must be taken to protect them.
The Rohingya remain“at serious risk of genocide,”presiding Judge Abdulqawi Yusuf said, reading a summary the decision. Myanmar shall“take all measures within its former Secretary to the government of the federation, Yayale Ahmad; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’aba and other Islamic scholars.
The reciters were tested on memorisation, pronunciation, voice sonority, and composition.
The winners of the first category are: Ameer Gambo (Borno), Yasin Abdulbasheer (Zamfara) and Maimuna Hussain (FCT).
Khadija Yaqub Yunus, (Borno), Nazir Musa Jalo (Zamfara) and power to prevent all acts”prohibited under the 1948 Genocide Convention, the ruling said. Myanmar must report back within four months.
It ordered the government of Myanmar to exercise influence over its military and other armed groups to prevent“killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm to the members of the group, deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life intended to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.”
Salisu Ibrahim Ahmed (Kano) emerged as winners in the second category.
Speaking at the occasion, one of the Chief Imams of the National Mosque, Sheikh Ibrahim Ahmad Maqari said 46 reciters from 15 states participated in the competition.
He commended participants and urged them and other Muslims to not only recite the Holy Qur’an but also allow its teachings to permeate their lives.