Obama Apologizes for Quran Burning, Karzai: US Officer Responsible

US President Barack Obama voiced on Thursday his deep regrets over burning copies of the holy Quran to the his Afghan counterpart, Hamid Karzai, who said that a US officer was responsible for the act.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Obama sent  Karzai a letter of apology over the incident.

The US president the burning was “unintentional” and pledged a full investigation, the president's office said, as fierce anti-US protests swept the nation in which at least 14 people have died, including two American soldiers.

"I wish to express my deep regret for the reported incident," Obama wrote in the letter presented to Karzai by US ambassador Ryan Crocker. "I extend to you and the Afghan people my sincere apologies."
"The error was inadvertent; I assure you that we will take the appropriate steps to avoid any recurrence, to include holding accountable those responsible," the letter said.

For his part, Karzai said the burning was done "out of ignorance" and the US government had admitted the mistake, Karzai told members of parliament in a meeting, according to a statement from his office.

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Twelve Martyred in Koran-Burning Protests Across Afghanistan

Iranian cleric Ahmad Khatami said the U.S. had purposely burned the Korans. "These apologies are fake. The world should know that America is against Islam."

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Twelve people were martyred on Friday in the bloodiest day yet in protests that have raged across Afghanistan over the desecration of copies of the Muslim holy book at a NATO military base with riot police and soldiers on high alert braced for more violence.

The burning of the Korans at the Bagram compound earlier this week has deepened public mistrust of NATO forces struggling to stabilize Afghanistan before foreign combat troops withdraw in 2014.

Hundreds of Afghans marched toward the palace of Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul, while on the other side of the capital protesters hoisted the white flag of the Taliban.

Chanting "Death to America!" and "Long live Islam!," protesters also threw rocks at police in Kabul, while Afghan army helicopters circled above.

Friday is a holy day and the official weekly holiday in Afghanistan and mosques in the capital drew large crowds, with police in pick-up trucks posted on nearby streets.

Armed protesters took refuge in shops in the eastern part of the city, where they killed one demonstrator, said police at the scene. In another Kabul rally, police said they were unsure who fired the shots that killed a second protester.

Seven more protesters were killed in the western province of Herat, two more in eastern Khost province and one in the relatively peaceful northern Baghlan province, health and local officials said. In Herat, around 500 men charged at the U.S. consulate.

U.S. President Barack Obama had sent a letter to Karzai apologizing for the unintentional burning of the Korans at NATO's main Bagram air base, north of Kabul, after Afghan laborers found charred copies while collecting rubbish.

Muslims consider the Koran to be the literal word of God and treat each copy with deep reverence. Desecration is considered one of the worst forms of blasphemy.

Afghanistan wants NATO to put those responsible on public trial.

In neighboring U.S. ally Pakistan, about 400 members of a hardline Islamist group staged protests. "If you burn the Koran, we will burn you," they shouted.

To Afghanistan's west, Iranian cleric Ahmad Khatami said the U.S. had purposely burned the Korans. "These apologies are fake. The world should know that America is against Islam," he said in a speech broadcast live on state radio.

"It (the Koran burning) was not a mistake. It was an intentional move, done on purpose."

Most Westerners have been confined to their heavily fortified compounds, including at the sprawling U.S. embassy complex and other diplomatic missions, as protests that have killed a total of 23 people, including two U.S. soldiers, rolled into their fourth day. The embassy, in a message on the microblogging site Twitter, urged U.S. citizens to "please be safe out there" and expanded movement restrictions to relatively peaceful northern provinces, where large demonstrations also occurred Thursday, including the attempted storming of a Norwegian military base.

The Taliban urged Afghan security forces Thursday to "turn their guns on the foreign infidel invaders" and repeatedly urged Afghans to kill, beat and capture NATO soldiers.

Germany, which has the third-largest foreign presence in the NATO-led war, pulled out several weeks early of a small base in the northern Takhar province Friday over security concerns, a defense ministry spokesman said.

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Wave of Violence Attacks Baghdad, 60 Martyred at Least Mostly Shia

Simultaneous early morning attacks on mostly Shia targets across Iraq martyred at least 60 people and wounded dozens on Thursday in one of the bloodiest days of violence since U.S. troops pulled out in mid-December.

 (Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The attacks that appeared to pitch al Qaeda-linked insurgents against Shi'ites raised fears of a return to the widespread sectarian carnage that tore Iraq apart and cost thousands of lives in 2006 and 2007.

At least 32 people were killed in blasts in Baghdad where 10 explosions tore through mainly Shi'ite neighbourhoods during rush hour and other attacks targeted police patrols, commuters and crowds gathered in shopping areas.

"We were sitting at a restaurant having soup for breakfast when the bomb exploded. I lost consciousness and then saw smoke and dust when I came to. I saw people and body parts everywhere," police officer Ahmed Kadhim told Reuters.

Kadhim suffered shrapnel wounds to his left leg and back when a car bomb exploded near a restaurant killing six people and wounding 18 in Baghdad's northern Kadhimiya district.

The interior ministry blamed al Qaeda and affiliated armed groups for the attacks it said were an attempt to show that Iraq's security situation remained unstable.

The blasts hit just weeks before Baghdad plans to host an Arab League summit, which has been postponed because of regional turmoil and acrimony between Iraq's government and some Persian Gulf states.

"The attacks aimed to spark sectarian strife among the Iraqi people, and to prevent the Arab League meeting from being held," Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi said.

CITIES HIT

More than a dozen blasts and attacks hit other cities across Iraq from Mosul in the north to Hilla, south of Baghdad, many of them targeting police.

The violence was aimed at Shi'ite neighbourhoods but also against security forces, a frequent target of al Qaeda insurgents.

In Thursday's violence, one car bomb in the capital killed at least nine people and wounded 27 in the upmarket Karrada neighbourhood, hurling shrapnel into the next street and blowing out glass from nearby buildings.

Witnesses saw at four wrecked cars full of shrapnel and bloodied seats near an ice-cream shop at the site of another blast.

In the biggest attack outside the capital, a car bomb killed seven people and wounded 33 in the town of Balad, north of Baghdad.

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World’s largest Qoran enters Guinness Book of Records

The Guinness Book of Records has recognized a 2-meter tall copy of the Holy Quran, kept in a mosque in the city of Kazan, the world’s largest printed Koran.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The Guinness Book of Records has recognized a 2-meter tall copy of the Holy Quran, kept in a mosque in the city of Kazan, the world’s largest printed Koran.

Kazan is the capital of Tatarstan, an autonomous republic within Russia which is populated mainly by Muslims. The mosque where the world’s largest Koran is kept, called Kul Sharif (also spelled “Qolsharif”), is unique in itself, as it is one of Europe’s largest mosques.

The record-winning Qoran was made in Italy at Tatarstan’s request. Its size is 2 meters by 1.5 meters, it has 632 pages made of special paper, and its covers are incrustation with malachite, jasper, silver and gold.

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Toll of Shi'a Martyrs in Parachinar Suicide Blast Mounts to 44 + Name of Martyrs / Government Behind the Attack

The death toll from Friday’s suicide blast and subsequent firing by security forces on protesters in Parachinar rose to 44 on Saturday. A tense calm prevailed as complete shutdown was observed in Parachinar bazaar. All shops, markets, business centres and educational institutions remained closed.

 (Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Updated:

- After the suicide blast ripped through a market on Friday just after Friday prayer near central mosque. Yesterday about 30 Shi'a Muslims embraced martyrdom and many were serious injured. Injured were admitted to civil Parachinar hospital.

The death toll from Friday’s suicide blast and subsequent firing by security forces on protesters in Parachinar rose to 44 on Saturday.

A tense calm prevailed as complete shutdown was observed in Parachinar bazaar. All shops, markets, business centres and educational institutions remained closed.

According to local people and hospital sources, 15 more people succumbed to their injuries on Saturday. Two of the injured died in Peshawar, one on way to a hospital and 12 in the agency headquarters hospital in Parachinar, the headquarters of Kurram tribal region.
Curfew remained imposed in the town on Saturday and Thall-Parachinar road has been closed for an indefinite period because of security reasons.

Meanwhile, elders of Turi and Bangash tribes, members of civil society, political and social circles condemned the suicide blast and the firing by security forces on the innocent protesters.

They said there was no suicide attack when the town was in the control of Shia volunteers. But as soon as security forces took control of the area and set up bunkers and security posts such incidents started taking place, they alleged.

They held the political administration and secret agencies responsible for the violence in Kurram. They alleged that some hidden hands were patronising militants to create the law and order situation.

They demanded immediate removal of the political agent in Kurram.
The number of martyr is increasing due to serious injuries. More then 44 believers embraced martyrdom and 67 others were injured.

1 Johar Ali s/o Shafat Ali (Mulana)
2) Qaisar Hussain s/o Abdullah Shaikh 
3) Ali Raza s/o M Qamber Shakardara
4) Yaqoob s/o Ghulam Ali  Shangak
5) Murtuza s/o Burer Hussain Salozan
6) Shuqat Hussain s/o Akber Hussain
7/ Mazahir Hussain s/o Akber Hussain Malikhel 
8) Syed Saber Hussain s/o Nabi Zareen
9) Jan Agha s/o Noor Hussain Khoshi
10) Shujat Hussain s/o Hussain Ghulam Zareen
11) Hadayet Hussain s/o Moheb Ali Dahl
12) Syed Istyaq Hussain s/o Syed Akber Zareen
13) Habib Hussain s/o Imran Ali 
14) Jameel Hussain s/o Ali Zaman 
15) Azgher Ali s/o Dafter Ali Salozan
16) Irfan Ali s/o Sultan Ali Zareen
17) Ghulam Hussain s/o Meer Hasan Zareen
18) Haider Abbas s/o Meer Hasan Zareen
19) Bahar Hussain s/o Iqbal Hussain Molana
20) Rashed Hussain s/o Liyaqt Hussain Pewar
21) Wajid Hussain s/o Manzoor Ali Zeran
22) Manzoor Ali Zeran 
23) Qasir Hussian s/o Mohib Haji Boshera
24) Noor Aalm s/o Hamid Sapar shaheed upon firing of Rangers
25) Ikhtiar Sapar
26) Rashid Ali s/o Ali Mohammed Kirman, shaheed upon firing of Rangers
27) Arif s/o Hasan Kirman
28) Gulzar Sholazan 
29) Wajid Ali s/o Manzoor Ali Zeeran
30) Ikhtiar Zeeran, shaheed upon firing of Rangers 
31) S Asif Hussain s/o Syed Hasan Jan Kirman, 
32) Kamran Ali s/o Imran Ali, Shablan
33) Mashad Hussain s/o Sultan Hasan, Gwadarm
34) Zeeshan s/o Ashiq Hussain, Kara Khela
35) Qaisar Ali s/o Naseeb Ali, Khawat
36) Shujaat, Baghdi
37) Kamran Ali s/o Mukhtar Ali, Zeeran 
38) Abid Hussain, Zeeran 
39) S Asif Hussain s/o Syed Hur Hussain, Kirman 
40) Javaid hussain s/o Imran Ali Kirman
41) Wahab Ali s/o Noor Ali Pawar
42) Syed Mohd s/o Wilayat Hussain Kirman
43) Turab Ali s/o Hussain Ali Shalozan
44) Sahid Hussain s/o Ahmed Ali Pawar

Newly Shia "Sean Ali Stone" to play the lead role in an Iranian film

American actor and documentary filmmaker Sean Stone, who has recently converted to Islam, is slated to star in an Iranian film.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) -American actor and documentary filmmaker Sean Stone, who has recently converted to Islam, is slated to star in an Iranian film.

Iranian director Ali Shah-Hatami told ISNA on Wednesday that Stone, who came to Tehran at the invitation of the Reel Knights film and television development and production studio, has expressed interest in appearing in Iranian films.

Stone is set to play the lead role in Shah-Hatami’s new film The Accused which will be shot in Canada.

According to the director, the film portrays the problems Iranian and Muslims face while living in the United States.

“The film’s story is about a young Iranian man who leaves the country to continue his studies in the US… but is falsely accused of murder and goes to jail,” Shah-Hatami explained.

Stone became a Shia Muslim and chose to be known by the Muslim first name Ali as announced during a religious ceremony held in the Iranian city of Isfahan on February 14.

The 27-year-old filmmaker is a graduate of history from Princeton University and has collaborated on many of his father's projects such as the 2004 Alexander. He has also directed a handful of documentaries.

Sean is not the first renowned celebrity who has converted to Islam. The English singer and songwriter Cat Stevens converted to Islam in 1977 and adopted the name Yusaf Islam.

The prominent boxer Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.) also converted to Islam in 1964.

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US actor, director Sean Stone converts to Islam in Iran

American actor and documentary filmmaker Sean Stone, son of Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone, converted to Islam during a religious ceremony in Iran.

Stone became a Shia Muslim and chose to be known by the Muslim first name Ali as announced at the ceremony held in the Iranian historical city of Isfahan on February 14. 

"The conversion to Islam is not abandoning Christianity or Judaism, which I was born with,” Stone said. 

“It means I have accepted Mohammad (PBUH) and other prophets," he added in a brief telephone call. 

Born to a Jewish father and Christian mother, Stone did not say why he converted to Islam. 

Stone who visited Iran several months ago said he needed to know more about Persian culture and civilization and become familiar with Iranian traditions and rituals. 

Stone referred to Iran as one of Asia's major filmmaking centers saying that he “would like to introduce Persian culture and civilization to the West.” 

The 27-year-old filmmaker is a graduate of history from Princeton University and has collaborated on many of his father's projects such as the 2004 Alexander. He has also directed a handful of documentaries. 

Sean is not the first renowned celebrity who has converted to Islam. The English singer and songwriter Cat Stevens converted to Islam in 1977 and adopted the name Yusaf Islam. 

The prominent boxer Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.) also converted to Islam in 1964. 


FGP/TE 

Source Press Tv

US filmmaker Sean Stone, son of Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone, converted to Islam on Tuesday in Isfahan, Iran. Stone, whose new Muslim name is Ali, is making a documentary in Iran.
In an interview with Fars News he said: "I think just like how Babylon regime collapsed, today's world powers will go down."
Answering a question about why he has converted to Islam he replied: "The religion of Islam is the continuation of God's word, a God who has sent Prophet Khalil and Moses (Peace be upon them) , has unified all religions and principles of beliefs. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) unified all people when world was full of disbelief and I understand this bravery and cognition and for this reason I became Muslim."

Marg-e-YAZEED ibne MUAWIYA (Mubarak to All)

* Who was YAZEED ibne MUAWIYA ?
A drunkard, adulterer, who crowned himself as the KING (KHALIFA) of Muslim empire on the power of his WEALTH.




Marg-e-YAZEED ibne MUAWIYA (Death anniversary) mubarak to all momineens and followers of Imam Hussain (A.S) and to all HUMANKIND !
14th Rabi'ul awwal ke is SHUBH AVSAR per YAZEEED ibne Muawiya JAHANNUM ki aur rawaana hua tha.