The Compass

India beats New Zealand in t-20 World Cup final.

Iranian state television has announced that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has died. Khamenei had led the Islamic Republic of Iran since 1989, becoming one of the longest-serving leaders in the Middle East. His tenure shaped Iran’s political structure, military strategy and foreign policy for more than three decades.

Indian Grand M***i Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The meeting covered a wide range of issues, including social, humanitarian, educational and developmental concerns, minority welfare matters, and important international developments.

During his recent Kerala tour held under the theme “With Humanity”, the Grand M***i had listened to concerns raised by people from different sections of society. These matters were brought to the Prime Minister’s attention. He also handed over his special message for the holy month of Ramadan.

The discussion touched upon the need for inclusive development that embraces all communities, the importance of giving due attention not only to economic growth but also to happiness indices and human development, and the fair distribution of resources based on population proportion and regional balance. Concerns related to Waqf matters and SIR were raised, along with the protection of historic mosques and Islamic heritage monuments. The reinstatement of minority educational welfare schemes — including the Maulana Azad National Fellowship — and the development of the Aligarh University Malappuram Centre were also discussed. The Grand M***i emphasized the need for closer engagement between the Central Government and minority communities across the country. He also appreciated the Prime Minister’s diplomatic efforts to promote peace at the international level.

Prime Minister Modi expressed his appreciation for the educational and social welfare initiatives being carried out in India under the Grand M***i’s leadership. He noted that the Grand M***i’s social and cultural engagements at the global level contribute to enhancing India’s reputation and are commendable.

Samasta Kerala Jam’iyyathul Ulama Secretary Perod Abdurahman Saqafi and SYS President Dr. Muhammad Abdul Hakeem Azhari were also present at the meeting.

Around 1,200 homes of Bengali Muslim families in Assam’s Sonitpur district were demolished in an eviction drive carried out earlier this week.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the evictions, carried out on January 5 and 6, were aimed at clearing alleged encroachments from around 650 hectares of land inside the Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary.

The evictions were conducted in areas under the Tezpur Sadar and Dhekiajuli revenue circles, including Jamuktol, Arimari, Siyalichar, Baghetapu, Galatidubi, Lathimari, Kundulichar, Purba Dubramari and Batulichar, PTI reported.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges brought by the United States during his first court appearance in New York on Monday, telling the courtroom that he was innocent and had been kidnapped, AP reported.

“I am a decent man, the constitutional president of my country,” he told the court.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were abducted by the US military in an overnight operation on Saturday.

They appeared before US District Judge Alvin K Hellerstein on Monday for an arraignment on charges including alleged “narcoterrorism”, Al Jazeera reported. Flores also pleaded not guilty during the proceeding. Neither Nicolás Maduro nor Flores sought bail or release.