The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a press advocacy group, has claimed that more journalists are jailed around the world than at any time since the Committee to Protect Journalists began keeping detailed records in 1990. In its annual census, the group reports that 259 journalists have been jailed worldwide compared to 199 in 2015. The previous global record was 232 journalists in jail in 2012. CPJ attributes the record […]
The catastrophic humanitarian situation in Aleppo has prompted local ulema to call for a special prayer for Syria on Tuesday night. The conflict in Aleppo has reached disastrous proportions as the Syrian army and its allies have taken full control over all the districts abandoned by rebels during their retreat in the city. The United Nations said on Tuesday it had reports that Syrian government troops and allied Iraqi militias […]
By Nawaal Adams After four years of hosting the event outdoors, Mawlid SA, the organizers of Cape Town’s annual mass moulood will bring the spiritual gathering to the Century City Convention and Conference Centre on Saturday 17th December. As Capetonians mark the month of Rabi ul Awwal, there is increased focus on the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). This will be encompassed in the theme for this […]
The United Nations said on Tuesday it had reports of Syrian government troops and allied militia fighters killing civilians in eastern Aleppo, including 82 people in four different neighbourhoods in the last few days. Rupert Colville, spokesman of the U.N. human rights office, said that thousands of civilians remained trapped in a "hellish corner" of less than a square kilometre still held by opposition rebel fighters following weeks-long assault by […]
The high-profile blasphemy trial of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama has begun in Indonesia as dozens rallied outside the court both in support and against the Jakarta governor. Tuesday's protests were under heavy police guard, as Purnama - the first Christian governor of Jakarta in more than 50 years - arrived at court flanked by lawyers and police for the first day of his trial on charges of insulting the Quran. The […]
The next head of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, said on Monday that ending Syria’s war trumps other concerns in comments that suggest a greater willingness to accept a victory for President Bashar al-Assad’s government. As Guterres spoke at UN headquarters in New York, Assad’s troops, backed by Iranian forces and Russian air power, continued operations against rebel holdouts in Aleppo that would mark a decisive government success in the […]
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has said a suicide bomber carried out the attack that killed 24 Christians during Sunday Mass at a Cairo chapel adjacent to St Mark's Cathedral, the seat of Egypt's ancient Coptic Orthodox Church. It was among the deadliest attacks to ever target Egypt's Coptic minority, which makes up about 10 percent of the country's population and which was perceived to have supported the military overthrow […]
SABC journalist Lukhanyo Calata has told Parliament's SABC inquiry that Hlaudi Motsoeneng's reported relationship with President Jacob Zuma is "an open secret" at the broadcaster. Calata, who works as a Parliamentary reporter for the SABC, testified before the ad hoc committee on Monday along with SABC 8 colleagues Thandeka Gqubule, Krivani Pillay and Vuyo Mvoko. During a round of questions, ANC MP Juli Killian asked Calata and Mvoko how the […]
A fire on Monday night damaged two houses and destroyed 100 shacks in Athlone, the City of Cape Town has confirmed. Spokesperson Liezl Moodie said the blaze broke out at 21:40 at the Vygieskraal informal settlement in 8th Avenue, Belgravia Estate. About 400 people were displaced. No injuries were reported, Moodie said, and the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Disaster management has been activated to assist […]
VOC became the first Muslim radio station in South Africa when a special events license was granted to the station in Ramadan/January 1995. Subsequent temporary broadcast licenses were granted, permitting the station to broadcast for 24 hours.
