https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/278578170/quran-recitation-and-learning-options-for-non-arab-students
https://wakelet.com/wake/YM9dPoPGlnKvtPtb49h7i
https://ventsmagazine.com/2024/11/21/the-importance-of-learning-and-perfecting-quran-recitation/
https://rubblemagazine.co.uk/the-lifelong-benefits-of-quran-memorization-and-tafseer/
https://espressocoder.co.uk/the-essential-role-of-hadith-and-seerah-in-islamic-learning/
https://www.familyfuncenterxl.com/the-biggest-challenges-in-memorization-and-how-to-overcome-them/
https://usatimemagazine.co.uk/the-greatest-gift-for-your-child-a-strong-connection-to-the-quran/
https://heavenclick.com/why-tajweed-is-essential-for-every-muslim-learn-to-recite-the-quran-beautifully/
https://diversinet.com/master-the-art-of-quran-recitation-from-beginner-to-expert/
https://www.venisonmagazine.com/top-5-benefits-of-early-quran-memorization-for-children/
https://crispme.com/learn-quran-recitation-with-tajweed-a-beginners-guide/

What is the significance of the "geopolitical chessboard" in the Balkans, and how are external powers like Russia, China, and Turkey influencing the region's stability?

The Balkans are significant as a "geopolitical chessboard" because of their strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
This region, historically known as a "powder keg," serves as a crucial transit corridor for energy pipelines, trade routes, and military operations.
Its instability and slow progress toward full integration with Western institutions like the European Union (EU) and NATO have created a vacuum that external powers are actively trying to fill to expand their own influence and counter Western interests.

Influence of External Powers-
External powers like Russia, China, and Turkey are leveraging a mix of economic, political, and cultural tools to project influence and shape the region's stability.

Russia-
Russia's influence in the Balkans is primarily based on historical and cultural ties, particularly with Slavic and Orthodox Christian populations in countries like Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.

Political and Diplomatic Support: Russia uses its position on the UN Security Council to support Serbia's stance on Kosovo's independence, a key issue that prevents regional stability. It also actively supports pro-Russian political factions and leaders, particularly in the Republika Srpska entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to undermine Western-backed initiatives.

Energy Leverage: Russia has used its control over energy supplies, especially natural gas, to gain political leverage in the region, although its economic influence has been declining in recent years.

Disinformation Campaigns: Russian state-affiliated media outlets, like Sputnik, operate in the region to spread pro-Russian narratives, promote Euroscepticism, and exploit existing ethnic and political divisions.

China-
China's influence is largely economic, focused on its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Beijing's strategy is to establish a foothold in Europe through large-scale infrastructure projects.

Infrastructure Investment: China has invested heavily in the region, funding major projects like highways and railways. These projects, such as the Bar-Boljare highway in Montenegro, are often financed through loans from Chinese state banks, raising concerns about debt trap diplomacy and long-term economic dependence.

Access to Europe: By developing ports and railways in the Balkans, China aims to create a logistical gateway for its goods to enter the European market, bypassing traditional EU routes.

Political Influence: China's investment comes with minimal political conditions regarding democracy or human rights, which is appealing to some governments in the region that are frustrated with the EU's strict accession requirements.

Turkey-
Turkey's engagement in the Balkans is driven by historical ties, cultural affinity, and economic ambitions. It aims to be a stabilizing force and a key partner in the region.

Cultural and Religious Ties: Turkey's influence is strongest among the region's Muslim communities, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and Kosovo, due to its shared Ottoman past. This allows Turkey to build strong cultural and religious ties.

Economic Diplomacy: Turkey has free trade agreements with many Balkan states and invests in major infrastructure projects, like the Belgrade-Sarajevo motorway. It also provides military support and training.

Geopolitical Balancing Act: Turkey's policy is often a balancing act, seeking good relations with all regional actors. While it is a NATO member and supports EU and NATO accession for Balkan countries, it also pursues its own interests, which can sometimes diverge from those of its Western allies.

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Did you know racism exists more in Asia, not just the West?
Yes — and it’s an often overlooked truth that racism is not exclusive to the West.

Racism exists more in Asia — not just the West?

While Western colonialism and white supremacy are widely acknowledged, racism in Asia is real, complex, and often ignored in global conversations. Anti-Blackness, colorism, xenophobia, and ethnic discrimination are issues across the continent, rooted in history, media portrayals, and social hierarchies.

Anti-Black Racism-
In China, India, Japan, and other parts of Asia, Black people — including students, migrants, and tourists — often face discrimination, stereotyping, and exclusion

African residents have reported evictions, denied services, and abuse, especially during crises like COVID-19.

Colorism and “Fair Skin” Obsession-
Across Asia, lighter skin is still equated with beauty, status, and success.

This fuels a billion-dollar skin-whitening industry and creates discrimination against darker-skinned Asians and Africans.

Casteism & Ethnic Hierarchies-
In India, the caste system and deep-rooted bias still marginalize Dalits, tribal peoples, and darker-skinned communities.

In Myanmar, the Rohingya Muslims face ethnic cleansing.

In Japan and Korea, discrimination exists against ethnic minorities like the Burakumin, Zainichi Koreans, and foreign workers

Media Representation-
Asian films, ads, and TV shows often exclude or stereotype Black and darker-skinned people — reinforcing colonial-era beauty and racial standards

Quote for Thought-
“Racism isn’t Western — it’s global. And silence is part of the system.”
— Beyond the Mirror of Color

## Key Actors and Methods in the Financing of Islamic Extremism in Nigeria and West Africa

Islamic extremist groups operating in Nigeria and the broader West African region, notably Boko Haram factions (including JAS) and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), alongside Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) in the Sahel, sustain their activities through a complex and multifaceted network of financial and material support. Funding sources range from localized criminal activities and resource exploitation to international financial networks and support from global extremist organizations.

**Key Funding Mechanisms:**

* **Criminal Activities:** A primary revenue stream for these groups is direct criminal enterprise. This includes:
* **Kidnapping for Ransom:** A highly lucrative tactic, targeting both locals and foreigners, generating significant income.
* **Extortion and Taxation:** Imposing levies on local populations, businesses, and economic activities (such as farming, fishing, and trade) in areas under their control or influence. For instance, ISWAP is known to tax the lucrative fish and red pepper trade in the Lake Chad Basin.
* **Bank Robberies and Looting:** Direct attacks on financial institutions and pillaging of communities.
* **Trafficking:** Involvement in various forms of trafficking, including arms, drugs, and humans, often leveraging porous borders and existing criminal networks.
* **Exploitation of Natural Resources:** Extremist groups exploit natural resources in areas they operate. This includes:
* **Illegal Mining:** Particularly of gold in regions like the Sahel. Groups like JNIM have been linked to the control and taxation of artisanal gold mining sites.
* **Control of Agricultural and Fishing Economies:** As seen with Boko Haram and ISWAP in the Lake Chad Basin, controlling and taxing these local industries provides substantial revenue.
* **Local Support Networks:**
* **Wealthy Sympathizers and Professionals:** Reports suggest that some local politicians, religious sympathizers, and wealthy professionals provide financial support to these groups, sometimes through "protection money."
* **Bureau De Change Operators:** The Nigerian government has identified and arrested Bureau De Change operators involved in facilitating financial transactions for extremist groups.
* **International Support and Networks:**
* **ISIS Core Support to ISWAP:** ISWAP, as an affiliate of the Islamic State, reportedly receives financial backing from the ISIS core. This includes alleged monthly payments to fighters and funds to support governance-like activities in areas ISWAP controls.
* **Foreign Donations and Remittances:** While often opaque, foreign donations and remittances from sympathizers abroad contribute to funding. These may be channeled through informal money transfer systems (like hawalas) or disguised through charitable organizations.
* **Specific International Financing Cells:** A notable case involved a Boko Haram financing cell based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Six Nigerian individuals were convicted in the UAE and subsequently sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for establishing this cell, which funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars to Boko Haram in Nigeria. Individuals like Abdurrahman Ado Musa were central to this network.
* **Alleged Al-Qaeda Links:** Historically, Boko Haram was reported to have received initial funding from Al-Qaeda. While current direct financial ties are less clear, ideological affiliations and potential connections with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and its successor JNIM remain a factor in the regional extremist landscape.

**Identified Individuals and Entities:**

* **Nigerian Government Actions:** The Nigerian government has arrested and sanctioned individuals suspected of terrorism financing. For instance, **Abdurrahaman Musa Ado** was designated by Nigeria's Sanctions Committee as a terrorist financier. The government has also spoken of uncovering a significant funding ring involving numerous individuals and businesses.
* **U.S. Sanctions:** The United States has designated several individuals for supporting Boko Haram. Notably, six Nigerians linked to the UAE-based financing cell were sanctioned:
* **Abdurrahman Ado Musa**
* **Salihu Yusuf Adamu**
* **Bashir Ali Yusuf**
* **Muhammed Ibrahim Isa**
* **Ibrahim Ali Alhassan**
* **Surajo Abubakar Muhammad**
These individuals were found guilty of transferring significant funds from Dubai to Boko Haram in Nigeria.
* **Global Terrorist Organizations:** ISWAP is an officially recognized affiliate of the Islamic State (ISIS), and JNIM is aligned with Al-Qaeda. This affiliation implies a degree of command, control, and potentially material and financial support from these global entities, as evidenced by ISIS's financial backing of ISWAP.

**Challenges in Countering Terrorism Financing:**

Despite efforts by national governments and international bodies like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), and the United Nations, disrupting terrorist financing in the region remains a significant challenge. These challenges include:

* **Cash-Based Economies:** The prevalence of informal, cash-based economies makes tracking illicit financial flows difficult.
* **Porous Borders:** Weak border security facilitates the movement of cash, goods, and individuals involved in illicit activities.
* **Difficult Terrain and Ungoverned Spaces:** Large, remote, and often ungoverned or poorly governed areas provide safe havens for extremist groups to operate and generate funds.
* **Difficulties in Prosecution:** Even when financiers are identified, securing convictions can be challenging due to legal and evidentiary hurdles.
* **Adaptability of Terrorist Groups:** Extremist groups continually adapt their financing methods to circumvent counter-terrorism measures.

**State Sponsors:**

While specific states are not consistently and publicly named by international bodies as direct, ongoing sponsors of Islamic extremist groups in Nigeria and West Africa in the same vein as global state sponsorship designations, the complex geopolitical landscape means external influences and historic interventions (like the situation in Libya) are sometimes cited as contributing factors to regional instability that extremist groups exploit. The primary identified external financial support comes from transnational terrorist organizations like ISIS and networks of individuals, rather than direct state sponsorship in most public accounts.

In conclusion, the financing of Islamic extremism in Nigeria and West Africa is a multifaceted issue, deeply intertwined with local criminal economies, regional instability, and international extremist networks. Efforts to counter this require a comprehensive approach that addresses both the local drivers of funding and the transnational financial flows supporting these groups.

The Arabic word ‘Halal’ means anything that is permissible to use or do, according to Islamic law. It can be applied to food and drink, cosmetics, and clothing. Therefore, if a product is Halal, it doesn’t contain any component that is haram (forbidden) under Islamic law. In English, we have the same structure of words to express this concept, but the word ‘Halal’ is more commonly used by Muslims.

https://iasiso-europe.com/uk/blog/what-is-halal-certification/

Halal Food market is expected to reach US$ 5,963.06 billion in 2033 from US$ 2,671.87 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 9.33% from 2025 to 2033. The market is primarily driven by the Muslim population, increased public awareness, the speed at which multiculturalism and globalization are occurring, strict standardization, the growth of digital marketing and e-commerce, and the escalating worries about health and safety.

Read More: https://www.renub.com/halal-food-market-p.php

#Halal_Food_Market
#Halal_Food_Market_Trends
#Halal_Food_Market_Size
#Halal_Food_Market_Share

Halal Food market is expected to reach US$ 5,963.06 billion in 2033 from US$ 2,671.87 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 9.33% from 2025 to 2033. The market is primarily driven by the Muslim population, increased public awareness, the speed at which multiculturalism and globalization are occurring, strict standardization, the growth of digital marketing and e-commerce, and the escalating worries about health and safety.

Read More: https://www.renub.com/halal-food-market-p.php

#Halal_Food_Market
#Halal_Food_Market_Trends
#Halal_Food_Market_Size
#Halal_Food_Market_Share

The word Halal simply means “permitted” or “lawful”. It is a term used by Muslims to refer to anything that is allowed under Islamic (Shariah) law. Halal certification, therefore, is a process of verifying whether or not a product complies with Halal requirements such as the manner in which it was slaughtered for food preparation.

https://iasiso-europe.com/uk/blog/halal-certification-requirements/