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  • 3,184 people accept Islam in UAE during 2020

    3,184 people accept Islam in UAE during 2020

    The Mohammad bin Rashid Centre for Islamic Culture has recently revealed that 3,184 people converted to Islam this year. All the requests for conversion to Islam were received online during  the current COVID-19 pandemic.

    According to the details. Hind Mohammed Lootah, the Director of the center, said the institution would keep on delivering the right message about Islam and spread its lofty principles among people of different faiths and communities living in Dubai.

    The center is in contact with new converts to Islam and provides them with numerous services such as religious, social, cultural and educational.  The center receives online requests for conversion on its website www.iacad.gov.ae, or through the free-toll number 800600.

  • Haris Rauf leads 2020 with most T20 wickets

    Haris Rauf leads 2020 with most T20 wickets

    Pakistani right-arm fast bowler Haris Rauf has ended his 2020 with a bang, taking as many as 57 wickets and becomes leading wicket taker in the Twenty20 format.

    This year has been lucky for three pacers, which leads with Rauf taking 57 wickets in 35 innings. Shaheen Shah Afridi follows him with 52 wickets in hand, which he took in 37 innings and Mohammad Amir has also taken 42 wickets in 36 innings in the calendar year.

    Among Pakistan players, only Wahab Riaz was able to grab 60 wickets in 2019 and Azhar Mahmood took 60 wickets in 2013 and have claimed more T20 wickets in a calendar year than Rauf.

    Though the year has been very difficult due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Rauf has managed to show his class and skills. The 150 kilometres per hour speedster joined the National T20 side in January 2020.

    The 27-year-old recently took three wickets in the three T20I matches against New Zealand. He has also taken second most wickets in T20I this year.

    To celebrate his big achievement, Haris shared a picture of himself and Afridi chilling in New Zealand.

  • New coronavirus strain: Do we need to worry?

    The news of new coronavirus strain came to light when a stricter level of lockdown was imposed in different parts of south-east England to curb the rapid spike in infections.

    Amid fears of the new strain of the coronavirus spreading quickly in the UK, many countries have imposed a temporary ban on all flights to and from the UK. Pakistan has also banned flights from England.

    The news of new strain of COVID-19 is causing panic and fear and everyone is searching for answers.

    Here’s what you should know:

    Why do we have a new strain of coronavirus?

    The short answer to this question is that because viruses “evolve”. Just like cell-based life, we get new strains of viruses because of some genetic changes caused due to the evolution of the virus.

    What is the new COVID-19 strain?

    The new coronavirus strain has been labelled “B.1.1.7”. Reportedly, the new strain of the virus can lead to a “quicker spread” (scientists are still looking for more evidence) of COVID-19.

    Scientists say it is about 40%-70% more transmissible. However, there is no evidence that this new strain of the virus is “more lethal”. B.1.1.7 has far more mutations than in any previous variant of the Sars-Cov-2 virus analysed since the pandemic started, but scientists are also wondering how it evolved so fast.

    According to some experts, it is entirely too early to make a definitive conclusion.

    Will vaccine work against the new strain?

    Scientists are hopeful that the vaccines will work against this new strain. This is because the parts that Pfizer/BioNtech, Moderna and Oxford/Astrazeneca shots target has not changed much.

  • ‘#10yearchallenge’: 5 Pakistani celebrities that haven’t aged

    ‘#10yearchallenge’: 5 Pakistani celebrities that haven’t aged

    With the year coming to a close, netizens are taking all sorts of challenges to celebrate the end of the year and the turn of the decade. One such challenge that has been going viral on social media is the #10YearChallenge. So we decided to put together a list of celebrities who have not aged in the past ten years. Check out the list below:

    Mahnoor Baloch

    While talking about Pakistani celebrities who have not aged, the first name that comes to mind is Mahnoor Baloch. She looks like she hasn’t aged a day since her first drama serial Marvi and honestly, we need tips!

    Shehzad Roy 

    Man of the mystery, Shehzad Roy seem immune to ageing. Shehzad Roy was born in 1977 and started his singing career in 1995. The musician has looked the same since his Zindagi days. Maybe he can tell us what fountain of youth he has been drinking from?

    Hadiqa Kiani

    Its been 25 years since Hadiqa Kiani released her first album, and she still looks the same. In 1995, Hadiqa released her first album Raaz. The singer is now 46 and we are baffled at how someone her age can look so young.

    Humayun Saeed

    Humayun Saeed, who turns 50 next year, is famous for his youthful looks. Humayun has the same charming smile he had a decade ago.

    Shoaib Malik 

    Age is something that the 38-year old former captain of Pakistan’s cricket team Shoaib Malik has managed to keep at bay so far. Shoaib has come a long way since making his debut in the national team in 1999 but nothing much has changed about him in terms of his good looks.

  • UK media regulator fines Indian channel over hate speech against Pakistan

    UK media regulator fines Indian channel over hate speech against Pakistan

    The Office of Communication (OfCom), that regulates communication services in the United Kingdom, has directed India’s Republic Bharat TV to pay a fine of £20,000 over a show that propagated hate speech against Pakistan.

    According to the regulator, the show ‘Poochta Hai Bharat’ in an episode breached Ofcom Broadcasting Code with its comments and content.

    The programme was also “potentially offensive” and in violation of the Broadcasters’ Code, it said in the order issued earlier this year.

    “During a current affairs discussion programme the presenter and some of his guests made several
    statements which amounted to hate speech against, and derogatory and abusive treatment of, Pakistani people,” the watchdog had said in its order.

    “The content was also potentially offensive and was not sufficiently justified by the context. In breach of Rules 3.2, 3.3 and 2.3 of the Broadcasting Code. Due to the serious nature of these breaches we are considering imposing a statutory sanction,” as per the order issued in Feb 2020.

    During the episode aired on Sept 6, 2019, statements made by a “retired major general from the Indian Army, which clearly threatened that the Indian military would attack Pakistani civilians in their homes, were an expression of hatred and desire to kill by a figure of authority”.

    “In our view, the broadcast of these statements also promoted hatred and intolerance towards Pakistani people,” said Ofcom.

    The decision was taken despite an apology which was broadcast by Republic Bharat in English and Hindi for a total of 280 times. In addition to the fine, Ofcom also directed the operator not to repeat the programme.

    “Given that the Licensee has recorded a number of breaches within a short time, Ofcom is requesting that the Licensee attend a meeting to discuss its compliance arrangements,” it added.

  • VIDEO: Imran Abbas, Babar Ali show off their singing skills on the sets of ‘Amanat’

    VIDEO: Imran Abbas, Babar Ali show off their singing skills on the sets of ‘Amanat’

    Imran Abbas and Babar Ali, who are all set to share the screen in Amanat, “killed time” on the sets by showing off their singing skills.

    The two sang Aik Pal Ki Khushi from the movie Karz which featured Ali and Nirma in the lead. The film was written by Khalil ur Rehman Qamar.

    Talking about the song and movie, Imran said: “Aap iss film kay gaanay sunain. Eik eik gaana itna khoobsurat likha hai Khalil sahab nay. Kya composition hai.“

    He continued: “I am very fortunate to work with Babar Ali once again. We have worked together once in a serial Sanwali. And now for the second time I am playing another role with him.”

    “And don’t forget to watch this film [Karz],” he added. “It is a beautiful film and is available on YouTube.”

    Fans of the actors loved their video and praised them in the comments section. Reema also appreciated their singing skills, commenting “Wow.”

    Aik Pal Ki Khushi was originally sung by Shazia Manzoor and Waris Baig.

    https://youtu.be/szvauBHXSd4

    Besides Abbas and Ali, Amanat will also feature Urwa Hocane, Saboor Aly, Haroon Shahid, Saba Hamid, Sheheryar Zaidi, Asad Siddiqui and Gohar Rasheed.

    According to Imran, Amanat is a “circumstances-based love story”, while producer Sana Shahnawaz says it is “a family drama with love, romance and all other elements audiences wish to see in our dramas.”

    Meanwhile, in another post Imran said that we all should be thankful to Allah for keeping us alive in 2020.

    “Life itself and health are the biggest gifts of God. Stay grateful,” said the actor.

  • UrduFlix to launch with Alizeh Shah’s ‘Dulhan aur Aik Raat’

    UrduFlix to launch with Alizeh Shah’s ‘Dulhan aur Aik Raat’

    Dulhan aur Aik Raat starring Alizeh Shah will be the first web-series to release on UrduFlix, Pakistan’s upcoming streaming platform.

    The first look motion poster of the web series was unveiled on Instagram. As per details, the series has been written by Mansoor Syed and directed by Rao Ayaz Shahzad. It has been produced by Farhan Gauher.

    From the posters one can deduce that the series will be a horror-mystery.

    UrduFlix, Pakistan’s first Urdu OTT platform, will offer original and exclusive content in Urdu worldwide. According to a press release, “UrduFlix will offer viewers access to original Urdu films, series, documentaries, cartoons, and Urdu-dubbed Turkish dramas.”

    It will also offer already popular dramas and films to its subscribers.

    UrduFlix is expected to launch in mid-January 2021.

  • Pakistan govt coordinating with manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccine

    Pakistan govt coordinating with manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccine

    The federal government has informed the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) that it is coordinating with leading manufacturers of COVID-19  vaccines, including those from China. 

    Officials said that they are reviewing developments frequently including data from phase three of the COVID-19 vaccine trials.

    The NCOC was further informed that the steps being taken will conclude to a final decision about vaccine availability in Pakistan. 

    As per reports, Pakistan signed up for the United Nation’s COVAX Facility, a global initiative intended at equitable and unbiased access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. 

    There are also various local and China-made vaccine trials being conducting across the country. The human trials of a vaccine being developed by Chinese Company CanSino Biologics Inc started on September 22 and has over 13,000 volunteers across Pakistan. 

    In November, Federal Minister for Planning and Development and the NCOC chief Asad Umar said that the federal cabinet has approved procurement of the vaccines that are expected to reach sometime between January and March in 2021.

    Pakistan has reported 462,814 cases so far.

  • PM Imran says had no idea how to run govt for first three months

    PM Imran says had no idea how to run govt for first three months

    Prime Minister Imran Khan has said when his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), came to power it virtually had no idea how to run the government and it took them at least three months to understand the state of affairs.

    Addressing a special ceremony to sign ‘Performance Agreements of the Federal Government for the Year 2020-21’ in Islamabad, the PM said the new government shouldn’t assume power without preparation. “From the outside, it looked different compared to what is actually happening within the system,” the PM said.

    “When the PTI came to power, it took us three months to understand things and form our team,” he said, adding that Pakistan needed to review its systems. “We’re gradually learning things.”

    According to the premier, this system that keeps the incoming governments in the dark about the state of affairs must be changed. “We need to tweak it, so a new setup can be given enough time to learn the ropes after a comprehensive briefing by the outgoing government,” he said, adding that the first thing was that we should review the system and after once your team was made, then it should be given full time to prepare.

     Imran said it was his habit to look at everything in his life to see what could be done better or improved.

    “We have two-and-a-half years left to make the government’s performance better. We no longer have any excuses. It’s time for us to perform… It’s time for performance now. We need to put pressure on ourselves to perform and our ministers also need to put pressure on themselves to improve performance as well,” he added.

  • Top Israeli rabbi prays for safety of UAE royal family

    Top Israeli rabbi prays for safety of UAE royal family

    Israel’s top rabbi inaugurated a Jewish nursery school in Dubai on Sunday and made a special Jewish ritual for the safety of the ruling family in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Israeli media.

    The Sephardi Cheif Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef arrived in the Gulf state on Thursday, marking his first visit to an Arab country. The official Israeli Twitter account – Israel in Arabic – published photos for Rabbi Yosef while inaugurating the new Jewish school in Dubai.

    As part of his visit, Rabbi Yosef named Levi Duchman as rabbi of the Jewish community in the UAE, and inaugurated a new synagogue in the capital city of Abu Dhabi, according to the Times of Israel newspaper.

    The Jewish rabbi also met with UAE officials, including the ministers of tolerance, culture and health.

    According to Israeli figures, some 3,000 Jews live in the UAE, mostly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

    Israel and the UAE signed a US-sponsored deal in September to normalise their relations, a move that was followed by Bahrain and Sudan, and recently Morocco.

    The normalisation agreements have drawn widespread condemnations from Palestinians, who say the accords ignore their rights and do not serve the Palestinian cause.