Belgian revert arrives in Istanbul on his journey to Mecca

Belgian revert arrives in Istanbul on his journey to Mecca🕋🚴 Alexander Lauwers, a 26-year-old Belgian who reverted to Islam in 2018, has arrived in Istanbul as part of his unconventional pilgrimage to Mecca by bicycle. Having been raised in an orphanage, the Belgian decided to combine his long-held dream of performing Umrah with a charitable campaign to raise funds for orphans. Over the course of 30 days, Lauwers covered approximately 3,000 kilometres across the Netherlands, Greece, and Bulgaria. Following a stop in Istanbul, he will head to Antalya and then continue his bicycle journey through Jordan towards Mecca. According to the traveller, the primary objectives of the trip are to perform Umrah, deepen his faith, and support children in need.4 months ago#Belgia #Islam #Istanbul

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World

Belgian revert arrives in Istanbul on his journey to Mecca

#Belgia #Islam #Istanbul

🕋🚴 Alexander Lauwers, a 26-year-old Belgian who reverted to Islam in 2018, has arrived in Istanbul as part of his unconventional pilgrimage to Mecca by bicycle. Having been raised in an orphanage, the Belgian decided to combine his long-held dream of performing Umrah with a charitable campaign to raise funds for orphans. Over the course of 30 days, Lauwers covered approximately 3,000 kilometres across the Netherlands, Greece, and Bulgaria. Following a stop in Istanbul, he will head to Antalya and then continue his bicycle journey through Jordan towards Mecca. According to the traveller, the primary objectives of the trip are to perform Umrah, deepen his faith, and support children in need.

4 months ago

Indian villagers lie face-down on ground while decorated cows pass over themAt the Gaay Gohari festival held in Dasai village, Madhya Pradesh, Hindu participants lay face-down on the ground and allowed decorated cows and bulls to walk over them. The ritual is rooted in the belief that lying beneath the animals brings prosperity and health. A comment on the post noted that the four-legged animals appeared more mindful than the participants, trying not to step on them.1 hour ago#India #GaayGohariFestival #HinduTraditions #MadhyaPradesh

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Two Dutch children chant pro-Plaestine slogans from a balcony in AmsterdamTwo Dutch children chanted pro-Palestinian slogans from their balcony in Amsterdam, and the participants in the "Red Line" march reacted to them, protesting the Israeli genocicde in the Gaza Strip.1 hour ago#FreePalestine #Amsterdam #RedLineProtest #Gaza

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Israeli settler enters Palestinian woman’s home with his cattle then slapped herFootage shows an Israeli settler slapped Palestinian resident Ma’zouza Obeid after he invaded her family home with his cattle in Khallet al-Homs, in the occupied West Bank.8 hours ago#IsraeliSettlers #Palestine #WestBank #SettlerViolence

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“Holocaust wasn’t committed by Muslims”How were Jewish people treated by Muslims throughout history? In an Oxford Union debate, analyst Sami Hamdi argued that Muslim rulers historically sheltered Jews facing persecution in Europe, citing examples such as Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II sending ships for Jews expelled from Spain. “I want to remind everybody that the Holocaust was not committed by Muslims,” he said.yesterday#SamiHamdi #OxfordUnion #JewishHistory #OttomanEmpire

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Israeli tourists’ appalling behaviour!A group of Israeli tourists filmed themselves laughing after shoving their Sri Lankan boat operator into the water during a boat ride in Sri Lanka. After the video sparked widespread outrage, the tourists said “it was just a joke” and that they did not mean to be mean. They described themselves as “good kids” who are set to join the military next month and said they “do not deserve the hate.”yesterday#IsraeliTourists #SriLanka #Misconduct

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United Democracy ProjectAIPAC announced it will stop directly funding candidates, but the move appears to be a rebrand rather than a retreat. Amid growing public backlash, its funding is being shifted to the United Democracy Project, a super PAC it established years ago. As a super PAC, it can raise unlimited, harder-to-trace money, and has already received over $90 million from AIPAC members to support candidates.2 days ago#AIPAC #United Democracy Project #USA

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Journalism in the digital worldHow do we prepare the next generation of journalists for a rapidly changing digital world? The 3rd Media and Digital Journalism Academy was launched on November 5 at Democracy and Freedom Island in Istanbul, bringing together TÜİD and Albayrak Media. From digital storytelling and data visualisation to artificial intelligence in journalism, the programme aims to equip participants with the skills needed to navigate today's evolving media landscape. . . Prepared by @mkasgarlii for Yeni Şafak2 days ago#TÜİD #Albayrak Media #The 3rd Media and Digital Journalism Academy #Istanbul

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Bayraktar TB2 hits targets with pinpoint accuracy using air-launched FPV dronesTwo attack drones launched from a Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) struck their targets during a flight test in northwestern Türkiye, Turkish defense firm Baykar said Wednesday. The TB2 took off from the Kesan Flight Training and Test Center in Edirne province carrying 16 first-person-view (FPV) drones developed by Skydagger. It released two of them over the test area, Baykar said. After launch, the TB2 served as an airborne communications relay. Operators used the link to steer the smaller drones into their targets. FPV drones give operators a pilot’s-eye view through an onboard camera. The test adds to the strike capabilities of an aircraft that entered service with the Turkish Armed Forces in 2014 and was first armed in 2015. In addition to flying reconnaissance and surveillance missions, the TB2 can use its onboard laser to designate targets and carry up to four guided munitions, including Roketsan’s MAM-L and MAM-C. The TB2 fleet surpassed 1 million flight hours in 2024, a decade after the aircraft entered service, according to Baykar. Baykar said it has signed export agreements with 36 countries for the TB2 and 16 for its Akinci combat drone, covering 39 countries across the two programs. The company’s exports reached a record $2.2 billion in 2025, and overseas sales have accounted for about 90% of its revenue in recent years.4 days ago#BayraktarTB2 #Baykar #TurkishDefenseIndustry #FPVDrones

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Bayraktar TB2 hits targets with pinpoint accuracy using air-launched FPV drones

#BayraktarTB2 #Baykar #TurkishDefenseIndustry #FPVDrones

Two attack drones launched from a Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) struck their targets during a flight test in northwestern Türkiye, Turkish defense firm Baykar said Wednesday. The TB2 took off from the Kesan Flight Training and Test Center in Edirne province carrying 16 first-person-view (FPV) drones developed by Skydagger. It released two of them over the test area, Baykar said. After launch, the TB2 served as an airborne communications relay. Operators used the link to steer the smaller drones into their targets. FPV drones give operators a pilot’s-eye view through an onboard camera. The test adds to the strike capabilities of an aircraft that entered service with the Turkish Armed Forces in 2014 and was first armed in 2015. In addition to flying reconnaissance and surveillance missions, the TB2 can use its onboard laser to designate targets and carry up to four guided munitions, including Roketsan’s MAM-L and MAM-C. The TB2 fleet surpassed 1 million flight hours in 2024, a decade after the aircraft entered service, according to Baykar. Baykar said it has signed export agreements with 36 countries for the TB2 and 16 for its Akinci combat drone, covering 39 countries across the two programs. The company’s exports reached a record $2.2 billion in 2025, and overseas sales have accounted for about 90% of its revenue in recent years.

4 days ago

Uyghur Artists in IstanbulUyghur musicians and dancers from Türkiye, Europe and Central Asia gathered at Istanbul's Zeytinburnu Culture and Arts Center for a concert dedicated to the Twelve Muqam, the classical musical tradition at the heart of Uyghur culture. Recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, the Muqam is preserved by artists across the diaspora, and Türkiye is home to one of the largest Uyghur communities outside Central Asia.4 days ago#UyghurCulture #TwelveMuqam #CulturalHeritage #Türkiye

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El-Sayed's Jumu'ah khutbahA video showing Abdul El-Sayed delivering a Friday khutbah (sermon) to a Muslim congregation during the COVID-19 pandemic has resurfaced on social media following his election victory. El-Sayed, a physician, epidemiologist and politician from Michigan, holds a PhD in Epidemiology and an MD from Columbia University, as well as a DPhil in Public Health from the University of Oxford, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar. He previously served as an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and as Detroit's Executive Director of Public Health. He also served as director of Wayne County's Department of Health, Human & Veterans Services. Following his victory in the November 3 election, El-Sayed is set to become the first Muslim member of the US Senate when he takes office in January 2027.4 days ago#AbdulElSayed #Michigan #USPolitics #MuslimRepresentation

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America

El-Sayed's Jumu'ah khutbah

#AbdulElSayed #Michigan #USPolitics #MuslimRepresentation

A video showing Abdul El-Sayed delivering a Friday khutbah (sermon) to a Muslim congregation during the COVID-19 pandemic has resurfaced on social media following his election victory. El-Sayed, a physician, epidemiologist and politician from Michigan, holds a PhD in Epidemiology and an MD from Columbia University, as well as a DPhil in Public Health from the University of Oxford, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar. He previously served as an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and as Detroit's Executive Director of Public Health. He also served as director of Wayne County's Department of Health, Human & Veterans Services. Following his victory in the November 3 election, El-Sayed is set to become the first Muslim member of the US Senate when he takes office in January 2027.

4 days ago

Heavy rain inundates tentsHeavy rain has flooded makeshift shelters across Gaza, leaving displaced Palestinians struggling to cope with worsening conditions. Hundreds of thousands of people who lost their homes in Israel’s genocidal attacks are struggling to survive.4 days ago#Gaza #Palestine #GazaFloods #DisplacedPalestinians

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Cat survives fourth-floor fallA cat that fell from the fourth floor of a building in Aydın, Türkiye, was safely caught by local residents who stretched a sheet beneath the building. The residents managed to break the animal’s fall, allowing it to land without injury.4 days ago#CatRescue #Türkiye #Aydın #AnimalRescue

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Gaza artist sketches Michigan Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed in charcoalAn artist in Gaza creates a charcoal portrait of Abdul El-Sayed, the American politician of Egyptian origin, after his victory in the 2026 U.S. Senate race for Michigan.4 days ago#AbdulElSayed #Gaza #MichiganSenateRace #PalestinianArt

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Elon Musk deletes over 40 posts on X after Republicans lose, following $474m in campaign spendingElon Musk has deleted over 40 Election Day posts urging Americans to vote Republican, after Democrats won a landslide in the US midterm elections. The X owner had posted “Vote red today!” on November 3. The post was no longer visible on his account by Wednesday.5 days ago#ElonMusk #USMidtermElections #Republicans #Democrats

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Israeli settler flees after being attacked by wild boar while playing music on occupied land near RamallahMoment an Israeli settler flees after being attacked by a wild boar while playing music on land near Ramallah.5 days ago#IsraeliSettlers #WildBoarAttack #Ramallah #WestBank

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International Islamic Unity ConferenceScholars from across the Muslim world gathered in Istanbul for the International Islamic Unity Conference. Why did they come together, and what are they proposing?last week#IslamicUnity #Istanbul #MuslimWorld #IslamicUnityConference

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Iranian state TV airs guidelines on surviving a nuclear strikeIranian state television has broadcast nuclear emergency guidance, telling citizens how to respond in the event of a nuclear strike. Viewers are advised to take shelter immediately, keep away from windows, turn off ventilation, decontaminate exposed skin and stay indoors for at least 24 hours, while preparing in advance and following official instructions.last week#Iran #NuclearThreat #NuclearEmergency #NuclearSafety #IranStateTV

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Women cry and pray in Assam mosque moments before demolitionMuslim women were seen crying and praying inside a mosque in Gauripur–Alamganj, in Assam’s Dhubri district, on Sunday, moments before it was demolished by Indian authorities during an eviction drive.last week#India #Assam #MosqueDemolition #MuslimWomen #Dhubri

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“Where’s the umbrella?”King Charles was caught in a heavy downpour during Antigua and Barbuda’s 45th Independence Day parade at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, as Queen Camilla was handed an umbrella and moved to covered seating. “Where’s the umbrella?” he asked. An aide later brought him a black umbrella and he continued inspecting the troops. The rain lasted only a few minutes.last week#KingCharles #QueenCamilla #AntiguaAndBarbuda #IndependenceDay #RoyalFamily

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Israel intentionally released footage of Mossad operatives in IranFormer Mossad chief David Barnea has said Israel intentionally released images of a covert operation in Iran during the June 2025 conflict to provoke mass arrests and make it harder for Iranian forces to find real Israeli agents, according to a recent report by The Jerusalem Post. Barnea said the official video with the Mossad logo, released on the morning of Operation Rising Lion, was meant to protect agents on the ground by overwhelming Iranian counterintelligence. He said Iranian authorities arrested 21,000 people during the operation. “We wanted to make sure they arrested so many people in Iran that they wouldn’t be able to distinguish the wheat from the chaff and would eventually release everyone,” he said. Barnea also said some of those hanged in Iran on accusations of working for Israel had no connection to Mossad. last week#Israel #Iran #Gaza

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World

Israel intentionally released footage of Mossad operatives in Iran

#Israel #Iran #Gaza

Former Mossad chief David Barnea has said Israel intentionally released images of a covert operation in Iran during the June 2025 conflict to provoke mass arrests and make it harder for Iranian forces to find real Israeli agents, according to a recent report by The Jerusalem Post. Barnea said the official video with the Mossad logo, released on the morning of Operation Rising Lion, was meant to protect agents on the ground by overwhelming Iranian counterintelligence. He said Iranian authorities arrested 21,000 people during the operation. “We wanted to make sure they arrested so many people in Iran that they wouldn’t be able to distinguish the wheat from the chaff and would eventually release everyone,” he said. Barnea also said some of those hanged in Iran on accusations of working for Israel had no connection to Mossad.

last week