Pakistan President Asif Zardari set for UK visit - Plans to meet PM David Cameron and address Pakistani community in Birmingham

President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari looks set to go ahead with his tour of the UK, after rumours of the trip being cancelled were denied by the Pakistan High Commission.

Mr Zardari will be in the UK from August 3rd to 8th and hold meetings with the British Prime Minister David Cameron, other British leaders and the Pakistani community. The trip had been in doubt following Mr. Cameron's remarks at a press conference with Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh where he said that no-one was in "any doubt" there were terrorist groups operating in Pakistan and the Pakistani government must do more to "crack down on and eliminate" them. Despite domestic pressure and calls for the tour to be cancelled, the Pakistani government has decided to go ahead with the visit.

President Zardari will meet newly elected members of British Parliament of Pakistani origin and other high government functionaries, on 5th August. Then on the 6th, he will hold a meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameroon at the Prime Minister’s country residence in Chequers, on the outskirts of London. On August 7th, he will address the Pakistani community in Birmingham's International Conference Centre. At the event, he is expected to speak about the challenges facing Pakistan and the measures taken by the present democratic government to resolve them.

Pakistan Air Crash - NUPSA statement

As you may be aware, an airliner has crashed near the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, killing all 152 people on board.

The plane, operated by private airline Airblue was travelling from from Karachi to Islamabad when it came down in hills north of the City. For further news on this incident, visit the BBC News and Sky News websites.

Umaronline.com would like to echo the following remarks of NUPSA.

NUPSA: National Union of Pakistan Students and Alumni has released the following statement -

NUPSA expresses its deepest shock and sorrow on the tragic air crash of an Islamabad bound flight ED-202 from Karachi. We also express our sincerest condolences on the loss of six Youth Parliament and NUPSA members: Hassan, Rabab, Bilal, Prem, Owais and Arsalan. Our prayers are with the victims' families and friends, especially the Pakistani Youth Parliament and the entire Pakistani nation for the loss of such bright youth and leaders of the future.

It must also be taken into consideration that these YP members were not traveling on personal business. They were travelling to contribute to a better Pakistan and a better tomorrow. They were travelling on the behalf of all the youth of Pakistan which believes in prosperity and progress. We must never ignore this mission of theirs. Their sacrifice will always be remembered and their mission for a better Pakistan will be continued by NUPSA and all the youth of Pakistan.

NUPSA once again sends its deepest condolences to all those who lost their loved ones and friends in this national tragedy.

In solidarity with our brothers and sisters,

NUPSA.

National Union Of Pakistani Students and Alumni

NUPSA has also organised a Vigil and Dua for those who died in the air crash. The event will be held at Imperial College, South Kensington, London. For further information, visit the event facebook page.

BRADFORD: Campaign against hate gains momentum

An anti-hate campaign to keep the English Defence League (EDL) off the streets of Bradford has started to gain momentum.

Bradford's local newspaper, Telegraph and Argus has started an official campaign against EDL's proposed march in the city at the end of August and today, the campaign was backed by local politicians across the region.

The West Yorkshire city which has seen some of the most devastating race riots in the past continues to recover from the scars of 1999 and is once again standing up to show outright disapproval at EDL's plans. According to the newspaper, any march will 'only damage community relations and threaten the prosperity and harmony of the city and district.'

To stop and march of hate and support the ban on EDL, sign the petition at http://www.bradfordtogether.org.uk/

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POLL: Who will win WC2010?

In my previous poll, around 65% backed Germany to win the World Cup. Now that we know that won't happen, who are you backing to be crowned world champions on Sunday? The classy Spain start as favourites but Brazil-conquerors Holland will want to pull off a shock of sorts in Johannesburg. How do you see it going? Vote now.

NEWS: Dr. Zakir Naik banned from the UK - Poll + Reaction

Dr. Zakir Naik is the founder of Peace TV.

Renowned Islamic scholar and founder of Peace TV Dr. Zakir Naik has been banned from the UK. Dr. Naik was planning to speak at different events in Sheffield, London and Birmingham at the end of the June 2010.

The decision to ban his entry into the UK was taken by Home Secretary Teresa May who said, "Numerous comments made by Dr Naik are evidence to me of his unacceptable behaviour. Coming to the UK is a privilege, not a right and I am not willing to allow those who might not be conducive to the public good to enter the UK." In a press release issued by the Islamic Research Foundation on 11th June, Dr. Naik categorically denied glorifying terrorism, outlining his outright condemnation of 'acts of violence'. He also said he was seeking legal advice over the misrepresentation of his views.

Today's ban has shocked many Muslims in the UK who were looking forward to hearing Dr. Naik in the events organised. However, at the same time, many organisations have supported the Home Secretary's decision to ban Dr. Naik. What do you think? Is the ban on Dr. Naik justified or should it be lifted in interests of freedom of speech. Vote now on the exclusive umaronline.com poll and as always, feel free to drop me an e-mail or comment on this article.

EXCLUSIVE POLL:

LATEST REACTION:

• CEO of Al-Khair Foundation, Imam Qasim Ahmad has e-mailed those who were planning to attend the Al-Khair Peace Conference in which he has appealed for protest to the decision. He writes, You will be aware of malicious reports in some parts of the press regarding Dr Zakir Naik and his proposed participation at the Al-Khair Peace Conference 2010 events at Wembley Arena and Sheffield Arena. These were initiated by an article in the Sunday Times on 30th May 2010 in which Dr Zakir Naik was selectively quoted from his speeches at previous conferences. The quotes were given without the relevant context or were completely untrue. As a result Dr Zakir Naik’s visa to visit the UK has been revoked and we understand that matters are being considered for a legal challenge in the High Court. To strengthen our case your help is required.  Please send a letter of protest to both the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary – template letters are attached for you to use if required where you can simple fill-in your name and address details and sign the letter. Time is of the essence and my personal request to you is to dispatch the letters (by post instead of using emails) as soon as possible to support this case for social justice and freedom. Inshallah, with your help we hope will be able to secure Dr Zakir Naik’s attendance and participation at the APC2010 events. 
• Ramadhan Foundation says the issue is one of freedom of speech. Chief Executive Mohammed Shafiq has said, "You either believe in freedom of speech of you don't. Banning people is not the way to tackle any issue. We must encourage debate and not stifle it. If we disagree with Dr. Naik's views, we must be mature enough to have an open and honest discussion instead of banning him. In this case, I'm not sure how effective the ban will be as he is already broadcasting on Peace TV through Sky TV anyway. It has been interesting to see the likes of Patrick Mercer MP praising the Govt. in its decision to ban Dr. Naik but when it came to Geert Wilders and other right-wing groups/individuals, they used the freedom of speech card"
• Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) have released a press statement clarifying Dr. Naik's views and how they have been taken out of context. You can read the full statement HERE. PR Manager Maqbool Barwelkar went through different quotes from Dr. Naik before concluding, As a student of comparative religion, Dr Zakir Naik has worked tirelessly for the common good amongst people of all faiths engaging in constructive debate and dialogue. These discussions have been hugely successful and have resulted in much progress towards a better understanding of Islam as well as enhanced harmony between people of different beliefs, dispelling fears, suspicions and misunderstandings. Dr Zakir Naik is undoubtedly an opponent of terrorism and as such has often spoken out against all acts of violence and violent extremism. He has emphatically and unequivocally condemned the killing of civilians and is one of the world's regular noted orators on this topic. In the wake of the exclusion order and based on legal advice, Dr Zakir Naik intends to bring the matter before the High Court of the United Kingdom and request a Judicial Review to have the exclusion order overturned.
• Muslim Council of Britain deplores Home Secretary Theresa May’s uncharacteristically intemperate move to ban the renowned Indian mainstream Islamic scholar Dr. Zakir Abdul-Karim Naik. Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari said today "this exclusion order demonstrates the double standards practised by the government concerning freedom of speech. While preachers of hate such as Geert Wilders are free to promote their bigotry in this country, respected Muslim scholars such as Dr Naik are refused entry to the UK under false pretences. It is deeply regrettable this is likely to cause serious damage to community cohesion in our country."
• Pakistan Thinkers Forum UK - Chairman M. Hussain has said, "Dr. Naik should not have been banned because in a democratic society, we value the opinions of others and pride ourselves on respecting them. If you don't agree with someone's opinion, debate or discussion must be the way forward instead of not listening to them at all. The more we strike-down on free speech and dialogue, the more we end up adding fuel to radical and extreme views."
• British Muslims for Secular Democracy (bmsd) approves of the decision to exclude Zakir Naik from the UK, based on thorough research conducted by the Home Office. - Dr Shaaz Mahboob, Vice-Chair of BMSD, said: “This is an encouraging decision from the new Government. We would now like to see them take a similarly firm approach to far-right organisations that stir up racial hatred, and domestic extremists such as the newly-formed ‘Muslims Against Crusades,’ who hurled abuse at the Royal Anglian Regiment homecoming parade in Barking on 15th June 2010.”
• Student Rights - Spokesman Raheem Kassam has stated, “It’s a promising precedent that this government is alert to the dangers of radicalisation. Speakers such as Naik are touring the UK and we must expose and impede them to stop them spreading hate across the country.”

EXCLUSIVE: 'RAAVAN' Red Carpet - Interviews with Abhishek, Vikram, Mani Ratnam and SRK

On Wednesday 16th June 2010, Bollywood heavyweights were in London for the World Premiere of RAAVAN at the BFI, Southbank. On the Red Carpet, India’s most celebrated couple Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan were joined by by fellow cast member Vikram, director Mani Ratnam and king of Bollywood Shahrukh Khan. Umaronline.com brings you exclusive audio interviews with Abhishek Bachchan, Vikram, Mani Ratnam and SRK.

Click HERE to download audio of interviews.*

*Incentive - Vikram, Abhishek and SRK tell us who they will be supporting during the Football World Cup 2010.

Umaronline.com would like to thank BollySpice and Maya Newspaper for providing the following snaps.

BFI Southbank

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan

Mani Ratnam

Shahrukh Khan with his wife, Gauri

The presentation

Vikram and Mani Ratnam

Abhishek Bachchan

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COMING UP: 'RAAVAN' Red Carpet World Premiere

On Wednesday 16th June 2010, Bollywood heavyweights will be in London for the World Premiere of RAAVAN at the BFI, Southbank. India’s most celebrated couple Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan will be joined on the Red Carpet by fellow cast member Vikram, director Mani Ratnam and composer A.R. Rahman. Umaronline.com will bring you exclusive coverage of this event.

Released in cinemas worldwide on Friday 18th June 2010, RAAVAN is from the cinematic tour de force, director Mani Ratnam (Dil Se, Bombay) and Academy Award winner and music maestro A.R Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire). RAAVAN stars Indian cinema royalty and off-screen couple Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan who reunite on screen following the critically acclaimed ‘Guru’, and undisputed superstar of South Indian cinema, Vikram.

Unconventional in equal but harmonized measures, police inspector ‘Dev’ (Vikram) and feisty classical dancer ‘Ragini’ (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) relocate to Lal Maati, a remote town in Northern India, after marrying. On arrival, they discover that the law of the land is firmly grasped in the hands of ‘Beera Munda’ (Abhishek Bachchan), a ruthless tribal who has shifted the power equation in the region from the ruling to the have-nots. Dev knows that the key to restoring order in Lal Maati is to vanquish Beera and in one fell swoop manages to create carnage in Beera’s world, thus setting in motion a chain of events which will claim lives and change fortunes. An injured but enraged Beera now drags both Dev and Ragini into battle through the deepest ravines of the jungle and a labyrinth of human survival. The journey ahead tests the very core of their existence as the lines between good and evil, between Dev and Beera, between Ram and Raavan become ever blurred.

Release: Across the UK by Reliance BIG Pictures on 18th June 2010.

Certificate: TBC.

Running time: 130 minutes.

South Africa WC2010 - ENGLAND EXPECTS

Exclusive tweeting on England's World Cup 2010 journey including live text updates and fan reaction.

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