Bharat Rakshak

Sa’ad Bin Atef Al-Awlaki, the leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), has released a disturbing 34-minute video in which he calls for jihad against the United States and the assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and several individuals closely tied to the White House.

In his message, Al-Awlaki escalated his rhetoric further, urging supporters to also target the families of American officials with connections to the current administration.

This video emerged in the context of the United States reaffirming its support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

“There are no boundaries left after what has occurred—and continues to occur—to our people in Gaza,” Al-Awlaki proclaimed, making an open call to Muslims residing in the United States, regardless of their racial or national origin, to seek vengeance.

“As an initial and decisive action, I call upon every Muslim living in the sinful, arrogant, and criminal United States—whether Arab, American, or of any other descent. The only thing that matters is that they are Muslims, followers of the Prophet Muhammad,” he stated.

Under Japan’s cemetery and burial law and prefectural ordinances, new cemeteries require approval from local municipalities. Although Japan does not legally prohibit burials, many municipalities effectively ban them through local ordinances.

The idea to build burial sites for Muslims emerged as part of Miyagi Prefecture’s efforts to attract foreign workers, particularly from Islamic countries such as Indonesia.

Due to religious beliefs, Muslims cannot be cremated, but Japan has only about 10 cemeteries nationwide that allow burials.

In 2023, the prefectural government signed a memorandum with the Indonesian government to accept more technical interns and skilled workers.

Anticipating a rise in long-term residents, Murai had identified the need to “create a supportive living environment,” including burial options, as a key policy goal.

In October last year, Murai told the prefectural assembly that he wanted to explore building burial sites for Muslims and others who, for religious reasons, do not wish to be cremated. Prefectural staff began visiting existing burial sites outside the prefecture to gather information.

When media reported in late December that Murai was considering building burial sites, the prefectural office was flooded with calls and emails expressing concern and opposition.

In March, Murai condemned discriminatory social media posts targeting Muslims and reiterated his commitment to the burial site plan.

“Japan originally had a burial culture. Christianity is also based on burial. Even the imperial family used to be buried,” he said.

He emphasized that the issue affected not only foreign residents but also Japanese converts to Islam.

The sudden reversal has sparked speculation that Murai’s decision was politically motivated. He is currently serving his fifth term and plans to run for a sixth. Official campaigning will kick off on Oct. 9 and voting is scheduled for Oct. 26.

KITA-KYUSHU, Fukuoka Prefecture–Education officials here are grappling with an xenophobic backlash sparked by social media misinformation claiming that the city plans to provide school lunch options tailored for Muslim students.

Over a six-day period ending Sept. 24, officials received more than 1,000 complaints and inquiries, with some residents stating, “If they are attending Japanese schools, they should eat what is served."

At a news conference on Sept. 24, the city’s board of education clarified that no decision has been made to introduce meals specifically for Muslim students.

“As someone responsible for educational administration, I find this deeply disheartening,” said Kiyoji Ota, who heads the board. “Our goal is simply to see children enjoying their meals. I hope people will take a moment to reflect on that.”

The controversy stems from a 2023 petition submitted by a Muslim woman requesting halal school lunches. Although the issue was discussed in the municipal assembly, the petition was ultimately not adopted.

However, misleading claims spread online, suggesting the petition had passed and that the city had implemented Muslim-focused school lunches.

Officials emphasized the logistical challenges of implementing halal meals citywide, citing limited kitchen facilities, staffing and budget.

Meanwhile, they also highlighted ongoing efforts to make meals more inclusive for students with allergies and general religious dietary needs—not specifically those of Muslim students.

For example, some dishes have substituted chicken for pork. As a result, these changes have created more opportunities for Muslim students to eat the same meals as their peers, officials noted.

The development comes amid a growing wave of anti-immigrant sentiment in Japan, as the country sees an increasing number of foreign workers and tourists.

This week, the Japan International Cooperation Agency is expected to scrap its Africa Hometown project following a similar backlash fueled by social media misinformation.

The symbolic cultural and international friendship program was misunderstood as a plan to issue special visas to migrants from four African countries, prompting widespread criticism of the aid agency.

"We poured millions into spreading Islam in Japan. And after six years, only one person converted, and he wasn’t even Japanese": Iranian official

sanjaykumar wrote: ↑31 Oct 2025 20:01 Education wealth and culture usually make for good inoculation.

Compare with let’s say India.

sanjaykumar wrote: ↑01 Nov 2025 01:17 South Korea was converted wholesale decades ago. More to do with the Korean War, American troops, and poverty ( at the time)

sanjaykumar wrote: ↑01 Nov 2025 08:24 Japan was already entering the technology age during the close of the 19th century. The Meiji restoration. They had and have an intense xenophobia possibly given their sequestered geography.

...

Rudradev wrote: ↑01 Nov 2025 03:56 Buddhism was a sitting duck for Islam when it came to India, and has more recently been a sitting duck for Christianity when it went to East and Southeast Asia.

No wonder University-educated Westerners who deplore Hindootva are all full of praise for Buddhism as enlightened and progressive.

On the rare occasions when Buddhists organize and stand up for themselves— as in Myanmar, against the Rohingya jihadi terrorists— the Western Liberal tone quickly changes to one of vituperative hostility.