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Articles by Ali Orokzai
On X, Khamenei dignifies Raisi's legacy, sparking outrage
On June 11, Iranian embassies worldwide launched a three-day campaign inviting host countries to sign a book of condolences nearly a month after a helicopter crash killed Iran's top state officials, including President Ebrahim Raisi. Iran is set to hold presidential elections on June 28 after a short-run campaign featuring six candidates pre-approved by the Guardian Council.
Afghan poet falsely claims that Afghanistan's Panjshir is part of Iran Original
On March 25, Iran-based Tasnim News Agency posted an article headlined "Leader Encourages Poets to Harness Power of Poetry Against Global Tyranny.” It noted that 40 poets gathered at the Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah in Tehran, a part of the House of Leadership, where Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appears publicly.
Blue-checked X user misrepresents police brutality video as display of Pakistan–Afghanistan tensions Original
A blue-checked X user, self-identified as “Rajendra Singh” or “RS,” with about 11,000 followers, routinely posts violent and graphic footage, often with misleading or false descriptions. In his profile, RS uses “Bharat,” the ancient Hindu name for India, as a location tag. On March 28, RS shared footage showing a group of four men wearing police uniforms and armed with automatic rifles beating a fifth man in civilian clothes inside of what appears to be a private residence, a house.
X Influencer Faked Taliban Statement Announcing Military Invasion of Pakistan Original
Share X Influencer Faked Taliban Statement Announcing Military Invasion of Pakistan “BREAKING: We ordered the border forces of 3 provinces to attack Pakistan. Currently our operation is going on. We have captured 9 Pakistani posts & torched them. Significant damage to Pak Army brigade hq in our retaliation, says Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid.” On March 18, Pakistan conducted air strikes purportedly targeting armed groups hiding in regions of Afghanistan bordering Pakistan.
Iran’s Fars News Agency Stirs Misinformation About Leaked Hospital CCTV Footage Original
On March 3, Iran International, a London-based Persian-language news television channel, shared CCTV footage taken inside a hospital in the Iranian city of Qom, causing heated discussions both inside Iran and online. The video shows a brief conflict between a young woman and a man dressed in a robe traditionally worn by Islamic clergymen in Iran.
Prince Salman Did Not Free Saudi Women from Sharia Dress Code
Share Prince Salman Did Not Free Saudi Women from Sharia Dress Code “Saudi Prince Salman: From now on, only Saudi Arabian women can decide what clothing Saudi Arabian women will wear.” On February 25, Globe Eye News, a blue-checked X account, claimed that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud promised Saudi women the freedom to choose what to wear.
Is Writing ‘Halwa’ in Arabic Blasphemous? Original
On February 26, an angry group of some 300 men gathered outside a restaurant in Pakistan’s capital Lahore, where a woman was seen wearing an outfit made with a fabric with imprinted Arabic calligraphy. The mob surrounded the woman threatening to harm her physically and even kill her for offending the Muslim religion by wearing a dress with Quranic verses: "This woman has disrespected the Quran. She did it with purpose," mobsters shouted. That is false.
Khamenei Falsely Blames US for Iranian Regime's Declining Public Approval Original
On February 20, 2024, Iranian imprisoned three activists who called for an election boycott and criticized the Islamic Republic in the run-up to Iran's parliamentary elections, set for March 1. Khamenei, who holds the final authority on all matters in Iran, has impeded "essential structural reform" and held back "the contributions of capable individuals." Forty-five years ago, in 1979, Islamist overthrew Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and established an Islamic republic.
Contrary to Iranian FM’s Claim, Iran isn’t Among the Top Five Countries in Science and Technology Original
On February 11, Iran commemorated the 45th of its 1979 Islamic Revolution, with many Iranians marching through major streets with flags and banners. The celebrations were not just a display of nationalism but also an expression of support for Palestine. Al Jazeera reported that during the festivities, a paratrooper jumped from a plane while displaying the Palestinian flag.
American Porn Star's Gleeful Depiction of Iran Distorts Regime’s Oppressive Nature Original
Share American Porn Star's Gleeful Depiction of Iran Distorts Regime’s Oppressive Nature “If you respect the law, you will be safe in Iran.” On February 7, , an American porn star and Instagram influencer, shared a photograph of herself posing in front of the former United States Embassy in Tehran, Iran. Wright appeared standing next to a lowered American flag at her feet, with sunglasses pushed up to her head and a scarf loosely covering her hair, leaving most of it exposed.
Iran’s Denial of Backing ‘Any’ Militias in ‘Iraq, Syria or Elsewhere’ is Patently False
The United States attributed a drone attack on a U.S. Army base in northeast Jordan that killed three U.S. troops and wounded more than 40 others to the Islamic Resistance of Iraq. The U.S. National Security Council’s John Kirby said on February 2 that the group is an umbrella organization for Iran-backed militias, including Kataib Hezbollah.
Taliban Health Minister Denies Afghanistan's Mother and Child Mortality Rate is Skyrocketing Original
On December 21, 2023, Taliban Health Minister Qalandar Ibad discussed the state of health care in Afghanistan with Agenda AWANI, a Malaysian news channel, during his visit to the Southeast Asian country. Qalandar dismissed a World Health Organization (WHO) report that said Afghanistan's healthcare system was collapsing, with shortages of medical supplies and healthcare professionals, and unpaid wages.
Missile Strike Exchanges Between Iran and Pakistan Prompt Viral Fakes on X
Share Missile Strike Exchanges Between Iran and Pakistan Prompt Viral Fakes on X “The Pakistani army entered Iran and struck and destroyed a number of bases belonging to terrorist separatist groups based in Iran with missiles and drones.” After Iran and Pakistan exchanged missile strikes in mid-January, falsified news about the two regional powers’ escalating conflict, including fabricated statements and documents, went viral on X.
Iran’s 17 Surveillance Tapes Show Journalists Accused of Spying Are Being Prosecuted for Independent Reporting Original
On January 14, the Iranian regime released journalists Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi from prison after 16 months of incarceration. Each of them posted $200,000 bail, and the court imposed a travel ban on both, preventing them from leaving Iran. On January 15, just one day after their release, Iran’s judiciary launched a new case against the journalists, accusing them of violating hijab regulations by not covering their hair. If convicted, both women face an additional prison term.
Afghan Women, Girls Detained Over ‘Bad Hijab’ But Taliban Deny Enforcing Dress Code
Share Afghan Women, Girls Detained Over ‘Bad Hijab’ But Taliban Deny Enforcing Dress Code “The concern of the UNAMA for women is incorrect. The concern of the UNAMA about the mistreatment of women in Afghanistan regarding their hijab, is incorrect. Afghan women wear hijab on their own, neither they have been forced to do so, nor the ministry of vice and virtue mistreated them.
Iran Baselessly Blames US, Israel for Kerman Attack Original
Share Iran Baselessly Blames US, Israel for Kerman Attack "Washington says USA and Israel had no role in terrorist attack in Kerman, Iran. Really? A fox smells its own lair first. Make no mistake. The responsibility for this crime lies with the US and Zionist regimes and terrorism is just a tool." On January 3, two explosions in the Iranian city of Kerman killed nearly 100 people and injured 284 others, including children.
Despite Denials, Pakistan Deported Afghan Refugees Waiting for US Resettlement Original
Share Despite Denials, Pakistan Deported Afghan Refugees Waiting for US Resettlement On December 26, The Times of India reported that Pakistan has been deporting Afghan refugees who had been granted resettlement in the United States. “Pakistan deported Afghans waiting for US resettlement: Sources,” The Times of India posted on X. Pakistan has denied targeting Afghan refugees for deportation.
Police in Iran Falsely Deny Arresting Man for Dancing and Singing Original
Sadegh Bagheri, an Iranian market stall owner in the Caspian Sea coastal city of Rasht in northern Gilan province, was captured on video dancing and singing a folk song with onlookers clapping, dancing, and singing along. Bagheri published the video on his Instagram account with some 120,000 followers at the end of November.
Jill Biden Pushes Free Access to Community College, Training
WASHINGTON - Jill Biden is pushing free access to community college and training programs, saying the schools will be an important part of Biden administration efforts to rebuild the economy. A longtime community college professor and advocate, the first lady said people struggling to get by during the coronavirus-induced economic slump need access to these schools. "We have to get this done. And we have to do it now.
Laughter Yoga Replaces 'Ommmm' with 'Hahaha'
"Laughter is the best medicine" is a common phrase often found printed on plaques and sewn onto pillows at your grandma's house. But the practice of yoga has taken it in a whole new direction over the years. We found a laughter yoga class in Richmond, Virginia. Ali Orokzai was there and has the story. Bezhan Hamdard narrates.
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