<p><span class="region">Berlin, Germany </span>
<p>On Friday (Dec 20), a man drove a car into the Christmas market in Germany's eastern city of Magdeburg, killing five people and injuring at least 200. German Police have arrested a Saudi national, a 50-year-old doctor named Taleb Abdul Jawed living in Germany since 2006. </p></p>
<p>After the arrest on Saturday (Dec 21), several claims about the incident have been made on social media. In one such claim, a man shared a post on LinkedIn saying a Saudi girl living in Germany had informed the German Police about his intentions in 2023. </p>
<p>The post by Noor Dahri, Executive Director at Islamic Theology of Counter Terrorism, claimed that the suspect, reportedly an anti-Islamist, had been planning the attack for a long time. The post further claimed that the girl multiple times reported to the police and asked for his arrest, but the police acted in a "bureaucratic manner". </p>
<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gisele-pelicot-her-scarf-some-days-a-shield-other-days-a-hug-785795">Gisèle Pelicot &amp; her scarf: some days a shield, other days a hug</a></strong></p>
<p>The post even shared multiple screenshots of purported chats between the girl and the police department.</p>
<p>Just a month before the incident, the post claimed, Taleb had taken to social media platform X threatening he would kill 20 Germans. The same girl again went to the police and cited his tweet and reported him but was "ignored", the LinkedIn post said. </p>
<h2>An anti-Islamist</h2>
<p>As per reports, Taleb is a physiotherapist and came to Germany in 2006 as a refugee. </p>
<p>As per his social media accounts, he claimed himself to be an anti-Islamist. His LinkedIn bio says "Germany wants to Islamise Europe". </p>
<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/video-ukraine-hits-russian-residential-high-rises-in-kazan-dramatic-visuals-shows-911-like-attack-785770">Video: Ukraine hits Russian residential high-rises in Kazan. Dramatic visuals show '9/11 like attack'</a></strong></p>
<p>Dahri shared another post on LinkedIn claiming that the suspect is an atheist and proudly expresses his tendencies to "slaughter Germans" on X. </p>
<p>The post further claimed Taleb is wanted by Saudi Arabia on charges related to terrorism, and smuggling girls from Saudi and other European countries. </p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


He claimed in the LinkedIn post that a girl had reported the suspect to  police multiple times and asked for his arrest, but the police acted in a 'bureaucratic manner.'



Berlin, Germany On Friday (Dec 20), a man drove a car into the Christmas market in Germany's eastern city of Magdeburg, killing five people and injuring at least 200. German Police have arrested a Saudi national, a 50-year-old doctor named Taleb Abdul Jawed living in Germany since 2006. After the arrest on Saturday (Dec 21), several claims about the incident have been made on social media. In one such claim, a man shared a post on LinkedIn saying a Saudi girl living in Germany had informed the German Police about his intentions in 2023. The post by Noor Dahri, Executive Director at Islamic Theology of Counter Terrorism, claimed that the suspect, reportedly an anti-Islamist, had been planning the attack for a long time. The post further claimed that the girl multiple times reported to the police and asked for his arrest, but the police acted in a "bureaucratic manner". Also read | Gisèle Pelicot & her scarf: some days a shield, other days a hug The post even shared multiple screenshots of purported chats between the girl and the police department. Just a month before the incident, the post claimed, Taleb had taken to social media platform X threatening he would kill 20 Germans. The same girl again went to the police and cited his tweet and reported him but was "ignored", the LinkedIn post said. An anti-Islamist As per reports, Taleb is a physiotherapist and came to Germany in 2006 as a refugee. As per his social media accounts, he claimed himself to be an anti-Islamist. His LinkedIn bio says "Germany wants to Islamise Europe". Also read | Video: Ukraine hits Russian residential high-rises in Kazan. Dramatic visuals show '9/11 like attack' Dahri shared another post on LinkedIn claiming that the suspect is an atheist and proudly expresses his tendencies to "slaughter Germans" on X. The post further claimed Taleb is wanted by Saudi Arabia on charges related to terrorism, and smuggling girls from Saudi and other European countries. (With inputs from agencies)

German Police was alerted about the Christmas market attack?  Social media claims suggest so

<p>On Friday (Dec 20), a man drove a car into the Christmas market in Germany's eastern city of Magdeburg, killing five people and injuring at least 200. German Police have arrested a Saudi national, a 50-year-old doctor named Taleb Abdul Jawed living in Germany since 2006.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the arrest on Saturday (Dec 21), several claims about the incident have been made on social media. In one such claim, a man shared a post on LinkedIn saying a Saudi girl living in Germany had informed the German Police about his intentions in 2023.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The post by Noor Dahri, Executive Director at Islamic Theology of Counter Terrorism, claimed that the suspect, reportedly an anti-Islamist, had been planning the attack for a long time. The post further&nbsp;claimed that the girl multiple times reported to the police and asked for his arrest, but the police acted in a "bureaucratic manner".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gisele-pelicot-her-scarf-some-days-a-shield-other-days-a-hug-785795">Gisèle Pelicot &amp; her scarf: some days a shield, other days a hug</a></strong></p>

<p>The post even shared multiple screenshots of purported chats between the girl and the police department.</p>

<p>Just a month before the incident, the post claimed, Taleb had taken to social media platform X threatening he would kill 20 Germans. The same girl again went to the police and cited his tweet and reported him but was "ignored", the LinkedIn post said.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>An anti-Islamist</h2>

<p>As per reports, Taleb is a physiotherapist and came to Germany in 2006 as a refugee.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per his social media accounts, he claimed himself to be an anti-Islamist. His LinkedIn bio says "Germany wants to Islamise Europe".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/video-ukraine-hits-russian-residential-high-rises-in-kazan-dramatic-visuals-shows-911-like-attack-785770">Video: Ukraine hits Russian residential high-rises in Kazan. Dramatic visuals show '9/11 like attack'</a></strong></p>

<p>Dahri shared another post on LinkedIn claiming that the suspect is an atheist and proudly expresses his tendencies to "slaughter Germans" on X.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The post further claimed Taleb is wanted by Saudi Arabia on charges related to terrorism, and smuggling girls from Saudi and other European countries.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


On Friday (Dec 20), a man drove a car into the Christmas market in Germany's eastern city of Magdeburg, killing five people and injuring at least 200. German Police have arrested a Saudi national, a 50-year-old doctor named Taleb Abdul Jawed living in Germany since 2006.

On Friday (Dec 20), a man drove a car into the Christmas market in Germany's eastern city of Magdeburg, killing five people and injuring at least 200. German Police have arrested a Saudi national, a 50-year-old doctor named Taleb Abdul Jawed living in Germany since 2006. After the arrest on Saturday (Dec 21), several claims about the incident have been made on social media. In one such claim, a man shared a post on LinkedIn saying a Saudi girl living in Germany had informed the German Police about his intentions in 2023. The post by Noor Dahri, Executive Director at Islamic Theology of Counter Terrorism, claimed that the suspect, reportedly an anti-Islamist, had been planning the attack for a long time. The post further claimed that the girl multiple times reported to the police and asked for his arrest, but the police acted in a "bureaucratic manner". Also read | Gisèle Pelicot & her scarf: some days a shield, other days a hug The post even shared multiple screenshots of purported chats between the girl and the police department. Just a month before the incident, the post claimed, Taleb had taken to social media platform X threatening he would kill 20 Germans. The same girl again went to the police and cited his tweet and reported him but was "ignored", the LinkedIn post said. An anti-Islamist As per reports, Taleb is a physiotherapist and came to Germany in 2006 as a refugee. As per his social media accounts, he claimed himself to be an anti-Islamist. His LinkedIn bio says "Germany wants to Islamise Europe". Also read | Video: Ukraine hits Russian residential high-rises in Kazan. Dramatic visuals show '9/11 like attack' Dahri shared another post on LinkedIn claiming that the suspect is an atheist and proudly expresses his tendencies to "slaughter Germans" on X. The post further claimed Taleb is wanted by Saudi Arabia on charges related to terrorism, and smuggling girls from Saudi and other European countries. (With inputs from agencies)

Clashes broke out at an anti-Islam rally in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The situation came to a head when a female member of SIAN ripped pages from the Quran and spat on them.

Norway: Anti-Islam protester ripped pages from Muslim holy book

<p>A popular Indian-origin chef in the United Arab Emirates has landed in a controversy after he allegedly posted an anti-Islam tweet, triggering calls for his sacking, a media report said today.</p>

<p>Atul Kochhar, a Michelin-Star chef well known here for his Rang Mahal Indian restaurant at the JW Marriott Marquis hotel, received flak after taking a dig at Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra for her tweet over an episode in American television series 'Quantico' that purportedly portrayed Hindu nationalists as terrorists, the Khaleej Times reported.</p>

<p>"It's sad to see that you (Priyanka) have not respected the sentiments of Hindus who have been terrorized by Islam over 2000 years. Shame on You (sic)," Kochhar tweeted. He later deleted the tweet and apologised for the "major error" that was "made in the heat of the moment&nbsp;on Sunday", the paper said.</p>

<p>"There is no justification for my tweet ... I fully recognise my inaccuracies that Islam was founded round 1400 years ago and I sincerely apologise. I am not Islamophobic, I deeply regret my comments that have offended many," Kochhar tweeted yesterday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The anti-Islam tweet created a furore on social media, with twitter&nbsp;calling for firing the chef. Popular commentator and Arab journalist Khaled Almaeena tweeted: "You (Kochhar) have offended me..As a person who loves India its people no matter what their caste or creed. As a secular and liberal, it truly is a horror statement."</p>

<p>Some said they would boycott the restaurant. "Chef celebrity showed his true colours. I won't eat here after reading the racist tweets by the head chef," a UAE resident posted on his Facebook page.</p>

<p>"I have cancelled my wedding anniversary meal for next month at your restaurant. You knew exactly what you meant as you tweeted that message," another Twitter user added.</p>

<p>JW Marriot hotel, however, distanced itself from the chef's comments. "We are aware of the comments made by Chef Atul Kochhar. We would like to stress that we do not share the same views as stated in the remark, nor is it a representation of the culture of diversity and inclusion that we pride ourselves on at the hotel," the hotel tweeted yesterday.</p>


A popular Indian-origin chef in the United Arab Emirates has landed in a controversy after he allegedly posted an anti-Islam tweet

A popular Indian-origin chef in the United Arab Emirates has landed in a controversy after he allegedly posted an anti-Islam tweet, triggering calls for his sacking, a media report said today. Atul Kochhar, a Michelin-Star chef well known here for his Rang Mahal Indian restaurant at the JW Marriott Marquis hotel, received flak after taking a dig at Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra for her tweet over an episode in American television series 'Quantico' that purportedly portrayed Hindu nationalists as terrorists, the Khaleej Times reported. "It's sad to see that you (Priyanka) have not respected the sentiments of Hindus who have been terrorized by Islam over 2000 years. Shame on You (sic)," Kochhar tweeted. He later deleted the tweet and apologised for the "major error" that was "made in the heat of the moment on Sunday", the paper said. "There is no justification for my tweet ... I fully recognise my inaccuracies that Islam was founded round 1400 years ago and I sincerely apologise. I am not Islamophobic, I deeply regret my comments that have offended many," Kochhar tweeted yesterday. The anti-Islam tweet created a furore on social media, with twitter calling for firing the chef. Popular commentator and Arab journalist Khaled Almaeena tweeted: "You (Kochhar) have offended me..As a person who loves India its people no matter what their caste or creed. As a secular and liberal, it truly is a horror statement." Some said they would boycott the restaurant. "Chef celebrity showed his true colours. I won't eat here after reading the racist tweets by the head chef," a UAE resident posted on his Facebook page. "I have cancelled my wedding anniversary meal for next month at your restaurant. You knew exactly what you meant as you tweeted that message," another Twitter user added. JW Marriot hotel, however, distanced itself from the chef's comments. "We are aware of the comments made by Chef Atul Kochhar. We would like to stress that we do not share the same views as stated in the remark, nor is it a representation of the culture of diversity and inclusion that we pride ourselves on at the hotel," the hotel tweeted yesterday.

Call for sacking of Indian-origin chef in UAE after 'anti-Islam' tweet

<p>Pakistan has once again banned Valentine Day&#39;s celebrations and its media coverage after the Islamabad High Court ruled the holiday as &quot;un-Islamic&quot;.</p>

<p>The Voice of America reported that in order to comply with the court ruling, Pakistan`s Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) imposed guidelines to its TV and radio licenses to remind them of the ban.</p>

<p>&quot;Respondents are directed to ensure that nothing about the celebrations of Valentine`s Day and its promotion is spread on the Electronic and Print media. No event shall be held on an official level and at any public place. PEMRA is directed to ensure that all the TV channels shall stop the promotion of Valentine`s Day forthwith,&quot; the PEMRA said in a statement.</p>

<p>The judgment also prohibited any advertising or the sale of merchandise associated with Valentine`s Day.The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday issued a judgment on a petition claiming that Valentine`s Day was spreading &quot;immorality, nudity and indecency&quot; in the society.</p>

<p>The court also prohibited its celebrations in public places and government offices in Islamabad.</p>

<p>It further instructed PEMRA to &quot;ensure that nothing about the celebration of Valentine&#39;s Day and its promotion is spread&quot;.</p>

<p>The ruling has also affected many businesses across the country.</p>

<p>In a similar ban last year, flower vendors and shops selling Valentine`s Day-related items reported a huge drop in sales.In recent years, Pakistan has been observing Valentine`s Day on February 14th every year.</p>

<p>Most youths use the symbolic day to exchange cards, chocolates and gifts with their loved ones.However, owing to the conservative society, public displays of love and affection are not allowed, since it is considered &quot;a violation of Islam and Pakistani culture.</p>

<p>&quot;Many religious groups and political parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami have openly supported the ban of Valentine`s Day celebrations in the country.In 2016, Valentine`s Day celebrations were prohibited by local authorities in Kohat, a city in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.</p>

<p>Also, Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain had warned citizens to refrain from celebrating Valentine`s Day as it was &quot;not a part of Muslim tradition, but of the West.</p>

<p>However, some Twitter users expressed displeasure with the court ruling by posting on the micro-blogging site using the hashtag #ValentinesAndIslam.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My question:<br />
Can Muslims celebrate Valentine&#39;s Day?<br />
I&#39;m not asking if it is shirk ,as in, Is it shirk for a Muslim to celebrate Valentine&#39;s Day?. Instead, I am asking if it is permissible to celebrate Valentine&#39;s Day.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ValentinesAndIslam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ValentinesAndIslam</a></p>
&mdash; Arsim CH (@ArsimTariq) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArsimTariq/status/963457497569914880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ValentinesAndIslam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ValentinesAndIslam</a><br />
<br />
Love is not haram .....what u do with that love is haram....</p>
&mdash; Abdullah Ali (@Abdulla58741293) <a href="https://twitter.com/Abdulla58741293/status/963458061489852419?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<p>However, some supported the court ruling.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It is not permissible for a Muslim to get caught up in the valentine&rsquo;s un-Islamic environment and mood.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ValentinesAndIslam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ValentinesAndIslam</a></p>
&mdash; Hania Tariq (@haniachoudhry) <a href="https://twitter.com/haniachoudhry/status/963461304206921728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Islam clearly forbids people to stop &#39;Behayai&#39; &amp; the modern trend of Valentines means Behayi. Stop Behayi you dont need to follow western cultures to Love someone! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ValentinesAndIslam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ValentinesAndIslam</a></p>
&mdash; Mehmood Hassan (@iMehmoodHassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/iMehmoodHassan/status/963458666086260738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It is not permissible for a Muslim to get caught up in the valentine&rsquo;s un-Islamic environment and mood.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ValentinesAndIslam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ValentinesAndIslam</a></p>
&mdash; احسن لاکھا (@AhsanLakha178) <a href="https://twitter.com/AhsanLakha178/status/963485451226091521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The Voice of America reported that in order to comply with the court ruling, Pakistan`s Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) imposed guidelines to its TV and radio licenses to remind them of the ban

Pakistan has once again banned Valentine Day's celebrations and its media coverage after the Islamabad High Court ruled the holiday as "un-Islamic". The Voice of America reported that in order to comply with the court ruling, Pakistan`s Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) imposed guidelines to its TV and radio licenses to remind them of the ban. "Respondents are directed to ensure that nothing about the celebrations of Valentine`s Day and its promotion is spread on the Electronic and Print media. No event shall be held on an official level and at any public place. PEMRA is directed to ensure that all the TV channels shall stop the promotion of Valentine`s Day forthwith," the PEMRA said in a statement. The judgment also prohibited any advertising or the sale of merchandise associated with Valentine`s Day.The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday issued a judgment on a petition claiming that Valentine`s Day was spreading "immorality, nudity and indecency" in the society. The court also prohibited its celebrations in public places and government offices in Islamabad. It further instructed PEMRA to "ensure that nothing about the celebration of Valentine's Day and its promotion is spread". The ruling has also affected many businesses across the country. In a similar ban last year, flower vendors and shops selling Valentine`s Day-related items reported a huge drop in sales.In recent years, Pakistan has been observing Valentine`s Day on February 14th every year. Most youths use the symbolic day to exchange cards, chocolates and gifts with their loved ones.However, owing to the conservative society, public displays of love and affection are not allowed, since it is considered "a violation of Islam and Pakistani culture. "Many religious groups and political parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami have openly supported the ban of Valentine`s Day celebrations in the country.In 2016, Valentine`s Day celebrations were prohibited by local authorities in Kohat, a city in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Also, Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain had warned citizens to refrain from celebrating Valentine`s Day as it was "not a part of Muslim tradition, but of the West. However, some Twitter users expressed displeasure with the court ruling by posting on the micro-blogging site using the hashtag #ValentinesAndIslam. My question: Can Muslims celebrate Valentine's Day? I'm not asking if it is shirk ,as in, Is it shirk for a Muslim to celebrate Valentine's Day?. Instead, I am asking if it is permissible to celebrate Valentine's Day.#ValentinesAndIslam — Arsim CH (@ArsimTariq) February 13, 2018 × #ValentinesAndIslam Love is not haram .....what u do with that love is haram.... — Abdullah Ali (@Abdulla58741293) February 13, 2018 × However, some supported the court ruling. It is not permissible for a Muslim to get caught up in the valentine’s un-Islamic environment and mood.#ValentinesAndIslam — Hania Tariq (@haniachoudhry) February 13, 2018 × Islam clearly forbids people to stop 'Behayai' & the modern trend of Valentines means Behayi. Stop Behayi you dont need to follow western cultures to Love someone! #ValentinesAndIslam — Mehmood Hassan (@iMehmoodHassan) February 13, 2018 × It is not permissible for a Muslim to get caught up in the valentine’s un-Islamic environment and mood.#ValentinesAndIslam — احسن لاکھا (@AhsanLakha178) February 13, 2018 ×

Pakistan bans Valentine Day's celebrations after High Court ruling

<p>Islamophobic terms invented by Chinese Internet users to stigmatize Muslims have been blocked by the authorities on Chinese social media as reported by Global Times.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Anti-Islamic words were invented by Chinese Internet users to stigmatize Muslims. Searches for &quot;green religion&quot; and &quot;peaceful religion&quot;, used by users referring Islam to circumvent censorship of inappropriate online speech, did not show results on China&#39;s Weibo microblog on Wednesday.</p>

<p>Posts containing the phrases cannot be posted for &quot;violations of Weibo&#39;s complaints related rules.&quot; Insults against Islam are also blocked in Weibo&#39;s search engine, it said.</p>

<p>In recent years, discontent and fears of Muslims have been on rising on the internet in China. &nbsp;Complainers target Chinese authorities&#39; affirmative discrimination policies toward ethnic minorities, especially Muslim groups, Global Times reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ban came after an alleged brawl involving Muslim people at a toll booth went viral, netizens inundated the official Weibo accounts of Tangshan city government departments with complaints about the country&#39;s allegedly partial treatment of Muslims for the sake of social stability, said PTI.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;It&#39;s necessary to timely remove radical phrases that discriminate against Islam and are biased against Muslims to prevent worsening online hatred towards the group. Those phrases severely undermine religious harmony and ethnic unity,&quot; said Xiong Kunxin, a professor at Beijing&#39;s Minzu University of China in Beijing reported the newspaper.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;&quot;Blocking such phrases is not an infringement of people&#39;s freedom of speech as freedom should abide by China&#39;s related regulations and law,&quot; Xiong said. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The officially atheist, China also protects its residents&#39;rights to practice their religion. This year the Chinese government assisted 12,800 Muslims in making the pilgrimage to Mecca and also closing streets for Muslims to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Right now, China has 20 million Muslims, according to the 2013 population census, Global Times said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


'Islamophobic' terms used by Chinese internet users have been blocked by the authorities

Islamophobic terms invented by Chinese Internet users to stigmatize Muslims have been blocked by the authorities on Chinese social media as reported by Global Times. Anti-Islamic words were invented by Chinese Internet users to stigmatize Muslims. Searches for "green religion" and "peaceful religion", used by users referring Islam to circumvent censorship of inappropriate online speech, did not show results on China's Weibo microblog on Wednesday. Posts containing the phrases cannot be posted for "violations of Weibo's complaints related rules." Insults against Islam are also blocked in Weibo's search engine, it said. In recent years, discontent and fears of Muslims have been on rising on the internet in China. Complainers target Chinese authorities' affirmative discrimination policies toward ethnic minorities, especially Muslim groups, Global Times reported. The ban came after an alleged brawl involving Muslim people at a toll booth went viral, netizens inundated the official Weibo accounts of Tangshan city government departments with complaints about the country's allegedly partial treatment of Muslims for the sake of social stability, said PTI. "It's necessary to timely remove radical phrases that discriminate against Islam and are biased against Muslims to prevent worsening online hatred towards the group. Those phrases severely undermine religious harmony and ethnic unity," said Xiong Kunxin, a professor at Beijing's Minzu University of China in Beijing reported the newspaper. "Blocking such phrases is not an infringement of people's freedom of speech as freedom should abide by China's related regulations and law," Xiong said. The officially atheist, China also protects its residents'rights to practice their religion. This year the Chinese government assisted 12,800 Muslims in making the pilgrimage to Mecca and also closing streets for Muslims to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr. Right now, China has 20 million Muslims, according to the 2013 population census, Global Times said.

China bans Islamophobic terms on Internet

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German Police was alerted about the Christmas market attack? Social media claims suggest so

German Police was alerted about the Christmas market attack? Social media claims suggest so

Norway: Anti-Islam protester ripped pages from Muslim holy book

Call for sacking of Indian-origin chef in UAE after 'anti-Islam' tweet

Pakistan bans Valentine Day's celebrations after High Court ruling

China bans Islamophobic terms on Internet