NOK Desk

Articles / Islamic Education

Turning Away from a Troubled World: Finding Peace Through Faith and Inner Reflection

by
Dr Akram Nadwi

Wherever you cast your gaze, you behold rampant evil and blazing corruption; wherever you alight or journey on, trials receive you in succession like the ceaseless waves of an unquiet sea, and wars follow one upon another as though they were a fate unwilling to loosen its grip upon this earth.
Turn away from this world with deliberate resolve, and say to it in the calm of one assured: Peace be upon you; I am not of you, nor are you of me. Recite within yourself the words of the Friend: “I love not those that set.” For what declines deserves not to be adored, and what perishes ought not to be made a homeland for the heart. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Fashion for yourself another world, one unseen by eyes yet apprehended by insight; a world you build in your depths, brick by brick: a brick of patience, a brick of certainty, and a roof of hope raised high above them. Turn towards your own soul as a lover turns towards the beloved, and enter into an inward retreat wherein you cleanse the mind of its impurities, the heart of its dust, and restore the spirit to its first clarity, when it was nearer to heaven than to earth.
Let not the clamour of people trouble you thereafter, nor their disputes, nor the trifles over which they contend; they are but passing shadows and a mirage that the thirsty supposes to be water. Make your chief concern the worship of your Lord and the seeking of His pleasure, and say in the humility of the knower and the certainty of the convinced: “Indeed, I have turned my face towards Him who created the heavens and the earth, inclining wholly to truth, and I am not of those who associate others with Him.”
When you do this, what was turbulent within you shall grow still, what was agitated shall be calmed, and you will perceive that though the edges of the world tremble with unrest, within the heart there remains a spaciousness for a peace no war can disturb, and a light no trial can extinguish.
Then you will understand that salvation lies not in fleeing from people, but in rising above them, elevating your soul until you behold things as they truly are: small, though they seem great; fleeting, though they appear enduring. And there remains only the Face of your Lord, full of Majesty and Honour.

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Kashmir Tourism / News

J&K Opens 14 New Tourist Destinations in Kashmir to Reduce Pressure on Popular Spots

by
Director Tourism Kashmir, Perzada Qamar Sajad

The Jammu and Kashmir government has opened 14 new tourist destinations across the Kashmir Valley to expand tourism and reduce pressure on famous tourist spots, an official said on Friday.

Director Tourism Kashmir, Perzada Qamar Sajad, said the initiative aims to give visitors more travel options beyond popular destinations.“Most tourists visiting Kashmir usually prefer places like Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Pahalgam, and Srinagar. By opening new destinations, tourists will now have more places to explore in different parts of the Valley,” he said. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Promote Lesser-Known Places in Kashmir

According to officials, the move will help spread tourist footfall across the Valley and encourage travellers—especially those who have visited Kashmir before—to explore lesser-known scenic locations.

Sajad said Kashmir has many beautiful areas with strong tourism potential that have not yet been fully developed or promoted.

Boost for Local Economy

The tourism department believes that developing new tourist spots will create jobs for local communities and strengthen the local economy.

Officials added that tourism activities in new areas can support local businesses, guides, transport services, and small hotels.

Focus on Improving Tourist Facilities

The department is also working on reviving existing tourism infrastructure and improving facilities for visitors.

As part of this effort, a museum at Zabarwan Park in Srinagar has been reopened after remaining closed for several years.

The museum provides visitors with insights into Kashmir’s culture and heritage, and authorities plan to upgrade it further to improve the overall tourist experience.

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News

Srinagar Police Warns Against Rumours, Urges Responsible Reporting Amid Current Situation

by
Police

Srinagar Police on Friday advised media organisations, social media users, and the general public to act responsibly while sharing or publishing information on electronic and social media platforms.

In an official statement, a police spokesperson said people should avoid spreading unverified news, speculation, or rumours, especially in view of the prevailing situation in the region. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The police urged media outlets and citizens to confirm information through credible and authorised sources before sharing it publicly.

“Please refrain from publishing unverified information, speculation, or rumours. Ensure that all reports are confirmed through credible and authoritative sources before dissemination,” the spokesperson said.

Warning Against Misinformation

According to the statement, spreading rumours or false information can create unnecessary panic, disturb public order, and harm communal harmony.

The police also warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found spreading misinformation or rumours under the relevant laws.

Appeal for Public Cooperation

Srinagar Police appealed to the public to cooperate with authorities and help maintain peace, law, and harmony in the district.

Officials stressed that responsible behaviour from citizens and media organisations is important to ensure stability and calm in Srinagar during the current situation.

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Developing Story

LG Manoj Sinha Congratulates J&K Aspirants for Clearing UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025

by
manooj sinha

The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, on Friday congratulated candidates from the Union Territory who successfully cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Sinha said the achievement of the aspirants has brought pride to Jammu and Kashmir and will encourage more young people in the region to follow their dreams.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

“Congratulations to all aspirants from J&K who have successfully cleared UPSC CSE-2025. Your success has brought pride to the UT and will inspire young aspirants across J&K to pursue their dreams,” he wrote.

The Lieutenant Governor also wished the successful candidates a bright future in public service.

“I wish all the successful candidates a bright and fulfilling career in public service,” he added.

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Developing Story

16 Candidates from Jammu and Kashmir Clear UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025

by
UPSC Civil Services

Sixteen candidates from Jammu and Kashmir have successfully cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025, the results of which were announced on Friday by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

The successful candidates include Suvan Sharma (Rank 148), Towseef Ganie (Rank 254), Ritika (Rank 456), Sooyash Shivam (Rank 572), Muneeb Parrah (Rank 581), Ghulam Din (Rank 683), Dwarka Gaadhi (Rank 721), Akash (Rank 747), Koh-E-Safa (Rank 763), Yasaar (Rank 811), Abhishek (Rank 820), Pankaj (Rank 856), Mohammad Ajaz (Rank 869), Azhar (Rank 886), Sarfraz (Rank 936), and Irfan (Rank 957). Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

958 Candidates Recommended for Civil Services

The UPSC recommended a total of 958 candidates for appointment to various prestigious services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and other central government services.

Examination Timeline

The results were based on the written main examination held in August 2025 and the personality test (interviews) conducted between December 2025 and February 2026.

Vacancies in Different Services

According to UPSC, the selected candidates will fill 1,087 vacancies reported by the government for the 2025 examination cycle.

These include:

  • 180 posts in IAS
  • 55 posts in IFS
  • 150 posts in IPS
  • 507 posts in Central Services Group ‘A’
  • 195 posts in Group ‘B’ services

Category-wise Selection

UPSC data shows that among the recommended candidates:

  • 317 belong to the General category
  • 104 are from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
  • 306 belong to Other Backward Classes (OBC)
  • 158 are from Scheduled Castes (SC)
  • 73 belong to Scheduled Tribes (ST)

The commission has also released a reserve list of 258 candidates as per the examination rules.

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Developing Story / Education

38 Jamia Millia Islamia RCA Students Clear UPSC 2025, Four Secure Top 50 Ranks

by
Jamia Millia Islamia

In a major achievement, 38 students from the Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) have successfully cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025, according to the results announced today.

Among them, four candidates secured positions in the Top 50 ranks, achieving All India Ranks (AIR) 7, 14, 24, and 29. These candidates emerged as the top performers from Jamia Millia Islamia this year. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Strong Performance from Jamia’s RCA

More than 38 candidates from the academy qualified for the civil services, securing positions in different All India and Central Government services.

The results also highlighted strong women representation, with 15 women candidates clearing the exam. The success reflects Jamia’s commitment to promoting equality and inclusivity in India’s administrative services, often referred to as the “steel frame of India.”

University Leadership Congratulates Candidates

The Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, Prof. Mazhar Asif, and Registrar Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi congratulated the successful candidates and appreciated the hard work of the faculty and administrative staff who trained them.

They also praised the leadership of Prof. Samina Bano, Professor In-Charge of RCA, for introducing important academic and mentorship initiatives during the past year.

Vice-Chancellor Praises Students’ Hard Work

Prof. Mazhar Asif said the success of RCA students shows the culture of hard work, perseverance, and determination at Jamia.

“On behalf of the entire JMI community, I congratulate all our brilliant candidates who have made us proud. Their success reflects Jamia’s commitment to nurturing future leaders for India’s civil services,” he said.

Registrar Highlights Women’s Success

Registrar Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi said the results were especially encouraging because a large number of women candidates also qualified.

He congratulated the successful students and thanked the teaching and non-teaching staff who contributed to this achievement.

RCA Leadership Credits Students and Support

Prof. Samina Bano, who heads the Residential Coaching Academy, expressed happiness over the excellent results.

She said the achievement was possible because of the hard work of the students and the strong support from Jamia’s administration, including the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar.

She also noted that their continuous guidance helped the academy achieve this impressive result in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025.

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International

Rumours Claim IRGC Quds Force Chief Esmail Qaani Executed as Mossad Spy

by
ismail qaani

Rumours circulating on social media claim that Esmail Qaani, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, has been executed by Iranian authorities on suspicion of spying for Israel’s Mossad. However, no credible evidence or official confirmation supports these claims as of March 6, 2026.

Viral Claims Spread on Social Media

Several posts on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook have claimed that Qaani was secretly executed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards after being accused of working for Israeli intelligence. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

According to these rumours, some people inside Iran’s leadership became suspicious because Qaani repeatedly survived Israeli and US assassination attempts, while many senior Iranian leaders were killed in recent strikes.

Some viral posts even describe him as the “impossible to kill commander”, claiming he left a location shortly before an attack that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Many of these posts mention Arab-language media sources, but none of them provide clear or verified confirmation.

No Official Confirmation from Iran

So far, Iranian state media, including official outlets, have not reported any arrest, execution, or investigation involving Esmail Qaani.

There have also been no statements from the IRGC, the Iranian judiciary, or the Quds Force confirming such allegations.

Several international media outlets have mentioned the rumours but have described them as unverified and speculative.

Similar Rumours in the Past

This is not the first time Qaani has been the subject of such rumours. In recent years, he has been falsely reported dead or detained multiple times following Israeli strikes in places like Tehran and Beirut.

In some cases, he later appeared publicly or Iranian media denied the claims.

Rising Tensions Fuel Misinformation

The rumours are spreading at a time of extreme tension in West Asia, especially after the US–Israel airstrikes that reportedly killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian leaders.

The situation has created political uncertainty inside Iran, including discussions about leadership succession and national security concerns.

Experts say such unstable conditions often lead to misinformation and conspiracy theories spreading online.

No Verified Evidence So Far

At present, there is no confirmed evidence that Esmail Qaani has been executed or even detained.

Until any official announcement comes from Iranian authorities or reliable international sources, the claims remain unverified social media rumours.

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International

Israel Says ‘Regime Change’ in Iran Is End Goal of Ongoing US-Israel Military Campaign

by
israeli FM

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Friday that the final goal of Israel’s military campaign against Iran is to remove what he called “existential threats” from the Islamic Republic. He also suggested that the conflict could eventually lead to regime change in Iran.

Saar made the remarks while speaking through video conferencing at the 11th Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

According to him, Israel wants to create conditions that would allow the people of Iran to bring political change in their country.

“The goal will be regime change. But this change will be carried out by the people of Iran themselves. We only need to create the conditions for that,” Saar said.

Israel Criticises Iranian Government

The Israeli foreign minister described the current Iranian government as oppressive and highly repressive. He claimed that many Iranians want political change, but strict control by the government has prevented it.

He said many Iranian citizens, both inside the country and in the diaspora abroad, support change in Iran’s political system.

“Until now the regime has been very powerful and brutal, which stopped people from challenging it. But the final outcome will be written by the Iranian people,” Saar said.

Conflict Intensifies After Khamenei’s Death

The tensions in West Asia sharply increased after a joint US-Israel airstrike on February 28 reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials.

Following the attack, Iran launched waves of drone and missile strikes targeting American bases and Israeli assets across the region.

Israel has continued its airstrikes on Iranian targets and has also expanded operations toward Lebanon, targeting the Hezbollah group.

Israel Aims to Remove Long-Term Threats

Saar said Israel’s main objective is to eliminate long-term threats coming from Iran, including its nuclear programme, ballistic missile development, and support for armed groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis in Yemen.

He said Israel wants to avoid repeated wars in the future.

“We do not want a new war every year. Our goal is to remove the threats that come from Iran,” he said.

No Fixed Timeline for the War

When asked about the possible duration of the conflict, Saar said neither Israel nor the United States has set a specific timeline for the operation.

He referred to comments by US President Donald Trump, who earlier suggested that the conflict could last several weeks.

However, Saar added that the war would continue until Israel achieves its strategic goals.

Role of Iranian People in Regime Change

Saar also admitted that Israel alone cannot change Iran’s government. He said any political transformation must come from the Iranian people.

“At the same time, the Iranian people may need some support from outside to achieve that change,” he said.

The conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States continues to escalate, raising fears of a wider war across the Middle East.

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International

Iran Slams Trump at Raisina Dialogue, Says US ‘Colonial Approach’ Behind War with Tehran

by
trump

Amid the growing conflict in West Asia, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh strongly criticised US President Donald Trump, questioning Washington’s stance on Iran’s leadership and regional politics.

Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi, Khatibzadeh said it was ironic that the US president talks about changing Iran’s leadership when he cannot even control political appointments within the United States.

He described the American policy toward Iran as having a “colonial mindset.” Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

“President Trump talks about leadership change in Iran, while he cannot even appoint the mayor of New York. This shows a colonial approach. They want democracy at home but want to remove the democratically elected president of Iran,” Khatibzadeh said during the discussion.

Iran Denies Closing Strait of Hormuz

Khatibzadeh also rejected reports that Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global shipping route for oil.

He said Iran continues to play a responsible role in maintaining stability in the Gulf despite the ongoing war with Israel and the United States.

“Iran is an anchor of stability in the Strait of Hormuz. If we decide to close it, we will announce it. We have not closed it,” he said.

He also highlighted the strong diplomatic relationship between India and Iran, saying both countries prefer strategic thinking.

“India and Iran share a chess mentality, not the American football mentality. Diplomacy in the long run is the only solution,” he said.

Iran Calls Conflict an ‘Existential War’

During the Raisina Dialogue, Khatibzadeh described the current conflict as an “existential war” against Iran. He accused the United States and Israel of launching attacks based on what he called false claims.

“What Americans and Israelis are doing is against international law and global norms. Iran did not provoke this conflict. Our country is under attack based on flat lies,” he said.

According to the Iranian minister, the war is linked to regional power politics and what he called the “delusion of a Greater Israel.”

Tehran Warns of Strong Response

Khatibzadeh said Iran is acting in self-defence and warned that Tehran would respond to attacks launched from foreign territory.

“This is an existential war against Iran. We are fighting a national and heroic war to push back aggressors. If attacks continue, we will strike wherever those attacks originate from,” he said.

Claims of False-Flag Operations

The Iranian official also alleged that false-flag operations were being carried out to expand the conflict. He claimed that some intelligence operations were linked to Israel’s Mossad agency.

According to him, Iran is trying to prevent the war from spreading to other regions.

Concern Over Targeting State Leaders

Khatibzadeh also criticised the assassination of top political leaders during conflicts, calling it a dangerous precedent.

“When the head of another state is targeted, it sets a very dangerous example for international relations,” he said.

Diplomacy the Only Way Forward

The Iranian deputy foreign minister concluded by saying that ending the war depends on those who started it.

“The responsibility to stop this aggression lies with those who began it. If they stop today, Iran is ready to defend but not escalate. Diplomacy is the only option for every country,” he added.

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