Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha in the shadow of the Arab Spring [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
Muslims around the world celebrated the blessed holiday of Eid al-Adha with prayers and supplications. Preachers in mosques called for unity among Muslims to face challenges. In Pakistan, millions performed the Eid prayers in mosques and public squares, and preachers called on Muslims to overcome religious extremism and sectarian differences. In Bangladesh, hundreds of thousands gathered in a number of mosques and squares to perform the Eid prayers. Muslims in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Egypt, Libya, Indonesia, and Russia celebrated Eid al-Adha amid calls for preserving the path of the Islamic awakenings and the Arab revolutions.

Reporter, Female #1
With the Arab revolutions and Islamic awakenings occurring in many areas, Muslims celebrated the blessed holiday of Eid al-Adha in various parts of the world. In the Gaza Strip, the occupation's siege did not strip Gazans of the joy of the Eid. They headed to mosques and squares to celebrate the Eid and express their hope to liberate all of Palestine.

Guest, Male #2 (Ismail Haniyeh, Head of the Palestinian Government in Gaza)
This blessed and great holiday hears the voice of its cultural revolution once again. Today, it is bringing down the regimes of tyranny and infiltration, the regimes of infiltration and betrayal.

Reporter, Female #1
Amid the usual harassment, thousands of Jerusalemites performed the Eid prayers, challenging the Israeli occupation. At the same time, they called for putting an end to the occupation and for resisting its operation to distance and displace Jerusalem's residents from their city. In Yemen, Muslims greeted the Eid with the revolution demanding change and calling for perseverance until their peaceful revolution succeeds. Protests and demonstrations continued in Sanaa and various provinces of the country.

Guest, Female #2
This Eid, God willing, will see the achievement of the Yemeni people's demands. God willing, the revolution will triumph just as it did in Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt.

Reporter, Female #1
In Egypt, Egyptians say the Eid after the January Revolution has a special flavor that is different from past Eids. They flocked to mosques and squares and performed Eid prayers, celebrating the winds of change that swept across the land of the Nile. At the same time, they called for completing the joyous occasion with the victory of their revolution.

Guest, Female #3
These types of scenes weren't here before. In the past, when we used to come to pray, we would see central security vehicles in front of the mosque. But today, people can pray freely. The sermon was beautiful.

Reporter, Female #1
Despite the destruction the war has inflicted on the country, this year Libyans celebrated the first Eid after over four decades of Gaddafi's rule amid calls for joining forces and for full national unity in a new Libya. Iraqis celebrated their Eid amid heightened security measures which did not stop their festivities and anticipations for the upcoming liberation from US occupation. In Afghanistan, residents of the capital Kabul performed the Eid prayers imploring God to bring security to their country. In Indonesia, people headed to mosques and squares to perform the Eid prayers and to celebrate this religious occasion.

Guest, Female #4
We praise the almighty God for the Islamic obligation, grace, and sacrifice on this sacred day.

Reporter, Female #1
In Russia, the Moscow Central Mosque was packed with thousands of Muslims who were keen to celebrate the first days of Eid in their own way.

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Russia warns that a military strike against Iran is a "serious mistake" [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
Russia has warned against launching a military strike on Iran. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that any mobilization against Iran would be a very "serious mistake with unpredictable consequences." Lavrov's remarks come after Israeli President Simon Peres issued a warning, in which he said that there is a growing possibility of launching an attack on Iran.

Reporter, Male #2
Diplomatic western pressures are mounting on Iran by the day, indicating that an attack has become imminent, as some western sources confirm that within a year, Tehran will be closer to possessing nuclear weapons. The latest warning came from Israeli President Simon Peres, who said that the possibility of launching a military attack on Iran is more likely than the diplomatic option. In conjunction, Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad warned against any military action against his country, hinting that Israel's end is near, in reference to Tehran's counterattack. At the international level, warnings against any military action on Tehran are mounting. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that any military intervention against Iran will be a grave mistake with unpredictable repercussions.

Guest, Male #3 (Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister)
There is no military solution to the Iranian nuclear problem as there is no military solution to any other problem in the modern world. This is confirmed every day when we see how the problems and conflicts around Iran are being resolved, whether in Iraq or Afghanistan, or other countries in the region.

Reporter, Male #2
For its part, France also warned against the military option. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said that a military strike will create a situation that completely destabilizes the whole region and beyond.

Guest, Male #4 (Alain Juppe, French Foreign Minister)
We can still increase sanctions to pressure Iran. We will continue on this path because a military intervention could create a situation that completely destabilizes the whole region and beyond. We have to do everything we can to avoid irreparable harm.

Reporter, Male #2
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected to release a new report about the Iranian nuclear program, which observers believe will shed light on Tehran's presumed efforts to develop missiles with warheads.

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Netanyahu pleads with Histadrut to cancel general strike [IBA, Israel]

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the Histadrut to drop threats to enact a general strike tomorrow. He was speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting. Netanyahu pleaded with Histadrut Chair Ofer Eini to cancel tomorrow's planned strike. Speaking at the opening of the weekly Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said, "I believe it is possible to find a just and responsible solution to the issue of the contract workers, as we are all aware of their difficulties." At the same time, the prime minister said, "the government must act responsibly and that we must find a solution that will not hurt Israel's economy at a time when world markets are in turmoil."

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IAF, terrorists exchange fire along Gaza border [IBA, Israel]

Rocket fire continued from the Gaza Strip as two projectiles hit open fields near Ashkelon overnight. One foreign worker was lightly injured by shrapnel. The rocket fire came after Israeli Air Force killed an Islamic jihad terrorist and injured three others when IAF jets fired missiles at a cell that was preparing to shoot rockets into Israel. The IDF attack came in response to a rocket that hit Ashkelon regional council on Friday.

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Bahraini cleric slams regime violence [Press TV, Iran]

In Bahrain, anti-regime protestors have taken to the streets calling for the downfall of the regime. Bahrainis rallied in several cities around the capital Manama after noon prayers. They shouted slogans against the regime and voiced support for the revolution. Bahrain has been in the midst of a revolution since mid-February. Since then, forces loyal to the al-Khalifa family have killed dozens of people and arrested hundreds more. The regime was founded with the help of Britain in 1820.

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Clashes mark Eid holiday as thousands of Kashmiris demand freedom from Indian rule [Press TV, Iran]

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in the Indian-controlled Kashmir on Eid al-Adha, demanding freedom from Indian rule. Government forces used tear gas to disperse the protestors. Protesting on their ongoing struggle for the freedom of Kashmir, thousands of Muslims took to streets immediately after the Eid prayers in the downtown of summer capital Srinagar of Indian-controlled Kashmir shouting pro-freedom slogans. The peaceful protest march was joined by young and old people demanding right to self determination.

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Taiz: the heart of Yemen's revolution [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
Our al-Jazeera correspondent in Yemen quoted a Yemeni news agency saying Yemeni Vice President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi returned to Sanaa after his visit to the United States. UN envoy to Yemen Jamal Bin Omar said earlier that he would visit Yemen after November 10 to discuss Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's proposal to sign the Gulf initiative on the condition that the vice president and the leadership of the revolution's national council be present.

Presenter, Male #1
The Yemeni city of Taiz has been a prominent topic for media networks worldwide ever since the popular revolution began earlier this year. This heavy media attention is due to what many describe as the "organized violence" practiced by President Ali Saleh's loyalist forces against the city after the spark of the revolution in Taiz.

Presenter, Female #1
Some believe that the revolution's victory in Taiz may mean the downfall of Saleh's regime, which prompted his forces to reinforce their deployments in the city in an attempt to quell the revolution.

Presenter, Male #1
We now take a look at the characteristics and situation in Taiz with our correspondent Hamdi al-Bukari in the first of a series of ground reports.

Reporter, Male #2
Taiz, with a population of nearly four million, is the capital of the most populated Yemeni province. Many say it is the city of revolution, culture, and politics. Soon after the revolution against President Saleh's regime began, Taiz became a platform for continuous violent operations against the youth of the revolution and its supporters. The city, which is located 256 kilometers south of the Yemeni capital Sanaa and connects northern and southern Yemen, is considered by many to be vital to the people's revolution. Residents of Taiz have not stopped protesting since February 11, when sparks were ignited for a more organized and public revolution calling for President Saleh's resignation. This call is still being confronted by President Saleh's forces and those described as "thugs," as they repress demonstrations and shell residential neighborhoods.
As a result, dozens are killed and hundreds wounded.

Guest, Male #3 (Abdullah Ni'aman, Revolution Opposition Leader and Activist)
Throughout these demonstrations, they have been persistent and willing to pay the price. They will take responsibility until this revolution triumphs.

Reporter, Male #2
Here at the city's main street, Jamal Abdul Nassir Street, revolutionaries are organizing a public performance on a national occasion in order to attract the attention of those who have remained silent to the revolution. In addition, some youths are organizing events in the streets. The revolution in Taiz is racing against time. School and university students are largely participating in it.

Guest, Male #4 (Ammar al-Kanani, Council of the Youth of the Revolution)
The revolution will gain victory only through these demonstrations, marches, and popular protests on the street. We do not welcome any force other than the street.

Reporter, Male #2
While the residents of Taiz must cope with harsh conditions, these conditions do not prevent them from continuing to demonstrate and protest the cutoff of services. They also want to implement initiatives to maintain the purity of the revolution. However, what the residents suffer most from is the lack of security and safety. Many depict Taiz as "the city of glory." However, its residents are concerned about the name of this dreamy city. There are always exceptions to glory, and the dream may not last long. What we hear on a daily basis in the city, besides the sounds of rockets, is the voice of the youth of the revolution saying to President Ali Abdullah Saleh: "Your departure will not be difficult for us." Hamdi al-Bukari, al-Jazeera, Taiz.

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Syrian National Council: Homs should be considered a 'disaster area' [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
Clashes erupted in Homs between the Syrian army and defectors, as confirmed by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Meanwhile, the Syrian National Council has called for declaring the city of Homs a "disaster area." Damascus accused Washington of being directly involved in the bloody incidents sweeping the country.

Reporter, Female #2
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced that the Syrian army has entered the Baba Amer neighborhood in Homs, which has witnessed shelling and been under siege for five days. The Observatory said that fierce clashes erupted Sunday night and Monday morning in Homs between the Syrian army and defectors. Dozens of fighters from both sides were killed or injured in the clashes. In addition, the Observatory confirmed that four explosions rocked Maysalun Street in the city of Latakia Sunday night and Monday. Meanwhile, the Syrian Revolution General Commission urged the Arab League to withdraw its initiative. The commission also announced a general strike on Thursday in protest of the shelling of Homs. The Syrian National Council called on the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, and all international institutions to declare Homs a "disaster area." The council also called for the implementation of international legislation for the provision of medical assistance, aid, and relief. It also called for providing the much-needed international protection for civilians. According to the Syrian news agency, Syrian Foreign Minister Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said the US State Department's statement urging the Syrian people not to surrender their weapons is considered direct involvement by the US and encouragement for the armed groups to pursue criminal acts against the Syrian people and their state. He further said that such a statement is a clear dismissal of the peacefulness of the mobilization in Syria, and is an attempt by the US to derail the Arab League's efforts as well as its initiative aimed at putting an end to the Syrian crisis and restoring security and stability to the country. Muallem also sent letters of protest to his counterparts in Russia, China, India, South Africa, and Brazil, as well as the head and members of the Arab Ministerial Committee, the Arab League secretary-general, the UN secretary-general, and the president of the UN Security Council. In his letters, Muallem confirmed that the Syrian government is dealing positively with the Arab initiative and is exerting tremendous efforts to implement it. The Syrian Foreign Minister told his international counterparts that the US is directly involved in the bloody violence in Syria and urged them to condemn such intervention. Deputy Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Bin Helli said that his council received a letter from Mualllem entailing measures taken by Damascus to implement the Arab action plan. It also said that a message in this regard was circulated to all Arab capitals. At the international level, spokeswoman for the EU foreign policy chief, Maja Kocijancic, renewed her council's support of all efforts aimed at ending the violence and restoring stability in Syria. Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar Assad performed the Eid al-Adha prayer yesterday in Raqqa then headed to the provincial council headquarters where he delivered a speech from a balcony, telling the crowd "we don't have a choice but to win any battle that's targeting our sovereignty and national resolution."

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Songs of the Syrian revolution [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male #1
After the launch of the Syrian revolution more than seven months ago, Syrian artist Samih Shugayer released a song named "O injustice," and opened the door for a large group of artists to write beautiful songs for the revolution and provide the world with a new model for peaceful intifadas.

Reporter, Male #2
Along with the peaceful demonstrations and sit-ins staged by the Syrian people to topple the Baath Party's regime, Syrian youths have produced a large collection of cultural art, including sketches and songs. The songs range from focusing on national anthems to containing lyrics that compare the Baath Party to water heaters. In response to the accusations of being a Salafist, a Syrian artist produced a song entitled "I'm neither an infiltrator nor a Salafist."

Reporter, Male #2
Another song produced by the Syrian Bear Band expresses the weariness of the regime and anything that represents it, whether it is a party, rule, relative, or acts of chaos. Rebellious Kurdish singer Shivan, a friend of artist Samih Shughayer, sang for Damascus and saluted Samih for writing the first Intifada song.