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The Hong Kong government must work hard to create a better living environment and more school opportunities for ethnic minorities who have made the city their home, says a leader of the Chinese Muslim community.

Ebrahim Yeung Yee-woo, honorary secretary of the Chinese Muslim Cultural and Fraternal Association (CMCFA) , and one of the most influential Muslim organizations in the city, criticized Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying for “not showing much support” to the Muslim community.

He expressed that non-Chinese Muslims still face discrimination and struggle to adapt to life in Hong Kong.

Last month the Zubin Foundation think tank recommended that a top official such as the chief secretary or chief executive should spearhead a committee to address problems faced by ethnic minorities.

Educators also complain that Hongkongers who do not speak Chinese are increasingly looking to the mainland for post-secondary studies, while minority advocacy group Unison says some landlords appear reluctant to rent flats to families from ethnic minorities.

In an interview with the Post, Yeung suggests it is high time the government did more to help.

“After the 1997 handover, a lot of ethnic minority people came to Hong Kong. They struggle to adapt to life here and people look at them in a strange way,” the 75-year-old complains. “The government should seek to improve their living environment.”

When asked whether Leung has shown the Muslim community enough support, Yeung says: “There wasn’t much. At least he should provide more schooling opportunities and help them with language learning because they see Hong Kong as their home.”

According to official statistics, half of Hong Kong’s 300,000 Muslims are Indonesian, followed by about 40,000 Chinese, 30,000 Pakistani and some Indians, Malaysians and Africans. These figures suggest Muslims account for roughly a third of the 600,000 non-Chinese residents in Hong Kong.

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According to a local source in Nineveh, the ISIS militants executed three of the clan elders of Jabour tribe on charges of cooperating with the government forces in the province.

“The ISIS organization committed, today, a new crime when it put three of the elders of Arab tribes from Jabour tribe inside cages and burned them in the center of Qayara District in southern Nineveh,” the source said.

The source, who requested anonymity, added, “The ISIS read the death sentence of the organization’s court after accusing them of spying and cooperating with the Iraqi government.”

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A security source in Anbar said on Tuesday, that tens of explosive devices, planted by ISIS west of Ramadi, have exploded as a result of rain and high humidity.

“more than 75 of explosive devices exploded in Doulab area in Kabisa in the city of Heet, (70 km west of Ramadi), because of rain and high humidity in the air and the earth,” the source said.

The source, who asked to remain anonymous, added: “those devices were planted by ISIS elements in the streets to impede the progress of the security forces.”

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While receiving the credentials of the new ambassador of Mali to Tehran, President Rouhani said that with sanctions being lifted, good opportunities for developing ties between Iran and friend countries, including African countries will arise.

“Iran wants to establish full stability and security in all countries, including Mali and we will do whatever we can regarding this issue” said President Rouhani on Tuesday.

He added: “We are also ready to provide our friend countries, including Mali with our experiences in different areas”.

In this meeting, the new Malian ambassador to Tehran said: “I hope Mali can benefit from Iran’s capabilities and achievements in different areas”.

Thanking Malian nation, government and the new ambassador to Tehran for condoling the Mina catastrophe, President Rouhani also condoled the people and government of Mali on their losses in the same calamity.

“Unfortunately, this catastrophe was the result of mismanagement of the Saudis which was not followed by a proper reaction from their side, therefore it deserves attention from all Islamic countries in order to make sure these sad incidents do not happen in the future” added Rouhani.

In this meeting, the new Malian ambassador to Tehran presented his credentials to Dr Rouhani and said: “I hope Mali can benefit from Iran’s capabilities and achievements in different areas”.

He also said that his country suffered from the greatest number of casualties and missing people compared to other African countries and added: “The Malian government is trying to find out where the missing pilgrims are”.

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