3rd July 2006
Muslim Virudhan V S Achuthananthan..also approves the same
Fox News About Wetern Union Blocks Money Transfers
All Mohammeds, Mustafas..Ahmeds..Treated as Terrorists by Western Union?
Money transfer agencies like Western Union have delayed or blocked thousands of cash deliveries on suspicion of terrorist connections simply because senders or recipients have names like Mohammed or Ahmed, company officials said. .In one example, an Indian driver here said Western Union prevented him from sending US$120 to a friend at home this month because the recipient's name was Mohammed."Western Union told me that if I send money to Sahir Mohammed, the money will be blocked because of his name," said 36-year-old Abdul Rahman Maruthayil, who later sent the money through UAE Exchange, a Dubai-based money transfer service. (Western Union® announces new reduced fees to Kerala - read below) In a similar case, Pakistani Qadir Khan said Western Union blocked his attempt this month to wire money to his brother, Mohammed, for a cataract operation."Every Mohammed is a terrorist now?" Khan asked.
Western Union Financial Services, Inc., an American company based in Colorado, said its clerks simply are following US Treasury Department guidelines that aim to scrutinize cash flows for terrorist links. Most of the flagged transactions are delayed a few hours. Some are blocked entirely.
In many cases, would-be customers like Maruthayil simply find another way to send the funds - often through informal exchanges with less stringent monitoring.
But critics of the program say it is far too broad. The number of people inconvenienced in the Emirates alone, which closely cooperates with US counter-terror operations, is thought to be significant. One Western Union clerk said about 300 money transfers from a single Dubai franchise were blocked or delayed each day - none of which ever turned up a terrorist link.
In Washington, US Treasury spokeswoman Molly Millerwise said foreign banks have used the department's list of terrorist names to freeze US$150 million in assets since it was released after Sept. 11. Millerwise didn't know the value of money transfers blocked using the list, but she said frustrations endured by those with certain names were regrettable but necessary.
"We have an obligation to do all we can to keep money out of the hands of terrorists," Millerwise said. The list of names, available on the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control Web site, contains hundreds of Mohammeds.
Western Union's caution is perhaps understandable. Sept. 11 hijacker Mohammed Atta sent money from two Western Union agencies in Maryland before boarding a plane he helped crash into New York's World Trade Center.
The money transfer crackdown comes amid revelations that the US Treasury and CIA have tracked millions of confidential financial transactions handled by the Belgium-based Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, or SWIFT.
In Dubai, a Western Union branch manager said he was forced to obey US rules he and others consider too broad.
"Mohammed and Ahmed have become problematic names because they are so common on the list of terrorists," said Nixon Baby, who runs a Western Union franchise in Bur Dubai, a neighborhood packed with South Asian businesses. "These are regulations that Western Union is required to obey. We do not have any control."
At another Western Union office, an executive who deals with security measures said about 1 percent of the store's 30,000 daily money transfers - about 300 a day - are delayed or blocked because of suspected terrorist links. Thus far, all have proven false, the executive said on condition of anonymity, because she wasn't permitted to speak to the press.
Western Union routinely delays or blocks transfers between customers whose names even partially match names on the Treasury list. The money is usually released once suspects can show identity documents that prove they are not on the list, the executive said.
The US regulations apply to Western Union money transfers made anywhere, said Marc Aubry, the company's Dubai-based Mideast marketing director.But the United Arab Emirates, where Dubai is one of seven city-states, is especially susceptible to the Treasury's restrictions because it is home to more than a million foreign laborers who sent home a collective US$14 billion last year, according to a government report.
The US Treasury Department has worked with the Emirati government in tightening oversight after a 2004 US investigation found that most of the US$400,000 spent on the Sept. 11 attacks passed through bank accounts in the Emirates, a Mideast banking hub.
The Treasury Department says the Emirates has taken a "lead role" against terror financing, but the agency still brands Gulf banks high risk. Officials in the region have long pointed out that terrorists have also had few problems using US banks and money transfer agencies.
Dubai expatriates like Khan and Maruthayil say Western Union, which says it earns US$3 billion annually from its operations in 200 countries, have no valid basis for delaying or blocking much-needed cash meant for families back home.
They say Treasury guidelines are sending more people to informal money transfer networks called "hundis" or "hawalas" that circumvent government and bank scrutiny. Hawala networks are known to have been used by gangsters and terrorists.
"Sending money by hawala is cheaper and it does not get checked by banks, so it is quicker," said a Pakistani taxi driver who called himself Munir Ahmed. "They say it is not legal, but it is a reliable alternative to Western Union."....Courtesy Associated Press.
Jerusalem Post ReportFox News Reports About the Racist Policy of Western Union -..Read More Follow Up on the Story from Emirates Today
Every Mohammed is a Terrorist Now? Is Mohammed the Most Commonly used Muslim Name?
Expatriate Muslims living in the Gulf region have voiced their concern over the alleged delay and blocking of remittances to their homes sent through the Instant Money transfer service offered by Western Union, following an indiscriminate anti-terror financing regulation imposed by the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC), an unit of the US treasury department to control alleged fund flow to International terrorist movements. OFAC was started to control and monitor money transactions across the world in a bid to stop the flow of money to terrorist organisations following the 9/11 attack. OFAC has published the names of suspected terror organisations and individuals banned from receiving money in any form. Rahman, a Malayali expatriate who tried to remit money to a friend in India from Alukkas Money Exchange in Bur Dubai, an agent of Western Union was informed that the delivery of money will be delayed if he sent it in the name of Muhammad. "I filled the remittance form and presented to the counter staff of the exchange. But, he asked me to change the name of the recipient, otherwise it would be delayed,” reported Khaleej Times. Read More
IOB, UAE Exchange tie-up to offer NRI insurance product
In a unique tie- up, the Indian Overseas Bank and the UAE Exchange have joined hands to offer an exclusive remittance facility for insurance product to the Non-resident Indians in the Middle East. This new insurance product is an arrangement between the United India Insurance Company Limited and the IOB that provides Insurance cover for NRIs under the scheme – IOB NRI Shield. The scheme covers NRIs during their stay in India, upto a maximum of 180 days a year. NRIs during their visit to India find Insurance a pre-requisite to meet their contingencies arising out of ailments, accidents, baggage loss and other perils like fire etc. This scheme will meet all the Insurance requirements of the NRIs and covers varied risks anticipated during their stay in India.
All IOB bank account holders who desire to participate in this insurance scheme can avail the facility at UAE Exchange outlets – an extensive network in the UAE – to pay their premium amounts. On the occasion of the launch, Mr. T S Narayansami, Chairman and Managing Director of Indian Overseas Bank said, “IOB which is a 69 years old bank has adapted successfully to the emerging trends by introducing new products and services in financial sector. The Bank’s power of performance has stemmed from customer-centric business ethos, relentless IT initiatives and policy focus.”
“Though we have association with many exchange companies in Gulf area, our association with UAE Exchange Centre, UAE dates back to more than 25 years,” added Narayanasami. Dr B R Shetty, Managing Director and CEO, UAE Exchange said, “We are pleased to offer this remittance facility for insurance product with IOB which is yet another step in consolidation of our relationship with one of India’s largest scheduled bank. This product also gives us an opportunity to strengthen our service to the NRI community and we assure them of impeccable service and availability of extensive and competent network.”
Most of IOB’s new products like Electronic Funds Transfer were introduced with the systems and expertise of UAE Exchange. It is reported that IOB and UAE Exchange Centre are working out a product to help NRIs to send US dollar remittances to India. This will save the customers, who desire to keep foreign currency deposits, from exchange loss, inform official sources .
During the year ended March 2006, the Bank has done remarkably well and the total business crossed Rs.862 Billion (USD 19,320 million) inform official bank sources. The Bank’s deposit was around Rs.505 Billion (USD 11,319 million) and advances were at Rs.357.6 Billion (USD 8,001million). Keeping in view the interest rate scenario prevailing in the industry from the point of view of cost of resources and yield on advances, the Bank has been able to maintain a very impressive Net Interest Margin above 4 percent.
The Bank has been traditionally patronised by NRIs and a sizeable share of Deposits are from Non-Resident Indians. Narayanasami informed that interest rates on NRI Deposits are fine-tuned periodically in line with market expectations. IOB has arrangement with 10 Private Exchange Houses in the Middle-East for and NRI remittances from the Gulf are substantial, he said. The Bank has facilities for expediting remittances through Electronic Funds Transfer, SWIFT Money Transfer and Web based money remittances.
Narayansami assured that the Bank has always showed care and concern in attending to the needs of NRIs and its products are also specifically designed for financial needs of NRIs. An exclusive Tracking Cell, at Chennai a unique facility has been designed that allows NRIs to get updated information using telephone, fax or Internet communication.
The Bank has recently forayed into retail sale of Gold Coins to cater to the needs of investors as a safe alternative investment and for gifting to dear ones. IOB has introduced Insurance and Mutual Fund products under tie-up with LIC and other reputed Fund Houses based in India. NRIs can also invest in Mutual Funds through designated branches of the Bank. IOB has tied up with the following top ranking Mutual Fund companies – Franklin Templeton, TATA, UTI, Kotak, Principal PNB, Sundaram and Cholamandalam.
UAE Exchange Centre LLC is today one of the largest Exchange Houses in the Middle East and member of the renowned NMC - a global conglomerate of diversified companies. With an extensive network of branches in UAE and a global presence in Australia, India, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UK ,USA, Fiji, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the UAE Exchange Centre specializes in Fund Transfer across the globe and enjoys a numero uno status in the industry. The company operates with over 300 direct offices worldwide and enjoys correspondent relationship with over 110.leading banks around the globe.
IOB Health Care, a Group Mediclaim Insurance scheme, introduced by the Bank, facilitates to meet customers’ hospitalisation expenses at an affordable premium. NRIs can avail these services for their families based in India. IOB has been assigned BB+ (positive) from Standard and Poor’s, which is the highest International Rating for a bank in India, given by the Rating Agency. IOB continues to be on a roll, fulfilling its vision “to emerge as the most competitive bank in the industry”.Western Union® announces new reduced fees to Kerala
Western Union Financial Services Inc., a worldwide leader in money transfer services, today announced a reduction in its service fees for customers sending money from the UAE to the South Indian state of Kerala.Customers living or working in the UAE can now send money to their loved ones in Kerala for just AED 15* for transfer amounts up to AED 8,500
This new offer valid up to 5th October, 2006, is exclusive to customers sending money to Kerala and is not applicable to transfers made to other states in India. 'Kerala has more expatriates living in the UAE than any other Indian state and it is only natural that we bring our service closer to this large market' said Jean Claude Farah, Regional Vice President for Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan of Western Union. 'We have always gone that extra mile to make things easier for our customers and this new offer is no exception', he added.
Expatriates sending money to Kerala benefit from the state's large network of over 2,000 Western Union Agent locations. Besides the convenience and speed Western Union offers, the receiver in Kerala does not need a bank account nor pay any fee for receiving funds*.
Marc Aubry, Marketing Director for Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan of Western Union, said 'This is an amazing opportunity for Keralites in the UAE to send money to their loved ones quickly, securely and conveniently. Today, I am proud that we are able to offer our valued customers the ability to benefit from our money transfer service, all at an even more affordable price. -
Media Monitor..Dhirams Vs Pathra Dharmam
While the story which first appeared in While Fox News, the leading American news channe and others, have reported about Malayali customers being discriminated and harassed just because they have a Muslim name, all the leading Malayalam News channels and newspapers remained silent. These channels and newspapers, which continue to mushroom, are keenly promoting the cheap instant money transfer schemes from Western Union/UAE Exchanges and other leading exchanges.. Even the two Malayalam dailies which focus on overseas Muslims too remained silent. A casual look at the front and back pages of these newspapers would reveal the real reason for this silence - Dhirams is more important than Pathra Dharmam...Not only that the company is discriminating against Muslim customers, they exploit the poor workers who send their hard earned money through their instant remittance scheme by giving a self determined exchange rate, which is considerably less than the market rate. Go to any exchange houses in the Gulf and ask for the exchange rate - the same counter staff will give different quotes from different windows...one for instant money transfer customers..one rate for the Dhirams customers and one rate for express money.... In their advertisements there is a small note at the extreme bottom.. *In addition to transfer fees, Western Union also makes money when it changes your money into foreign currency!!!
State Bank of Travancore plans Oman branch -Kerala plans Rs 1000 crore investments in Tourism sector -12 arrested in Delhi for carrying forged visas -100 buses ‘to join fleet’ by early next year - GE investigates double CF6 flame-out on Qatar A330 - Passenger Says Qatar Airways is Flight from Hell!!! Bush 'planted fake news stories on American TV' - U.S. plan calls for financial noose on Iran's leaders -IA to introduce more Qatar-Kerala flights -Aishwarya Rai will promote ‘Provoked’ at iifa, DUBAI 2006
New Sports, Business Dailies to heat up Newspaper Competition in UAE
Mudslugging Affects reputation of Dubai English Newspapers
With Asiad and World Cup Football around the corner, a new sports daily is the latest addition to the growing number of newspapers from Dubai, the business hub of the Middle East. The fact that Qatar, UAE and other Gulf countries have a huge young followers of sports, especially football, the new sports daily tentatively named Sports 100 would be yet another free newspaper in the city. While the city has already got sports magazines, the new sports daily from the original publisher of 7-Days may herald a new dimension in the newspaper war. Two business newspapers including the Arabian Business Standard and an unamed newspaper from an Indian management, are also going to be added to the UAE news stand. With one more free tabloid planned by a leading publishing groups, newspapers will be chasing for readers. Gone are the days when people pay and read newspapers. Time is not so far when newspapers will be paying money to the readers to read their papers!!! Customer is the king in a consumerist society...isnt it? Already readers who pay Dhs 2 to buy two leading newspapers are fed up with the wastage of prcious space for mudslugging, allegations and counter allegations which appear every day on the front pages. Is the standard of journalism degrading to a level where a journalists efficiency is calculated based on his stories disputing news reported in the rival paper. Journalists have a good time - they are rewarded with Dhs 1000 or more if they can dispute a story published in rival papers. These short sighted media magnates never realize that what is lost in the process is their own image, reputation and credibility, without which no newspapers can satisfy readers.. With the availability of more free newspapers it is not easy for readers to skip the established newspapers. In their fight to malign each other, the two newspapers are missing out to the new entrants in the market ...Campaign Middle East has this story about the new sports newspaper More
Ageing Structure Blamed for Mecca Hotel Collapse -Justice Minister calls on Swiss to release UAE shaikh’s money -Qatar Couple get twins after 15-year wait -1,000 workers on strike in Bahrain - Five lakh liters of spurious oil seized
Bleeding Uteruses and Chopped Penis
Crime 1- Look at two crimes related to prostitution and sex trafficking – A young Tamil lady was repatriated to India for emergency surgery of her uterus after she was porously bleeding for two weeks in the Indian missions custody. The Tamil lady who was recruited by the Indian, read Malayali agents, ran away from an illegal detention in Sharjah and sought asylum in the Indian mission. She was in a miserable condition with serious injuries on her private parts and the uterus, which is definitely due to rampant abuse by her captors. At least three Indian women have reportedly went through the same horror saga. With VS Achuthananthan occupying the hot seat of Chief Ministership vowing to fight sex rackets rampant in the state, the flesh traders of Kerala have moved to Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to smuggle out the new recruiters. The Tamil lady, a mother and wife, was recruited as a baby sitter. She was desperate to return and keep her family in tact without informing her husband about the tragedy. Despite the political changes in Kerala, the sex and prostitution rackets continues to thrive! These women who resented working in the industry have managed to escape and go back. They will repair their private organs and uterus, but what cannot be repaired is the damage to Indian womanhood. Bharath Matha Kee Jai.Now Sex Scandal has hit the Valley of Kashmir too..Read More
Nigerian Found Dead ...in Brothel
Crime 2 - The dead body of a young African customer was retrieved from a brothel in Diera and according to sources, the man was murdered in a strange manner. While the full details of the murder still remain mysterious, the rumour mill has it that the man's cock was chopped off!!! It may be an exaggeration but the story doing the rounds among people is that the man was killed in an illegal brothel, where he went in as a customer!! It is said that the man was killed by a group of Russian/African women or their male partners? Whatever is the truth, the victim is said to be a Nigerian businessman who came with pocket full of dollars. While some say he died of a heart attack, while having sex, others say he was killed in a quarrel following some dispute!!! Whatever is the truth, the story reminds of the potential danger in the prostitution dens frequented by single men!!!
Shamnad Is Best Photographer Award Winner from DEWA
Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) Managing Director & CEO Saeed Mohamed Ahmad Al Tayer honouring The Emirates Evening Post photographer Shamnad with the best photographer award in Dubai today. DEWA Manager (Corporate Communication) Eng. Abdullah Al Hajri looks on. (click image)
