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At least 32 people killed by suspected Bodo rebels in northeastern state forcing thousands to flee for safety.

At least 32 people from the minority Muslim community have been killed by the suspected Bodo rebels in two days of violence in India's northeastern Assam state. The attackers sprayed bullets on people before setting more than 40 houses on fire. Thousands of people have fled their homes for safety. Relatives of victims, who refused to bury their dead, finally performed the last rites on Sunday after the government promised to punish the culprits and provide security. At least three rebels have been killed by the army, which has been deployed in the region following the killings. In similar attacks nearly two years ago, Bodo rebels killed about 100 people and forced more than 400,000 people to flee their homes.

View As Slideshow >> /[Biju Boro/Al Jazeera] Villagers watch as the dead bodies of the victims are brought for burial in Narayanguri village in Baksa district, about 200km from Guwahati, the capital of Assam state. /[Biju Boro/Al Jazeera] The family members of those killed finally buried their dead after the government promised to punish the culprits and provide security. /[Biju Boro/Al Jazeera] Villagers look for belongings following the attack in Khagrabari village. /[Biju Boro/Al Jazeera] A woman mourns the death of her relatives in the village of Narayanguri. /[Biju Boro/Al Jazeera] Security personnel get down from a boat to patrol in a remote area at river Beki in Khagrabari village, Baska district. /[Biju Boro/Al Jazeera] Rights body, Amnesty International has condemned the deadly attacks, terming the act as shameful and displaying contempt for human lives. /[Biju Boro/Al Jazeera] A villager flees with his belongings to safer place. /[Biju Boro/Al Jazeera] Police said on Sunday that they had killed three suspected rebels and arrested eight forest guards for the alleged involvement in the killings. /[Biju Boro/Al Jazeera] A man tries to salvage valuables from the remains of his house, which was burned by the rebels. /[Biju Boro/Al Jazeera] More than 40 homes were set on fire by the attackers forcing people to flee for safety. /[Biju Boro/Al Jazeera] The state government is planning to hand over the probe into the killings to the federal investigating agency, National Investigation Agency. /[Biju Boro/Al Jazeera] Army has been deployed in the area after the attacks. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2014/05/pictures-carnage-india-assam-20145515837562172.html

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One of the greatest things that will relieve a person's distress on the Day of Resurrection is his efforts in this world to relieve the distress of those who are in distress, and to help those who are in need, and to make things easy for those who are in difficulty, and to overlook the mistakes of those who err.

In Muslim it is narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: "Whoever relieves a believer of distress in this world, Allah will relieve him of some of the distress of the Day of Resurrection. Whoever makes things easy for those who are in difficulty, Allah will make things easy for him in this world and in the next. Whoever conceals (the faults of) a Muslim in this world, Allah will conceal him (his faults) in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah will help the slave so long as the slave helps his brother." [Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 1/71, hadith no. 204.]

Bukhari narrated from 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: "The Muslim is the brother of his fellow-Muslim; he should not mistreat him or let him down. Whoever meets the needs of his brother, Allah will meet his needs, and whoever relieves a Muslim of some distress, Allah will relieve him of some of the distress of the Day of Resurrection. Whoever conceals (the faults of) a Muslim, Allah will conceal him (his faults) in this world and the next." [Bukhari: Kitaab al-Mazaalim, Baab laa Yazlim al-Muslim al-Muslim, Fath al-Baari, 5/97.]

Ad-Deenoori narrated in Al-Mujaalisah, Al-Bayhaqi narrated in Al-Shu'ab and Ad-Diyaa' narrated in Al-Mukhtaarah from Anas that the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: "Whoever helps his brother in secret, Allah will help him in this world and the next." [Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah, 3/218, hadith no. 1217.]

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RIYADH: MD RASOOLDEEN

Published — Sunday 4 May 2014

http://www.arabnews.com/news/565366

Muslim parliamentarians in Sri Lanka have called for President Mahinda Rajapaksa to intervene in order to stop the continued hate campaign, intimidation and threats perpetrated against Muslims by some Buddist extremists of the Bodu Bala Sena and other allied organizations.

With the exception of A.H.M. Azwer and A.R.M.A. Cader, 16 out of the 18 legislators signed the petition sponsored by the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCL).

Speaking to Arab News from Colombo, MCL President N.M. Ameen said that the campaign carried out against Muslims by the Bodu Bala Sena, Sihala Ravaya and Ravana Balakaya is alarming and dangerous. “We have full confidence in our president and we believe he will take appropriate action to resolve this issue,” he added.

The petition urges the president to immediately intervene to stop the harassment against Muslim IDP’s who have lived in different parts of the country as refugees and as a “forgotten” people over the last 23 years.

“We, the Muslim parliamentarians, wish to bring to your Excellency’s kind attention that these groups have been targeting Muslim places of worship, Halal food, the Muslim attire and now the resettlement of the Muslim lDPs who were expelled by the LTTE in 1990 in the worst act of ethnic cleansing in the history of our nation,” the petition read. These Muslim lDPs were labeled as “old lDPs” and did not even benefit from the resettlement scheme implemented by the government and international agencies including the cash grants provided by the UNHCR, it said.

In the absence of any substantial support for their resettlement, the Muslim religious, political and civil society leadership has been soliciting support for their resettlement from benevolent donors of Muslim countries and individuals. There has been some positive response from some of these donors and a number of houses have been constructed with their support,” the petition noted.

These houses have been constructed following due procedures of land distribution through the Divisional Secretariat and the Presidential Task Force for resettlement. The Sena and some sections of the media are highlighting the resettlement now as illegal, stating that they have encroached upon the Wilpattu National Park.

Signatories to the petition included, Senior Minister for Urban Affairs A.H.M. Fowzie, Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem, ALM Athullah, Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, Basheer Segu Dawood, Kabir Hasim, Faizer Mustapha, MS Thowfeek, Faisal Cassim, Hassan Ali, M.S M. Aslam, M.H.M. Haleem, M.L.A. M. Hisbullah, Unais Farook and Mustapha Bawa Farook.

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The Healing Power of Prayer Become an active member of the ProductiveMuslim community and enrich it with your thoughts. Leave a comment on this article and with it, your presence. We look forward to reading your comments. 0 In times of hardship, pain and loss, many of us attempt to find solutions in the very dunya that caused that calamity to befall us in the first place. We search for temporary comforts in people and worldly objects, all of which have the potential to break us again. Some of us find relief in medication and counselling, some surround themselves with sympathetic ears and some simply lose hope and derail from the path of Islam. However, Allah  has provided us with the best tool of all: Prayer.   “And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah]“ [Qur'an: Chapter 2, Verse 45]. Allah  is the Almighty, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. So who better to call upon than Him? Who better to seek ease from pain and hardship than Him? Does Prayer Heal? It sure does! As many verses of the Qur’an reiterate, Allah  tells us to enjoin in prayer and it is not without wisdom that Allah  says: “… Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured,“ [Qur'an: Chapter 13, Verse 28]. Dr Andrew Newsberg of the University of Pennsylvania attempts to enlighten us with this hidden wisdom. He studied brain wave activity during prayer and found a direct impact on several brain locations. The benefits of prayer are incredible! Regular daily prayers halt the frontal lobe from shrinking with age, which is the part of the brain that regulates our speaking, reading and memory; therefore, this helps prevent memory loss in old age. High activity was found in the anterior cingulate, the location that regulates our connectivity to others. A high activity in this part of the brain means a healthier and happier person. Our self-awareness is found in the parietal lobe, the overuse of which causes feelings of isolation and loneliness, and the limbic system is where negative emotions are stimulated. Prayer deactivates both of these areas of the brain, removing the negative emotions and allowing us to benefit from the frontal lobe and anterior cingulate. The result is a healthier, happier and longer life, In sha Allah. [1] We need not look further to see that prayer is beneficial for us, making us healthier and happier. It is a healer in and of itself, activating regions of the brain that make us happier and ridding negativity. It is not just a form of worshipping Allah , but also a form of meditation: A self-help tool to bring us to a state of tranquility. The more regular the prayer and the deeper our connection with Allah , the more beneficial it is for us. A Perfect Example In Our Prophet  Our beloved Prophet Muhammad  relied on prayer as a source of comfort. As we all know, the Prophet  was tested with many trials and tribulations in his time, and it is with prayer that he found mental calmness. The prayer of the Prophet  was always with great humbleness, full concentration and sincere submission to the Almighty . This is what is known as the state of khushu’, a state of full awareness of the Almighty  as we direct our minds and heart to our Lord alone. “There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern…” [Qur'an: Chapter 33, Verse 21]. “Certainly will the believers have succeeded: They who are during their prayer humbly submissive…” (Qur’an: Chapter 23, Verses 1-2). This is the state that we should aim to achieve in our prayers. It is in this state that we will find the biggest stimulations in the brain so we may reap the true benefits of prayer, In sha Allah. The Prophet  did not only pray at times of need, but would pray in all situations and occasions. He  would pray to thank Allah, seek His forgiveness, and ask for His protection and guidance. He  would offer prayer for rain, decision-making, before undertaking a journey and even during battles; the list is endless. And, there was not a prayer that he  would offer except that, through the mercy of Allah , it brought about some sort of blessing, guidance or ease! How Can We Attain Maximum Benefit From Prayer? As Dr Newberg revealed, prayer performed regularly and with a deep spiritual connection, makes a happier and healthier person. Our Prophet  is a perfect example of how and when prayer should be offered. We take from his example four practical steps by which we can gain maximum benefit from prayer: Engage, Connect, Submit and Make Dua. 1. Engage Incorporate prayer into your daily life. We should always focus on improving our relationship with Allah  and the best way to do this is to engage in regular prayer. So make prayer your habit. Converse with Allah  through your duas and try to connect with Him  every day. Remember Him  and He  will remember you. First and foremost, make sure you pray on time — no matter how busy you are — and do not miss any fardh prayers, especially Fajr.  A busy life may make prayer harder, but prayer makes a busy life easier! The five fardh prayers should be our first step if we have not yet already established them daily. Abu Huraira (ranhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger  said: The first thing about which the people will be called to account out of their actions on the Day of Judgment is prayer. Our Lord, the Exalted, will say to the angels – though He knows better: Look into the prayer of My servant and see whether he has offered it perfectly or imperfectly. If it is perfect, that will be recorded perfect. If it is defective, He will say: See there are some optional prayers offered by My servant. If there are optional prayer to his credit, He will say: Compensate the obligatory prayer by the optional prayer for My servant. Then all the actions will be considered similarly. [Sunan Abi Dawud] Once we have established the fardh prayers, we can move on to incorporating more optional prayers into our daily lives. The more we pray, the better our connection with Allah  and the more we can seek the blessings and benefits of prayer. Take time to look into the many prayers that the Prophet  taught us to perform and their benefits, and try to incorporate as many as you can in your daily lives. Whether it is in times of need to seek council, or in times of ease to thank Him , you can never call upon Allah  too many times. 2. Connect Make prayer deeper and more meaningful. We must try to concentrate and allow ourselves to enjoy a personal and proximate relationship with our Lord . The best way to do that is to pray as the Prophet Muhammad  did — with khushu. Here are some simple tips we can incorporate in our prayers to build a stronger connection and attain maximum benefit, In sha Allah: When you stand to pray, remember who you are standing before and humble yourself in His  presence. Pray as if it is your last prayer. Imagine Allah  standing before you and the angel of death behind you. Know that you are in control of your mind and body. Remain still, focus on the place of sujood and avoid thinking of worldly matters; the time of prayer should be dedicated solely to focusing on your relationship with Allah . So let go of your worries and let yourself indulge in His  love and greatness. Reflect and ponder on every ayah that you recite. This will help you concentrate on finding a personal meaning and help prevent your mind from drifting. The more you reflect, the more sincere your prayer will become. Try to set aside time specifically for your prayers. Go to a quiet area, with least distractions possible and truly focus on the prayer alone. If you are praying in congregation, then let the spiritual atmosphere inspire you, not distract you. Do not rush off from the prayer mat when you have finished your prayer. Take some time to reflect, recite the post-prayer duas, embrace the moment of closeness to Allah  and know that He  is present and listening. 3. Submit Remember that sujood is the position in which you are the closest to Allah . Take your time and let yourself embrace that closeness, and be warmed and comforted by it. It is best to make dua while in this position, as per the Prophet’s  recommendation: “A slave becomes nearest to his Rabb when he is in prostration. So increase supplications while prostrating.” [Sahih Muslim] Ibnul Qayyim described sujood as the secret of prayer, the greatest pillar and the seal of the rukoo’. In this position, we can truly submit ourselves to the Almighty . In fact, further to Dr Newberg’s research, Dr. Ahmad Sakr found that the position of sujood is one method scientifically proven to bring peace, tranquility and happiness to the one in prostration [2]. He explains that we are all exposed to electrostatic charges from the atmosphere and ridding ourselves of these extra charges is beneficial to one’s health. The best way to rid these extra electrostatic charges according to Dr Ahmad Sakr, is to prostrate with one’s forehead to the ground. This brings about a calming feeling and dissipates electromagnetic energy. Once again, science enlightens us on the wisdoms behind sujood. Not only do we find ourselves the closest to Allah  in this position, but it also physically brings us peace and tranquility. So whenever you are in need of mental calmness, follow the footsteps of the Prophet  and prostrate to the Almighty . It is also the best time for us to make dua, as here, we are the closest to Allah . 4. Make Dua I need not say more. Make dua, and trust in Allah , for He knows what is best for you. Remember that Allah  alone is sufficient for us and through worshipping the Almighty with sincere submission, our hearts will find peace In sha Allah. Trust in Him  and have faith that He  will always answer your prayers. “And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me — indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided” [Qur'an: Chapter 2, Verse 186]. “For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.” [Qur'an: Chapter 94, Verse 5]. Whether you take it from science or take it from our beautiful religion, call upon Allah  with full sincerity and submission, and you will find bliss, In sha Allah. Has this article been beneficial to you? I would love to hear about your experiences; how has prayer helped you through your hardships? What helps you gain khushu’ in your prayers? Please share your thoughts below! [1] Newberg, Andrew B.; Waldman, Mark Robert (2009). How God Changes Your Brain. [2] Sakr, Ahmad H. (1997). Sujood (Prostration). About the Author: Saadia recently graduated with a BSc in Psychology and has a healthy background working in this field. As a student of Islam, she aims to utilise her degree to its true depth by focusing on interlinking Islam with psychology. Her passion in writing is inspired by the beautiful harmonisation between the two. P.S. Found this article useful? Share the khair! I'd suggest emailing this article The Healing Power of Prayer to at least 1 person (relative, friend or colleague) who you think could benefit from it. Better yet, ask them to signup at http://ProductiveMuslim.com/Newsletter and get Abu Productive's exclusive newsletter (sent only via email) with a productivity tip of the week sent every blessed Friday. :) Click here to visit the article and leave a comment

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ACJU - MCSL Joint Statement on UK Protest

Jazakallahu  Khairan.

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Assalamu Alaykum,

Zahira College one of the premier educational institutes in the country looks for passionate, dynamic, inspirational, result-oriented and qualified staff for following vacancies.

· Must be Graduates with Post Graduate Diploma in Education / Trained Teachers with other relevant Professional Qualifications linked to education.

· More than two (02) years teacher training in Training Colleges or in a recognized institution with more than three (03) years teaching experience.

· Computer skills and sports will be advantage.

· Innovative thinking, Effective writing and Oral Presentation skills will be given preference.

Apply with complete bio-data

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Zahira College

P.O.Box 861 
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Web : www.zahiracollege.lk

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The Ocean of Dunya

Yesterday, I went to the beach. As I sat watching the massive Californian waves, I realized something strange. The ocean is so breathtakingly beautiful. But just as it is beautiful, it is also deadly. The same spellbinding waves, which we appreciate from the shore, can kill us if we enter them. Water, the same substance necessary to sustain life, can end life, in drowning. And the same ocean that holds ships afloat can shatter those ships to pieces.
This worldly life, the dunya, is just like the ocean. And our hearts are the ships. We can use the ocean for our needs and as a means to get to our final destination. But the ocean is only that: a means. It is a means for seeking food of the sea. It is a means of travel. It is a means of seeking a higher purpose. But it is something which we only pass through, but never think to remain in. Imagine what would happen if the ocean became our end – rather than just a means.
Eventually we would drown.
As long as the ocean’s water remains outside the ship, the ship will continue to float and be in control. But what happens as soon as the water creeps into the ship? What happens when the dunya is not just water outside of our hearts, when the dunya is no longer just a means? What happens when the dunya enters our heart?
That is when the boat sinks.
That is when the heart is taken hostage and becomes a slave. And that is when the dunya – which was once under our control – begins to control us. When the ocean’s water enters and overtakes a ship, that ship is no longer in control. The boat then becomes at the mercy of the ocean.
To stay afloat, we must view this world in exactly the same way, for Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala) has told us that “Verily in the creation of the heavens and the earth are signs for those who reflect.” (Qur’an,3:190) We live in the dunya, and the dunya is in fact created for our use. Detachment from dunya (zuhd) does not mean that we do not interact with this world. Rather, the Prophet ﷺ has taught us that we must:

Anas (Radiallahu Anhu) said: “Three people came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, to ask about how the Prophet ﷺ worshipped. When they were told, it was as if they thought it was little and said, ‘Where are we in relation to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, who has been forgiven his past and future wrong actions?’” He said, “One of them said, ‘I will pray all of every night.’ Another said, ‘I will fast all the time and not break the fast.’ The other said, “I will withdraw from women and never marry.’ The Messenger of Allah came to them and said, ‘Are you the ones who said such-and-such? By Allah, I am the one among you with the most fear and awareness of Allah, but I fast and break the fast, I pray and I sleep, and I marry women. Whoever disdains my sunnah is not with me.’” [Sahih Bukhari]

The Prophet ﷺ did not withdraw from the dunya in order to be detached from it. His detachment was much deeper. It was the detachment of the heart. His ultimate attachment was only to Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala) and the home with Him, for he truly understood the words of God:

“What is the life of this world but amusement and play? But verily the Home in the Hereafter, – that is life indeed, if they but knew.” (Qur’an, 29:64)

Detachment does not even mean that we cannot own things of the dunya. In fact many of the greatest companions were wealthy. Rather, detachment is that we view and interact with the dunya for what it really is: just a means. Detachment is when the dunya remains in our hand – not in our heart. As `Ali (Radiallahu Anhu) expressed beautifully, “Detachment is not that you should own nothing, but that nothing should own you.”
Like the ocean’s water entering the boat, the moment that we let the dunya enter our hearts, we will sink. The ocean was never intended to enter the boat; it was intended only as a means that must remain outside of it. The dunya, too, was never intended to enter our heart. It is only a means that must not enter or control us. This is why Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala) repeatedly refers to the dunya in the Qur’an as a mata’a. The word mata’a can be translated as a “resource for transitory worldly delight.” It is a resource. It is a tool. It is the path—not the destination.
And it is this very concept that the Prophet ﷺ spoke about so eloquently when he said:

“What relationship do I have with this world? I am in this world like a rider who halts in the shade of a tree for a short time, and after taking some rest, resumes his journey leaving the tree behind.” (Ahmad, Tirmidhi)

Consider for a moment the metaphor of a traveler. What happens when you’re traveling or you know that your stay is only temporary? When you’re passing through a city for one night, how attached do you get to that place? If you know it’s temporary, you’ll be willing to stay at Motel 6. But would you like to live there? Probably not. Suppose your boss sent you to a new town to work on a limited project. Suppose he didn’t tell you exactly when the project would end, but you knew that you could be returning home, any day. How would you be in that town? Would you invest in massive amounts of property and spend all your savings on expensive furniture and cars? Most likely not. Even while shopping, would you buy cart-loads of food and other perishables? No. You’d probably hesitate about buying any more than you need for a couple days – because your boss could call you back any day.
This is the mindset of a traveler. There is a natural detachment that comes with the realization that something is only temporary. That is what the Prophet ﷺ in his wisdom, is talking about in this profound hadith. He understood the danger of becoming engrossed in this life. In fact, there was nothing he feared for us more.
He ﷺ said, “By Allah I don’t fear for you poverty, but I fear that the world would be abundant for you as it has been for those before you, so you compete for it as they have competed for it, so it destroys you as it has destroyed them.” (Agreed upon)
The blessed Prophet ﷺ recognized the true nature of this life. He understood what it meant to be in the dunya, without being of it. He sailed the very same ocean that we all must. But his ship knew well from where it had come, and to where it was going. His was a boat that remained dry. He understood that the same ocean which sparkles in the sunlight, will become a graveyard for the ships that enter it.
Yasmin Mogahed

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බල සේනා දෙකටම උසාවියෙන් අවවාද

ආගමික සංහිඳියාවට හානිකර කිසිත් නොකරන්නැයි කොළඹ කොටුව මහේස්ත්‍රාත් තිලිණ ගමගේ මහතා බොදුබල සේනාවට සහ ජාතික බල සේනාවට අද අවවාද කළේය.

කොළඹ නිපොන් හෝටලයේ ජාතික බල සේනා රැස්වීමට බලෙන් ඇතුළු වී අවහිර කිරීම හා කුරාණයට අපහාස කළැයි කියන සිද්ධියක් මත බොදු බල සේනා මහ ලේකම් ගලගොඩඅත්තේ ඥානසාර හිමි ඇතුළු භික්ෂූහු සිව් නමක් ද, ගිහියෝ දෙදෙනෙක් ද රුපියල් ලක්ෂය බැගින් වූ ශරීර ඇප මත මුදා හරිනු ලැබූහ.

ඥානසාර හිමි, විතාරන්දෙනියේ නන්ද හිමි, අරියවංශ සම්බුද්ධ හිමි, චන්දානන්ද හිමි, පී ජී ගුණවර්ධන හා පී වෑවල ඇප ලැබුවෝ වෙති.

නඩුව ජුනි 09 වැනි දාට කල් තැබූ මහේස්ත්‍රාත් අද උසාවියට නොපැමිණි වැලිමඩ චන්දරතන හා වැල්ලම්පිටියේ සුමනධම්ම හිමිවරුනට ද එදිනට පැමිණෙන ලෙස නොතීසි නිකුත් කළේය.

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Rescuers are using their bare hands to dig through the mud, as David Loyn reports

At least 350 people have been killed and many more are missing, the UN says, after a landslide hit the north-east Afghan province of Badakhshan.

Hundreds of homes were buried under mud and rocks when a section of a mountain collapsed following torrential rain.

Rescuers have reached the area and are searching for survivors.

Much of north and east Afghanistan has been hit by heavy rain in recent days, and some 150 people have died in flooding.

"The number of deceased has increased to 350 and significant displacement is expected," the UN mission in Afghanistan said in a statement.

"The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is helping... local authorities to rescue those still trapped."

Local officials say that more than 2,000 people are missing.

About 1,000 houses were affected - 300 of them buried immediately after the side of a mountain gave way.

As it was Friday morning, a day of rest in Afghanistan, people were at home and whole families were lost under tonnes of mud.

Homes are buried beneath the mud and rocks

Officials say it is unlikely that anyone buried under the rubble is alive

Early television images showed almost the entire valley engulfed in mud

Badakhshan police commander Fazludeen Ayaz told the BBC that all of the village of Hargu - home to 215 families - was covered by earth and rock.

He said it was unlikely that anyone would be rescued alive from under the rubble and that even if there was rescue equipment available in the remote area, it would be difficult to dig people out.

The BBC's Qurbon Ali Hamzi in Badakhshan says it is still raining and there are fears of further landslides.

Badakhshan is in the most remote and mountainous part of the country, bordering Tajikistan, China and Pakistan.

Searching for survivors is a huge task, our correspondent adds.

The governor of Badakhshan province, Shah Waliullah Adeeb, told AP news agency that rescue crews did not have enough equipment and appealed for shovels.

"It's physically impossible right now," Mr Adeeb said. "We don't have enough shovels; we need more machinery.''

He said that residents of nearby villages had been evacuated amid concerns about further landslides.

Another, smaller landslide was reported in Badakhshan on Thursday.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27261783