|
Aafia conviction riles religious quarters |
|
|
|
News Watch
|
|
Saturday, 06 February 2010 |
THE US court verdict against Pakistani-American neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui convicting her of attempted murder and awarding her life sentence evoked strong condemnation from religious quarters in Pakistan on Thursday.
Religious leaders condemned US jury of being biased and its judgment driven by hate, since Dr Aafia was dubbed as a terrorist linked with Al-Qaeda much before and throughout her trial, although terrorism charges were dropped by prosecution and police admitted she was neither linked with 9-11 incidents nor her finger prints were found on the gun she was accused of firing with on a US interrogator.
Protest demonstrations were also held in various cities by Jamaat-e-Islami and Hizbut Tahrir against the conviction, condemning Washington administration and US judicial system for being overtly biased against Muslims.
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Syed Munawwar Hasan said the conviction exposed American justice and civilisation, since “There was no solid evidence against Dr Aafia and she is the victim of strong bias.” This is a test case for the Muslim Ummah and its rulers whether they show any reaction or not”, he said while talking to media.
“Such a decision was expected, and a US slap on the face of insensible and shameless Pakistani rulers who pushed the country to destruction in the US war and handed over hundreds of innocent citizens to the US only for dollars, he added.
Recalling an assurance from the Interior Minister Rehman Malik that the nation would soon hear good news about Dr Aafia, he wondered if the minister deemed it good news. Syed Munawwar Hasan urged the nation to join JI’s “Go America Go” drive which was the only way to throw off the yoke of US slavery.
Jamaatud Dawah Ameer Prof Hafiz Mohammad Saeed said that the US jury proved that justice had become non-existent in that country. Talking to The News, he said that Dr Aafia was booked under charges of terrorism and abetting Al-Qaeda in 9-11 incidents but was convicted on attempted murder despite conflicting testimonies of witnesses and no finger prints on the gun she was accused of firing with. He said Dr Aafia’s conviction was another US hoax like the non-existent Iraqi WMDs. He criticised Pakistani rulers for selling off honourable daughters and sons to the US for the sake of a few dollars, and accused them of adopting a spineless attitude over Dr Aafia’s case.
Hizbut Tahrir’s Pakistan spokesman Naveed Butt said the US jury convicted Dr Aafia of crimes she never committed despite the contradictory statements of the prosecution witnesses and ignoring the fact that she didn’t harm any US agent but on the contrary they shot her in the abdomen.
He said Muslim sisters like Dr Aafia could not be released from US clutches just by begging and requesting, but only if Muslim armies wage jihad against the US like Mohammad Bin Qasim and Mo’tasim Billah.
Meanwhile, Hundreds of veiled women and children chanted slogans against US judiciary and prosecutors and demanded immediate reversal of Dr Aafia’s conviction which they called biased and shameful verdict of US jury.
Protestors belonging to JI Women Wing staged a rally at Multan Road to condemn US jury’s findings against Dr Aafia Siddiqui. They held placards supporting Dr Aafia and also raised slogans against the US and Pakistani rulers.
They were led by JI Women Wing Deputy Secretary Aafia Sarwar, its Punjab chief, Humaira Tariq and district chief Rabia Tariq.
Addressing the rally, Dr Farid Paracha said US jury’s verdict proved strong Western bias against Muslims. The jury members had shown complete lack of conscience by blaming a physically weak but highly qualified Pakistani lady of firing at stout US army personnel. He urged the US people and human rights bodies all over the world to lodge protest against this baseless and false case against a lady.
JI deputy chief Advocate Ch Muhammad Aslam Saleemi said the US prosecution had failed to establish its case against Dr Aafia since her finger prints were not found on the gun produced in the court. He said the jury verdict could be acceptable to Pakistani rulers but Pakistani nation won’t accept that. Terming the Foreign Office statement in this regard as inadequate, he said the FO should summon the US envoy and formally lodge protest in this respect.
The News
Trackback(0)
|
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/hide comment form