Fwd: [bangla-vision] INFO BRIEFS - SHA'BAN 1431 A.H. (July 22, 2010)

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From: <peacethrujustice@aol.com>
Date: Fri, Jul 23, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Subject: [bangla-vision] INFO BRIEFS - SHA'BAN 1431 A.H. (July 22, 2010)

 

THE PEACE AND JUSTICE FOUNDATION

11006 Veirs Mill Rd, STE L-15, PMB 298

Silver Spring, MD. 20902

 

SHA'BAN 1431 A.H.

(July 22, 2010)

 

 

Assalaamu Alaikum (Greetings of Peace):

 

I begin with a note of thanks to The Creator for blessing me with the health, energy, and, most importantly, the consciousness needed for undertaking this work. We are presently in the month of Sha'ban, and thus, committed Muslims around the world are now preparing themselves for that very special month to follow called Ramadan!

 

The past few months have been extremely busy, and I don't expect the pace to let up any time soon. I just returned from one of my intensive travelogs – first to New York (for Lynne Stewart's unfortunate re-sentencing); then to Detroit Michigan (to address a sizeable Muslim community on the Albany resolution on preemptive prosecutions and the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui); and then on to Philadelphia (for the imprisonment conference connected to the annual Riyaadah).

 

I regret that I arrived too late to deliver my anticipated presentation at the Philadelphia conference. I understand that it went very well, however. (By the time I arrived the organizers were working on some concluding resolutions; whenever I receive a copy I will share them with our listserv, insha'Allah.)

 

Insha'Allah, I am scheduled to deliver a 20 minute presentation at ICLI - before the start of the ju'muah khutbah at the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury, NY - on Friday July 30. The ju'muah prayer service will be immediately followed by a community forum on the [anti] preemptive prosecution resolution that was passed up in Albany. We expect at least one or more of the council-members who were involved in the passage of that precedent-setting resolution to participate, insha'Allah.

 

ALLAH willing, I am also scheduled to return to Detroit for two days of speaking engagements (at different venues), beginning with the ju'muah khutbah at the Islamic Center of Detroit (located at 14350 Tireman), on Friday, August 6.

 

Tomorrow evening (Friday, July 23) I will deliver a short lecture (and take questions) once again at the Islamic Center of Maryland (ICM) in Gaithersburg, on the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui. This program comes at an opportune time for committed Muslims in the Washington, DC area.

 

Insha'Allah, the next day I will join up with other activists for the national peace & activism conference being held this weekend in Albany, New York. (See Info Below)

 

And finally, after a brutally unjust trial at a federal courthouse in New York City a few months back, our sister, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday, August 16, 2010 – the first week of Ramadan. (This is the same federal court in lower Manhattan where Lynne Stewart's trial and sentencing was held.)

 

This Friday's lecture at ICM will be an opportunity for Washington (DC) area Muslims to gain valuable insight and much needed clarity on this very troubling case. We thank the administration of ICM for having the courage and consciousness to schedule a forum on this issue at this time.

 

With that said, here are the "Info Briefs" for July 22, 2010. If you find them worthy, please share them with others.

 

In the struggle for peace thru justice,

 

El-Hajj Mauri' Saalakhan

 

===============

 

CONTENTS

 

1.      Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's plight raised with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

2.      Pakistani Supreme Court President receives threats

3.      The sentencing of Lynne Stewart

4.      Rally for the Newburgh 4 at New York's City Hall

5.      The arrest of another young Muslim "jihadist"

6.      The timidity of Muslim organizations

7.      The Albany Peace Conference & Sunday Rally

8.      Coalition Meetings for the 1431 A.H (2010 C.E.) Day of Quds observance

 

 

 

Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's plight raised with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

 

 When this commentator first read about Secretary of State Clinton's paltry offer of civilian-related material support to Pakistan, in an attempt to improve America's image in that besieged land, the first thing that came to mind were the far more effective ways that America could improve its "image" in that South Asian nation  – such as, the elimination of U.S. imposed war-related pressures on the Pakistani people; the return of its "disappeared"; and the immediate repatriation of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.

 

It is for this reason that I was truly gratified to receive the following transcript of an exchange that took place between Clinton and a Pakistani journalist, regarding Aafia. - MS

 

 

Note the emphasis of the question, and the emphasis of the response.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1007/S00430/television-roundtable-with-pakistani-journalists.htm

QUESTION: Secretary of State, where do you see Pakistan after July 9/11 – after July 2011 and beyond that, when U.S. forces will start pulling out from Afghanistan?

Secondly, you have been talking about U.S. perception in Pakistan. There are reasons for that and one of the reasons is that if we can hand over 200, 300 people who are involved in terrorist activities or alleged to be involved, [to] the United States – and on the other hand, if we demand one Pakistani prisoner in United States, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, U.S. always come to the excuses of justice.

Now, those people who were handed over to U.S. were also charged in Pakistan, but they were handed over to U.S. on your demand. Why can't you consider one request from Pakistan to hand over Dr. Aafia Siddiqui to Pakistan?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first of all, you asked what will happen to Pakistan after July 2011. What we hope is that the relationship that we are developing will lead to even closer cooperation on many fronts. What July 2011 is meant to be is a signal to the Afghan Government that they have to address with urgency the need to defend their own country. And I was very pleased that President Karzai agreed to create local defense units, because the Afghan army is making progress but it's not yet at a stage where it can defend the whole country.

So what we see is, starting in July 2011, a movement toward ownership and leadership in certain parts of the country by the Afghan army, but not the beginning of any wholesale withdrawal. That was never the intent. But what we have done in developing what I believe to be more open and confidence-building relationships on both the civilian and the military side is that all of this is being discussed with your leadership so that they're aware of what we're doing and why, and we're aware of what you're doing and why. So that's a long way from where we were a couple of years ago.

And specifically on the case that you mentioned, that trial was just held. The process continues. I can't predict what might happen in the future, but for the time being, it is a matter for our justice system because of the underlying facts of the case.

 

 

The following message comes as a suggestion from a supporter of Aafia and the Siddiqui family.

pakistantownhall@gmail.com - is an email address which has been set up specifically by Hillary Clinton's own staff, and they will be trolling through it for suggestions and applications for USAID.

If you agree that the repatriation of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui (back home to Pakistan) would be one of the best ways for America to effectively improve its image in that corner of the world, then let the U.S. Department of State hear our voices on the matter.

Please be concise, dignified and polite in the message you convey (argue in ways that are best). The door of opportunity is opening wider, let us take advantage of it! - MS 

================ 

This report speaks for itself. May ALLAH bless Qazi Anwar, and protect him, for having the courage to press the issue of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui - MS

 

http://www.samaa.tv/News22881-Qazi_Anwar_says_receiving_threats.aspx

Qazi Anwar says receiving threats 16 Jul 2010   Staff Report ISLAMABAD: President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Qazi Anwar, has said that he is receiving threats from the government. "A message has been delivered to my nephew in the United States that I am on the hit list of the government," he told newsmen at a press conference along with Dr. Fauzia Siddiqi Friday. He said he would definitely attend the lawyer's convention in Gujrat on Saturday if he survived. The SCBA President said the he would announce a schedule to hold protests against Dr Aafia's detention in US. The lawyers, he said, would start a nation-wide protest movement if the government did not take concrete measures to secure Aafia's release. The Supreme Court could also be approached in this regard, he said.   SAMAA

 

Special note for Washington area residents: Don't forget the community forum on Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's case Friday, July 24, immediately following salatul maghrib, at the Islamic Center of Maryland (ICM) in Gaithersburg, MD.

 

===========

The sentencing of Lynne Stewart

 

I purposely saved this for last, but the hour is now late. I have much to say about the re-sentencing of Lynne Stewart. Insha'Allah, I will share my thoughts on this issue at a later date; when I can take my time, and do this courageous and committed 70 year old warrior justice! - MS

 

===========

Rally for the Newburgh 4 at New York's City Hall

 

On Wednesday, July 21, a spirited rally for the "Newburgh 4" was held at the City Hall in lower Manhattan. In my brief remarks I noted that, in my humble opinion, looking at all of the now available facts, this case against these four black men (from the impoverished city of Newburgh) really comes down to being a case of attempted arson for hire. You heard it right, an attempted property crime for financial gain (at the guiding hands of a government paid agent-provocateur). Nothing more, nothing less.

 

There is no evidence that these men ever intended to kill (or even injure) anyone! It is, as the presiding judge has dubbed it, the "un-terrorism case."

 

I also noted in my remarks how America's "intelligence community" is on red alert right now because of the special report just published in The Washington Post –  "Top Secret America" – and how many of the troubling issues raised in this report underscore the reasons why "preemptive prosecutions" are so essential. (The ever expanding Terrorism-Industrial Complex has to justify itself by any means necessary.)

 

I ended my remarks by noting that it was recently brought to my attention that New York Mayor Bloomberg held a special ceremony at City Hall, within days of the high profile arrests, to award special commendations to many (or all) of the officers and agents who were part of the joint-terrorism task force that took down these wanna-be-arsonists.

 

It is our view that an investigation should be launched into the roots of this government-orchestrated deception (and the needless squandering of public resource), and that those deemed responsible for deceiving the American public should be held fully accountable! And this includes the mayor if he was in on the charade! - MS

 

===========

The arrest of another young Muslim "jihadist"

A 20-year-old resident of Fairfax County (in Northern Virginia) was arrested yesterday, after being informed on July 10 that he was on the government's No Fly List, while allegedly attempting to "join an al-Qaeda-linked group in Somalia" for "jihad."

Zachary Adam Chesser was reportedly barred from leaving New York City for Uganda on a multi-leg journey to join al-Shabab, a Somali insurgency that reportedly took credit for the recent terrorist attack in Uganda that killed 76 people on July 11 (during the World Cup competition) and injured many others.

While there's no indication that he carried out any act of terrorism, he has been identified as a radicalized wanna-be who was influenced by (you guessed it) the new boogey-man on the block Anwar al-Awlaki. (He's also been associated with the group "Revolution Muslim.")  

The thing that is truly bizarre and revealing about this case, is that this apparently confused and troubled young man initiated contact with an FBI agent, by the name of Paula G. Menges, on July 14, to say, "he had planned to join al-Shabab (in Somalia) but had a 'change of heart' after the Ugandan bombings." (According to today's edition of The Washington Post, Chesser had prior contact with Agent Menges in May and June of 2009.)

Despite initiating contact with the agent on July 14, however, and confessing to a "change of heart" (for something he only intended to do), he was arrested days later, with the customary amount of media fanfare, and is now facing a minimum of 15 years in prison (barring the later imposition of a superseding indictment which could raise the ante considerably).

There are many questions, and many lessons, in this latest terrorism-related tragedy.

To be continued. - MS

=======================

The timidity of Muslim organizations

The tragedy of September 11^th (2001) has been used by oppressive forces, in America and throughout the globe, to advance a very anti-humanity agenda in the name of a "war on terrorism"- and every area of government (local, state, and federal) has been involved in one way or another. Additionally, no community has paid a higher price for this nefarious agenda than the Muslim community (both here and abroad).

Despite this reality, our response (or the lack thereof) to this issue – and a host of other hotly debated and deeply political issues of the day – places Muslims in America in the unfortunate  position of being 'enablers' for much of the madness which has impacted our community directly, and other communities indirectly.

What follows is a brief, but very instructive, online discussion that involved Enver Masud, founder and president of The Wisdom Fund, and a representative of one of the largest Muslim centers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. (Enver Masud is a middle-aged, moderate-tempered East Indian-born engineer by training, and a valued member of The 9/11 Truth Movement.)

 I have decided to remove the name of the Islamic center in question (for it is not the only center in America with an administration guilty of such fearful, apologetic, and counter-productive behavior). 

The communication begins with the center's response to a "clarification" that Masud provided - in response to his request for the opportunity to raise the 9/11 tragedy, and the government's response to it, at an upcoming political forum.

 The rep's revealing response to this request is than followed by Br. Masud's final statement on the matter. Overall, these communications are a valuable education in themselves. – MS

 

REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CENTER:

Salaam.

Thank you for clarifying what you meant.  I think you have misunderstood {name omitted] role in the entire political outreach process.

As a 501(c)(3) organization, [name omitted] can organize or implement only those kind of political discussions that are non-partisan, and for the general benefit of the community.  We welcome all members of our community to attend events where we reach out to political officials to educate our members on the civic process.  However, programs that are patently partisan would violate our legal status.

Your message makes clear your strong partisan views about 9/11.  It is your right to hold and promote such views.  But all religious organizations are legally obliged to remain non-partisan, and to mount political outreach events only for the education of our community.  To expect religious groups to present partisan views as "education" is not the intent of the Regulation, and could be a detriment to our legal status.

[Name Omitted] therefore cannot legally provide a platform to promote personal and politicized views.  This is also NOT what [name omitted] was established for, and it is highly unfair to criticize our refusal to violate our legal status.

If you attend an event, you may ask any question you desire, hopefully without violating accepted norms and hospitable duties as Muslims.  To raise this issue in a forum organized to discuss local issues with local politicians is however improper.  As State officials, they are themselves not permitted (by their parties) to officially comment on the actions of the Federal Government.  While I did say "the time and place to discuss 9/11 is through political dialogues like these", I also said  "While Virginia Delegates have little impact on U.S. national policy, they are responsible for legislation and regulation in Virginia that can and will affect our community, and others like us."

That is the aspect of 9/11 that is appropriate to this event - whether the state has or will impose legislation, regulation, or other actions directly or indirectly related to 9/11 (e.g., racial profiling, travel restrictions etc) that these Delegates can influence.  And I am sure the Delegates will respond to such questions.

As you noted, there are many venues well suited to the kind of partisan 9/11 discussion you seek; [name omitted] however is not one of them.  You seem politically involved, and we welcome your participation in this event, provided you understand the objective and purpose thereof.   Just as a discussion of U.S. policy to Iran would not be an appropriate topic for State Delegates, so are the topics you suggest.  Why waste the community's time by trying to force a discussion irrelevant to these officials - and which will only embarrass the entire community by raising it in an inappropriate venue?

If you wish to attend, we will be delighted to welcome you.  But there will not be an opportunity "to present the facts" on an issue that has no relevance to the purpose of this event.

Wasalaam.

 

BR. MASUD'S RESPONSE

Assalaam aleikum  

I believe [name omitted] misunderstands the role of 501(c)(3) corporations.

Non-partisan means not supporting a particular candidate. A 501(c)(3) corporation may hold and expound views on any issue.

The Wisdom Fund is a 501(c)(3) corporation, established in 1995, employee identification number 54-1755689. We have been expounding our views since 1995, and are regularly visited by CIA, FBI, military, etc.

Besides our website, as examples of public expression: (1) our quarter page advertisement in the Obama inaugural issue of the Washington Times:

 http://www.twf.org/News/Y2009/0121-washtimes.jpg  (bottom right), enlarged at  http://www.twf.org/Library/911UnveiledAd.pdf ; (2) letter to the president, attorney general, etc. - http://www.twf.org/News/Y2009/0324-911UvDVD.pdf  

How can [name omitted] claim to lead, and not take a position on the biggest issue of this decade -- 9/11? Of course this applies even more to CAIR, MPAC, ISNA, ICNA, and all the
Muslim organizations that have cropped up.

I believe what's holding back Muslim "leaders" (local and national) is sheer timidity -- which is what I wrote in my original email.

Enver Masud
--
The Wisdom Fund
www.twf.org

A CLOSING THOUGHT:

Enver Masud is absolutely correct. The Islamic center in question – or any other religious center anywhere in America – could organize a forum on the 9/11 tragedy, and it would NOT violate the organization's tax exempt status! - MS

=====================


Albany, NY Rally, July 25 Solidarity with the Muslim community; follows United National Antiwar Conference -- July 23 to July 25

Sunday Demonstration info: www.projectsalam.org

Registration, information for conference: nationalpeaceconference.org

The Muslim Solidarity Committee and Project SALAM (Support And Legal Advocacy for Muslims) have called for a public demonstration on Sunday, July 25 in Albany in solidarity with the Muslim community there, that has been subject to discrimination and persecution by the U.S. political police. The demonstration is set for the end of a national anti-war conference in the city. The organizers have called on conference participants to meet at east steps of the Capitol, Washington & State Streets, a block from the Conference site, at 1 p.m. for a march to Masjid As-Salam at 278 Central Avenue. The Muslim Solidarity Committee and Project SALAM will also participate in a luncheon panel on political repression and closing Guantanamo. (See www.projectsalam.org)

The resentencing of attorney Lynne Stewart on July 16, quadrupling her sentence from 28 months to 10 years in federal prison, has put on the front burner of the movement the need to fight against the demonization of Muslim people and the FBI and police frame-ups of Muslim youth and all who defend Muslims against state repression.

The International Action Center will participate in this protest demonstration, after taking part from Friday, July 23 to Sunday July 25 along with hundreds of other anti-war and community activists in the anti-war conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Albany. This National Conference to Bring the Troops Home Now will be an intense weekend of plenary sessions, workshops, education, resolutions and networking.

The weekend comes as casualties among NATO and especially U.S. troops are rapidly increasing, and when the disarray in the U.S. command following Gen. McChrystal's "resignation" highlight the disintegration of the U.S. war strategy.

The conference's action proposal demands an immediate end to the illegal occupations of Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and calls on the movement to be prepared to respond to an attack on Iran. It also joins those essential anti-war demands with others that call attention to the enormous waste of human resources to feed the war machine. The conference will take up actions for the coming Fall and next Spring.

Workshops will take up issues from Palestine, the U.S. occupation of Haiti, U.S. intervention in Colombia, global warming and the environment, the role of poor people's movement's and developments in the GI resistance movement.

The IAC is committed to determined activism and resistance to U.S. militarism, racism and corporate greed. We want to link international solidarity to fighting oppression in the U.S. We are interested in meeting up with other revolutionary activists and militant community organizations at this conference.

Along with 30 other antiwar, peace and justice national organizations, the International Action Center is a co-sponsor of this conference.

A look at the schedule for the weekend indicates that there will be opportunities for anti-imperialists to intervene and fight for their positions within the context of building the broadest possible anti-war actions.

(See nationalpeaceconference.org for more details of Conference registration, schedule of speakers, workshops, panels and housing)

=======================

Coalition Meetings for this year's Day of Quds observance have begun

 

A growing coalition of committed Muslims met last Sunday (July 18th) at the office of The Peace Thru Justice Foundation for a very fruitful discussion on this year's Day of Qud's observance.

 

The Day of Quds - which will be observed this year on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3^RD – is a day in the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims the world over (and concerned citizens from the non-Muslim community) publicly express their opposition to the brutal occupation of the "Holy Land," and the ongoing genocide being perpetrated against the Palestinian people.

 

There is MUCH legwork to be done, and the door is still open for coalition partners (and energetic volunteers). The next coalition meeting is scheduled for Sunday, August 1, at a home in Silver Spring, MD. If you are a committed Muslim who resides in the DC area, and you would like to be involved, let us hear from you.

__._,_.___

--
Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/