JEDDAH, 16 July — Though expected, the death sentence passed yesterday on Sheikh Omar, a British-born militant, by the special Pakistani anti-terrorist court in the murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl evoked mixed response from Pakistani expatriates as well as Asians, Arabs, Americans and Europeans in the Eastern Province.
The reaction varied from jubilation to disgust. Many termed the verdict as a murder of justice in Pakistan, while others said the verdict proved Pakistan’s commitment to fight terrorism. Since morning the Pakistani School area near Prince Naif Street in Alkhobar was abuzz with speculation on the verdict. When news of the verdict finally broke, many Pakistanis expressed their anger over the judgment saying that it was yet another attempt to appease America.
Mujahid Husain of Karachi, who works in a bank in Alkhobar, called the judgment "ridiculous" and a mockery of Pakistani judiciary.
"How could a court pass a capital punishment on charges of murder when the dead body has not yet been recovered. The findings of the DNA tests of the remains of a body, considered to be that of Daniel Pearl have not yet been revealed," he said.
Salim Khan of Peshawar and an engineer at a desalination plant, said that the people of Pakistan will reject this judgment. There will be too much of turmoil in the country. "Protests and demonstrations have already started and it will get worse," he said.
Abdul Rauf of Lahore and a manager in a restaurant said the Pakistani authorities should have first asked for the trial of Israeli killers who have murdered small children in cold blood. "What kind of double standard is this?" he asked.
Muhammad Azhar of Karachi said that the entire trial was conducted in a "very questionable manner" and the people of Pakistan will not accept this verdict. He said he did not support the methods of Omar Sheikh and his likes but "such verdict will create heroes out of them."
But Edward Ross of Illinois praised the verdict and said that it vindicated Pakistan’s stand against terrorism. "Pearl was not a political figure but just a journalist and he was killed in cold blood in a "most gruesome manner." No sensible person can ever justify such murder," he said. It is a swift and appropriate judgment," he added.
Hani Al-Saeed, a Saudi Journalist, also echoed views expressed by Ross. "How could anyone justify murder of an innocent. It is a justified verdict and reflects Pakistan’s stand against terrorism."
Imtiaz Ali, an Indian, said that the judgment was correct. "Just see his track record. He is the one who was released from Indian jail after the hijacking drama. See his threatening overtures after the verdict. He is not even repentant."
Zulfiqar Ali Khan of Karachi said that the law has taken its course and the verdict is justified. "People like Osama Bin Laden and Omar Sheikh do not realize that they are not helping the Islamic cause but tarnishing the image of Islam in the West. Omar should be hanged."
In Riyadh and Jeddah, Pakistanis supported the death sentence and said Sheikh Omar asked for it by his crime against humanity.
"Justice has taken its right course," Raza Murad, a Pakistani office secretary in Jeddah remarked. "Sheikh Omar did a great harm to the cause of Islam and Pakistan" was the opinion of some expats both in Riyadh and Jeddah. "His involvement in the assassination of Danny Pearl could not be justified on any ground," said Taher Butt, who runs the Internet portal "Contact Pakistan."
He said Sheikh Omar, by his actions had sent a wrong message to non-Muslims on Islam, which is essentially a religion of peace and tolerance."
Ayaz Haider, marketing coordinator at the Middle East specialized Cables, said even if Sheikh Omar believed that he was fighting for a just cause, the means that he adopted was morally repugnant. "It’s unfortunate that for the actions of a few miscreants an entire community is being tarred by the same brush. By delivering its verdict, Pakistan’s Supreme Court has sent a strong message that there is no room for violence and terrorism in Pakistan and that extremists will be dealt with firmly".
Mohammed Wasim, a Pakistani manager of a publishing house, said one could imagine the mindset of Sheikh Omar from the way he reacted to his death sentence. "Sheikh Omar’s arrogant statement — We’ll see who will die first," showed he deserved the kind of judgment given him.
"What Sheikh Omar has done is totally against the tenets of Islam. By his action he has tarnished the image of the world’s most peaceful religion," said Omar Hassan Mohammed, a Pakistani bakery supervisor in Jeddah.
— Javid Hassan in Riyadh, Saeed Haider in Dammam and K.S. Ramkumar in Jeddah
