Modi’s involvement
This is in response to the comment “Modi’s involvement” by Gopi. I think the assertion that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi did not have any involvement in the 2002 carnage is a blatant lie and a complete hogwash. The whole world knows that he and his BJP party were the main culprits in massacre of thousands of innocent Muslims.
The innocent people who were burned to death in Godhra was an unfortunate incident which needs to be condemned in no uncertain terms and the culprits must be punished and they have been duly punished by Indian courts. But to use the Godhra tragedy as a justification for the killings of innocent people is not only a sinister idea but also smacks of the deep-seated hatred for a community in a multicultural country like India. For sure, a day will come when noose will tighten around Modi and his cronies and this will be a shock for Gopi and his like-minded brigade. — Abida Shakoor, Jeddah
Bashar’s tyranny
I was amazed to see Syrian President Bashar Assad’s most recent TV interview in which he claimed that the ongoing war in his country is turning in his favor. He rubbished the suggestion to make buffer zones within Syria for those who have been left homeless by the conflict. He termed the buffer zone call as unrealistic and impractical. According to him it is a naive thought of unsympathetic nations and the foes of Syria. But the ground realities are contrary to Assad’s false claims. It’s an open secret that scores of innocent Syrians have fallen victims to the ongoing battle between the Assad troops and the rebel forces. Their problem is getting compounded with each passing day as the war is intensifying.
The world community should not expect much from the Syrian regime. It remains one that disdains human rights which is obviously noticeable in the bloodbath resulting from the ongoing fight. — Shaukat Naeem Ghumman, Riyadh
Jinnah’s dream
This is regarding Aijaz Z. Syed’s article “Rediscovering Jinnah’s dream”. It iss an excellent article which highlights the problems faced by the minorities in Pakistan. The author rightly mentions the unfortunate case of Rimsha and the blatant misuse of the anti-blasphemy law and points out that not only nonMuslims but even Muslims have suffered because of the misuse of the anti blasphemy law.
However, in an unprecedented move, the All-Pakistan Ulema Council (religious scholars council) has joined hands with the Pakistan Interfaith League to call for justice for Rimsha, the minor girl accused on Aug. 16 of burning pages of a Noorani Qaida, a book that familiarizes children with the Holy Qur’an. Tahir Ashrafi, the chairman of the Council, has declared Rimsha as a test case for the Muslims of Pakistan as well as for the government. Ashrafi said: “We don’t want to see injustice done with anyone. We will work to end this climate of fear”.
Together with the Interfaith League, Ashrafi has demanded an unbiased investigation into Rimsha’s case and severe action against those who abuse the blasphemy laws to settle personal disputes. News that the council — an umbrella group of Muslim clerics and scholars, which includes representatives from certain hard-line groups as well — has come together with the representatives of Christians, Sikhs and other religions at a time when the medical board constituted to ascertain Rimsha’s age, determined that she was 14 years old. This is a very significant development because at this age Rimsha’s trial would be dealt with under the more lenient Juvenile Justice system. Now if the medical board after due process also confirms her to be suffering from Down’s syndrome that could be the end of this very tragic case for Rimsha and at the same time it would lead to action against all those who without verifying the facts protested against Rimsha and her family.
Let us unite as one unit to protect our rights all over the world and to ensure the rights of the minorities living in any Muslim country as per the dictates of our great religion Islam. — Babar Mumtaz, by e-mail
Letters: Modi’s involvement
