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Afghanistan/South Asia
Jihad not determined by poverty
2004-03-13
EFL
The popular perception that only unemployed youth, poor men or school dropouts are attracted by the jihadi outfits proved wrong last week when a section of country’s elite responded overwhelmingly to the jihad-call of country’s top militant donating their real estate property, cash, and sons. Hafiz Mohammad Said, the firebrand chief of the defunct Lashkar-e-Taiba [LeT] addressed a select gathering in Islamabad at Ahle-Hadis mosque in the I-8 sector-the secluded enclave of country’s top civil bureaucracy, last Sunday. "General Musharraf is the lackey of George Bush-just like Tony Blair. The rulers have abandoned jihad. They have sold out the blood of mujahideen to their American masters," thundered Said before a large gathering. "Since the establishment has taken a U-turn on jihad and is toeing Washington’s line, therefore, it becomes your religious duty to dedicate your life and property to keep the jihad alive," appealed Said quoting a numerous verses from Holy Koran.
The government has no say in whether jihad is declared or not. Welcome to anarchy.
To motivate the audience, Said repeatedly quoted the largess of the First Muslim Caliph Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddique. "Do you know why Siddique was the Prophet’s most favorite companion? When he [the Prophet] gave the jihad call and appealed for funds, other companions donated half of their assets for jihad. Siddique retained nothing and donated everything for jihad. That’s why he was so dear and close to the prophet!" preached Said. "Siddique should be our model and hero. Would you follow Siddique?" Said posed a question spurring the audience’s zeal.
Of course they would. The question is whether they'd follow Hafiz Saeed. Anser: Of course they would. I guess you could say they're easily led.
The audience was charged emotionally. "I donate my two young sons for jihad in Kashmir and 500,000 cash [US $8621]," announced one among the audience. The "donor" was a merchant. A woman who was not among the audience but listening to Said’s sermon [that was made audible to miles through powerful loudspeakers] sent her jewelry worth 300,000 [US $5172] through her son for the mujahideen’s widows. The woman, Dr Rookaya Khan, was a physician. Three brothers- Asghar, Anwar and Akbar, 19, 22, and 24 respectively- enrolled themselves for jihad training. Asghar had done his A-level from Beaconhouse [probably the most expensive chain of school.] Anwar was an intern with a five-star hotel. Akbar was marketing executive with a multinational. "We have been attending Hafiz Said’s sermons and listening to his CDs. We are convinced that this world is temporary and bound to end. The eternal life is heaven. That should be our target and it could be achieved through jihad. When we will embrace martyrdom, we will be authorized to recommend our parents to heaven and Allah accepts martyrs’ recommendations," said Akbar justifying joining the jihadis.

A woman entered the assembly and gave her 2-year baby boy to Hafiz Said. "I am donating him for jihad!" publicized the woman. "We appreciate your donation. But he is too young. Keep him with you as our trust. When he would be a grown up boy, we will train him for jihad and he will earn a good name for you," responded Said. The woman was a landlord. "I am the mother of four sons. What happens if I donate one son for jihad, he embraces martyrdom and earns heaven for all of us!" said she rationalizing her decision.

Collecting money in the name of jihad had been banned by the Musharraf regime in March 2001. Making provocative and anti-state speeches is a crime under laws more than one. Use of loudspeakers is prohibited except for prayer call. But Said blatantly challenges the government’s writ flouting strict laws against disruption of public order and jihadi activities. Commenting on Said’s fundraising campaign, a peace activist maintained that rising fervor for jihad cannot be suppressed through legislation. "It is nothing radical or new. It is not the matter of class-rich or poor; educated or illiterate. People donate for jihad cause to attain immortality. They do it as part of their religious duty. It has been happening for the last 1,200 years. If you want to stop jihad, then you will have to snatch Koran from every Muslim’s hand. Jihad is important component of Islam. One could debate and argue about its form. Unfortunately, its spirit and philosophy is badly misinterpreted."

The interior minister Faisal Saleh Hayat said that Hafiz Said was soliciting donations for the social welfare cause under the banner of Jamat-ud-Dawa [the new name of Lashkar-e-Taiba]. "Since Jamat-ud-Dawa is not an outlawed outfit and undertakes humanitarian work, therefore, the government cannot proceed against it."

"Faisal is beating around the bush. He is evading the question. In fact, Said is establishment’s blue-eyed boy. He is making speeches depicting that government has abandoned the jihadis to convey the world that the government of Pakistan has really dumped the holy warriors. He is making the people fool in the name of Islam and jihad. He needs money to sustain his jihadi fiefdom. He is doing it perfectly- while furthering the government’s as well as his own agenda," remarked a government official whose identity cannot be disclosed.
Hafiz Saeed is the Pak canary. Regardless of what Perv says or does, keep an eye on Hafiz. If he gets thumped, Perv is serious. If he doesn't, Perv's either blowing smoke or retaining an arrow in the quiver of jihad.
Posted by:Paul Moloney

#5  On the Spot! Think Hafiz Mohammad Said's thinking of joining the frontlines? Of course not - he's too holy important
Posted by: Frank G   2004-3-13 8:57:06 AM  

#4  I notice they keep donating their sons, but not themselves.
Posted by: Spot   2004-3-13 8:45:34 AM  

#3  Bin Beavis: We are convinced that this world is temporary and bound to end.

Bin Butthead: The eternal life is heaven. That should be our target and it could be achieved through jihad.

Bin Beavis: When we will embrace martyrdom, we will be authorized to recommend our parents to heaven.

Bin Butthead: Allah accepts martyrs’ recommendations.

Bin Beavis: 72 virgins .... cool!!

Bin Butthead: Yea, 72 virgins ... cool!!
Posted by: Mike Sylwester   2004-3-13 8:21:39 AM  

#2  Charming in a way rabid dogs are maybe, Jihad is inspired by stupidity, hatred and fanatisism.
Remarkably similar to Nazi's.
Posted by: JerseyMike   2004-3-13 7:17:20 AM  

#1  Such charming people.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut   2004-3-13 1:23:55 AM  

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