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| India-Pakistan |
| Imam, two others held for attacking American Muslim |
| 2002-07-08 |
| Jaranwala police on Sunday arrested a Pesh Imam and two others for instigating villagers to kill an American Navy engineer on charges of blasphemy. Faraz Jawed, an American by birth whose parents are settled is the US, is here to see his in-laws in Jaranwala. On Friday last, he visited the village mosque to offer Juma prayers and objected to the Pesh Imam's political speech. At that time the Imam was cursing the Pakistan government and the Americans. This is what imams do in Pakland, especially on Fridays... "Instead of blaming America, you should better tell us Islamic teachings," Faraz reportedly asked the Imam. The Pesh Imam did not like it. He asked people sitting in the mosque to kill Faraz. "He is also an American and enemy of the Muslims." So much for the idea of Islam transcending the petty bounds of nationality... Faraz managed to escape from the mosque with his relative Mohammad Naeem. ... running for their lives with a mob of enraged Believers at their heels... Imam Hafiz Abdul Latif called village elders and asked them to punish Faraz. "An infidel! Kill him!" "He ain't no infidel. He's a Muslim!" "Well, kill him anyway!" Over four dozen people reportedly attacked Naeem's house where Faraz was present. Some of the attackers were also carrying iron rods, sticks and lethal weapons. Naeem locked the doors and immediately informed the area police. A police party rushed to the scene and prevailed upon the mob on the assurance that Faraz would be proceeded against for committing blasphemy. Blasphemy, in the Muslim religion, includes not only profaning God, but also pointing out the the local mullah's a cheap political stooge. For this, you can be, must be, killed... The mob dispersed after pelting stones on the house which damaged windowpanes. That's because they were angry, angry by God! 'Cause this here furriner, uh... told the mullah to try preaching instead of agitating... In the meantime, Faraz Jawed reportedly contacted the US embassy in Islamabad. The embassy reportedly took immediate note and asked the government to save the life of its national. "Uh, you guys better get somebody over here quick. This guy said something that made sense and it's caused a riot...!" The Jaranwala police registered two cases against Imam of the mosque, Hafiz Abdul Latif, on charge of creating law and order problem in the area and instigating the religious feelings of the people and attacking the house of Faraz family. The cases against the Imam and a dozen villagers were registered under the Blasphemy Act. Oh, it works both ways, does it? The police arrested Hafiz Abdul Latif, Mohammad Asim, Zubair Usman and were making raids for the arrest of other accused involved in the incident. Not that we expect to actually see anything come of the arrests. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |