PHALANX

We Muslims feel honoured and proud to be the slaves of Allaah, the One, the Self-Sufficient Master, Who begets not nor was He begotten, and there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him; He is our Lord and we have no Lord besides Him. Hence we respond to the commands of our Lord with the utmost humility and submit to His commands, for we know that He is the All-Wise and no wisdom is greater than His. We know that He is the Most-Merciful and there is none more merciful than Him, may He be glorified and praised. Hence we love Him in a way that demands that we obey His commands even if that is somewhat difficult for us. We feel proud, happy and content when we do that which He commands us to do.

For if a human loves another person, he loves to serve him and that may make him happy. So what do you think about the Almighty Lord Who created us and grants us provision, and everything that we have is a blessing from Him? And His is the highest description. We owe everything to our Lord, so we must hasten to do all that He commands us to do, so that we might give back some small thanks for His great blessings. We can never thank Him enough, but by His grace Allaah the Most Generous accepts our small efforts and rewards us for them greatly.

For example, Hajj or pilgrimage. If a Muslim does Hajj in the manner required by his Lord, then Allaah has promised to forgive him his sins and admit him to Paradise, on condition that he does not spoil this action by committing any major action that would invalidate it and earn the anger of Allaah.

One of the great mercies that Allaah has bestowed upon this ummah (nation, i.e., the Muslims), is that Allaah has made obedience to His commands and the commands of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) subject to the condition that one be able to do them. So long as a person is able to do them, then it is obligatory for him to do what is required of him, otherwise he is not obliged to do so and he is excused. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Allaah burdens not a person beyond his scope” [al-Baqarah 2:286] – i.e., He does not ask him to do more than he can bear.

Concerning Hajj in particular, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allaah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence)” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:97]

By His mercy He has enjoined this upon His slaves once in a lifetime, so that it will not be too difficult for them, but He urges those who are able to do Hajj and ‘Umrah more than once to do so. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Keep on doing Hajj and ‘Umrah, for they take away poverty and sins as the bellows takes away the impurity from iron.” (Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 2/4; this is a saheeh hadeeth as was stated by al-Albaani in al-Silsilat al-Saheehah, 1200).

This great act of worship was prescribed by Allaah so that we might praise Him and glorify Him, and thank Him for His great blessings and bounty. The purpose of Tawaaf around the Ka’bah is not simply to go around these stones! No, rather the reason is that Allaah has commanded us to go around it seven times and we obey Allaah by going around it seven times, no more and no less; rather we do what He has commanded us and we feel that we are His slaves, humbling ourselves before Him and praising Him and thanking Him for choosing us to be His slaves out of all of mankind who worship various gods, and may even worship themselves or their own desires.

The same applies to all the rituals of Hajj, and indeed to all the acts of worship that Allaah has prescribed for us. Praise be to Allaah, Who has honoured us with this great religion.

Moreover, your interest in asking about the Hajj at your young age indicates that you are keen to learn and find out. We advise you to learn more about Islam and to read about it, and to find out for yourself that it is the religion that suits the natural inclinations of man. This will set you on the path towards pleasing your Almighty Lord, Who created you and Who provides for you, and Who deserves that you should worship Him alone and none other.

Perhaps you know that our prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that his fellow-Prophet ‘Eesa (Jesus – peace be upon him) will come down at the end of time and will perform pilgrimage to this House, and he will declare his belief in Allah alone (Tawheed). We believe that this will happen as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us, just as we believe that the sun rises in the morning. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, the son of Maryam (the son of Mary, i.e. Jesus) will certainly pronounce the Talbiyah for Hajj or for ‘Umrah, or for both in the valley of Rawha.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1252). The valley of Rawha’ is a place between Makkah and Madeenah.

[Translator’s note: The Talbiyah is a prayer recited by pilgrims going to Makkah. It may be translated as follows: “Here I am at your service, O Allaah, here I am. Here I am at Your Service, You have no partner, here I am. All praise and blessings are Yours, and all dominion. You have no partner.”]

We ask Allaah to open your heart to true guidance… Ameen.

Islam Q&A

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

Source: www.ILoveAllaah.com

“Ramadan is a month whose beginning is Mercy, whose middle is Forgiveness and whose end is freedom from the fire.” - Hadith of the Most Beloved Prophet (May Allah Bless him and give him peace)



Mercy - Forgiveness - Freedom from Fire

Ponder on the inherent logical sequence ( subhan’Allah ) of the above! We cannot be exempt from fire without first being forgiven. And to be forgiven, we must be graced by Allah’s mercy.

The first one third of Ramadan (10 days ) is MERCY from Allah

1]. Can we expect to receive mercy if we only deprive our bodies of food and drink? Of course not. Because Ramadan is meant for SPIRITUAL development through fasting. Physiologically, by fasting the body eliminates toxins efficiently and the mind becomes clear for “power thinking” so that one may ponder on the meaning of the Qur’an, Hadith and the necessity of dhikr. One must also do some self-analysis to monitor and correct one’s behaviour if necessary. With meditation the mind becomes quiet and so should our tongues!

2]. Allah is looking for a sincere commitment from us and not just physical starvation till sunset and then returning to the status quo. Ramadan does not end at every iftar. It ends only on sighting the hilal of Shawwal. So the hard spiritual work must carry on for the whole of the month.

3]. One must plead for mercy and sincerely cry to receive it because without it, we are stuck at stage one and our prospects of “freedom from fire” will be bleak.

4]. Therefore this stage one is for sincere confession to Allah that we are weak and sinful and that we desperately need His mercy. We have only about 10 days to qualify to stage two.

The second one third of Ramadan is - FORGIVENESS

1]. We must now beg for Allah’s forgiveness because we have broken so many of His rules and covenants and disobeyed His commands during the year, both knowingly and unknowingly. We must say istighfaar day and night and ask in every sajda for forgiveness. We must be afraid that if Allah does not forgive, we will surely be among the losers. Here again, Allah will be assessing the degree of sincerity in our repentance. He looks not for lip service but for soul service!

2]. We must also be forgiving to other people’s mistakes and tempers.

The last one third of Ramadan is - FREEDOM FROM FIRE

These are our last ten days or so. Instead of just focusing on Laylat Al-Qadar (the night of power) one should intensify supplications for the whole last third of Ramadan. If possible and affordable then do go for Umrah … it will be probably the most spiritually fulfilling experience you will have, aside from Hajj. And Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to having done a Hajj with our Most Beloved Rasool (May Allah Bless him and give him peace) ! At the completion of the last fast, be optimistically hopeful that you will be alive to give similar pious worship during the forthcoming Ramadans. And if you remain guided in your life then you’ll be will be admitted to Paradise, insha’Allah, by the Ryan gate of Paradise! Indeed Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala does not break His promise to his slaves.

How can we all help save Pakistan is a very important question that comes to the mind of every Pakistani. Where ever you are whatever you do if you plan to save Pakistan help us.

Our ideology and our ambitions are that of Quaid – i – Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. To achieve this we will follow exactly they he wanted us to.

“Come forward as servants of Islam, organize the people economically, socially, educationally and politically and I am sure that you will be a power that will be accepted by everybody.”

Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah

March 23, 1940

To achieve this we need volunteers in every university, community, town and village. We need Pakistanis who are committed to their country. Pakistan First Group will provide you a platform, ideas and resources. If you want to save your country join us now.

“My message to you all is of hope, courage and confidence. Let us mobilize all our resources in a systematic and organized way and tackle the grave issues that confront us with grim determination and discipline worthy of a great nation.”

Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah

October 24, 1947

Thank you,

Ali Khan

Group Chief

Pakistan First Group

With the start of a new Islamic year, Mr. Tariq M. Siddique presents his reflections based on the recent years, giving some food for thought and looking forward to a similar rise of Ummah as during the Khilafat e Rashida.

As a new Islamic year approaches (Hijri 1432) we as a Pakistani nation stand on a threshold which will determine our future. We have had a turbulent year and lots of battles were won and lost. But it matters ONLY when we win the war. Recently, a lot of exciting turn of events have taken place which are taking this world in a completely different direction unknown to many but also known to a very few. Pakistan now stands as the last fort of Islam in the face of the latest storms brewed against the Muslim nations. And as we make our way (alive) into another new Islamic year, I would like everyone of us, either Pakistani Muslim or Muslim from any other country, to stop, and think, and then reflect upon the types of lifestyles we have accepted and type of life we are living.

Is there any Inqilab (revolution) into our lives as Allama Muhammad Iqbal said, are we his Shaheens (falcons)? Are we looking to fly higher to reach our goal of prosperity and Islam in this world? Or are we still stuck in the black hole which is the western civilization? This new year gives us another opportunity and in my opinion, perhaps the best shot we can have at regaining our lost identity, dignity and honour. There is a Chinese saying: "May we live in interesting times", and boy doesn't that saying apply to us more than ever! We are facing such dangers which seem like insurmountable, we are facing defeats on many fronts, we are evening leaving our own ranks and joining the ranks of the enemies of Islam, but still those of us willing to sacrifice everything for the Kalima e Shahada are finally standing up to tyranny, blasphemy, and treachery.

How exciting it is to know for a Pakistani that he/she will be the future of the Muslim nation! How exciting it is for all the Muslims to know that InshaAllah (God willing) the system of Khilafat e Rashida minhaj innubuva will again be re-established and that too very soon. How exciting it is to know that where people would be persecuted for speaking for bringing the Khilafat back, today they are standing up high and with extreme honour, dignity, and respect showing the present God-less model of humanity a way back towards Him? A way back to Islam? A way back to Khilafat e Rashida! It is ever so exciting to note that not only are the winds of change coming, they are already here and waiting for the people with the right conscience to stand up to what is right, just, and fruitful for humanity as well as all the other living beings (plants or animals)!

The world indeed is changing, and a lot is going on as we go on about our daily lives, eating, drinking, sleeping, not realising half the time that some of us might even turn out to be THE driving force of a new era in this world.

In the end, I would to like to conclude with a very short Dua (Prayer): Ya Allah! Please make our humble effort acceptable in your sight, and give us the opportunity to wake up from our deep slumber and deliver to the world, the system which was brought to us by our beloved RasulAllah (SAW) 1432 years ago, and make us from those who follow the righteous path, of that of blessed, not of that who were misguided or angered upon (Ameen).

To everyone from Pak1stanfirst.com wishing all Muslim Ummah a very happy, prosperous and righteous Islamic Year.

By: Amaan Tareen

The writer is the member of core team and media production of Pak1stanfirst

I am sure that by reading this many people will think that I am projecting something against my society and this can harm our image on International Community but I think this is a need of time as it’s a “Do or Die “ situation for this nation. This is a root cause of all our major problems in Pakistan. Nations are made up of socio-cultural values and all these aspects of human life are intermingled ,deficient of all these we are not worthy to be called a nation, but just a group of people occupying the same land. Today after looking at most of the problems in our society I feel that we are not heading for that vision, that we have 1400 years ago. We are in a state of confusion, are we suffering from intellectual repression? As a nation we are morally dead and this is the bitter truth, the worse that can happen to any nation. We have always forgotten the message of our past, that we have the capacity to rediscover as a Pakistani people to rebuild a nation.

We have become a chronic complainer and an aggressive critic of the rampant corruption in the bureaucracy, unclear foreign policy, bribery and government inefficiency. But how about us? Are we morally upright? We also have the same weakness and the same petty quarrels that existed between our leaders. After the gruesome and barbaric Sialkot incident, I deduced that we have no the right to criticize the evil in the government, because we just watched, while these people freely committing a crime in a maniacal and monstrous way. Muslims killing his fellow Muslim. There is no doubt that we love to criticize Western Nations for their grieve violation of Human rights and yet we could not even make a stand nor we could show sympathy at least to those who were victimized. We all have suffered a moral decay. We have remained stagnant, we cease to signify as the masses that could break the past and challenge the establishment, rebuilding the society, acting rather than talking.

We want good politicians but we do not have a right political culture the political structures of dictatorship have not been completely transformed and even if we are aware of all these factors, we always voted for the wrong choice, without knowing the true essence and power of our right of suffrage. We criticize our Armed Forces but still we want them to save us from our enemies, we want them to come in power and save us from the corrupt politicians but as soon as they leave, we branded them traitors or dictators. We want honest people to come forward but we always fail because we do not have a strong and credible political system that can bring good people to the front, or we do not know how to identify their existence. We want someone to take the lead but again we have a ridiculous credibility issues, and highest level of mistrust, or we try to find some controversy related to them we always have a “crab mentality”. So, we can pull them down and preventing them to perform their duty of serving the people.

We need change but first it should come from within us. We have to be faithful to our historical aspirations and experience, rooted as it were, in our realistic demands; we are in many ways and under changing circumstances, still waging a struggle for change.

“ To bring the change you have to change “

We want our rights, but we fail to identify what those rights are. We often make complaints about the issues but we never try to figure out the actual reasons behind those issues. We want revolution in the country but we do not realize that

“ The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe. You have to make it fall – Che Guevara ”

We cease to abide within the precept of Islam the way the Prophet (P.B.U.H) admonished us. All of these chaos and miseries will not end as long as we do not remain faithful. I believe that Allah has already given us the direction; it’s only up to us to articulate our faith and follow that direction. If you have no idea on how to overcome all this, then read the Quran thoroughly to understand the purpose for the creation of Pakistan , only then you will come to know why we came into being and why  despite all the hardship and torments we are still safe, The lyrics of our National Anthem also reverberates that purpose.

We emerged as a nation under the great leadership of Quaid-e-Azam; we are conceived from the mind of Allama Muhammad Iqbal a great philosopher of the east. Today I see a lot of people have forgotten about their greatness that we have recently allowed President Asif Ali Zardari calling “Quaid-e-Azam a Non-Graduate” what happened to our national aspirations? Our historical and cultural awareness? We should have asked President Asif Ali Zardari to apologize for using inappropriate words for the founder of the nation, this doesn’t end here. We always forget that the nations who forget their real heroes will cease to exist for long. We all should be vigilant in every circumstances that compel, confused aggravate or twist our heroes character or open them to dangerous and self-serving opportunists. There are necessary evils, some done deliberately but with regret, sometimes without. But there are also plain betrayals for selfish ends which are not only unforgettable but unforgivable.We have to take charge of our destiny to free ourselves from the clout of Imperialism and from all the vestiges of oppressions and to take pride in our historical heritage. One does not need to be wealthy and highly educated to identify with the change that we want to achieve. We are all in these together. Together we can act different possibilities, a consolidated power in re-establishing our identity of being Pakistani and to participate in rebuilding our beloved nation. A nation, moving forward, armed with Faith, Discipline and Unity! Pakistan Zindabad !

Closing Remarks:

I am not a C.I.A Funded Pakistani; I do not intend to demoralize Pakistanis nor am I a Liberal. So please do not judge by my writing that I want to harm the image of Pakistan. It’s just a concern that I am showing by writing this. This image in the post represents the chunk of Pakistani Population who does not care about whatever is happening , today in the world , all what they know is how to spend today without caring for yesterday & tomorrow !

Source : amaantareen.wordpress.com | pak1stanfirst.com

By: Nicholas D. Kristof

Many Americans have suggested that more moderate Muslims should stand up to extremists, speak out for tolerance, and apologize for sins committed by their brethren.

That’s reasonable advice, and as a moderate myself, I’m going to take it. (Throat clearing.) I hereby apologize to Muslims for the wave of bigotry and simple nuttiness that has lately been directed at you. The venom on the airwaves, equating Muslims with terrorists, should embarrass us more than you. Muslims are one of the last minorities in the United States that it is still possible to demean openly, and I apologize for the slurs.

I’m inspired by another journalistic apology. The Portland Press Herald in Maine published an innocuous front-page article and photo a week ago about 3,000 local Muslims praying together to mark the end of Ramadan. Readers were upset, because publication coincided with the ninth anniversary of 9/11, and they deluged the paper with protests.

So the newspaper published a groveling first page apology for being too respectful of Muslims. “We sincerely apologize,” wrote the editor and publisher, Richard Connor, and he added: “we erred by at least not offering balance to the story and its prominent position on the front page.” As a blog by James Poniewozik of Time paraphrased it: “Sorry for Portraying Muslims as Human.”

I called Mr. Connor, and he seems like a nice guy. Surely his front page isn’t reserved for stories about Bad Muslims, with articles about Good Muslims going inside. Must coverage of law-abiding Muslims be “balanced” by a discussion of Muslim terrorists?

Ah, balance — who can be against that? But should reporting of Pope Benedict’s trip to Britain be “balanced” by a discussion of Catholic terrorists in Ireland? And what about journalism itself?

I interrupt this discussion of peaceful journalism in Maine to provide some “balance.” Journalists can also be terrorists, murderers and rapists. For example, radio journalists in Rwanda promoted genocide.

I apologize to Muslims for another reason. This isn’t about them, but about us. I want to defend Muslims from intolerance, but I also want to defend America against extremists engineering a spasm of religious hatred.

Granted, the reason for the nastiness isn’t hard to understand. Extremist Muslims have led to fear and repugnance toward Islam as a whole. Threats by Muslim crazies just in the last few days forced a Seattle cartoonist, Molly Norris, to going into hiding after she drew a cartoon about Muhammad that went viral.

And then there’s 9/11. When I recently compared today’s prejudice toward Muslims to the historical bigotry toward Catholics, Mormons, Jews and Asian-Americans, many readers protested that it was a false parallel. As one, Carla, put it on my blog: “Catholics and Jews did not come here and kill thousands of people.”

That’s true, but Japanese did attack Pearl Harbor and in the end killed far more Americans than Al Qaeda ever did. Consumed by our fears, we lumped together anyone of Japanese ancestry and rounded them up in internment camps. The threat was real, but so were the hysteria and the overreaction.

Radicals tend to empower radicals, creating a gulf of mutual misunderstanding and anger. Many Americans believe that Osama bin Laden is representative of Muslims, and many Afghans believe that the Rev. Terry Jones (who talked about burning Korans) is representative of Christians.

Many Americans honestly believe that Muslims are prone to violence, but humans are too complicated and diverse to lump into groups that we form invidious conclusions about. We’ve mostly learned that about blacks, Jews and other groups that suffered historic discrimination, but it’s still O.K. to make sweeping statements about “Muslims” as an undifferentiated mass.

In my travels, I’ve seen some of the worst of Islam: theocratic mullahs oppressing people in Iran; girls kept out of school in Afghanistan in the name of religion; girls subjected to genital mutilation in Africa in the name of Islam; warlords in Yemen and Sudan who wield AK-47s and claim to be doing God’s bidding.

But I’ve also seen the exact opposite: Muslim aid workers in Afghanistan who risk their lives to educate girls; a Pakistani imam who shelters rape victims; Muslim leaders who campaign against female genital mutilation and note that it is not really an Islamic practice; Pakistani Muslims who stand up for oppressed Christians and Hindus; and above all, the innumerable Muslim aid workers in Congo, Darfur, Bangladesh and so many other parts of the world who are inspired by the Koran to risk their lives to help others. Those Muslims have helped keep me alive, and they set a standard of compassion, peacefulness and altruism that we should all emulate.

I’m sickened when I hear such gentle souls lumped in with Qaeda terrorists, and when I hear the faith they hold sacred excoriated and mocked. To them and to others smeared, I apologize.

By Sadaf Zamir

Author is the member of editorial team of Pak1stanFirst and a senior member of Pak1stanFirst core team.

Some hate mongers deliberately and strappingly publicized their plans for promoting hate, insolence and negativism with the arrival of ninth 9/11 anniversary, demonstrating not only their own sick minds but also inciting hatred in some weak minds.

According to statistics, the opinion of general public was far less discriminatory and aparthied in 2004 compared to 2009 and 2010. It is an open secret that evidence is continuously emerging on non-involvement of Muslims in WTC 9/11 and the master minds have so far been found to be other than Muslims. As the facts and evidences are so-far controlled carefully for access general public, the crusade against Muslims is being welcomed by all frustrated, weak and sick minds. Recently, a BBC correspondent strongly indicated that 9/11 was committed by MOSSAD and that Iran does not want nukes.

Watch here BBC Correspondent says MOSSAD did 9/11

However, it is very pleasant to note that more than 99.99 % of world population is still spiritually and emotionally sound. This was established by the report of very few occasions of burning of Quran and Bible despite massive media campaigns to promote hate. Many conscientious, diligent and mature Christians, Jews and Muslims raised their concerns on dilapidating moral values and strongly discouraged the spiteful plans. US president also gave a message of respecting the holy books of all religions. The condemnation and concerns resulted in calling off of the initial massively campaigned plan of burning 200 copies of Quran at Gainesville church of Florida. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, conducted by Yassin Musharbas (translated from the German), Pastor Terry Jones’ daughter, Emma Jones condemned his father’s plan and commented that he has not been teaching at church in accordance with Bible, was ousted from church of Cologne and that he could be a megalomaniac.

There were a few instances though, where hate mongers were partially successful in destroying peace and inciting hatred in the minds of suppressed and frustrated people. The general intent seems to compel Muslim communities to get involved in a flurry of destructive reactions, but the general outcome has been quite satisfactory giving the world hope for peace and harmony in future.

According to Wikipedia, all Abrahamic religions, the followers of which amount to an estimated 3.8 billion (2005 figure), condemn blasphemy vehemently. Practicing Christians, Muslims, Jews, even Taoists and Dharma’s also take serious note of blasphemy, specially, if concerned to their own religious personages, artifacts, customs or beliefs. The world now looks forward to the conscientious leaders, prominent religious scholars and revered figures like the Pope to initiate the process for strengthening peace, harmony, mutual tolerance and forbearance. At the same time, it is also up to each and every individual, belonging to any religion or walk of life, to believe in and demonstrate these attributes in everyday life. This will not only make this world a better place but will also verify that peace cannot be invaded by a very small minority with sick minds.

Source: pak1stanfirst.com/

Mogul emperor Shah Jahan, four and half centuries back, waxed lyrical on the sight of beautiful Kashmir valley nestled in the bosom of mighty Himalayas and called itparadise on the earth. In his wildest dreams he would not have imagined that one day this land will become more hellish than hell for its citizens. Now for for past more than six decades it is soaked in blood and tears with its every year having tales of repression, intimidation and terror to tell.

The birth of Kashmir 'tragedy' dates back to the birth of India and Pakistan as independent nations. The future of this state at this important juncture of history of the sub-continent had remained undecided. The dispute over this strategically located state, bordering China, Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India commenced "on the morning of 27 October 1947 when units of Indian Army started landing at Srinagar Air filed" and the United Nations Security Council asked India and Pakistan for demilitarization and allowing people of the state right to self-determination. India's military presence in the state over years has increased to 700000, making it highest militarized zone in the world. Notwithstanding massive military presence, people of the state have been asking for right to self-determination and being met with repressive force. More than half a million people have been killed in state during past six decades. Of these over one hundred thousand have died after an anti-India armed insurgency was triggered by rigged State Assembly poll in 1987. Thousands have been maimed, crippled and disabled for rest of their life and over a hundred thousand have been orphaned. The 'killing fields' of Kashmir wrote Pankaj Mishra, in Guardian "dwarf those of Palestine and Tibet." Now when India has contained the armed insurgency and militant's guns have fallen silent people have been holding peaceful rallies and demonstration in support of 'Azadi' (freedom).

For past three summers hundreds of thousands have been coming on the roads and streets of the capital city and other towns demanding withdrawal of troops, repealing of draconian laws giving extraordinary powers to military, prosecution of those responsible for crimes against civilians, release of political prisoners languishing in jails, accountability for seven thousand forced disappearances and a chance to determine their own political future.

This summer's demonstrations began at a different note, with teenagers converging on the streets, raising slogans for Azadi being met with disproportionate force by the government troops. The youth, mostly born during the post 90 insurgency responded the baton charges, teargas canisters and firing by the troops with stones. The stone pelting has not only emerged as new form of resistance but as a phenomenon that has succeeded in sending tremors to New Delhi.

In Kashmir, the year 2010 had a gory start. On 8 January, Inayat Khan 16, was shot dead by Indian federal troops(CRPF) at Srinagar. On 22 January, Manzoor Ahmed Sofi 23, was killed by same force at Parahaspora, Pattan. On 31 January, Wamiq Farooq, 13, was shot dead by police. And on 31 January, Zahid Farooq, 16 years, was shot dead by Border Security Force, Srinagar. None of the killed was part of the demonstration but were students either on way to schools or homes. After massive protests in January, it was relative calm and business as usual for few months. On Fridays only after the noon prayers this deceptive calm would be punctured, with youth appearing on the streets and chanting pro-freedom slogans.

To control the restive population the government has imposed curfew and strict restrictions on people's movement. Every town and colony wrapped up in concertina, spools of razor wires, barbwire wire, with thousands of helmeted, gun totting and baton wielding soldiers dotting every place looks like a war time garrison. For past more than seventy days more than four million people have been virtually caged. There are lots of festering and disturbing tales about the 'curfewed' life that hardly get reported in the press. Hundreds of thousands of students have missed their studies and confinement has been adversely affecting their psyche. Shortage of medicines has been causing complicacies in many patients. To stretch their stocks, many daily wage earners have been living on one time meal for past month or so. Scarcity of fresh vegetable has made some to live primitive life and depend upon wild vegetables in their holdings.

By Z.G. Muhammad

43 Pakistanis were killed in a terror attack, killed for supporting Palestinians in Gaza. The signs had been there, the Wikileaks attempt to put responsibility for the Taliban on Veterans Today editor General Hamid Gul. This was debunked in a heartbeat. This attack was vicious and clearly the work of Israel. This was a terror attack meant as a message to the people of the world telling them that if they rally in support of those imprisoned in Gaza, they will be murdered.

This is far from the first time Israel has been caught. The PKK, the Kurdish terrorist group, communists, who have been attacking Turkey from their mountain “caves” in Iraq for over 40 years have long been trained, funded and even recruited by Israel’s Mossad. Now the partnership between India and Israel, helped along, not only by the CIA, the Karzai brothers “corporation” and MI -6 is becoming difficult to ignore.

With continual terror attacks a daily part of life in Pakistan, several in Lahore this week, there is no ignoring the real culprits. Nearly every contracting firm the United States uses in, not only Afghanistan but Pakistan as well, is filled to the brim with Israeli operatives. Working with them is the massive CIA assisted drug cartel and its worldwide network of private airlines for shipping heroin and cash and a dozen nations that take part.

All of this is only window dressing for the real show. In 2003, Israel got America to destroy Iraq, well, and itself also. The war in Afghanistan is destroying, not only that country but Pakistan as well. Israel will not allow an Islamic nuclear power to threaten their control over Asia. The real target has always been control of the Suez Canal and the real prize, India. What appears to America to be an economic powerhouse is a deeply divided and trouble nation beset by enemies and ready to be turned into a surrogate military power and then stripped to the bones.

This is what happened to the United States.

Pakistan is important. For years, the “CIA” and other intelligence organizations have been in Baluchistan sneaking in and out of Iran blowing things up. How much of that is CIA and how much is Mossad, nobody knows for sure. This is another terrorist organization, called the “Jundallah.” Like the PKK in Turkey and the Tehrik-i-Taliban, the terrorist group making life in Pakistan a living hell, the Jundallah get all the money, weapons, training, transportation and maybe more, much more, they need to fight covert wars against the targets of Tel Aviv.For Americans, the real question, if Israel is funding terrorist organizations attacking, not only Iran but America’s NATO partner Turkey and longtime ally Pakistan, facts long in evidence everywhere but in the American press, are there also terrorist attacks against American forces and America itself being planned? Have any been carried out and if so, how many?Does Israel gain when America marches to war against her perceived enemies? Is it a long declared policy to do anything necessary, not actually to enhance Israel’s survival, never really in question at all, not really ever actually, but their dominance?

What was obvious today is that the terror attack in Pakistan had nothing to do with Taliban of any kind. It had only one goal, to punish the people of Pakistan, ethnic Pushtu’s, not the ruling Punjabi’s, for supporting the Palestinian cause and supporting a two-state solution during the current peace initiative sponsored by President Obama. We know Israel goes after anyone who stands up for Palestine but killing dozens of civilians at a rally in Quetta, Baluchistan is an escalation, even for Israel.

No, this isn’t an escalation in violence, it isn’t even close to the biggest body count Israel has run up.

Perhaps the worst part of it is that nobody will say a word about this. Pakistan is broke, even by American standards. They survive off American foreign aid, money they continue to receive as long as they never say a word about Israel of publicly attribute the wave of terrorism they have been subjected to where the real blame belongs.

I have seen the head of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the current Director General of the ISI, hint at Osama bin Laden being dead. I have interviewed him about it personally.I was sworn to keep the discussion private and confidential. I will keep my word.

Pakistan is being held hostage. Mrs. Clinton continually chastises them about failing to find long dead Osama bin Laden, the imaginary planner of 9/11. Former ISI Director General Hamid Gul, now retired and known for his outspoken honesty, places the blame for 9/11 exactly where it belongs, where he placed on the day it happened. With the Israeli lobby in control of Washington and Washington’s money in control of Pakistan, this won’t be the last terror attack.The next time anyone anywhere tries to aid Palestinians or to get the truth about Israel’s apartheid policies and ethnic cleansing past the corporte controlled press, expect another suicide bombing. Look at the way the press handled Israeli murder and piracy with the Freedom Flotilla? Less than 5% of Americans know that Israel was caught back in 1967 knowingly attacking an American ship, the USS Liberty. It wasn’t the first Israeli terror attack on Americans and there have been dozens since. You will never read a word about them.With another 9/11 anniversary coming up, Palestine peace talks going on and Israel doing everthing in its power to force America to attack Iran, security forces throughout the United States are on high alert for Islamic terrorists.

Everyone ‘in the know” understand that the warning is really for Israeli terrorists. Will the United States Air Force be there if needed, unlike during 9/11? Will terrorists all show up with fresh student visas courtesty of the State Department like during 9/11?

Are we past the time when America is willing to look the other way when a thousand strange coincidences bring about that “perfect storm,” exactly when and where needed, a “storm” to eclipse 9/11 in horror, enough to send a war weary people, long lied to, no longer trusting their government, down the road to war for Israel again?

Four dead Israelis in Hebron was a clue. The 43 dead in Quetta is another. The imaginary Amsterdam hijackers were meant to be one also. More will come with each day, more clues, more planted news stories, more staging, more preparing the minds to expect what so many of us know is coming.

Who do you think recruits terror cells? Who has been doing it forever? Who can travel freely, use passports of any nation and has endless money? You think there really is an Al Qaeda?Why does everything Al Qaeda do only help Israel?

Is Al Qaeda another Mossad front?

By Gordon Duff
Source: www.opinion-maker.org

This week, Pakistan’s president, Asif Ali Zardari, boarded a private Gulf stream Jet along with his family and his hundreds-large entourage to visit the European countries included on the president’s grand tour. Yesterday, Zardari — who was married to my aunt, the late Benazir Bhutto, before her 2007 murder — landed in London. As soon as the plane touched down, the president and his Very Important coterie were chauffeured in a dozen luxury vehicles to a five-star hotel where the president will be staying in a £7,000 ($11,160) per night Royal Suite.

His welcome, however, was less than royal. On the drive to the hotel, protesters held placards reading “Zardari King of Thieves,” “Zardari 100% Pure Corruption,” and “GO Zardari GO.” While Zardari was schmoozing with his cronies in luxe London hotels, Pakistan was reeling from the deadliest floods to hit the country in 80 years. In short, it looks like Zardari’s Katrina.

More than 3 million people in the northwestern region of Pakistan have now been affected by the floods. Parts of the north are facing terminal food shortages even as they are inaccessible to relief workers.

The U.N. World Food Program says that 1.8 million will urgently need something to eat in coming weeks. The death toll has risen steadily in recent days to more than 1,400 people. About another million have lost their homes.

The news is also unlikely to get any better: Officials now say that the waters are expected to hit Punjab and Sindh provinces, Pakistan’s food-producing regions. New flood warnings are still being issued, and the country is bracing for further monsoon downpours.

Zardari takes a lot of overseas trips — so many that one local TV pundit estimated somewhat anecdotally last year that Richard Holbrooke, U.S. President Barack Obama’s special envoy to the “AfPak” region, had spent more time in Pakistan than Zardari had recently. But the timing of this particular visit has angered not only his subjects but also his hosts.

Two prominent Asian Britons refused to meet the visiting head of state. Khalid Mahmood, a member of parliament, vigorously condemned Zardari’s decision to visit London. “A lot of people are dying,” he told the press. “He should be [in Pakistan] to try to support the people, not swanning around in the UK and France.” Lord Ahmed, a labor MP, continued that Zardari had a responsibility to be “looking after people, not [be] over here.”

Yet the protests seem to have fallen on deaf ears — which really shouldn’t surprise anyone who has watched the Zardari government in action. The floods are just the latest, most tragic example of how inept the Pakistani state truly is. The inundation was predictable; Pakistan suffers monsoon rains every year at exactly the same time. But in a country — and with a president — so endemically corrupt, dealing with the entirely preventable, whether terrorism or natural disasters, has become impossible. There is simply no will, and more importantly no money, to spend on the Pakistani people.

The country’s coffers are constantly being diverted to more pressing programs — or pockets, for that matter. Before he came to office, Zardari was facing corruption charges in Switzerland, Spain, and Britain. (As president, he withdrew Pakistan’s cooperation with the latter two countries’ courts; his presidential immunity prevented a Swiss case from re-opening.)

And thus the tragedy unfolds: There are no emergency evacuation plans for natural disasters, nor is there money for institutions that could help victims of such crises.

What there is money for — almost $600,000 — are such programs as the Martyr Benazir Bhutto Income Support Scheme, a cult of personality initiative named after the president’s late wife. Those who sign up receives meager cash handouts and find themselves on the president’s ruling party’s election rolls — which themselves received more government funds than two whole federal departments of Pakistan put together.

Meanwhile, if rumors in the Pakistani press are right, Zardari’s European tour is even more cynical than it already seems.

The trip is meant to kickstart the president’s young son’s political career. That launch has to take place overseas to avoid the inevitably hostile reactions such a dynastic coronation would draw back in Pakistan. Speculation has it that Zardari’s son Bilawal, a recent college graduate who is already co-chairman along with Zardari of their political party, will proclaim himself the future leader of Pakistan to a select audience in Birmingham on August 7.

Pakistan’s The News newspaper summed up popular sentiment in a laundry list of questions posed to the country’s High Commission in London.

“Who is paying for the buses and coaches being booked to bring people to the Birmingham rally?” the paper asks. “Why will the president not cancel his visit?” And the most crucial question: Shouldn’t the money for the trip be better spent on the flood victims? In response, the Pakistani High Commission issued a one-line blanket response: “This is an official visit and procedures for official visits are being followed.”

Pakistan can ill afford a president who prioritizes his personal political future over the lives of millions of his citizens. We have always known in Pakistan that the rest of the world’s attention comes at a tremendously high cost. Yet we seem to keep paying.

Foreign Policy magazine

By Fatima Bhutto

Source | http://thenews.com.pk