Local Muslims turn out in numbers at Pakistan conference

BY DILLY HUSSAIN

Activists and community leaders attended a national conference to discuss the political turmoil in Pakistan.

Around a 100 members of Bedfordshire’s Pakistani and Muslim community were present at the ‘Islamo-political’ seminar organised by the UK branch of Hizb ut-Tahrir (Party of Liberation) at Friends House, Euston on November 15 (above left).

International news channels covered the event which brought together thousands for the talk titled ‘Save Pakistan from America, Terror and Zardari.’

The majority of the town’s Pakistanis are from Azhad Jammu Kashmir, a region with its own history of conflict but distant from the current violence in the North Western Frontiers.

Local businessman Zardad Khan who went to the conference said: “Most Pakistanis living in the west understand the ongoing conflict via mainstream media that is spearheaded by pro-American propaganda or family back home.”

Social worker Nadia Rafiq who also attended said: “300,000 people have been left displaced and homeless.

They are our brothers and sisters in Islam and we cannot remain silent.”

Focal points of discussion were US foreign policies, increasing domestic division since Barrack Obama took office, President Asif Ali Zardari’s war crimes against his own people and a possible solution for the ‘failed state’.

Political analyst, Sajjad Khan explained America’s ‘Af-Pak’ (Afghanistan and Pakistan) strategy and its potential dangers to the region.

He also showed how terrorism and civilian bombings had only come to Pakistan after 2001 when America achieved a foothold in the region.

He said: “Sending 30,000 troops to South Waziristan would exacerbate growing divisions in Pakistan.”

Chairman of the executive committee, Dr Abdul Wahid concluded by highlighting the proposed manifesto for Pakistan produced by Hizb ut-Tahrir.

He said: “Policies and solutions in our manifesto are all based on Islamic laws, morals and principles.”

IT consultant Jangir Laal said: “The conference was very detailed and relevant to the existing dilemma of that region. I have yet to see a more coherent and practical manifesto to resolve the crisis in Pakistan.”

Director of counterextremism think tank Quilliam, Majid Nawaz said: “The main problem is the spread of non-violent Islamist ideology in Pakistan which is highly dangerous for Pakistani society.

“Hizb ut-Tahrir is presently recruiting highly educated individuals, while their ideology is gaining ground amongst the educated and socially mobile classes within Pakistan.”