End
Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.
Azzam, only son of Abdul Allam who became ill after his father was abducted
Disappearances are common in Pakistan, a visit from security forces in the middle of the night, a businessman on a bus journey who never arrives, a political activist kidnapped off the street in front of his children. So it is of no surprise to hear of the alleged abduction of Abdul Allam (age 31) from his uncle’s home in Abdul Hakim district of Khanewal in the Punjab province of Pakistan.
Abdul Allam is the son of Dr Shafiq ur Rehman who was in charge Emergency Department of Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur. He was a diligent student and completed an MA in Islamic studies and Arabic as well as a Master of Philosophy degree in Islamiat (Islamic religious studies) at the University of Sargodha. Only two days after starting a teaching post he was arrested whilst sleeping at a family residence. The following information was given by a contact familiar with the case, he stated,
“3 vans and at least 30 person of Elite force plus Punjab police came to arrest him on midnight of 26th august 2015. From then no one knows where he is. Even local SHO refused to file an FIR (First Information Report) against Elite forces and the case in Multan Court is rejected after refusing of DCO Khanewal that they have arrested a person.”
The family are very distressed at his disappearance and struggling as Abdul Allam was the main wage earner for the family. His father retired in May and his sister has special needs and requires assistance with walking eating and is unable to use the wash room on her own. There is another brother who is currently unemployed so all responsibility lies Abdul to support his relatives.
Abdul Allam with his son (now deceased)
Azzam is said to have died of a “heart attack” exactly 2 months after his father went missing
Abdul is also married with one son Azzam. The boy was said to be very attached to his father and his absence affected Azzam greatly. He grew weaker day by day, unable to cope with the loss, ” when Eid ul Azha (Islamic festival) came Azzam said to his mother “Mama don’t wake me early in the morning because it will be an Eid day. Let my father come and wake me”. Tragically exactly 2 months after Abdul’s disappearance, Azzam died from a heart problem. It is unclear if this was a longstanding health issue or developed since his father went missing.
Security services have a job to do, however what is happening all over Pakistan through disappearing people is “collective punishment” where the family of a detained person are subjected to a form of retaliation through denying them information or access. When a person is taken into custody there must be a procedure for recording their destination, allowing access to a lawyer and medical care and informing the family of the person’s whereabouts. In many cases this is not happening and there is little accountability, also they be afraid to file an FIR or not allowed to go through the process which would require accountability from the state.
School registration form relating to Abdul Allam for identity purposes
Umme Azzam is not only grieving for her child but extremely worried regarding the wellbeing of her husband. She explained her fears were of him going missing outside the home but if that happened what could they do but they did not anticipate he would be abducted from a family home. She said,
“at this time of trial, have a look in the prizes and blessing of Allah. Father had the habit that if his phone would run out of battery, he would not recharge it, he would forget the mobile at home and also he would make the phone silent and keep it in his pocket. We would get tired of calling him and he would see his phone when he got home. He would go out for one errand but would return after travelling the whole city and his mobile would be switched off. We were so disturbed about this habit but we realised he will not change so when his phone would be off we did not worry too much. Please consider this that was it not a blessing of Allah that father was picked up from the house. If he was picked up while going to work or if he had vanished while walking around town then could we have done anything? Imagine if this incident had happened outside the house then we would have been content that he is around somewhere and will come back soon and if he would not have returned we would have been in such agony. Then we never would have imagined that he would have been picked up by the agencies. Then what would have been our state. In the end وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ “
Amina Masood Janjua holding a photo of her missing husband who disappeared in 2005 (Image Express Tribune)
Amina Masood Janjua who runs an organization called Defence of Human Rights (DHR) knows the pain of losing a family member in such and brutal and inhumane way following the disappearance of her husband in 2005. Earlier this year on the tenth anniversary of Masood going missing she stated,
“we know that our homeland is facing many problems and dangers. During the past one year government has passed laws to legitimize enforced disappearance, constitution was modified but count of missing persons is increasing by the day. We have been waiting with hopeful silence that our enforced disappeared relatives would be recovered because of the impunity provided to the security forces but there is no improvement in the situations. Silence of government is compelling us to once again take our struggle to roads. Being responsible citizen peaceful protest is our right. We urge the government of Pakistan to solve the missing person issue.”
It is hoped that for both women that there will some form of resolution.It is detrimental to the health and wellbeing of families when they are denied information on loved ones. There are concerns about their health and fears of torture during incarceration. In addition disappearing people is a security risk for the state as it funerals anger and incites some to retaliate. Each family has suffered an additional bereavement after their husbands went missing increasing their distress and grief. They call upon those holding their loved ones to communicate with them regarding their place of detention so that they can at least know their loved ones are alive.
Links
“Defence of Human Rights” (Help for families of missing persons)
“Amina Masood Janjua championing the cause of the disappeared”
“‘Disappeared’ in Pakistan: Wife marks 10th anniversary and calls for Masood Janjua to be freed”
Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.
English transcript of the video statement by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and al-Qaeda in the Maghreb (AQIM) in response to Abu Muhammad al-Adnani Islamic State spokesperson
In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the Noble of the Prophets and Messengers, Prophet Muhammad.
To Proceed,
I read this statement on behalf of my brothers in Qaedatul Jihad in Maghribil-Islam and the Arabian Peninsula. Commenting on the address made by the official spokesman of Baghdadi’s group, titled: (“Say to those who disbelieve: “You will be defeated…) {3:12}. The address contains a number of jumbles and misfortunes that have forced us to take a stand, a righteous and truthful stand … (that those who perished would perish upon evidence and those who lived [in faith] would live upon evidence; ) {8:42}.
At a time when the Ummah has directed its eyes towards the blessed Aqsa and the heroes of the knife revolution, came out this (unfortunate) address. Ignoring the most important issue of the Ummah; the issue of Palestine. On top of this the spokesman declared war on all groups and factions everywhere and threatening to fight and shed their blood. This indicated the extent of their deviation and misguidance. Instead of directing their fight towards the enemies of the Ummah, and to direct their arrows towards the Jews and Christians, they chose to direct their arrows towards the chests of Muslims. And there is no power nor might except from Allah.
In contrast to what Baghdadi’s group was claiming regarding their pure belief and methodology. This address came to expose the concealed belief and buried grudge and rancor. And it became clear to everyone that the matter is not only limited to using takfir as a means to end conflict with opponents. But they surpassed this matter with their spokesman’s declaration that the mere existence of any group that does not profess loyalty towards them is sufficient for their blood to be shed and making what is forbidden (from them) halal. Arguing that there are no other “groups besides their group”.
At a time when the crusaders from east and west rush towards the Muslims in Sham, Russia began its brutal crusade campaign with the co-operation and coordination of America and Israel. In this critical time of our Ummah’s history – the spokesman of Baghdadi’s group emerged, not announcing reconciliation between factions, nor announcing truce with opponents, nor in joining ranks, nor promising to hit the crusaders in their home or inciting Lone Jihad against them. But his address came to threaten the factions fighting in Sham and announcing the continuation of their policy of “Liberating the liberated” – in the lands which have been liberated from the authority of the Nusayriyyah. Rather on top of that he threatened all groups working for Islam and Mujahidin factions everywhere, declaring war upon them and having nothing for them except “a sharp knife” and a “ripping bullet”.
And in the field of proof, knowledge and evidence Baghdadi’s spokesman eluded from the facts of knowledge, shariah evidences and the realities that have been brought forth by Sheikh Ayman Adhawahiri – May Allah protect him – in the series “The spring of Islam”. And this spokesman was contented with abuse and insults, a stratagem of the weak and an approach of the ignorant … And to cover this ignorance in the field of proof and evidence he went on to insult an old man and discredit the people of intellect and proof, and those who have preceded (in the field of Jihad), and the people of merit whom he had been repeating their praises and commendation. The Prophet said : [Part of glorifying Allah is honoring the grey haired Muslim] on the authority of Abu-Dawud and Al-Albani declared it hassan. And in the hadith [he is not amongst us the one who does not honor the old amongst us, and be merciful towards the young and know the rights of our scholars] declared Hassan by Al-Albany in sahih al-Jaami. So where is this Prophetic guidance from this who claims to talk on behalf of the ‘Khilafa’ upon the Prophetic manhaj – and far is the prophetic manhaj from the likes of this.
And with this respect we repeat what has already been mentioned by Sheikh Aiman Adh-Dhawahiri – May Allah protect him – and others among the scholars of the Ummah and their leaders … we do not acknowledge, basing on shariah, this ‘Khilafa’, nor do we see the legitimacy of its bayah (allegiance), nor do we see it to be on the noble Prophetic manhaj. But rather some of its authority (power) was gained by coercion, force, shedding blood and making takfir upon Muslims. And (their authority) is not through shura nor mutual consent.
And far away is the prophetic tradition and the history of the four noble rightly guided Khalifas from such acts and such ‘guidance’. And the description of what they are doing such as coercing the rights of Muslims in appointing who governs them, the killing of Muslims, making takfir upon them, their pride, arrogance and corruption to be “the prophetic manhaj”! This is nothing but a lie upon the sunnah and manhaj of the prophet, a lie upon the manhaj and sunnah of the rightly guided Khalifas, whom the prophet directed us to follow their sunnah, he said [Stick to my sunnah and the sunnah of the rigtly guided khulafa, cling to it with the molars] on the authority of the companions of sunan, authenticated by Al-Albani.
Indeed the manhaj of the prophet is the manhaj of shura and mutual consent among the ummah. A manhaj of mercy and leniency towards the believers. A Manhaj based upon Justice and wisdom. The manhaj of the prophet is not a manhaj of fighting the people of Islam and the best among the Muslims i.e the groups of Jihad. The Manhaj of the prophet is not of “sowing dissention” and disunity among groups working to give victory to the religion (of Allah) and shifting away the conflict from fighting the real enemies of the Ummah, the Jews, Christians and their agents, and turning the tide towards the people of Islam (based) under weak feeble arguments …
Indeed the Prophetic manhaj, is the one by its very existence borders are protected and sanctities preserved, authority becomes a shield against aggression and injustice is refuted and Islam is protected. And it is not a manhaj of killing the innocent and of explosions in Mosques, as it was in sana’a. And if explosions in mosques “is a blessed beginning” as was described by Baghdadi in his address titled “Go forth whether light or heavy” then how will its end be!
Therefore, to us, Baghdadi’s ‘Khilafa’ is an invalid Khilafa according to Sharia (evidences). We do not recognize it nor obligate upon the Muslims to give bai’a, rather we view its bai’a to be null. And it is a bai’a based upon sin and enmity not upon piety and taqwa, especially after releasing their latest statement. And the Scholars have sufficiently stated, basing on Sharia and reality, the invalidity of this ‘Khilafa’. And among the latest of statements is the series ‘The Spring of Islam’ by Sheikh Aiman Adh-Dhawahiry – May Allah protect him – in which Baghdadi’s spokesman decided to ignore to respond. Fleeing away from the field of knowledge, evidences and debate to a field encompassed with abuse and insults. The prophet said [it is not for a believer to malign, nor curse, nor to be foul or indecent] on the authority of Ahmad and Tirmidhi, and authenticated by Al-Albani.
And through this method of abuse and insults, the spokesman and the group seeks to topple the scholars, the people of merit and those who have preceded us among the Mujahidin. And so (according to them) whoever gives them bai’a, sides with them and helps them is considered to be a true sincere believer. And whosoever disagrees with them and denies their deviation and offer them advice is considered to be a bad scholar, theorist, inexperienced fool and “shoes” of the tawaghit; even though some spent most of their lives waging jihad against the tawaghit and being afflicted and tested in that path. Ibn-Taymiyah (RA) was true when he described the state of the people of bida’a and deviation in ‘Minhaju Nubuwwa’. And many among the people of desire innovate opinions, and make takfir to whosoever disagrees with them (upon their bida’a)”
And such a method of heated furious unbalanced addresses, which have nothing to do with the just addresses of the salaf, nor with the address taught and known to us from the scholars, leaders and figures of our blessed course. Then is it possible to attribute such statements or to be uttered by the likes of our Sheikhs ie Usama bin Laden, Attiyatullah, Abu-Yahya AL-Liby or Abu Musa’ab Az Zarqawi – May Allah Accept them – and their likes, of which Baghdadi’s group claim to be upon the same path and manhaj and upon perfecting and completing in their path?
And when we topple our truthful scholars, discredit the leaders of Jihad, those who have preceded us, and the people of Merit in Islam and Jihad; Who are many for us to mention in this platform. And when we destroy the previous and subsequent effort and topple whosoever disagrees with our efforts and opinions, then what else will be left for us and the ummah?
And for whose interest is the distortion of the image of scholars and leaders who have led and directed the global Jihad against America and its agents. And for whose interest is the breakdown of the Islamic Jihadi groups that have directed their arrows against America and its interests? And for whose interest is the preoccupation of the jihadi fronts with all this takfir, tension, incitement, corruption and in-fighting? Is this the path to victory or is it the path leading to failure? Allah says {And do not dispute (with one another) lest you lose courage and your strength departs} (8:46) The verse prohibits us from disputing which leads to failure, so what will something greater than that from making takfir and shedding the blood of Muslims lead to – his has never been the manhaj of Islam nor is it the guidance of the prophet – Allah says {Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful amongst themselves} (48:29) and He says { Indeed, Allah loves those who fight in His cause in a row as though they are a [single] structure joined firmly. } (61:4)
We here confirm our rejection of this manhaj of making takfir without due right and of making halal the blood (of Muslims) – a manhaj followed by Baghdadi’s group. This manhaj that has been built upon a blend of ignorance, deviation and desires – and one of these is enough of an affliction, so how will it be if they all converge together?
This is indeed not the Manhaj of the Mujahidin. This is not the manhaj of Qaedatul Jihad, which has stood upon the principles of Islam, defending its sanctities and the oppressed Muslims all over the world. Standing upon the principles of Islam and on the guidance of the prophet. Sometimes fault and make mistakes, but clinging firm to the principles. cultured upon its morals and waging Jihad with clear insight. Apologizing for our mistakes when they occur, admitting to our shortcomings, we repent when we go wrong and set right our path. And it is the continuation of the efforts of the sincere honest scholars, leaders and mujahidin of the ummah who began an exhausting journey of Jihad against the enemies of Allah from the Christians and their agents among the tyrants who have heavily descended upon our necks. It is the continuation of decades of Jihad, trials and sacrifice. And it is the continuation of the journey of; Shahid Sayyid Qutb, Shahid Izzadin Al-Qassam, Sheikh Umar Abdulrahman, Sheikh Marwan Hadid, Sheikh Adnani Uqla, Sheikh Abdallah Azzam, Sheikh Tamim Al-Adnani, Sheikh Yunus Khalis, Sheikh Jalaladin Haqqani, Sheikh Abdalla Al-Dhakry, Sheikh Abu Umar As-Sayf, Sheikh Abdulrashid Ghazi, Sheikh Nidhamudin Shamzi and many among the scholars and leaders who have stepped and preceded upon the path.
Qaedatul Jihad stood and its caravan was led by Sheikh Usama bin Laden –RA- in order to gather the efforts of the muslim groups and direct them to realize the most important goals of the Ummah of Islam. Sheikh Usama bin Laden gave bai’a to the leader of the believers, Mulla Muhammad Umar (RA), uniting the word (of the Mujahidin) and setting the ranks. Mullah Umar (RA) opened his chest to all Muslims and Afghanistan became a safe heaven and a shelter to the Muhajirin and a station point to meet and gather their word. Mullah Umar and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan did not compel any group to give bai’a; nor “splitting the heads” or “cutting the necks” with the argument that their authority is the Khilafah of Muslims of which there should be no other group besides it. And this is how efforts were gathered and their word united upon goodness and the guidance of Islam. With kindness and high character, good behavior, giving victory and assistance, by covenant and co-operation and not upon the manhaj of “splitting the heads” and “cutting the necks” of Muslims.
Sheikh ibn Taymiyah says in his fatawa: “It is not for anyone to set-up for the Umma a person, calling to his path and forming loyalty and enmity based on him except for the prophet. And it is not for anyone to come with words or speech and form loyalty an enmity with it except for the words of Allah, the Messenger and what the Ummah has joined and united upon (Ijmaa). Rather it is the actions of the innovators who have appointed someone upon the people and words that disunites the Ummah while forming loyalty and enmity with it”
And Allah has raised high the status of Sheikh Usama bin Laden (RA) by his good character, generous nature, open-handed and good conduct in Islam. Never was it for a single day and it will never be the path to unity through the sword, shedding of blood, making halal the sanctities of Islam; beginning with toppling, making takfir and ending with killings, explosions and terrorizing, this has never been our manhaj and it will never be. The prophet says {Whoever departs from my Ummah striking hard their pious and dissolute, not avoiding the believers nor fulfilling the covenant. He is not from me and I am not from him.} Muslim
And today – by the grace of Allah – fairminded people testify that we have not for a single day been a tool of destruction and demolition. Rather we are a group of unity and understanding. Participating and sharing with the Ummah its happiness and sorrows. We seek to co-operate, assist and advice with every truthful Islamic groups among the Jihadi and non-Jihadi groups. We are still a group among Muslims, we never claim nor state as stated by Baghdadi and his followers that they are “the only group of Muslims”, and whoever departs it deserves “a ripping bullet” or a “sharp knife” and after that die a death of Jahiliyyah (state of ignorance). Just because of not giving bai’a to the one appointed ‘Khalifa’ over Muslims without their counsel and seizing their rights. Then reasoning that when “Mujahidin gather in his group then they do not gather in deviation”
We are a group that constructs, co-operates and supports. And our path is the path of waging Jihad against the enemies of the Ummah. And making da’awa to the Muslim masses rather to all-mankind. The wellbeing and interest of the Ummah is our interest. The concerns and priorities of the Ummah are our concerns. And we are a (group) from this Ummah and we (work) towards it. Our manhaj is leniency towards the Ummah. And as for the manhaj of destruction, sowing and stirring dissention and corruption, confusing efforts, making takfir upon those who disagree with them – then this is a manhaj of a feeble and futile (person) who has no perfection except ruin. And is it that the path of takfir, shedding blood (of Muslims), explosions and explosives against those who disagree with them among the Muslims a path of the people of truth and compassion or a path of deviation and desires? And if so, then it has been narrated In the hadith {Whoever crowds the camp or blocks the road, then there is no Jihad for him} then how will it be for the one who incites their killing and stirring up their followers to descend upon the mujahidin just because of mere staying behind from giving bai’a upon their group. It has been reported that the prophet said, on the authority of Ibn Majah {Whosoever helps to kill a believer, even with half a word, he will meet Allah with (the words) written between his eyes, ‘He has no hope of the mercy of Allah’ } Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs.
And as for us, by the grace of Allah, seek justice even to those who disagree with us, however great their ill and trouble increases, Allah says { O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do. } (5:8) He says {woe to those who give less [than due] * who when they take a measure from people, take in full * But if they give by measure or by weight to them , they cause loss} (83:1-3) whoever (among the Muslims) does good we support them in their good deeds and thank them for their efforts. And whosoever (among the Muslims) does wrong we do not acknowledge them and we give them advice.
Sheikh Ibn-Taymiya (RA) says in the book ‘qaidatu fi Mahabba’ : “Allah the glorious sent { messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice } (57:25) A believer needs to have an understanding of justice, and this is the straight path and implementing it. Or else he will either fall into ignorance or fall into oppression … to where he says … and we have mentioned this concept many times, and it is the presence and collection of good, bad, recompense and punishment in a single person as it is with all Muslim groups except those who have deviated away from them among the khawarij, al-waidiyah among the Mu’tazila and the likes and most of the Murjiah. Because according to them a person is either recompensed or punished, praiseworthy in all aspects or dispraised in all aspects. And the corruption of this has been revealed in other aspects with many evidences from the Quran, Sunnah and the Ijmaa} the end”
Previously their official spokesman had made mubahal (Invoke the curse of Allah upon the liar) over a number of issues, and here he is today admitting the lies and the lies of his group. After denying that they do not make takfir upon those who fight them as stated in his address titled “O our people respond to the Messenger of Allah” saying that whosoever fights their group is a Kafir “if he is aware of it or not”
And in his latest address he went on further to declaring that anyone who does not join his group and acknowledge their ‘Khilafa’, then is entitled to be fought and killed “a ripping bullet” “and a sharp knife” yet he was the same one who denied that they were fighting upon bai’a.
Baghdadi had claimed, in the beginning of the trial and killings, that whoever fights them should seize from fighting. And if they refrain he too will refrain. And if they turned to peace they too will turn. Instead of responding with a sound thinking and wisdom to those who today call upon seizing fighting and to delay disagreement for the interest of Jihad in Sham, especially after the recent convergence of enemies towards them: Rather their official spokesman declared that they will disunite all groups, split all organizations and factions all over the Islamic World. And that they will fight them not because of anything else but just that they did not give them bai’a and for not being under their authority – when their official spokesman openly said in his latest address: “we will disunite the groups, split the ranks and organizations … indeed (we will do that) because there is no other group aside this group … and away with organizations … we will fight organization movements, assemblies and fronts. We will tear down battalions, brigades and armies until we finish off the factions – by the will of Allah – for the factions are the ones that weaken Muslims and delay victory”
Recently their efforts appeared as a trial to sow dissention between the ranks of the Mujahidin in Somalia, despite of the brutal crusader campaigns facing them right now. And Allah is our recompense
Is there anything left for those who argue and defend them out of excuse? Isn’t it the manhaj of the people of exaggeration and Khawarij to make takfir upon Muslims, legalizing their blood and dividing their groups?
Sheikh Islam Ibn-Taymiya says in his fatawa: “the main part of the Khawarij’s beliefs is to divide Muslims and making halal their blood. The Shia also choose this but they are weak”
And isn’t it a sign of the khawarij and people of exaggeration to coin words and make them among the religion, making takfir to those who disagree with them. Sheikh Islam Ibn-Taymiyya in his fatawa states: “Regarding the people of bida’a, they come up with something new and render them to be obligatory in the religion. Rather they make them an essential part of faith, making takfir to whosoever disagrees with them upon that, making their blood permissible as it was with the Khawarij and the Jahmiyyah…”
To conclude, and advice to whoever still supports them and stand by them in their ranks, to those who back and encourage them … hasn’t the time come to realize the extent of the faults and deviation of this group. Hasn’t the time come for sincere repentance and refraining away from these serious offenses of making takfir towards the Muslims, making halal their sanctities and shedding their blood, Allah says: {And those who harm believing men and believing women for [something] other than what they have earned have certainly born upon themselves a slander and manifest sin. } (33:58) and what more harm is bigger for a believer then making takfir upon him and removing him from the religion. And what crime is greater than shedding the blood of Muslims without justification from religion, Allah says {But whoever kills a believer intentionally – his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally, and Allah has become angry with him and has cursed him and has prepared for him a great punishment. } (4:93) the prophet (?) says in sahih bukhary {If anyone says to his brother, ‘O Kafir!’ Then surely, one of them is such.} and in Abu dawud { The one who argues for a false case knowingly will remain subject to the wrath of Allah until he gives it up. If a person says something of a believer that is not true, Allah will cause him to dwell in the mud of Khabal until he retracts what he said } and in the hadith { If this world were to be destroyed, that would be less significant before Allah than the unlawful killing of a believer}
On the authority of Abu-Saeed Al-Khudhri and Abu-Hureira (RA) that the prophet (?) said: { if the inhabitants of the heaven and the inhabitants of the earth all took part in shedding the blood of a believer, then Allah would cast them (all) in the fire} – Tirmidhi, authenticated by Al-Albany
Verily no one will be saved from the misguided and exaggerated fatwas. And no one will be saved from the command of the leader, Allah says { [And they should consider that] when those who have been followed disassociate themselves from those who followed [them], and they [all] see the punishment, and cut off from them are the ties [of relationship], } everyone will be resurrected alone and held accountable for his own actions, a group will never be a savior in front of Allah.
You have come out for the sake of Allah and to give victory to the religion of Allah. And some of you migrated from distant lands, is it right then to ruin this resolute and intention by making takfir and shedding the blood of Muslims. You came out to give victory to Islam and the Ummah, and here you are directing your arrows towards the Muslim Ummah and towards those who wage Jihad amongst them just because of not giving bai’a to you or for joining your group, or is it because of it that you make loyalty and enmity, shed blood and kill? How many Muslim groups will you continue to fight? And how much (Muslim) blood will you continue to shed? All because of your innovations that you form and the arguments you make … do you not take heed from what had befallen upon the armed Islamic groups in Algeria? How exaggeration penetrated them? How it eventually evolved then ended with them in such a state? With all the abundance that was available, in the example of Algeria, in terms of factors for victory and abundant assistance from Muslims at that time…
So correct yourselves, for this world is nothing but a passage and in the hereafter is the standing in front of Allah for reckoning.
And we do not forget to thank those who have abandoned this group after realizing their deviation. We thank them for rejecting what came out recently from the statements of their leaders making clear their manhaj. We ask Allah to keep them and us steadfast upon guidance, success and rightness.
O Allah ratify for this Ummah a state of right guidance, in which the people of obedience are strengthened and the people of disobedience are lowered. O Allah unite the ranks of Muslims, join their word, guide their straying and return them back to you a good return..
And our final call is All praise is due to Allah the Lord of the worlds…
End
Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.
(Statement via Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan)
The powerless Kabul regime officials have recently levelled a diverse array of accusations upon the valiant Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate in an attempt to cover up their own vulnerability and impotency. Sometimes they attribute the heroic advances of Mujahideen to others and other times brand their strength as danger to the neighbors all the while publishing reports about their weakness and running away to neighboring countries. Statements of such contradictory nature only serve to lift the veil from their own fragile state.
The impotent officials of the two-headed Kabul administration having become disillusioned with the American promises and unsatisfied with oppression, transgression and savagery being committed against the Afghan people by the current invaders have begun signaling towards others in order to keep our beloved homeland occupied. All countrymen are aware that on top of seeking the continuation of the current occupation, some sinister faces are now openly calling for military aid from Russia so to offer up the Afghan Mujahid nation and Afghanistan as sacrifice for new conspiracies. Similarly with the Jihadi advance of Islamic Emirate in the country’s northern parts, they have commenced baseless propaganda and are raising false flags of imminent danger and intentions of harm by the Islamic Emirate for the northern neighbors.
The Islamic Emirate has this unambiguous message for all the neighboring and regional countries; instead of listening to the poisonous propaganda of the enemies, it would be better for you to begin researching and understanding the realities by yourselves. Our enemies will never truthfully relay the ground realities and our actual goals. So come, let us talk and meet face to face and exchange views on goals and values. We state very clearly that our Jihadi or armed struggle in Afghanistan is our Shariah based and lawful right; our nation is occupied by America and NATO, our freedom and national sovereignty has been stepped upon, our legitimate government has been dismantled, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed, millions of Afghans have been oppressed and our motherland has been transgressed upon therefore its defense is our legitimate right! And we similarly have never undertaken any military action outside of our borders and neither can anyone provide proof otherwise.
In this day and age the planet has transformed into a village with communal needs. Shared interests and common benefits, trade, transit routes, joint cultural and educational values and assistance in all other walks of life are requirements of our time. Keeping this principle in mind we seek cordial relations with our neighboring, regional and other countries around the world based upon understanding in the framework of our Islamic and national interests.
If anyone is skeptical of the policy and actions of the Islamic Emirate regarding the above mentioned issues, we are ready to hold constructive dialogue, remove all doubts through understanding and provide answers to all their queries. The Islamic Emirate hopes that our good-willed gesture will be responded to positively by the regional heads so that our region does not become a victim of the expansive propaganda of the west and their stooges.
End
Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.
Message of condolence of Islamic Emirate concerning the passing away of a renowned scholar of the Islamic world Mawlana Dr Sher Ali Khan
(may Allah have mercy on him)
It has been learnt with deep sadness that a great custodian of Islamic sciences, Sheikhul Quran wal Hadith, teacher to thousands of students of knowledge and a profound supporter of Mujahideen, Hazrat Mawlana Dr. Sher Ali Shah (may Allah have mercy on him) has passed away from this transient world to the everlasting realm, surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.
The passing away of Sheikh Sahib (may Allah have mercy on him) is a great incorrigible loss for the Muslims of the Islamic world generally and for the fields of Knowledge, Preaching and Jihad specifically.
The late Sheikh Sahib (may Allah have mercy on him) did not merely consider chairing the teachings of Quran and Prophetic Ahadith, preaching, supporting Jihad and reform as his religious duty throughout his entire blessed life but he also rendered unparalleled services in all of these fields. And the Almighty Allah similarly bestowed upon him a great knowledgeable status throughout the region.
The late Sheikh Sahib was a staunch backer of the both great Jihads of Afghanistan and had defended and supported the Jihadi claim of the Afghan Mujahid nation from the initial years of the Islamic Emirate.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan shares in this great grief of parting away of the late Sheikh Sahib alongside his family, Islamic world’s centers of knowledge, respected scholars, late Sheikh Sahib’s students and especially with heads, teachers and students of prestigious center of knowledge ‘Darul Uloom Haqqania’ as well as with all the Muslim masses of Afghanistan and Pakistan. It also extends its heartfelt condolences to all the mentioned sides on this occasion of the passing away of Sheikh Sahib.
May the Almighty Allah accept all the services of the late Sheikh Sahib in His court and grant him Jannatul Firdous (Highest Paradise), Ameen.
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
16/01/1437 Hijri Lunar
30/10/2015 Gregorian
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Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.
71 people lost their lives through suffocation in this truck, Austria (Twitter)
Suffocating people to death in trucks and shipping containers is a recurring theme in my writing and an issue that is investigated in some cases and suppressed in others. People smugglers take advantage of the desperate circumstances of those fleeing war zones or impoverished transporting them across Europe in vehicles devoid of any air ventilation system. Those caring for prisoners neglect their duties allowing detainees to die in horrific circumstances as shipping containers are turned into coffins. Today once again we hear via the Guardian that a refrigerated truck containing over 120 people, believed to be mostly Syrian had tried to cross the Bulgarian border with Turkey. Fortunately this time there were no fatalities. The newspaper states,
“38 men, 33 women and 58 children were found hidden behind bottles of sparkling water at the border crossing of Kapitan Andreevo, but their state of health was not a cause for concern.”
The lorry driver has been arrested.”
Back in August we heard of the tragic case of suffocation of men, women and children, labelled “migrants” and “refugees” discovered in a lorry in Austria near to the Hungarian border. (An article in the “Links” section of this article explains the terminology used to refer to those seeking to cross borders to find a new life.) Lindsay Hilsum of Channel 4 News tweeted, “we can see forensic teams at truck on the side of the A4 in Austria. Terrible smell of death. Austrian police say refugees suffocated inside.” Scenes of putrifying liquid leaking from the vehicle were described by those at the scene with the discovery of partially decomposed bodies inside. Reuters stated that there were 71 migrants dead in the Austria truck; 59 men, 8 women, 4 children including Syrian refugees confirmed by the police. This is how the story was broken by RT,
See “20 to 50 migrants found dead in truck in Austria, suffocation likely cause”
http://www.rt.com/news/313603-migrants-dead-austria-lorry/
The Guardian later reported,
“Hungarian police have arrested the driver of a lorry found on an Austrian motorway with the decomposing bodies of 71 people, including a baby girl, inside.
Three Bulgarians and an Afghan man have been detained, police said. Detectives have also questioned almost 20 people and searched homes, they added. Earlier Austrian police said the lorry owner was a Bulgarian citizen of Lebanese origin.”
Is it so different to the transportation of Jews to the concentration camps of Europe that often died packed like sardines in trains as so poignantly portrayed in the film “Schindlers List” Schindler played by Liam Neesam hoses down the carriages with water realizing those inside are collapsing from the heat, see video link,
http://www.anyclip.com/movies/schindlers-list/water-on-the-trains/
There is endless discrimination and prejudice against those fleeing with borders closed. Ironically it is often western wars that have helped create the circumstances leading to mass migration with those fleeing blamed and blocked or labelled only as “economic migrants” out to benefit from lax benefit systems. There is little understanding of the conditions and extreme poverty that can cause people to uproot, pay ruthless smugglers the last of their savings and make a journey that could cost their life. As scenes from Macedonia showed recently families fleeing have often lost everything, their circumstances so distressing that hardened reporters admitted to being reduced to tears.
Death by suffocation in trucks is not uncommon. Back in 2001 the Telegraph reported the sentencing of a gang of human smugglers including Perry Wacker, the Dutch driver responsible for transportation of Chinese who received a 14 year sentence for 58 counts of manslaughter. Telegraph stated,
“customs officers at Dover found the 54 Chinese men and four women, all in their late teens or twenties, dead from suffocation in the container supposedly carrying tomatoes. Only two men survived the ordeal. “
See link, “‘Human cargo’ gang jailed over deaths of 58 Chinese”
In 2008 the Guardian reported,
“fifty-four illegal Burmese migrants being smuggled by traffickers in southern Thailand suffocated in the sweltering confines of a tiny seafood container lorry yesterday after the air-conditioning system failed.”
“Colonel Kraithong Chanthongbai of the Thai police said: ;The people said they tried to bang on the walls of the container to tell the driver they were dying, but he told them to shut up as police would hear them when they crossed through check-points inside Thailand.'”
See “54 Burmese migrants suffocate in packed lorry”
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/apr/11/burma.thailand
Suffocation of prisoners during transportation
Suffocating people in trucks has also been used as a form of punishment either through gross neglect or deliberate torture. These cases raise less public sympathy and are often buried along with the victims.
In 2009, the BBC reminded readers of the Afghanistan “convoy of death” in 2001. The blackened bodies of “surrendering pro-Taliban prisoners” in the custody of US-backed warlord Gen Abdul Rashid Dostum were found sealed in shipping containers on route from Kunduz to Sheberghan prison, “a stronghold of Gen Dostum west of Mazar-e-Sharif”. There were also accusations of shootings. BBC reported,
“many of the prisoners shrieked as they were transferred to the containers, one driver reported. They may have been aware of the fate that allegedly awaited many of them, as this method of killing had allegedly been used before in Afghanistan – a country littered with rusting container trucks previously used to transport aid.”
“It spoke to prisoners who said they had travelled in the convoy, who confirmed the drivers’ accounts.
One said they became so desperate with thirst that they began licking the sweat from each other’s bodies. Others say the captives began losing their reason and started biting each other.”
See “The Afghan ship-container ‘massacre'”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8147977.stm
The US has so far failed to investigate despite President Obama saying he would look into this in 2009. Gen Dostum who now leads counter terrorist operations has recently denied allegations though a mass grave was allegedly located and 3 autopsies carried out. Khaama reports, “Gen. Dostum said those who accuse him of genocide are speaking on behalf of the regional spy agencies directly involved in the ongoing violence across the country” and that he “warned that the issue will be shared with the National Security Council upon his return to Kabul and those who accuse him of genocide would face prosecution for the irresponsible remarks.” It was unclear whether this included the shipping container massacre. The only way the truth will unfold is for a full inquiry to be carried out. (Dostum has been accused of other atrocities in recent days by the Islamic Emirate, Afghan Taliban, allegedly carried out by his militia, see “Links” section).
Tak Bai incident
The Tak Bai incident also caused international outrage. Amnesty international stated that “seven (detainees) were shot dead, and a further 78 were crushed or suffocated to death in army vans transporting them to a military detention camp.” A 2009 inquest “found that security officials had performed their duty without wrongdoing”. Isabelle Arradon, Director of Amnesty International’s South East Asia Program said,
“it is shameful that no one has been brought to justice for these deaths, and that there is virtual impunity for other serious human rights violations in the ongoing internal armed conflict in the south”
“Unfortunately, this case highlights the serious problem of state impunity that currently prevails in the south and throughout the country.”
Suffocation of Iraqi Prisoners
McClatchy DC covered the deaths of six Sunni Muslim detainees alleged to have suffocated in a poorly ventilated truck while in the custody of the Iraqi government. Families revealed grim tales of bodies showing signs of torture but feared retaliation for speaking out. Although an investigation committee was formed Iraqi authorities were said to be resisting calls for information.
“Families of Iraqi prisoners who suffocated in truck allege torture”
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/world/middle-east/article24583327.html
In August 2013 RT ran a report on the deaths of 36 “Islamist” prisoners in Egypt that died during transfer to Abu Zaabal prison in northern Cairo during an alleged riot. RT stated,
“Thirty-six of the prisoners died of suffocation and crowding after tear gas was used to stop their escape,” the ministry said.
See “36 Brotherhood detainees die near Cairo as Islamists attack prison convoy”
http://www.rt.com/news/egypt-prisoners-die-brotherhood-642/
There were allegations some detainees were shot. Mada Masr reported, “later the men’s charred and swollen bodies were taken to Zeinhom morgue, where anti-Muslim Brotherhood protesters assaulted journalists.”
Those checking on vehicles need to be ever more vigilant as numbers of migrants attempting to make the journey across Europe increase. Strict measures must be taken against those caught people trafficking with heavy prison sentences for anyone responsible for the deaths of migrants and prisoners.
Links
“FACTBOX-Refugee, asylum seeker, migrant. What’s the difference?”
http://www.trust.org/item/20150826122313-9e0gc/
“Britain Has a Problem With Compassion, Not Immigration”
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/jess-readett/immigration-compassion_b_8027866.html
“General Dostum rejects massacre allegations during operations in the north”
Gen. Dostum Rejects Massacre Allegations During Operations in North
Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.
The founder of Gelum Jum militias and a notorious professional killer, General Dostum, marched towards Jawzjan last week to combat the Mujahidin of Islamic Emirate. Information from the area suggests that the Dostum militias who tried to retake Kham Aab district faced repeated defeats due to heavy Mujahidin resistance.
Tens of Dostum militiamen were killed and wounded during the Kham Aab operations while a large amount of weapons and equipment were taken by the heroic Mujahidin as war booty.
Latest reports from Kham Aab however indicate that after repeated defeats and degrading failures, the Dostum militias have now resorted to treating the locals in a violent savage manner. They have begun stealing jewelry, cash, cars, motorbikes and other valuables from the homes of the locals under the guise of search operations.
The armed gunmen of Kabul under the leadership of Dostum have so far martyred 20 civilians in Kham Aab and wounded many others.
General Dostum, the first deputy of the intellect (Ashraf Ghani) has ordered his militiamen to kill a couple of civilians for sport in hopes of striking fear into the hearts of locals and stopping them from supporting the Mujahidin.
The poor imbecile General has yet to learn a lesson from the past four decades; if the valiant warrior Afghan nation were to ever fear death and destruction in the path of truth then his Russian masters and their stooges would have never faced defeat on this soil and the Marxist-Leninist ideology would not have drowned in this raging storm spawned by the revolution.
He as a perfect embodiment of an ignoramus has also chosen to turn a blind eye to the courage and sacrifices rendered by the Afghan nation for the past decade in the face of the invading crusaders. Yes! the same Afghan nation whose courage and sacrifices are saluted by the Americans, Australians, North Atlantic, Baltic and eastern Europeans as they turn tail in humiliation from the land of Afghanistan.
If Dostum with the blessings of Babrak and Najib failed to subdue the Afghan nation with his extreme savagery in the 80’s, how does he hope to pacify this valiant nation presently in the shadow of the intellect’s necktie?
Dostum also tried his luck this summer in Faryab and Saripul, resulting in large casualty numbers for his militia and the mafia boss relegated back to Kabul.
The intellect, Dostum and their invading masters will never be able to pacify the blessed struggle of the Afghan nation. No matter the amount of fortune or force spent, their faces shall remain blackened and they shall take the nightmare of subduing the Afghan nation with them to their graves, Allah willing.
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Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.
End
Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.
Shaker Aamer with two of his children (Image via BBC)
Campaigners for Shaker Aamer (46) who was detained without charge or trial for 14 years in Guantanamo are delighted at the news of his return to the UK, albeit after shocking delays that have only increased his physical and mental suffering. Shaker gave thanks to those who highlighted his case through legal channels, letters, protests, petitions and hunger strikes saying, “if I was the fire to be lit to tell the truth, it was the people who protected the fire from the wind. I am overwhelmed by what people have done by their actions, their thoughts and their prayers and without their devotion to justice I would not be here in Britain now.”
Shaker is known as a strong person who not only had to battle for his own survival but took on the responsibility of fighting for other detainees. As former Guantanamo detainee Moazzam Begg told RT,
“he was a loved prisoner. And the reason why he is loved is because he fights for the rights of the others even to his own detriment. His detractors, the other guards, and other commanders there would say of him that, ‘though we don’t agree with him, we have a great deal of respect for him.’”
Shaker is home now and beginning the long process of rehabilitation and reintegration back into society but the campaign is far from over… The next step is to support him in obtaining answers with regard to his treatment during detention where he claims he was tortured and to have witnessed others being abused. This appears to be have been one of the main reasons that the US government delayed his release and the British government are reluctant to back any inquiry which would expose the truth on security services’ policy and practice.
Back in 2006, CAGE human rights organization that campaigns of behalf of prisoners in Guantanamo and around the world “compiled and published the most comprehensive report on British involvement in rendition and torture” which “highlights a litany of cases where British authorities have been expressly involved in the torture and illegal rendition of suspects in the ‘War on Terror’”. Shaker is a key witness to this torture and among those whose voice must now be heard.
The report can be read on the following link,
“Fabricating Terrorism: British Complicity in Renditions and Torture”
http://www.cageuk.org/publication/fabricating-terrorism-british-complciity-rendition-and-torture
Shaker’s lawyers at Reprieve have fought tirelessly for his freedom and for justice. Clive Stafford Smith reminded the public on the 13th anniversary of Shaker’s incarceration,
“eight hundred years ago the Magna Carta assured us that to nobody will we ‘deny or delay justice’. Thirteen years in a military prison without charge or trial is an affront to the most basic standards of justice.
Returning to the UK is just the beginning of a long and difficult process for Shaker. First there is the journey to regaining his health which according to lawyers is poor due to his years of captivity, subjected to “enhanced interrogation” techniques, punishment, isolation, social deprivation and force feeding. Then there is the pain of loss and “what might have been” had he led a normal family life. There is the loss of liberty, losing important years with his wife, children and friends, loss of security, dignity, loss of prospects and very nearly loss of hope. The one thing that Shaker clung to and could not be taken from him was his faith which the most brutal treatment could not crush and only served to strengthen his belief that Allah would continue to provide for him in his darkest hours.
Speaking of the terrible injustice suffered by her husband, Shaker’s wife Zineera wrote a letter to British Prime Minister David Cameron in January 2015 stating,
“thirteen years ago my family was ripped apart when my husband, Shaker Aamer, was sold for a bounty and taken to Guantanamo Bay. He has never been charged with a crime. He has never faced a trial. He was cleared for release – told he could come home, in other words – by President Bush’s administration. He was then cleared for release a second time, by President Obama’s administration. We had such hope, when Mr Obama said he would close the prison – finally, we thought, our family’s ordeal will be over. It is hard to describe the crushing despair of having such hopes dashed.”
Although Shaker is finally back on British soil, there are others still remaining in Guantanamo with no sign of it closing, so campaigners will continue until that goal is achieved.
Shaker must also regain his personal identity, connect to himself, to his jailors he was known only as number 239, part of the process of depersonalization. Where do you start trying to catch up on 14 years deprived of family life? What to say to your wife denied the care and comfort of a loving partner, a son Faris, never met, only seen through a screen on Skype and a teenage daughter Johina whose memories of her father are attached to a little black and white coat he bought her as a small child? The family losses are immeasurable. Then there are all the changes in the world during “lost time” such as the advancement of technology and communication that impacts on daily life. Nothing can ever make up for that, Shaker and his family should receive both an apology and financial compensation.
When a person has been wronged, for most though the truth is far more important than financial losses. For Shaker and also for the public, there is a need to understand what went wrong, why and what measures can be put in place to ensure this does not happen again in the future. As the Independent reported in 2011, Ministers have admitted the Government sent secret agents to interview a British detainee (Shaker Aamer) in Afghanistan, supporting allegations MI5 and MI6 officers were present while he was tortured by his American captors. Who was this person “John” whom Shaker claims was present when his head was “bounced” off a wall? Why did he allow this to happen knowing the rules prohibiting torture? There are many questions to be answered.
Shaker must also contend with his critics, apologists for torture who appear to want to roast him on a spit and serve him up for trial by media. This, despite the fact that as the Guardian reported, according to Professor Ramzi Kassem, a law professor at the City University of New York’s school of law who is involved in his case, Shaker is now “undergoing medical tests” and suffering from “post-traumatic stress disorder on the severe end of the PTSD spectrum.”
One such opponent is Douglas Murray, associate director of the Henry Jackson Society, a frequent critic of Islam, who lashed out at Shaker in the Spectator using the words of Moazzam Begg in an underhand attack. Begg has explained many times in public how “confessions” were extracted under threat to his own family, believing his wife to be in the next room and at risk of being harmed. Such confessions are worthless and would not stand up in a court of law.
There is also David Rivkin, US lawyer, writer, political analyst who participated in an exchange of views with Moazzam Begg on BBC Newsnight and appeared to be in complete denial of US torture at Guantanamo. Begg was having none of it and reminded him of President Obama’s comments acknowledging torture. A former “Gitmo” guard was quick on the uptake responding directly to Rivkin,
Brandon Neely tweeted,
How long did you work at the camps at Guantanamo to know no torture occurred? Thats right none. Well I did & torture happened
Shaker (Aamer) was beat by the IRF team almost on a daily basis this info comes from former guards who knew Shaker
The discussion between Begg and Rivkin can be viewed here,
In a decade and a half, those who held Shaker in detention were unable to find any evidence to bring him to trial, he was cleared for release years ago though only now set free and should be left in peace to be supported back to health by a loving family.
In her book “Trauma and Recovery” Judith Lewis Herman reminds us of the following,
“the ordinary response to atrocities is to banish them from consciousness. Certain violations of the social compact are too terrible to utter aloud: this is the meaning of the word unspeakable. Atrocities, however, refuse to be buried. Equally as powerful as the desire to deny atrocities is the conviction that denial does not work. … Remembering and telling the truth about terrible events are prerequisites both for the restoration of the social order and for the healing of individual victims.”
To torture a human being is an atrocity which goes against laws of countries and quashes “fair judicial process”. There are no cases where torture is acceptable. Shaker has already said he is not seeking revenge only truth and those who care about human rights will be with Shaker supporting him in his endeavour. It is only with honesty and accountability that the healing process can begin.
Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.
End
Links
“Wilayat Khorasan release graphic images of an attack on Afghan army”
“IS Wilayat Khorasan allege responsibility for attack on Pakistani army killing 13”
“Afghanistan, Pakistan: Islamic State, Wilayat Khorasan release photos of graduation of first official batch of “mujahideen”
http://www.dawn.com/news/1210025/is-in-afghanistan
More posts on IS can be found on the blog.
Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.
Carol Anne Grayson (Radical Sister) blog 