LAHORE: HRCP has been shocked to receive a copy
of a horrifying Fatwa’ (edict) issued by a cleric
in the Darra Adam Khel area of the NWFP and has
written to the interior minister asking him to do
his duties.
The edict labels international organizations,
including those falling under the UN umbrella and
the International Red Cross, as well as local
NGOs working for human rights, as agents of the
Jews and the West. Most alarmingly, the Fatwa’
declares that it falls among the duties of all
Muslims to target these organizations all over
the world by murdering their members, using
weapons of mass destruction against them,
destroying their homes, targeting their vehicles
and seizing their assets.
This Fatwa’ is only one among many issued this
year in the NWFP targetting NGO activists,
particularly women. Three women working with NGOs
were murdered in the NWFP in 2006 alone. Another
Fatwa’ issued by a cleric in Mansehra, has called
on NGOs to pull out from the Hazara area or face
action against themselves. HRCP has received many
other complaints of harassment or intimidation,
which has already led to some organizations
curtailing their activities in the NWFP.
What is far more disturbing than the threats
themselves is the failure of authorities to
prosecute those responsible for making them. The
latest Fatwa’, like many others distributed
previously, is not anonymous. Its author has
affixed to it his name and qualifications. The
Fatwa’ has also been pasted up as posters across
the Darra Adam Khel area. Therefore, the
authorities cannot claim they are unable to trace
the source of incitement to hatred and murder.
Pretending ignorance of those guilty of preaching
violence amounts to collusion.
The latest call to kill is an outcome of a
failure to act previously against those
delivering such messages of hatred. HRCP can only
call upon those in authority to act now, before
it is to late, and some of the terrible crimes
called for are carried out.
Asma Jahangir
Chairperson
*****
LETTER TO MINISTER OF INTERIOR
Mr Aftab Ahmed Sherpao
Minister for the Interior
Islamabad
19th December, 2006
Dear Mr Sherpao,
This is to bring to your notice an edict that has
been widely distributed and pasted ion to walls
in Darra Adam Khel. A copy is attached for your
information and record.
The edict labels international organizations,
including those falling under the UN umbrella and
the International Red Cross, as well as local
NGOs working for human rights, as agents of the
Jews and the West. Most alarmingly, the ’fatwa’
declares that it falls among the duties of all
Muslims to target these organizations all over
the world by murdering their members, using
weapons of mass destruction against them,
destroying their homes, targeting their vehicles
and seizing their assets.
This ’fatwa’ is only one among many issued this
year in the NWFP targetting NGO activists,
particularly women. Three women working with NGOs
were murdered in the NWFP in 2006 alone. Another
’fatwa’ issued by a cleric in Mansehra, has
called on NGOs to pull out from the Hazara area
or face action against themselves. HRCP has
received many other complaints of harassment or
intimidation, which has already led to some
organizations curtailing their activities in the
NWFP.
What is most disturbing is the failure of
authorities to prosecute those responsible for
making these threats. The latest ’fatwa’, like
many others distributed previously, is not
anonymous. Its author has affixed to it his name
and qualifications. The ’fatwa’ has also been
pasted up as posters across the Darra Adam Khel
area. Therefore, the authorities cannot claim
they are unable to trace the source of incitement
to hatred and murder.
We believe it is your obligation to act against
those responsible for disseminating hatred and
threatening lives.
Yours sincerely,
Asma Jahangir
Chairperson
Cc: Lt-Gen (retd) Ali Jan Orakzai, Governor NWFP
*****
[see Text of Fatwa in Urdu by Mufti Khalid Shah
http://sacw.insaf.net/free/Fatwa1.jpg ]