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Militant Islam Monitor > Satire > Mississagaustan:Radical Islamists in Canada to hold 'anti terrorism' conference in August in Canada's Waziristan

Mississagaustan:Radical Islamists in Canada to hold 'anti terrorism' conference in August in Canada's Waziristan

June 4, 2006

MIM: What better front for radical Islamist activities then an anti terror group in the head of Canada's terror enclave Mississisauga headed by a Jihadist named Syed Sohawardy who was schooled in Islamism in Pakistan and learned electrical engineering in the United States. The Canadian town has been the head quarters of several terror organisations for years, and with the arrests of 17 mostly Canadian born Muslims this week who were plotting major terrorist attacks in the country, one can assume that they will be taken off the list of the MAT's anti terror conference attendees.

Sohawardy recently began a Muslim newspaper in Canada - which propagates conspiracy theory and radical Islam, and is a supporter of the new liberal councilman Omar Alghambra.

Dr. Daniel Pipes is chronicling the career of Alghambra in his blog"Is Omar Alghambra of Canada's liberal party an Islamist?" http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/553

"...On December 1, the ruling Liberal Party gave Omar Alghabra, 36, an overt Islamist, 488 of 773 votes cast, making him its candidate in the Mississauga-Erindale riding. Alghabra's speech on winning the nomination, reports the invaluable Canadian Coalition for Democracies, included a statement that "This is a victory for Islam! Islam won! Islam Won! ... Islamic power is extending into Canadian politics." Then, following Alghabra's victory speech, Markham Councillor Khalid Usman (also spelled Osman) told a cheering and applauding audience, "We have the east, we have the west, and now we have Mississauga!"

MIM: For his part Sohawardy who is plaintiff in a suit against two newspapers announced the start of his own newspaper. Fittingly Alghambra was in attendence as Dr. Pipes notes:

Apr. 15, 2006 update: Syed B. Soharwardy, the plaintiff in a suit against the Western Standard and the Jewish Free Press for publishing the Danish cartoons, has now started a newspaper himself. And guess who was at the launch event for the Muslim Free Press? "Dignitaries included Member of Parliament from Mississauga-Erindale Omar Alghabra and Member of Provincial Parliament Etobicoke North Dr. Shafiq Qaadri." David Ouellette of judeoscope.ca provides some choice quotes of Soharwardy's (errors left intact):

"Presently, what Israeli forces are doing to Palestinians is worse than the Holocaust of the World War II"

"More than over a million Palestinians have been killed, millions of them have made refugees, and millions of them are in the concentration camps"

"Majority of the Muslims believes that Muslims could not commit these heinous crimes because of the sophistication and precision in the planning and execution of these terrorist attacks. ... Don't the world understand as to who exactly are the real beneficiaries of this episode. On the other side, who will be suffering the most from these terrorist attacks?"

Syed B. Soharwardy (right of the easel) and Omar Alghabra (second from right) celebrate the first copy of the Muslim Free Press.

http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/553

MIM: Syed Sohawardy's Muslims Against Terrorism is case study in "It takes one to know one". Sowharwardy's efforts on behalf of terrorism includes a series of letters to people ranging from President Bush, whom he admonished against fighting a terror war to the then Al Qaeda top Mullah Umar whom he took it upon himself to advise in matters of terrorist etiquette. (see below)

Muslims Against Terrorism (MAT)

Alberta: 28 Crowfoot Terrace NW, P.O. Box 68142, Calgary, Alberta T3G 3N8, Canada

Date: May 30, 2006

Press Release

5th Anti-Terrorism Conference

Conference will be held in Toronto and Calgary

Muslim Against Terrorism (MAT) will be holding its fifth annual conference on Anti-Terrorism in August 2006. This year's topic is,

"Immigration and Security"

Muslims Against Terrorism will be holding the first session of the conference in Toronto and the second session in Calgary. Representatives of different Canadian communities, faith groups, politicians and government officials will be speaking at the conference.

Toronto

Date / Time: Saturday, August 5, 2006 at 8:30 PM

Location: Burnhamthorpe Community Centre, 1500 Gulleden Drive, Mississauga (Burnhamthorpe Rd. East / Havenwood Dr.)

Calgary

Date / Time: Sunday, August 13, 2006 at 4:00 PM

Location: Al Madinah Calgary Islamic Centre, 5700 Falsbridge Drive, Falconridge, Calgary NE

For more information, please call Haris Saleh at (403)-280 -4484 OR Syed Soharwardy at toll free (866)-208-6898 OR visit http://www.m-a-t.org

Thanks

----------------------------------------------------

The founder of MAT and the editor of a new Muslim newspaper in Canada is Syed S.Soharwardy. He is also in the process of suing a Jewish publication

Syed B. Soharwardy

Prof. Imam Syed B. Soharwardy was born in a very highly respected religious family in Karachi, Pakistan. His father and Murshad (spiritual guide), Allama Syed Muhammad Riazuddin Soharwardy (May Allah shower His blessings upon him) was a great Islamic scholar and the Imam of a famous mosque in Karachi, Jamia Bughdadi Masjid, Martin Road, Karachi, where he established Dar-ul-Aloom Soharwardia. Syed B. Soharwardy's grandfather, Allama Syed Muhammad Jalaluddin Chishty (May Allah shower His blessings upon him) was the Grand Mufti of Kashmir (Baramula). Allama Jalaluddin Chishty later migrated to Amritser (India) where he served as the head of Dar-ul-Aloom Nizamiah Sirajiah and Imam of the Mosque.

Imam Soharwardy received his early Islamic education from his father in the traditional Islamic Madrasah at Bughdadi Masjid. Later, he graduated from Dar-ul-Aloom Soharwardia, Karachi. Mr. Soharwardy also earned Bachelor of Arts degree in Islamic Studies from University of Karachi. Beside his Islamic education, Mr. Soharwardy earned Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) from N.E.D. University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi, Master of Science in Management Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA and Master of Engineering in Project Management from University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. He is a certified Project Manager from Project Management Institute, USA

Syed Soharwardy was appointed as a teacher at Dar-ul-Aloom Soharwardia where he taught various subjects of Islamic studies. Later, he also served as an assistant Imam and Kahteeb at Jamia Bughdadi Masjid, Martin Road (1971- 1979).

Syed Soharwardy has lectured in Pakistan, USA and Saudi Arabia at various universities and institutes for over 12 years.

Prof. Soharwardy is the founder of Muslims Against Terrorism. He founded this organization in January 1999. He is also the founder and the national president of Islamic Supreme Council of Canada. He has authored several papers on Technology issues, Information Technology Management, Islamic beliefs, Challenges for Muslims in western world, conflicts within the Muslim community, Intra and Inter religion conflicts. Mr. Soharwardy has addressed hundreds of gatherings in Pakistan, USA, UK and Canada on various topics of Islamic faith. He is the head of the first ever Dar-ul-Aloom in Calgary, Alberta, Canada where he teaches Islamic studies. Prof. Soharwardy lectures in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Hamilton, Mississauga, Brampton, Richmond Hill, Markham, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver on monthly basis.

Mr. Soharwardy is a strong advocate of Islamic Tasawuf and believes that the world will be a better place for everyone, if we follow what Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (Peace be upon him) has said, " You will not have faith unless you like for others what you like for yourself." He believes that the spiritual weakness in human causes all kinds of problems. Mr. Soharwardy can be contacted at [email protected] OR Phone (403)-208-7148

MIM:According to David Oulette of Judeoscope Sohawardy doctored some of his statements after they were reported in the press.In a blog update Dr. Daniel Pipes noted:

Soharwardy edited the quotations Judeoscope reprinted below to exemplify the possible orientation of his newspaper after B'nai Brith raised the issue and Canwest, using our research without crediting us, published a story on the controversial texts.

MIM:In a piece which he claimed were meant to condemn the 9/11 attacks Sohawardy dismisses the 'thousands of lives and billions of dollars of property damage ' in passing, and warns that the Muslims were the real victims and would be even if they hadn't been already. Sowhawardy republished this piece on the Islamist Media Monitors under the title "Americans are not the only victims" http://www.mediamonitors.net/soharwardy5.html

"... (sic) Majority of the Muslims believes that Muslims could not commit these heinous crimes because of the sophistication and precision in the planning and execution of these terrorist attacks. In the midst of the attacks on WTC and Pentagon, people are being led to believe that this kind of operation has been launched by someone from the dark corners of the world putting the whole American intelligence apparatus at bay. Don't the world understand as to who exactly are the real beneficiaries of this episode. On the other side, who will be suffering the most from these terrorist attacks? Yes, America was attacked. Thousands of lives and billions of dollars in property and business damages were lost. But the losses for Muslims are very severe as well...

"The investigations against him (Osama Ben Laden ) are not conclusive and in the early stages" and called upon Bin Laden to show "greatness of character ".

http://www.m-a-t.org/mat3.htm

Muslims Against Terrorism - A Muslim Perspective On N.Y. & D.C. Terrorist Attacks

By

Syed B. Soharwardy

Founder and President

Muslims Against Terrorism (M-A-T)

Islamic Supreme Council of Canada (ISCC)

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon did not only shock the Americans or the western world, these attacks have put the entire Muslims of the world into a very defensive position. From Morocco to Indonesia all Muslim governments are stun by these terrorists attacks. The Muslims living in the western world were concerned about the backlash. The terrorists have committed a great evil against Non-Muslims and Muslims alike. They have not only spilled the blood of innocent people, but in doing so they have also splashed that blood on all Muslims. Majority of the Muslims believes that Muslims could not commit these heinous crimes because of the sophistication and precision in the planning and execution of these terrorist attacks. In the midst of the attacks on WTC and Pentagon, people are being led to believe that this kind of operation has been launched by someone from the dark corners of the world putting the whole American intelligence apparatus at bay. Don't the world understand as to who exactly are the real beneficiaries of this episode. On the other side, who will be suffering the most from these terrorist attacks? Yes, America was attacked. Thousands of lives and billions of dollars in property and business damages were lost. But the losses for Muslims are very severe as well. Following are some of the losses, which the entire Muslim nation (Ummah) will face after these attacks.

1. The world focus on the new Palestinian Intifadha has vanished. Now whatever Israel does in the occupied Palestine is no more important for the western world. Palestinian cause is no more the centre of world's attention.
2. The freedom movements in Palestine, Chechnya, Kashmir, Kossovo and Macedonia will be affected very badly. Any support to these movements will be seen as support to terrorists. The financial and material support to these movements will end or will be at minimum. Thus causing these movements to die.
3. The Islamic political parties in Muslim countries will further be oppressed or banned all together by the very authoritarian governments in most of the Muslim countries.
4. Potentially, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Iran and few other Muslim countries will be dragged into what is called war against terrorism. Either, these Muslim countries will be directly attacked by the US and NATO forces OR the intelligence organizations of USA will penetrate so deep in side these countries that they will try to create civil wars in these countries.
5. The activities of Muslim organizations in the western world especially in North America will be watched with microscope. Many Muslim organizations have already canceled or delayed their fund raising activities to support local mosques and Islamic schools.
6. The hostilities and hate crimes against Muslims living in the western countries are already on the rise and when USA and NATO forces will strike against Afghanistan and potentially some other Muslim countries these hostilities and discrimination against Muslims will increase. It may cause loss of lives and property damage.

Islam is a faith of peace, justice and service to humanity as well as a civilizing force for humanity wherever it is introduced and established. Even though Islam forbids violence, especially against innocent and defenseless people and even though Islam has been in the west for centuries, Muslims are still left defending their faith from hatred, contempt, and ignorance as if all Muslims are responsible for the sins of a few. Everyone knows that many people have and will use religion (inappropriately) and Scriptural verses (out of context) to justify their otherwise evil behaviour. For example, many white supremacist groups use Biblical verses to rationalize their racist beliefs and behaviours and many have very Christian-sounding names for their churches and organizations. Why are they not referred to as Christian supremacists, Christian fundamentalists, or Christian extremists? We live in the age of information. Considering all the information, groups, and other resources available to western world, Muslims should not have to justify, defend, or apologize for the noble faith of Islam. There is no cause, justification, or reason for violence or terror in Islam. Islam, like the truth, speaks for itself.

As far the Osama bin Laden is concerned, the investigation against him is in the early stages and it is not conclusive. He is just a suspect. There is a procedure in any court of law that it follows and without that no punishment is given to the suspect. Majority of the Muslims feels that the greatness of character counts to a great extent. Osama bin Ladin should present himself to Americans who want him and say that I am ready to face the charges. He is a
single person and a single person's interests are not more important than the interests of entire Muslim nation and a Muslim country. He should have greatness of character in this time.

A very unfortunate situation with the present Muslims is that they do not have a leader or leading organization, which can help them in making critical decisions. There are two leading Muslim organizations, OIC (Organizations of Islamic Countries) and World Muslim League (WML) but both of these organizations have become very ineffective. Muslims around the world realize that the United Nations is in fact United States and there is a big vacuum for the Muslims to be heard on the worldwide level. 99.99% of Muslims around the world are shouting and telling the western world that they are too Against Terrorism. They have also been victim of terrorism, hate and discrimination in Palestine, Kashmir, Chechnya, Kossovo, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, India, Burma, USA, Canada, UK and many other countries but the voice of 1.5 billion Muslims falls on deaf ears. Do we know why?

---------------

http://www.m-a-t.org/mullahumar.htm

Date: October 3, 2001

As a Muslim I felt obligated to write to you and share with you my thoughts about the current situation in and around Afghanistan. To be honest with you, I have never supported Taleban style of implementing and preaching Islam. But as you may agree with me that this is the beauty of our religion that an ordinary Muslim like myself and a Muslim like you who is Head of State of a Muslim country can respectfully disagree with each other. This is the way the Companions of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) ruled the Islamic State for many years. I hope and pray that my letter reach to you before things gets worse. I do not want to make this letter very long. I just wanted to remind you two very important and critical treaties of Islamic history which apparently looked at that time very humiliating and insulting for Muslims but Allah had turned those incidents into victories for Muslims.

The first was the treaty of Hudaibiyah which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) signed with the Quraish (Pagans) of Makkah during 6 A.H. Two things in that treaty were highly disturbing for the Muslims, first and the fourth condition, about which they said that it was an expressly unfair condition, for if they had to return a fugitive from Makkah, why should not the Quraish return a fugitive from Madinah? To this the Holy Prophet replied: "What use would be he to us, who fled from us to them? May Allah keep him away from us! And if we return the one who flees to us from them, Allah will create some other way out for him." The other thing that was rankling in their minds was the fourth condition. The Muslims thought that agreeing to it meant that they were going back unsuccessful and this was humiliating. Furthermore, the question that was causing them feel upset was that they had accepted the condition of going back without performing the pilgrimage to the Ka'bah. According to the treaty conditions, therefore, they would perform the pilgrimage the following year if it pleased Allah.

Right at the time when the document was being written, Suhail bin 'Amr's (the leader of Pagans) own son, Abu Jandal, who had become a Muslim and been imprisoned by the pagans of Makkah somehow escaped to the Holy Prophet's camp. He had fetters on his feet and signs of violence on his body. He implored the Holy Prophet that he help secure his release from imprisonment. The scene only increased the Companions' dejection, and they were moved beyond control. But Suhail bin 'Amr said the conditions of the agreement had been concluded between them although the writing was not yet complete; therefore, the boy should be returned to them. The Holy Prophet admitted his argument and Abu Jandal was returned to his oppressors.

Second incident took place in the nineteenth year after the Hijrah, Umar ibn Al Khattab, second Caliph of Islam, (May Allah be pleased with him) dispatched an army to fight against the Byzantine. In it was Abdullah ibn Hudhafah. News of the Muslim force reached the Byzantine emperor. He had heard of their sincerity of faith, and their willingness to sacrifice their lives in the way of God and His Prophet. He gave orders to his men to bring to him any Muslim captive they might take alive.

God willed that Abdullah ibn Hudhafah should fall captive to the Byzantines and he was brought before the Emperor. The Emperor looked at Abdullah for a long time. Suddenly he said, "I shall make a proposal to you." "What is it?" asked Abdullah. "I suggest that you become a Christian. If you do this, you will be set free and I shall grant you a safe refuge." The prisoner's reaction was furious: "Death is preferable to me a thousand times to what you ask me to do."

"I see that you are a bold man. However, if you respond positively to what I propose to you, I will give you a share in my authority and swear you in as my aide."

The prisoner, shackled in his chains, smiled and said, "By God, if you give me all that you possess and all that the Arabs have in exchange for giving up the religion of Muhammad, I shall not do so."

"Then I shall kill you."

"Do what you want," answered Abdullah.

The emperor then had him put on a cross and ordered his soldiers to throw spears near him, first near his hands and then near his feet, all the while telling him to accept Christianity or at least give up his religion. This he refused over and over again to do.

The emperor then had him taken down from the wooden cross. He called for a great pot to be brought. This was filled with oil, which was then heated under a fierce fire. He then had two other Muslim prisoners brought and had one of them thrown into the boiling oil. The prisoner's flesh sizzled and soon his bones could be seen. The emperor turned to Abdullah and invited him to Christianity.

This was the most terrible test that Abdullah had to face up till now. But he remained firm and the emperor gave up trying. He then ordered that Abdullah too be thrown into the pot. As he was being taken away he began to shed tears. The emperor thought that he had at last been broken and had him brought back to him. He once more suggested that Abdullah become a Christian but to his astonishment, Abdullah refused.

"Damn you! Why did you weep then?" shouted the emperor.

"I cried," said Abdullah, "because I said to myself 'You will now be thrown into this pot and your soul will depart'. What I really desired then was to have as many souls as the number of hairs on my body and to have all of them thrown into this pot for the sake of God."

The tyrant then said, "Will you kiss my head? I will then set you free?"

"And all the Muslim prisoners also?" asked Abdullah.

This the emperor agreed to do and Abdullah said to himself, "One of the enemies of God! I shall kiss his head and he shall set me and all other Muslim prisoners free. There can be no blame on me for doing this." He then went up to the emperor and kissed his forehead. All the Muslim prisoners were released and handed over to Abdullah.

Abdullah ibn Hudhafah eventually came to Umar ibn al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) and told him what had happened. Umar was greatly pleased and when he looked at the prisoners he said, "Every Muslim has a duty to kiss the head of Abdullah ibn Hudhafah and I shall start." Umar then got up and kissed the head of Abdullah ibn Hudhafah. Had Abdullah ibn Hudhafah stubborn and not kissed the head of enemy of Islam he would have died and many other Muslims too. But he was smart and sincere Muslim. He saved himself and saved many other Muslims too.

I fully understand and recognize that you are an Islamic scholar but at the same time Islam has given me the right to express my opinion freely and openly even in front of Head of State. During the period of four Caliphs of Islam an ordinary person could stop Ameer-ul-Mo'mineen on the street and could challenge him for his decisions or actions. I am using the same right and asking you that your decision, not to hand over Osama Bin Laden to United States is wrong. One Muslim's interest must not be preferred over the interest of entire Muslim Ummah. Osama Bin Laden is only a suspect in terrorist bombings in Tanzania and Kenya. He is also a suspect for September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C. No doubt, that these crimes are against the teachings of Islam and I know you have also condemned these attacks.

I know it is very painful for Osama bin Laden to be in the hands of his enemies but please consider him like Abu Jandal (May Allah be pleased with him) and hand-over Osama to USA as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) handed over Abu Jandal to Quraish. Consider yourself as Abdullah ibn Hudhafah (May Allah be pleased with him). Kiss the head of today's Byzantine Emperor (George Bush) and save yours and millions of lives of other Muslims.

If you still think that you can fight with USA and it's allied forces. I would say nothing but to tell you one more noble incident of our beloved Prophet and his very sincere and beloved Companion Abu Dhar Ghaffari (May Allah be pleased with him). Once, Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) was appointing various governors for various territories of the Islamic State. Abu Dhar Ghaffari (May Allah be pleased with) went to Allah's Messenger and said, O' Allah's Messenger you are appointing different governors, may I also be appointed as a governor of any Islamic territory? As you also know that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) loved Abu Dhar Ghaffari very much. He was one of the most pious, sincere and beloved companions of Allah's Messenger. However, Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) said to him that Abu Dhar to be a ruler of a state or territory requires some special skills and characteristics which you do not have and he did not appoint him. This proves that for a ruler it is not enough to be a pious and a practicing Muslim. Along with piety and knowledge, it requires some very special decision making, diplomacy and different way of thinking, which you do not, seems to have. You may be very good Muslim but you do not qualify to be a ruler.

In short, in order to be victorious in the battle of Badr, it is mandatory for Muslims to go through the training - miseries and humiliation of Makkah. Present period in our history is similar to the Makkan life of early Muslims.

Who brought back this period of humiliation and miseries upon Muslims? This period of humiliations and miseries was brought upon us by those so-called Muslims who fought against the Islamic Superpower, Khilafat-e-Islamiyah (Ottoman Empire) during 1700 and 1800s in Najd area which is now a part of Saudi Arabia. They founded a new ideology in the name of Islam called Wahabism. They used this new ideology and fought against Muslims and destroyed Khilafat-e-Islamiyah. Wahabism is based upon hate, killing and Destruction. While, Islam is based upon love, life and construction. You are in the trap of Wahabism and you need to remove yourself and your followers from this trap. May Allah help us and make us good Muslims. Ameen.

I said what I understood is right. The true knowledge is with Allah.

Thank you and Jazakumullah-o-khairan

Syed Soharwardy

Founder & President

Muslims Against Terrorism (M.A.T.)

Islamic Supreme Council of Canada (ISCC)

Phone: (403)-605-7710

http://www.islamicsupremecouncil.com/

CC: MAT distribution list
Address: 28 Crowfoot Terrace NW, P.O. Box 68142, Calgary, Alberta T3G 3N8, Canada
Phone: (403)-208-7148

-----------

MIM: Two days after writing to Mullah Omar- advising him to give himself up to President Bush which he refers to as kissing 'the head of the Byzantine Emperor', he writes the president telling him that "the Northern Alliance is more hardliner then the Taleban" (sic), in his "humble" opinion the war on terrorism will never be sucessful until America is fair with all of humanity" distinquishing between "freedom fighters and terrorists".

http://www.m-a-t.org/bushletter.htm

Date: October 5, 2001

On behalf of Muslims Against Terrorism (MAT), I would like to inform you that the worldwide membership of MAT has expressed their solidarity with the victims of September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on WTC and Pentagon. These cowardly acts of terrorism have no place in the Muslim community and we request you to find those terrorists and punish them. I understand that these terrorist attacks have forced you and the American government to rage a war against terrorism. The American government has allocated more than $40 billion to fight against terrorism at a time when the economy was falling downward and the economic recession was knocking at the door.

Unfortunately, in this chaos the approach which US government has taken to combat terrorism may not be as useful as expected. The current strategy and approach to combat terrorism may create more terrorists and generate more violence.

Upon completion of your term for the presidency you will be gone from the White House but the policies and directions you will give to the American forces will have very long lasting impacts on this world. I do care for the stability, prosperity and security of North America. It effects me, my family, all Canadians, Americans, Muslims, Christians, Jews and the whole world. Therefore, it is important for me to share some of my thoughts with you.

It is possible that we may not be able to eliminate violence and terrorism from this world but we must be able to reduce it significantly. Just by capturing and punishing few terrorists and destroying their networks will not solve the problem. The minimization of terrorism is only possible when we will be able to remove the causes of terrorism. In my opinion, there are two major causes / sources of terrorism, first cause is the hypocrisy of the elite (privileged) class in worldwide society. The second cause / source of terrorism is the lack of communication and understanding among the ordinary (unprivileged) people of the worldwide community. I do consider the governments of the United State and the developed world as elite (privileged) class in the worldwide society. In this short letter, I can not analyze in detail the policies and behaviour of US government towards the unprivileged worldwide community but I would like to highlight few of them.

• The most important thing for Americans is their freedom, freedom of expression, freedom of lifestyle, freedom of choosing their government, etc. However, the American government does not want that the people in the Muslim countries should also be enjoying the freedom of expression, freedom to choose their own government and freedom to choose their lifestyle. The proof of this statement is that the US government supports the very autocratic and dictator governments in Muslim countries. The people in the Muslim world are oppressed by these dictators and they see that the only ally these dictators have is the US government. Why the US government wants to be with the bad guys?
• The freedom of choice is an integral part of American society. The democratic principles of American constitution demand that the government of United States must respect the opinion of the majority of the people. Let's assume a hypothetical situation (I have to use a hypothetical situation because these situations do not exist in USA but these are very real outside the USA), if the people in State of Texas decide that they do not want to be a part of the union. Will you call US army and deploy them on every street of Texas, kill as many innocent civilians as possible so that the demographics of the state could be changed, use air power and carpet-bomb the State. I am sure you will say NO. The government of USA will respect the people's opinion. But when a similar REAL situation occurs in Palestine, Chechnya, Kashmir, etc. the US governments do not want to respect people's opinion. The US government supports the oppressive governments. Why people of Palestine, Kashmir, Chechnya, etc. have been made hostages against their will?
• Over the last two three centuries the western society had gone through tremendous changes. The western society had an opportunity to go through a process of change for setting up the standards and choosing their destiny. On the other side, after more than two centuries of imperialism in many Muslim countries, the people of those countries want to set their own standards and choose their own destiny but they are not allowed to do so. They have always been told what to do? Who can be their friend and who can not be their friend is decided by the US government. The IMF, the World Bank, the CIA, etc. decide their policies and governments. These countries are not free to make their own decisions. The grip of IMF, World Bank and the CIA is getting tighter and tighter on the Muslim countries. Because of this tightening situation some people take an extreme side and become reason for the violence and terrorism.
• Mr. President, what is terrorism? When these Taleban were fighting in the supervision of Americans against Russians, they were called freedom fighters. America supported them and harboured them. During 1980s when Saddam Hussain was using chemical and biological bombs against innocent Iranians, he was a hero not only for US but also for the allied governments. But when he turned his back, he became a very undesirable person. When India was a close ally of communist Russia, at that time Pakistan was the most favourable country for the United States. When the cold war was over and India became friend of US, Pakistan became the least favourable state for USA. Now, you need Pakistan again to fight against Taleban, the military government of Pakistan became very desirable for the US government again. As far the people and the governments are concerned, nothing changed. The values, culture, religion, norms, every thing are the same. What has changed is the short-term need of USA. It means that the short-term needs of United States determine the criteria what is terrorism and what is not terrorism. What is likable and what is not likable. Is this fair?
• The United States citizens and installations have been under more terrorist attacks from South American drug Mafia than any other Middle Eastern linked attacks (excluding September 11 attacks). More than 80% terrorist attacks on US citizens and installation come from South American terrorist groups. There are terrorist groups in USA, Europe, Australia such as White Supremacists, Jewish extremists, IRA, Red Army, etc. In Asia and Africa terrorist groups like Shev Sinha in India, Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, Red Army in Japan, etc. Are there any plans to capture and punish these terrorist groups as well?
• Assume for a moment that those terrorists who attacked the WTC and the Pentagon on September 11 would have carried out these attacks on non-US interests in Africa, Middle East, Asia, Russia, South America instead of N.Y. and Washington DC, would the government of United States have reacted the same way as it is reacting now? Terrorism is terrorism whether it is carried out in USA or anywhere else. Russian forces have demolished the entire cities in Chechnya and killed thousands of innocent civilians. Israeli forces daily demolish houses and kill innocent Palestinian - Christians and Muslims. Indian Army has converted the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir in a high security jail and killed thousands of innocent civilians. Is this not terrorism? Are these not crimes against humanity?

In my humble opinion, the war against terrorism will NOT be successful unless US government is honest and fair with all humanity. US forces may be able to suppress terrorism and its causes temporarily but they will not be able to eliminate or minimize terrorism unless the government of USA adopts a simple principle. This principle should not change with the change in the governments in USA. The principle is;

Since the American society wants to enjoy the freedom of choosing their lifestyle and their governments, please let the people of the third world countries be free to choose their lifestyles, governments, social, economical and political policies.

We must have a fixed definition of terrorism. It must not change based upon US needs. We must distinguish between freedom fighters and terrorists. USA being the champion of the free world should support the freedom movements all over the world. If the people in East Timor can get independence from Indonesia and the entire United Nations supports their struggle, why not Palestine, Kashmir and Chechnya get independence on the same grounds? The movements of independence in Palestine, Kashmir and Chechnya are not terrorist movements. As Americans themselves fought against the colonialism of British rule, they should know the pain and sufferings of freedom fighters. If these movements of freedom would be treated as terrorist movements, it will create a major roadblock in fighting against terrorism.

The best way for resolving these issues of freedom is to use the democratic principles of freedom and choice in Kashmir, Palestine, Chechnya and other places in the world. Let the United Nations hold referendums in the areas where the movements of freedom are going on and let the people decide what they want. This will eliminate reasons for violence and make this world a better and peaceful place. Let the Operation Endeavoring Freedom bring the freedom for all oppressed people on the face of earth. Please remove all sanctions against the innocent people of Iraq and let them enjoy life as well.

Another important thing is that the United States government should not be making the same mistake as they did in case of Saddam Hussain. The Northern Alliance in Afghanistan is as hard-liner as Taleban. I never agreed with the Taleban style of governing the country. In my opinion, some portions of their style of government are very un-Islamic and disgrace to the Muslim community but the Northern Alliance is worse than Taleban. I do appreciate the $320Million food aid to Afghanis but I am afraid that America may give them food with one hand and the other hand may trigger the bullet in their throat. Please do not further destroy an already destroyed country. Afghanis have been oppressed by Russians and by their own Afghanis. Why America wants to get its hands dirty in this oppression? Please use peaceful means to capture terrorists. War will bring more chaos, destruction and killings to the world.

Finally, as an active Muslim member of North American community, I founded the first antiterrorist non-governmental Muslim organization called Muslims Against Terrorism (M.A.T.) in 1999 in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Now, MAT has members in more than 13 countries including USA and they are all working towards one goal, make this world a peaceful place for everyone. Next year, MAT will be organizing an International conference on Counter Terrorism and we would like you to attend this conference in Canada. I will send you the details soon.

Thank you very much.

Yours truly,

Syed Soharwardy

Founder & President

Muslims Against Terrorism (M.A.T.)

Phone: (403)-605-7710

Encl.: Brief profile of MAT

Profile of Muslims Against Terrorism (MAT)

Muslims Against Terrorism (MAT) was established on January 11, 1999 in Calgary, Alberta Canada with the following mission and objectives.

1. To work with the western media in providing Muslim perspectives on issues related to Terrorism.
2. To establish and strengthen the working relationships with the non-Muslim communities especially Christian community, and help them in understanding the issues and problems of Muslim community.
3. To work with other Muslim organizations in order to stop terrorism.
4. To provide assistance to the victims of terrorism.
5. To help young Muslims in social, economical and educational matters.

The Purpose of this organization is to help media and the governments to separate someone's individual action from being portrayed as a community action. A terrorist should be identified and condemned as a terrorist but a terrorist should not be identified with his / her religious affiliation. For more information please visit MAT's website

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