Nigeria: A Nigeria ‘Taliban’ leader tells of a desire to fight the U.S.
— LA Times: “The rebel group in Nigeria’s Muslim north engaged in deadly clashes with security forces last year. It has gone underground and wants to shift its focus away from domestic targets, one of its leaders”
— “Reporting from Maiduguri, Nigeria – Nigeria’s “Taliban,” named for its heroes in a far-off land, could provide willing recruits for attacks on American targets, one of the group’s leaders boasted in a rare interview that had the trappings of a spy novel.”
— “With equal parts bluster and chilling resolve, the slight 30-year-old explained why the militant Islamic group that set up its own “Afghanistan” base in northern Nigeria wants to shift its focus from domestic targets.”
— “‘The U.S. is the major target because it’s the major aggressor against Muslims throughout the world,’ said the young man, who wore a bottle-green caftan and gave his name only as Musa. ‘America is the main aggressor, and I believe all these attacks against America are divine worship.'”
— “He gazed straight ahead as he spoke, never meeting the eyes of his interviewer.”
— “‘They are fighting Islam and we will also fight them, if we get the chance,’ he said.”
— “The Nigerian Taliban has been regarded as a bit player in the jostling field of extremism, unlikely to pose a threat to Europe and the Americas. This West African nation, however, came under renewed scrutiny after a young Nigerian man was arrested on suspicion of attempting to detonate explosives concealed in his underpants on a Detroit-bound flight on Christmas Day.”
Day: March 31, 2010
Nigeria: Federal Govt Charges January Jos Violence Suspects with Terrorism
Nigeria: Federal Government Charges Suspects of January Jos Crises With Terrorism
— Daily Trust reports:
— “Jos — The Federal Government has charged 32 persons over the January 2010 Jos crisis and the raid in Dogo Nahauwa and Rasat villages with terrorism.The charges filed through the Assistant Chief State Counsel, Barrister E.E Akissa, before the Federal High Court in Jos last Friday said 17 persons were charged over the recent villages raid while 15 suspects were charged over the January crisis.”
— “Barrister Akissa filed three different cases, FHC/J/30c/2010, FHC/J/14c/2010 and FHC/ J/17/2010 against the 17 suspects, who he claimed were from Bauchi and Plateau States. He also charged them on a three count charge of terrorism, including conspiracy, which is punishable under Section 518 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap.38 and Section 15(2) of the EFCC Laws, 2004 and Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
— “He said the suspects armed with dangerous weapons, charms and Indian hemp wraps intimidated the resident of Dogo Nahauwa and Rasat villages. On the January crisis, which started in Dutse Uku in Nassarawa Gwom area, Counsel to the Federal Government alleged in a suit charge number FHC/J/28c/2010 that Shafiu Dan Malam, 48 and six others all of Dutse uku in Nassarawa Gwom area of Plateau State conspired and carried out terrorist acts while armed with dangerous weapons which is contrary to Section 518 of the Criminal Code Act Cap. C38, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004. On the second count, the counsel alleged that on January 19, while armed with dangerous weapons, they committed several terrorist acts.”
— “Barrister Akissa also said Mr Yakubu Isah and seven others who were charged on the first count had on January 19 conspired and agreed to cause breach of peace which is a punishable offence under Section 518(6).”
— “He said they moved about with arms like knives, cutlasses, sticks, spears, bows and arrows and that their action caused terror to many persons which is an offence contrary to Section 15(2) of the EFCC act 2004 and punishable under the same law.”
— “Presiding judge, Justice Stephen Adah, is expected to fix a date for mention.”
Arizona: Noor Almaleki “Honor Killing” – New Report with Additional Interview, Facts
Arizona – Noor Almaleki “Honor Killing”: “Honor Thy Father: A Muslim man in Phoenix ‘honor killed’ his Americanized daughter”
— Riverfront Times: “The writer obtained unreleased police records for this story. The narrative also is based on interviews, court documents and Internet comments.”
March 28 – Lincoln Memorial Event on Human Rights Draws Public Support
In Washington DC, Responsible for Equality And Liberty’s (R.E.A.L.) public awareness event on our shared universal human rights of equality and liberty drew support from the public at the Lincoln Memorial, even on an overcast and rainy afternoon on March 28.
Per R.E.A.L.’ s announcement, the public awareness event was R.E.A.L.’s annual recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination on April 4, and remembering how Dr. King gave his life for his country. (As April 4 is Easter Day this year, R.E.A.L. held the event this year on March 28.) R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm played an audio recording of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s last speech before he died, and asked the public that while Dr. King stated on these same Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool steps “I have a dream,” it is our obligation to say “I have a responsibility” to our fellow Americans and fellow human beings to defend our universal human rights of equality and liberty.
Jeffrey Imm urged people of all beliefs and all faiths to stop on April 4 and take a moment of reflective silence or prayer in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4.
R.E.A.L. also intermixed civil rights music along with speaking on major issues of the day in terms of human rights issues, including:
— Racial supremacism and the need for racial harmony and respect. R.E.A.L. addressed the growing problem of racial supremacism in America, and R.E.A.L.’s efforts in defying white supremacist efforts to spread hate in the Washington DC area. Jeffrey Imm recalled last year’s event at the Lincoln Memorial on April 4, 2009 warning of the rise of such hate groups, and the subsequent white supremacist terrorist attack on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial on June 20, 2009. R.E.A.L. also addressed its efforts in defying the efforts of “white nationalist hate groups” such as the American Renaissance, Stormfront, and Occidental Dissent in seeking to expand their recruitment in the Washington DC area.
— Misogyny and the need for gender equality and respect. R.E.A.L. addressed the need for Constitutional equality for all American women, stating “the words you see engraved in the wall of the Lincoln Memorial — that all men are created equal — we need to also recognize Constitutional equality for all American women to be equal as well. That too should be a declaration, never a question.” R.E.A.L. addressed the misogyny and violence against American women, including “honor killings” and hate against Muslim women in America (such as the November 2009 case of Noor Almaleki in Arizona), as well as such “honor killings,” stonings, oppression, and hate against Muslim and non-Muslim women around the world. R.E.A.L. addressed the horrific attacks on other women around the world, from the abuse of Chinese women in Communist China, to the genocide of women in Sudan’s Darfur, and the rape and murder of women in the Congo. (Mohamed Yahya later separately addressed the issues of Sudan and Darfur. This will be addressed in a separate posting.)
— Denial of religious freedom, the challenge of totalitarianism and religious extremism, and the need for religious freedom and pluralism. R.E.A.L. addressed the many whose religious freedom continues to be denied around the world today, such as in Communist China, where Christians and Muslims (and people with other belief structures such as the Falun Gong) are arrested and their houses of worship destroyed by the totalitarian Communist government, simply for seeking freedom of conscience. R.E.A.L discussed those who would deny freedom of religion based on a religious extremist view that is intolerant of religious pluralism and freedom of conscience, and stood on behalf of those converts to Christianity from Islam who were being oppressed as “apostates.” R.E.A.L. praised the efforts of the group “Set My People Free to Worship Me” who were planning global events on Easter eve, April 3, calling for religious freedom for such Christian converts. R.E.A.L. addressed the challenges of people in minority religions in nations such as Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, where religious freedom, pluralism, and tolerance rejected the freedom of religion for Christians, Hindus, and other sects of Islam. R.E.A.L. condemned the disease of violence against people of minority religions around the world, including the recent massacres in Nigeria of over 500 Christians. R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm called for support of religious freedom and freedom of conscience as part of our universal human rights around the world. R.E.A.L. also reminded Americans that America has the responsibility to set an example for defending freedom of religion in our nation, and that all religions must condemn, denounce, and seek the end of those who would vandalize and attack houses of worship of any faith in America, as we so often see today, in attacks on churches, synagogues, and mosques.
R.E.A.L. message at the Lincoln Memorial public awareness event was:
— “Human Rights are Your Right”
— “Human Rights are Your Responsibility”
— “Be Responsible”
— “Be Responsible for Equality And Liberty”
At the conclusion of the event, R.E.A.L. and other members of the public said a public prayer for peace, justice, and human rights on the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool steps, remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and calling for all Americans and all human beings, to “Choose Love, Not Hate. Love Wins.”
Photos from March 28 event:
Washington DC: Mohamed Yahya Speaks on Darfur, Sudan at Lincoln Memorial
On March 28, 2010, at Responsible for Equality And Liberty’s (R.E.A.L.) public awareness event on human rights at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, Damanga Executive Director Mohamed Yahya spoke on the pressing issues of Darfur and Sudan. Mohamed Yahya passionately conveyed to the public the continuing suffering of the people in Darfur and Sudan. He addressed the continuing genocide of the Darfuri people, and their suffering and poverty, including the attacks by the Janjaweed and the refusal of the Omar Al-Bashir government to respect the Darfuri people’s human rights.
While crowds around the Lincoln Memorial stopped to listen, Mohamed Yahya told them of the continuing need for Americans to get involved in helping the Darfuri people, and he urged them to call for the Obama administration to take action on Darfur. He reminded the public of pledges made by members of the administration during the electoral campaign, and then the failure to take aggressive action to bring justice to the Darfuri people today. He reminded the public of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) indictments against Sudan president Omar Al-Bashir. Moreover, Mr. Yahya pointed out, as he did in his recent article “A Deal with a Devil,” that there can be no peace in Sudan without justice and human rights for Darfur.
As volunteers passed out fliers on Damanga and the Darfur genocide, Mohamed Yahya asked the public to consider the importance of “saving just one human life,” and how taking such personal responsibility would provide an indelible sense of accomplishment, purpose, and meaning in our lives as individuals. “Then imagine,” Mohamed Yahya added, “how much more would it mean to help save a million or more lives?” Over 400,000 have been killed in Darfur, countless women have been raped and abused in Darfur, and there are an estimated 2.6 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) at risk. Despite an abundance of oil and other natural resources controlled by the Omar Al-Bashir government, the vast majority of Sudan’s people live in poverty, and many children die daily from malnutrition and poverty.
Members of the public were moved to show their support and joined Mohamed Yahya on the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool steps holding signs calling for justice and human rights in Darfur.
Mohamed Yahya pointed out the solidarity of people of all races and religions opposing the genocide and the human rights abuses in Darfur, standing with Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)’s Jeffrey Imm.
R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm then concluded the public awareness event with an inter-faith prayer and moment of reflection from people of all beliefs and conscience on behalf of the Darfuri people. He invited members of the public to join them on the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool steps to pray for peace, justice, and human rights for the people of Darfur and Sudan.
The March 28, 2010 Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) public awareness event was held on the Washington DC Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool steps as R.E.A.L.’s annual remembrance of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who was assassinated on April 4, 1968, and who R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm praised as a hero for human rights everywhere who gave his life for all of us. As Easter Sunday falls on April 4 this year, R.E.A.L. was holding this event on March 28.
The Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool steps are where Dr. King gave his inspirational message to America “I Have A Dream.”
The R.E.A.L. message at the March 28 Lincoln Memorial event was that while Dr. King had a dream, we have a responsibility to human rights for our fellow human beings. Jeffrey Imm stated “human rights are our rights, and human rights are our responsibility. This responsibility includes the responsibility to speak out, to not stay silent, and to demand action by our government and international bodies on the continuing oppression, continuing genocide, and continuing injustice in Darfur. Be responsible. Be responsible for equality and liberty.”
Pakistan: 25 Hindu girls abducted every month; forcibly converted to Islam
Pakistan’s The News reports: “25 Hindu girls abducted every month, claims HRCP official”
— “As many as 20 to 25 girls from the Hindu community are abducted every month and converted forcibly, said Amarnath Motumal, an advocate and council member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.”
— “‘There is no official record to support this statement, but according to estimates, in Karachi alone, a large number of Hindu girls are being kidnapped on a routine basis,’ Motumal told The News. “The families of the victims are scared to register cases against the influential perpetrators as death threats are issued to them in case they raise their voice. So, the victims choose to remain silent to save their lives,’ he said.”
— “Motumal said the word ‘Hindu’ had become an insult and a kind of abuse for the Hindu community. ‘Almost 90 per cent of the Hindu community comprise poor and impoverished families whose needs and rights have been neglected by the ones at the helms of power,’ he said, adding that since a majority of the people feel helpless, only a few families come to him with their cases.”
— “A former MPA, Bherulal Balani, said that the Hindu girls, especially the ones belonging to scheduled castes, were mostly being abducted from the Lyari area. “Once the girls are converted, they are then sold to other people or are forced to do illegal and immoral activities,” Balani said. He added the perpetrators were very powerful and that was the reason that no cases were being registered against them.”
— “The number of attacks against the Hindu community has increased in the interior Sindh during the last three months. At least nine incidents have been reported which range from forced conversion of Hindus to rape and murders.”
— “In one incident, a 17-year-old girl ‘K’ was gang-raped in Nagarparker area. In another incident, a 15-year-old girl ‘D’ was allegedly abducted from Aaklee village, Tharparkar, and was forced to convert. About 71 families migrated from the village in protest against the girl’s abduction.”
— “Moreover, the Hindu communities were not even spared on the occasion of their joyous festival of Holi as two girls, Anita and Kishni, were kidnapped in Kotri. Moreover, two Hindu boys, Ajay and Sagar, were abducted from another place on the same day.”
— “One Amir Gul was murdered in the beginning of March in Tando Haider, Umerkot, allegedly by a landlord. Later in the month, a boy, Kishan Kumar, was kidnapped from Kandhkot, Jacobabad.”
— “MPA Pitamber Sewani told The News that these acts were being done by certain elements who believe that these minority communities might support the government in the upcoming local bodies’ elections, and these elements want to harass them.”
— “However, President Pakistan Hindu Council Ramesh Kumar criticised the minorities’ representatives for not raising their voice at relevant forums. He said that they were simply representing their respective parties and not the poor people. He added that poor economic conditions had led to an increase in kidnapping cases in the province, especially in the Kandhkot and Jacobabad areas.”
— “Coordinator HRCP Task Force Sindh Dr Ashothama Lohano told The News the according to their one fact-finding report, the most affected persons of violence belonged to Hindu and Christian communities. He said that various reasons have been cited for this. ‘The recent wave of extremism is one reason, which has destroyed the harmony of the land of Sufis. Another reason is the destruction of the agriculture sector and small markets that has led to frustration and lawlessness. Yet another reason is that the elected representatives are working only for the party and not for the community,’ Dr Lohano added.”
— “He further said that minority communities were easy targets as the Hindus were generally hesitant to raise voice against the injustices. ‘When the Hindu communities become politically active, they are blamed for having Indian connections,’ doctor Lohano said.”
