South Africans throng to free Aafia Siddiqui programmes
Johannesburg: We should raise our voices against injustice. We should stand up against injustice. This is Islam, encouraged Altaf Shakoor, the president of Pakistani human rights group Pasban, at a public meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Monday night.
He is accompanying Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui on their first international tour to raise awareness about the plight of her US imprisoned sister, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.
Shakoor lambasted the Pakistani regime of former Pakistani leader, Perves Musharraf. “This Muslim general, with the largest army in the world, 600 000 soldiers, a nuclear power. Our general sold hundreds of Muslim sisters, daughters and brothers to America for dollars and to extend his power.”
Shakoor called on the huge crowd that had gathered to listen to him and Dr. Fowzia and to do something practical towards ending the oppression meted out against Dr. Aafia and other Muslims.
“Aafia’s test is completed. It is now time for our test. We go for Umrah every year. We go for Hajj every year. But what are we doing about the honour of our sister,” he said.
“So many of us attend meetings for Aafia with tears in our eyes, but we have so many engagements and priorities in life, we soon forget it. So I appeal to my brother and sisters and especially the youth, use every media, every opportunity to carry forward this message. Use the internet, use the email, write letters, use Facebook and visit the family website.“
“We thank Cii for bringing Dr. Fowzia to South Africa for us to hear firsthand about what actually happened to Aafia Siddqui. We had no idea about the extent of her suffering,” said Tasneem Mohammed an attendee.
