NEWSLETTER | Ramadan Greetings; White House Petition; New Pak Govt Pledges; Articles
Vol. 6, No. 8; July 10, 2014 RAMADAN – 1435
Greetings!
This newsletter is dedicated to provide periodic information related to the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui and the campaign to reunite her with her family and children.
The newsletter is only sent to subscribers who have opted to receive it. If you have not and this is sent in error, please accept our apologies and unsubscribe at the bottom of the newsletter.
On the occasion of the start of the holy month of Ramadan, the family of Dr. Aafia would like to thank all of the many sincere supporters who have had the courage to help and contribute towards expanding the global awareness of Aafia's case and efforts to secure her reunification with her children.
During this month of reflection we ask our supporters everywhere to say a small prayer for Aafia's health and speedy repatriation to her family. We also request that a prayer be said for the relief of all victims of torture and senseless violence everywhere and for God to guide all those with power to act with compassion, forgiveness and generosity.
This Ramadan, we also urge all people of conscience to sign a petition for Aafia by going to the link below. All that is needed is a valid email address and the courage to add your name.
WE PETITION THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO: Repatriate Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, imprisoned for more than 11 years, as a matter of urgency. In the name of ALLAH, The Most Compassionate, The Most Merciful. We appeal to you as brothers and sisters in humanity to relieve the suffering of an innocent woman. In March 2003, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui was abducted with her three young children in Pakistan on the basis of faulty intelligence, a rendition operation that a former Pakistani official has since admitted. Five years later she mysteriously reappeared in a weakened state in Afghanistan; she was shot and later charged in a federal court with attempted murder. Dr. Siddiqui was sentenced to 86 years for a "crime" in which she alone was injured, she has now suffered needlessly for more than 11 years. We ask the government to affirm the American ideals of "liberty and justice for all." End Aafia's suffering; reunite her with her family.
Created: Jul 04, 2014
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Aafia Movement Gets Warm Reception in South Africa
Dr Fowzia Siddiqui, sister of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui and leader of the Aafia Movement, in her recent visit to South Africa highlighted the issue of the detention of her sister and the violation of her basic human rights. During the visit Dr Fowzia was also officially invited to visit the parliament and listen to the speech of President Jacob Zuma to the joint parliamentary session.
On the occasion, she met with different lawmakers including Mr. Solomom Lachesa Tsenoli, deputy speaker South African National Assembly and discussed the issue of Aafia's detention with them. During this one to one meeting, Dr. Aafia's issue remained the main focus. The South African deputy speaker regretted the violation of human rights in Dr. Aafia's case and assured full cooperation in furthering the cause of her release. He said South Africa is in favor of the release of political prisoners and annulling inhumanly long detentions.
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Pak Govt Says (Again) it is Making Full Efforts for Aafia
ISLAMABAD – Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Wednesday said that the government of Pakistan was carrying out sincere efforts for repatriation of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.
He said this while talking to Dr Aafia's sister Dr Fouzia Siddiqui who called on him here on Wednesday afternoon.
The minister discussed with Dr Fauzia the possible measures that could be helpful in repatriation of Dr Aafia. Nisar said that he was well cognizant of the latest position of the case and ministry of interior was analysing all the pros and cons related to various legal options in this regard. Fauzia also proposed various options that can be helpful for Aafia's repatriation. She appreciated the efforts of the government and expressed the confidence that these sincere efforts would prove fruitful in paving the path for Aafia's repatriation.
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Don't Cry for Aafia
By Yvonne Ridley
For years I've struggled to find a reason why Dr Aafia Siddiqui is still languishing in a prison in Texas.
Set aside my views that she is innocent and a victim of a gross miscarriage of justice who epitomises all that is wrong with the War on Terror.
Why has she not been transferred to a prison near her home in Karachi where she can serve the remainder of her sentence near her family and in her country of origin?
I have seen a couple of Pakistani Prime Ministers and their cabinets reduced to tears over the plight of a woman who has become known as 'The Daughter of the Nation.'
Seeing a grown man cry, thumping the table and demanding justice for Aafia was very moving the first time; a little wearing the second and third time; and now I just despair at this charade.
Empty promises have been made to her despairing family
that she will be returned.
I don't even think the Americans are interested in holding on to her anymore; I'm reliably informed they'd be quite happy to let her go. She has, after all, served her purpose and proved to be a useful instrument for the architects who wanted to maintain a fear factor over the War on Terror.
Now that their intelligence agencies have established that a neuroscientist is concerned with the biology of the nervous system and has nothing to do with nuclear weapons and bombs (I kid you not) they are no longer bothered about holding on to her.
So why is Aafia still in Texas? Why has she not been put into a prisoner transfer programme?…
Stand for humane treatment and for equal treatment of all without fear or favor! Standing for Dr. Aafia brings light to all missing persons, victims of torture and extraordinary rendition and people held in secret prisons. It sends the message that all human beings, including Muslim women, have rights!