We are prisoners of never-ending war on terror: Yvonne Ridley
Karachi, May 30: Internationally famed investigative journalist Yvonne Ridley has said that we are prisoners of a never-ending war on terror and living in an age where it is becoming increasingly difficult to tell our enemies from our heroes, the good from the bad, but we will not stop banging on the door of injustice until it finally opens.
Addressing a crowded press conference at Karachi Press Club (KPC) here Friday she regretted that we see states carrying out terrorist acts, killing innocent men, women and children with unmanned drones and we are told these atrocities are being carried out for our own good. She said our freedoms and liberties are being sacrificed but only one enduring victim of this War on Terror continues to represent all that is wrong with this era and all that is unjust in the world today.
“I am of course talking about Dr Aafia Siddiqui, the daughter of the Pakistani nation and until she is freed and released into the arms of her family here in Karachi we all will remain prisoners of this never ending War on Terror.”
Ridley said of course this is not the first time we Muslims have been challenged and tested. Let me recall the quotes of Sheikh ibn Taymiyyah who said: "What can my enemies do to me? I have in my breast both my heaven and my garden. If I travel they travel with me, never leaving me. Imprisonment for me is a chance to be alone with my Lord. To be killed is martyrdom and to be exiled from my land is a spiritual journey." She said every time I'm reminded of his brave words I think of our dear sister Aafia.
She said today we continue to demand her release and will not stop banging on the door of injustice until it finally opens – and it will. “The oppressors cannot continue forever – one day even their brutal resistance will fail.”
Aafia Movement leader Dr Fowzia Siddiqui speaking on the occasion said though the governments of Pakistan and USA are continuing to ignore the issue of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, which is not only a human rights issue but also the issue of rights of women, mothers and families, the voice for her release at international forums is getting new strength with every passing day. She said the International Human Rights Alliance for Aafia’s release has now crossed the global borders. She said the human rights organizations in the UK are with Aafia family in their struggle for justice.
Fowzia sincerely thanked Yvonne Ridley for her investigative journalism which for our family resurrected Aafia and her children from the dead. She said the history shows that alliances that are made for power politics are weak and crumble like a spider web, whereas those formed for dignity and honor make nations out of crowds. “We know our intentions are pure and have faith that Aafia will be back soon.”
She said our case in the US court is very strong and clearly shows how evidence was manipulated, withheld and the dark role of her captors. “If justice prevails Aafia will be exonerated, Insha’Allah,” she said.
