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Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, March 2008, pages 57-58 Human Rights Islamic Center Addresses Media On Bhutto Assassination
ONE DAY AFTER the Dec. 27 assassination of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, the Islamic Center of Southern California (ICSC) hosted a special Friday prayer service for all those killed in the terrorist act. Representatives of the Los Angeles media were on hand for the press conference that followed. Edina Lekovic, communications director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), introduced the speakers: ICSC spokesman Dr. Maher Hathout, Dr. Shakeel Syed of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, Dr. Razaq Chaudry, president of the Council of Pakistan American Affairs (CPAA), Munira Syeda of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and CPAA past president Ahmed Ali. Dr. Hathout stressed that no one present was an expert on Pakistani politics, and therefore they could not predict what will happen in the aftermath of violence. “Violence increasingly is used to settle political conflicts,” he noted, “and it must not be accepted as a modus operandi. Islam is a call for life, not death. Pakistan plays a significant role in world politics and we hope it will not be engulfed in instability.” Syed, whose Shura Council represents a half-million Muslims in Southern California, stated that no grievance can justify violence. In the coming days, Dr. Chaudry said, his organization will urge the government of Pakistan to bring the guilty to trial. “This is a serious setback for democracy in Pakistan,” he added. “We are calling for a central unity government representing all political parties. This is the only way it can be credible. We will be trying to communicate with political figures to act upon the wishes of all the people.” One TV reporter asked why no one had condemned al-Qaeda or the Taliban. The community has gone on record as condemning the acts of al-Qaeda, Dr. Hathout replied, but blame cannot be put on anyone until the guilty are identified. “Instead,” he said, “the media should be inquiring about a proper investigation of the crime. Assassination is not a Muslim phenomenon. Many American leaders—John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy—have been struck down by bullets.” When asked if any had contacted their families in Pakistan, Dr. Chaudry answered in the affirmative, noting that all were speechless and fearful of what might come next. “The general perception is that the U.S. should support Pakistani institutions rather than individuals,” he said. “We need Washington’s assistance in establishing a free media, independent judiciary and elections and a reputable educational system to offset the madrassas.” —Pat McDonnell Twair |
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