Demand for Shaykh Zakzaky’s Release Grows Worldwide

Crescent International

Demand for the release of Shaykh Ibrahim Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), has grown worldwide.

The campaigners demand proper medical care for the Shaykh and his wife Zeenat and their immediate release.

Such treatment is only available abroad.

A 24/7 vigil outside the Nigerian High Commission in London has been underway for a week organized by the UK-based Islamic Human Rights Organization (IHRC).

A huge protest has also been planned outside the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa, the Canadian capital for today (Friday July 19).

The rally will start in front of the Saudi embassy, one of the principal sponsors of the Nigerian regime that is brutalizing Shaykh Zakzaky, his family and followers.

Participants will then march to the Nigerian High Commission to press their demand for the immediate release and for proper medical treatment of Shaykh Zakzaky and his wife.

While Western regimes and institutions have virtually ignored the plight of the activist-scholar and his wife, many academics, human rights activists and political analysts in the West have joined the campaign for his release.

Fifty Western intellectuals have called on UN chief Antonio Guterres to pressure Nigeria to immediately release the popular leader to get emergency medical treatment.

“We write to demand that Shaykh Zakzaky and his wife Mallima Zeenat be allowed to leave the country for urgent medical treatment,” says the letter. It further states that the Shaykh’s health has deteriorated in the last few days.

They urged the world body to take concrete action against ongoing violations being committed against scholars and rights campaigners by the Nigerian regime of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari is a former military dictator who has now donned civilian garb but has not given up on the brutal ways of the military.

In December 2015, the Nigerian military attacked the compound of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria in Zaria.

More than 1,000 members of the Islamic Movement were gunned down in cold blood including Shaykh Zakzaky’s three teenage sons.

The Shaykh and his wife also suffered serious injuries in the military assault.

He lost his left eye and sustained other injuries for which he has not received adequate medical care so far.

The regime then sent in bulldozers and demolished the entire compound including the Husseiniyya where the Shaykh would give dars (Islamic lessons).

The Shaykh and his wife have been held in appalling conditions in prison ever since despite a federal high court in Nigeria ordering his release in December 2016.

Recent reports indicate that Shaykh Zakzaky may have been poisoned since dangerous levels of lead and cadmium were found in his blood.

In revealing the poisoning of his father, Mohammad Zakzaky, the Shaykh’s only surviving son said his father needed urgent medical attention that was only available abroad.

He feared his father was being killed through slow poisoning.

The Shaykh’s lawyer said his client had suffered a stroke and had not slept for nearly a week, raising further concerns about his health.

Shaykh Zakzaky has a long history of struggle against injustice and oppression in Nigeria.

Even in his student days, he was organizing mass protests. He has been in and out of prison throughout Nigeria’s long line of military dictators.

The current regime’s wrath has fallen on Shaykh Zakzaky because he has awakened the people of Nigeria. One manifestation of this is the massive Quds Day rallies held in Nigeria.

Outside Iran, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria holds the largest Quds Day rallies throughout the world.

His appeal has transcended national boundaries and spread into neighboring West African countries as well.

The Shaykh’s growing popularity has alarmed the regime and its backers, primarily the Saudis and Zionists.

While the Saudis dole out large amounts of cash to the regime and its paid agents in Nigeria, the Zionists have cultivated close links with the Nigerian military.

This explains why the Nigerian regime gets away literally with murder of innocent people.

But people of conscience are beginning to mobilize and demand an end to brutality and fair treatment of the Shaykh, his wife and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

Why Sheikh Zakzaky Should Be Released?

By Najeeb Maigatari

NIGERIA/ JIGAWA - "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” -Martin Luther King Jr. 

The gruesome injustice meted on the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky- courtesy of our deafening silence- is to say the least, the worst atrocity committed in the entire democratic history of Nigeria. 

What led to his arrest, his continued illegal detention even at the face of deteriorating health, the cold blood murder of his 3 biological sons before his very eyes, the killing and burning alive over a thousand of his followers including women and young children, the demolition of his residence, his teaching center, his mother's house and the exhumation of her grave and that of her grandchildren.. Is there justification for any of these? Is there any law- domestic or international- that could justify any of these atrocities? 

To begin with, the Zaria Massacre of 2015, which led to the Sheikh's arrest was a breach of Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, 1976) which states: "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment". It also violates what is contained in Section 4, Chapter 34 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. During the Zaria Massacre, however, innocent civilians were tortured in the most inhuman manner. Women were insulted, tortured, raped and their modesty desecrated. To this date, the whereabout of several hundred innocent citizens is still unknown. 

Sheikh Zakzaky was arrested alongside his wife Zeenah, after the Nigerian army rained bullets on them. They were shot severely at very close range. The Sheikh lost his left eye at the spot. They were then taken very close to death into illegal custody- incommunicado for the first couple of week- to this date. It is worth noting that the illegal detention of the Sheikh and his wife is a gross violation of section 4 chapter 35 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which uphold the right to personal liberty of every citizen of the state. 

This was in December 2015, almost four years ago. Hitherto, the Sheikh and his wife have been denied access to proper medical attention, let alone allow them to attend to their failing health. In 2016, the personnel assigned to them by the DSS has warned the Nigerian government that Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife need urgent medical attention supposedly outside the country, failure of which the Sheikh may lose his sight completely. The government heeds none of the doctor's words, turned deaf ears and left things to continue as they were- that is to say, lack of proper medical attention- as if all is well with the duo. 

Earlier this year, the Sheikh suffered from an acute stroke that could have cost his dear life- thanks to the neurologist for his timely management. However, the neurologist again strongly pointed out the need for the government to release the Sheikh in order to attend to his health. Still the government, in its attempt to secretly and silently kill the Sheikh, failed to heed his words. Since then, the health condition of the Sheikh and his wife has been deteriorating from bad to worse with each passing day. 

The refusal to let the Sheikh and his wife attend to their health violates Article 10 of the ICCPR which requires that: "All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person". 

A couple of month ago, a team of foreign doctors were allowed to carry out preliminary investigations onto the Sheikh and his wife's health status- for the first time ever in their almost four years in illegal detention- after which they made public their findings.

The Sheikh is diagnosed with more than 7 health complications among of which include severe Lead and Cadmium poisoning, Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, Stroke, Malignant Hypertension, Spondylitis, Anophthalmia in one eye and Open-Angle Glaucoma on the other. He was also diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) owing to the gross emotional trauma the Sheikh is subjected to, on daily basis. Each of these health complications requires immediate hospitalization and proper medical attention. 

The story is no different with his wife Zeenah who according to the findings is diagnosed with bilateral osteoarthritis of the knee. A condition characterized by literally 'eating away' the bony cartilages found in joints. Reportedly, she is no longer walking on her feet, but with the aid of a wheelchair. Hypertension, Hyperthyroidism, Chronic Stomach ache, due to shrapnel remains in her stomach, are among other findings. 

The level of Lead in the Sheikh's blood is found to be around 20 times higher than what is considered to be normal, according to the doctors finding. This alone indicates the urgency of the situation. The specialists have made it clear crystal that the duo are in dire need of proper medical attention, like never before, failure of which the worst- that is death- may occur. 

Over the weekend, the only surviving son of the Sheikh, Mohammed Zakzaky, was allowed to visit his parents and sadly the Sheikh has reportedly suffered from another stroke! He not only suffered from the stroke, but his entire health condition has alarmingly deteriorated from bad to worse- within this short period of time. The truth is, Sheikh Zakzaky has suffered the worst atrocities of this government. As a democratic nation, his rights need to be respected and therefore be released immediately. 

There have been numerous calls from clergymen and people of conscience, well-meaning Nigerians, international human right organizations, and peace-loving individuals across the globe, peaceful protests within and outside the country urging the Nigerian government to release the Sheikh and his wife. 

It could be recalled that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has since December 2016 ordered the unconditional release of the Sheikh and his wife. The court also in accordance with Section 4 Chapter 35 Subsection 6 of the constitution of Nigeria ordered that the Sheikh be compensated for his "unconstitutional arrest and detention". To this date, the Nigerian government fails to comply with this valid order of a competent court of the land. 

In addition, last week, the legislators- members House of Representatives- have inequivovally call upon the Federal government to obey court order and release the ailing Sheikh and his wife. In a democratic nation, the demand of the legislators and the judiciary always outweighs that of the executive, especially when it involves enforcing fundamental rights of a citizen or is in the best interest of the state. 

All these said, it is obvious that the continued detention of Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife is "illegal" and by far "unconstitutional". There is no justification, whatsoever, for their detention. It is a clear violation of their every right as enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria; the right to life, right to personal liberty, right to dignity of human persons and etcetera. With the judiciary and the legislative recently making a similar call on the federal government- to ensure the Sheikh's release- it is obvious that the continued illegal detention of the Sheikh and his wife is not in the interest of every well-meaning and peace loving Nigerian.

Therefore, Sheikh and his wife should be released immediately and unconditionally as par the order of a competent court of land.

International Qud’s Day, Zaria massacre, Nigerian Army and Wahabism in Nigeria

By Ammar Muhammad Rajab

NIGERIA/ ABUJA - This year’s annual International Qud’s day comes with special processions around the world due to the continued aggressive responses of the illegal state of Israel against Palestinians. People who choose humanity above all labels, came out en masse around the world to show their solidarity to the oppressed Palestinians and woes to Israel. In Nigeria, over 20 cities including the federal capital territory, Abuja members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria under the leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky held this year Qud’s procession. This year's procession ended peacefully except in Kaduna, where the Nigerian Police use live ammunition on the protesters were they injured 3 and arrested 12 protesters.

While giving an open invitation to Muslims and the world on August 7th, 1979 to observe the day, Imam Khomeini of blessed memory said "I invite Muslims all over the glove to consecrate the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, which is a day of fate and which could also become the day on which the fate of Palestinian people might be determined as Quds day and to proclaim the legitimate right of the Muslim people of Palestine." The day is meant to express solidarity and global support to Palestinians, and indeed all other oppressed. Observed through processions, conferences and rallies by nations, human rights activists and civil liberties organizations, this inspiring declaration of the late Imam evidently received borderless acceptance.
Not only Muslims, even among the Jews who aren’t Zionist on a day like this, shows their support to Palestinians through rallies and conferences among others. Many people on the last Friday of Ramadan around the world embarked on this event that show solidarity to Palestinians.  

On the other hand, Zaria massacre is a crime against humanity, the Nigerian army murdered innocent civilians in a cold blood. It is of important the Nigerian army and adherents of Wahabism to know that; whoever killed a person innocently, in the hereafter will come before almighty Allah in his hands with blood of the person they shed.

More than 1000 days after, the Zaria pogrom is still remembered daily. It is precisely that it cannot be washed-out, history has written it. Since the pre-planned attacked (under the pretext of ‘blockade of road) by the Nigerian government through its army on the members of Islamic Movement in Nigeria led by Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky which he is still incommunicado, till date, he has not been given his provisional constitutional rights, which shows how anarchical the Buhari led government is.

His rights to movement and association have been trampled on. It's befuddling that the Nigerian army that is supposed to be secular as the state claims democracy as its system of government carrying-out 48 hours operation on its citizens killing thousand unarmed civilians without the president of the nation-state caution, bring the culprits to book and commiserate with the family members of the martyrs and declared national mourning, instead, he went on to accuse the members of the Islamic movement in Nigeria with running a ‘State within a State'. The president's allegation also proved the attack is premeditated.

The old man is confused and knuckle-headed and don’t have the knowledge of political administration. It’s cleared that in democracy system of government, the Nigerian army in a converged operation are under the command of the Police when it comes to civilian’s affairs, but in Nigeria, it’s vice versa.

The democracy is on paper but not in practice. Rather, the Nigerian army to do their duties preventing the sovereignty from invasion in various territories, but they made themselves busy in killing their citizens, and continue plotting against them. This is shame to the military and the government entirely! Some of the proved that linked the Nigerian army and the Wahabism, it is that of meeting with the so-called Wahabi 'clerics' in the aftermath of the massacre. The Nigerian army and the Wahabism have the same thoughts of attacking and killing does they think they are against them. The wahabism ideology played an important role in killing the innocent Shiites members during the pogrom. Why the government through its army using religion to plots against Islamic movement in Nigeria? Are they not fed up with the blood they shed in December, 2015? Are they not fed up with the blood they shed in October, 2018 during the annual symbolic Arba’een trek of Imam Husaini (A.S) in the federal capital territory, Abuja? What is the connection of Nigerian army and Wahabism? Why the link now? This proved that; it is a contract from world funders of terrorism; Saudi-America-Israel (S.A.I) in a mission to wipe-out Islamic Movement in Nigeria, this is because of the ideology of Islamic movement in Nigeria which stand firmly with justice and oppressed people, and against injustice, corruption and oppressors. The double party (Nigerian army and Wahabism) their aimed is to kill who they think is against them and thinking that the best option to bring the end of dichotomy is by killings.

Recently, the Nigerian president, Buhari attended the OIC meeting held in Mecca where the Saudi Arabia’s King Salman called for international action to stop Iranian influence around the world. There was no report of objection from the Nigerian president against this action; this is because the president is a direct beneficiary of the world funders of terrorism. The only exception of this action is Iraq. It’s obvious to even blind man that Saudi Arabia is a staunch US ally, and those accepted the Saudi’s called serve the interest of the Saudi, US and the illegitimate state of Israel. At a time, where the Israel continues their invasion against Palestinians without the solidarity and support of the Arab leaders, but they choose to gathered with the aim of supporting the rascality of the US which they bluntly illuminated that they are enemies of peace in the world. But despite their meaningless, worthless and purportless gathering in Mecca, this year Quds procession around the world shows that people of consciences are with the Palestinians and they will continue to rally around Palestinians in spite of all odds.

Zaria massacre is a crime against humanity, the Nigerian army murdered innocent civilians in a cold blood. It is of important the Nigerian army and Wahabism to know that; whoever killed a person innocently, in the hereafter he will come before almighty Allah in his hands with blood of the person he shed. It is obvious that; the Wahabism ideology is a cancer to the nation-state. The nation-state give it is citizens a guarantee to the freedom of religion, conscience, speech and life, but the Wahabism ideology said; whoever is not a Wahabist he is a ‘infidel’ and he has to be killed.

It is of paramount important to the non-Muslims to understand that; this ideology of Wahabism is far-away from the teachings of our beloved prophet. Our beloved prophet taught us how to live in every type of human life in a peaceful manner.

To the tyrants, if they are learning from human history, they will not use murder, detention or genocide as a tool to eliminate an ideology. There is an adage in archaeology which says; “a past is a clue to the present.” This is to say; the main essence in learning history is to curve away the short comings of the past and avoid it in the presents.

The history of Adolf Hitler that claims killed millions of Jews does not eliminate the Jews in the world. The history of Karbala that led the massacre of the holy prophet successor and his companions does not bring the call of Imam Husain to an end. Rather boost the call worldwide. For your information; the truth of the matter, Islamic Movement can’t be wipe-out, Zaria pogrom can’t be washed away. Your devilish thinking and action cannot be succeed, the truth always prevail.

The leader of Islamic Movement once said in one of his speech; “The truth cannot be suppressed with the barrel of gun.” All these inhumane actions from the Nigerian army and Wahabism ideology shows how cancerous they are in the nation state.

Global dimensions of the Islamic Revolution

The Iranian people are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their revolution while the message of their revolution keeps resonating throughout the world.

When Imam Khomeini spoke of exporting the Islamic Revolution in the first days of the uprising, some people couldn’t understand the depth and importance of his remarks. But, 40 years after the resounding triumph of the revolution, both the friends and enemies witness that without dispatching of forces, war and bloodshed, or what the US calls “nation-building” the principles and basics of the Islamic Revolution have gone beyond frontiers and conquered the hearts and minds of Muslims and free-spirited people in the world. Is it not due to the fact that the Islamic Revolution is in complete conformity with the human nature? Ayatollah Khamenei stated, “The concepts of the revolution and the concepts of Islam are like the scent of spring flowers. No one can prevent it. It will spread and go everywhere. It is a reviving and inspiring breeze which engulfs everywhere automatically.”

The victory of the Islamic Revolution took the Islamic communities out of inaction and released them infatuation against foreigners. Hence, they woke up and tried to return to their Islamic identity. Muslims tried to adopt the Islamic teachings which had been forgotten for centuries. The Islamic Ummah was revived and began recalling the lost realities.

The Iranian nation triumphed with bare hands against the regime of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi which was supported by the superpowers of those days. The message of this revolution was that the Islamic Ummah can be dignified, free, advanced and strong provided that it returns to the genuine Islamic teachings and the authentic religion preached by the Prophet.

The Islamic Revolution had an especial impact on the Shias of South Lebanon. The inexhaustible efforts of Imam Musa Sadr during the years of the revolution had created turned the situation in a way that Lebanon was more susceptible to accept the message of Iran’s revolution. The consecutive defeats of Arabs against the spurious Zionist regime, their humiliation before and fear of this illegitimate regime, and the failure of various Lebanese groups vis-à-vis aggression and invasion and the defeat of the national army had aggravated the feeling of hatred of the enemy and revive the hope of honorable days in the hearts of Muslims.

The successful experience of the Iranian nation in struggling against oppression and arrogance led to formation of Hezbollah in Lebanon shortly after the victory of the Islamic Revolution. In its famous letter known as the “Manifest of Hezbollah” which was officially released in 1985, Hezbollah stressed, “We declare our commitment to the unique, wise and just leadership that has been presently incarnated in the person of Imam Ayatollah-ul Uzma Ruhollah al-Musavi al-Khomeini. He is the stimulator of the Islamic Revolution and its grand movement.”

The anti-terrorist legendary Hezbollah attained great victories against the fabricated regime in Tel Aviv and smashed its myth of invincibility several times. As a result, Hezbollah liberated the occupied regions of southern Lebanon from the clutches of Israel. After Israel’s defeat, Hezbollah became active in social and political domain and affected parliamentary and council elections.

One of the clear manifestations of the spread and influence of the Islamic Revolution was the awakening of Nigerian Muslims despite being thousands of kilometers far from Iran. Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa and the third populated among Islamic countries. 50% of the 190 million people of the country are Muslims and mostly Sunnis of Maleki sect. 40% are Christians and the remaining 10% adhere to vernacular religions. Islam arrived in the region by preachers and merchants in early 2nd century AH but as colonialists infiltrated in the region, Christianity prevailed and the rule of Muslims began to decline.

The miraculous victory of the Islamic Revolution bestowed vividness and hope to the Nigerian Muslims. Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, as a fervent youth with religious tendencies, traveled to Iran in the beginning of the revolution and after visiting Imam Khomeini became a Revolutionary Muslim. After returning to Nigeria, he started an indefatigable activity to awaken Muslims and succeeded in founding the great Islamic movement there. His activities during the past three decades increased the population of Shias to 10 million.

Deep trust in the ability of religion to administer communities was one of the important legacies of the Islamic Revolution for Nigerian Muslims. While they used to be inactive and idle against anti-religious measures, they have tuned into active and demanding community which is ready to sacrifice its life for religious ideals and values. One of these values is hijab which the women and girls of Nigeria had been banned for decades to observe it at schools and universities. The Muslims of the northern Nigeria succeeded in convincing the authorities of Muslim-inhabited areas to lift this illegal ban. The demonstrations of Nigerian Muslims for establishment of Islamic Constitution are under the influence of the Islamic Revolution. Finally, the central government was forced to submit to the demand of Muslim population in their own areas for implementation of Islamic laws.

Nigerian Shias are among the most active Shias in the world. They have turned into trend-setters in Africa. The movement that has begun in Nigeria has enhanced the tendency of researchers to know more about Shia school of thought.

When the Islamic Revolution triumphed in 1979 in Iran, Imam Khomeini had spoken of the illegitimacy of the Zionist regime for 20 years. Now, it is being clarified day by day that this child-killer regime is a cancerous tumour in the heart of the Islamic lands and as Imam Khomeini stressed, “Israel is not just the enemy of Muslims but it is the enemy of mankind.”

In view of this, struggling against Israel has been one of the fundamental principles of the Islamic Revolution. Imam Khomeini named the last Friday of the month of fasting (Ramazan) as the World Quds Day to draw the attention of world Muslims to the importance of the issue of Palestine and the crimes of the occupying Zionist regime. This announcement proved that Palestine is not an issue of Arabs or Sunnis but the prime issue of the entire Islamic world. Thus, it revived the hope for salvation of Palestine. Then the Palestinian currents underwent basic changes with more Islamic motives rather than narrow national and racial ones. Indeed, as one of the Palestinian leaders stressed, “It was Iran’s revolution that opened a new era before the Palestinian movement and caused the issue of Palestine to be looked through the eyes of Islam.”

The Islamic Revolution revived values like hijab, fighting arrogance and oppression, the bond intertwined bond between religion and politics, and the demand for establishment of Islamic government. In the world that was dominated by communist and liberalist mottos, few (if any) would imagine that religion is able to stage a revolution and rule a society. With reliance on religion, the meaning of power altered basically and Muslims understood that the real power is the power of God and it is He that can help them restore their violated rights. When Muslims saw the obvious example of returning to dignity and victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Islamic Awakening took place faster than what was expected. Nations got the guts to withstand oppressive and puppet regimes with the hope of victory. The people in Tunisia, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, Egypt and elsewhere rose up against the ruling systems one after the other. Although they haven’t attained final victory, the awakening that has occurred is a precious asset which prophecies the establishment of monolithic Islamic Ummah, God willing.

Islamic movement fighting on so many fronts

Editor

The killings of Palestinians continues unabated, as Palestinian Muslims continued the al-Aqsa intifada in defiance of Israeli attempts to suppress it through brute force. Even as the Palestinians faced some of the worst days of the intifada, however, representatives of Yassir Arafat’s Palestinian Authority began meetings with Israeli and American representatives in Washington to bring the Palestinian ‘peace process’ — also known as the Palestinian sell out — back on track. It was a stark reminder of the reality that Muslims’ leaders are often our worst enemies.

The point was emphasised by the reports of further massacres in Algeria. Since the military coup in January 1992 that prevented the Islamic Solidarity Front (FIS) from taking power after its overwhelming electoral victory the previous month, over 100,000 Algerians have died. According to the authorities, they have been killed by Islamic activists. The idea that mujahideen might, under any circumstances, find reasons for the sort of brutality against innocent Muslim people that has become commonplace in Algeria’s recent history makes no sense whatsoever, and there is ample direct evidence, and even more circumstantial evidence, pointing to the Algerian state as the real perpetrators of the crimes.

The Algerian regime might well be one of the most ruthless regimes in the Muslim world when it comes to dealing with its own people, but it is has many rivals for the title. While some naive Muslims have looked to Arab states for support for the Palestinians in their struggle against the zionists, the regimes of kind Abdullah II in Jordan and king Muhammad V in Morocco are only two of several that have been more concerned with preventing their people from turning anti-zionist protests into anti-government ones. Far from condemning Arafat for his repression of Hamas and other Islamic activists, Arab states are doing precisely the same thing in their own countries. Both regimes have cracked down hard on Islamic activists protesting against the zionists, for fear that the public mobilization might turn against themselves. Another way of avoiding this would be to take a firm stance in support of the Palestinian intifada, but this appears not to have occurred to them. Instead, the pressure from the Arab states has been not on the zionists, but on Arafat, to return to the negotiating table and reach a settlement, even though such a settlement can only be to the zionists’ advantage.

In numerous Muslim countries, Islamic movements are being viciously suppressed, often far more viciously than the Islamic movements in Palestine. It is hard to imagine which has the greatest impact on a Muslim community: the sorts of hardship being suffered by the Palestinians, or the more subtle but perhaps more even painful hardships imposed on Muslim women in Turkey for trying to fulfil their Islamic duty to cover themselves and conduct themselves with modesty and reserve. Similar secular policies are being pursued by the government in Tunisia. In Uzbekistan, scores of Muslims who wish to practice, or to live according to their faith in public and social matters, are in jails, and Islamic institutions are subject to regular crackdowns and closure. The examples are legion.

Islamic movements confronting the forces of kufr on the front-line against Western civilizational imperialism (and its allies and agents) have a high profile, be they in Palestine, Kashmir, India, east Turkestan, Chechnya, Sudan, Nigeria, or the Balkans. But the battle of Islamic movements in the Muslim countries, fighting against agents of kufr planted deep into our societies, and imposed on us as rulers and leaders, is arguably far harder and even more important. Until Islamic movements overthrow these rulers, and create Islamic states in the heartlands of the Muslim world, the struggles in Palestine, Kashmir and other such places will not be won.

The struggles of these Islamic movements take many forms: political, military, intellectual, social and cultural. Often they are harder to see for Muslims elsewhere, particularly in the West, than the movements of the frontiers, and information about them is harder to come by and to understand. Supporting them, in the heart and in material terms, is often harder. But while we support wholeheartedly the struggle in Palestine, we must remember also, at this time more than any other, that there are other movements requiring our support and assistance all over the Muslim world, not only in our prayers, but by our actions.

 

Editor