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Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat - Thread Twenty-Seven

Posted on 06/02/2005 9:27:09 PM PDT by nwctwx

Image Created By : TheCabal
Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat
Thread Twenty-Seven (Index)
Click to Search
The Threat Matrix

The title refers to a daily report given to the president of the United States detailing the most serious terrorist threats against the country. To tackle those threats, the government has formed a top-notch task force to infiltrate the terror cells and cut off the danger.

"Every morning, the president receives a list of the top ten terrorist threats - this list is known as the threat matrix."

We here at FR are trying to be in conjunction with the daily reports around the world that involve threats. We try to provide a storehouse of information that takes hours of research.

YOU be the judge and get informed!
Threat Matrix - Daily Terrorism Threat
Threat Matrix: U.S. Terrorism
Expert: Al-Qaida Has Presence In South Florida
Full Story

MIRAMAR, Fla. -- Despite the massive federal, state and local law enforcement effort to stop terrorists from entering the United States, there is no strong evidence of how well it is working.

Many experts are concerned that there are plenty of terrorists or sympathizers already in the country who have been here for years. Some are even citizens.

The Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers were the first wave and now the increasing number of arrests seems to signal a second wave of terrorism in South Florida.

Related:
Court is told of 2 U.S. citizens' alleged Al Qaeda plot
Map: Islamic Terrorist Network in America (2003)

"I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat."
Threat Matrix HTML designed by: Ian Livingston


TOPICS: News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: gwot; terror; threat; threatmatrix
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
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To: MamaDearest

I heard one of the songs that Green Day played was called "American Idiot". So much for not politicizing.

MD, I'm going to be away for a week (Edisto Island, in case anyone here is in the neighborhood) and maybe not able to get online, so be safe and have a great 4th. I'll try to catch up from down there if I can.


2,841 posted on 07/02/2005 6:47:47 PM PDT by SlowBoat407 (Taglines are supposed to have meaning?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2840 | View Replies]

To: nw_arizona_granny
Thanks Granny. Wonder how soon it will be before we "test" these weapons?

Senate votes to revive US nuclear weapons program

Australia, New Zealand pulling Snickers and Mars bars after threat of public poisoning

2,842 posted on 07/02/2005 6:50:09 PM PDT by MamaDearest
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To: DAVEY CROCKETT
Terror suspect released on $10,000 bond
2,843 posted on 07/02/2005 7:03:15 PM PDT by MamaDearest
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2766 | View Replies]

To: MamaDearest; All

Terrorists might be planning to attack celebrations during the July 4th holiday:


http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?s=51fff60f815eb0e755f3d1e00220eee3&t=157231


Please do not post text from this article due to the article source. The link above does not lead to the source of the article.


2,844 posted on 07/02/2005 7:58:03 PM PDT by Revel
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To: nw_arizona_granny

You're welcome.


2,845 posted on 07/02/2005 8:47:49 PM PDT by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2833 | View Replies]

To: MamaDearest

That's interesting.


2,846 posted on 07/02/2005 8:48:37 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: Oorang

Thanks Oorang.

Did you get those links on one of the Qal3ah sites?


2,847 posted on 07/02/2005 8:49:59 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: SlowBoat407; All
Have a safe and wonderful week "away from it all." We'll be having out-of-town company for the next few days, so I'll be catching up later as well. Happy July 4th Everyone- it's America's birthday and we'll be having cake and/or pie in celebration at my house!

Hoping our troops realize how much we support them and want them back home safely with us! They're the ones who make this the land of the free, home of the brave!

2,848 posted on 07/02/2005 9:13:42 PM PDT by MamaDearest
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To: MamaDearest

Ditto and Amen MamaDearest!


2,849 posted on 07/02/2005 9:14:38 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: JohnathanRGalt; backhoe; All

Warning -- "Martyr" Photos.

http://www.ribaat.org/services/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30668

"Quelques nouvelles images de Moudjahidines et de Martyrs Tchetchenes.."

Post by "abou-zoubayr"


2,850 posted on 07/02/2005 9:17:57 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: JohnathanRGalt; backhoe; All

ON THE NET...

http://www.ribaat.org/services/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30657
http://www.gnoni.net/up_ar/ar/risalh01.JPG
http://www.gnoni.net/up_ar/ar/risalh02.JPG
http://www.gnoni.net/up_ar/ar/risalh03.JPG


2,851 posted on 07/02/2005 9:34:06 PM PDT by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2850 | View Replies]

To: JohnathanRGalt; backhoe; All

ON THE NET...

http://www.ribaat.org/services/forum/showthread.php?s=2408d3fa258fec0e259367bcb18f5927&t=30639

http://fr.news.yahoo.com/050701/5/4hhtv.html


2,852 posted on 07/02/2005 9:45:13 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: JohnathanRGalt; ganeshpuri89; backhoe; All

Note The following text snippet (minus the graphics) are an exact quote from infovlad.net. To view the graphics and the Arabic text go to infovlad.net.
===

http://www.infovlad.net

07.03.05
A Nice Conversation Between Two Guys
Posted in General at 6:46 am by Vladimir
from “e3dad_group”.

Date: Sat, 2 Jul 2005 05:38:41 -0700 (PDT)
From: naser mansor
Subject: ??? ?? ??? ?? ?? ??? ?? ????? ????? ?????????

?????? ????? ? ???? ???? ? ?????? ..
???? ??? ??????? ????? ????

icne555: alslam alikom
icne555: kif alhal
saaamer_ali: 3likom el slam
icne555: ana qrat rsalatak
saaamer_ali: thx allah
saaamer_ali: ahlan wsahlan
saaamer_ali: men feen ?
icne555: pakistan
icne555: hal besteta3tek ersal almuad le??
saaamer_ali: where live now?
icne555: in pakistan
icne555: i need mutafagerat file can you send this file to me???
saaamer_ali: first
saaamer_ali: i wanna know why u need it ?
icne555: you send me massege and you told in massege any one he want mutafagerat tell me in the massenger
saaamer_ali: yes i said
icne555: ok can you send this file to me??
saaamer_ali: first i must know why u need these?
icne555: i need this file for larning and
icne555: learning
icne555: and for make jihad “zed a3da2 allah”
saaamer_ali: leaning for what ?
saaamer_ali: jihad against who ?
icne555: ??? ????? ?????
icne555: can you wright in arabic
saaamer_ali: ???? ???? ???????? ? ?????? ????
saaamer_ali: ????? ?? ???? ?? ??????? ????? ?????? ????
saaamer_ali: ?? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ??? ????
saaamer_ali: ????? ??? ?? ??????? ?????
saaamer_ali: and i hate liers
saaamer_ali: slam 3likom
saaamer_ali has signed out. (7/2/2005 5:12 PM)
icne555: ??? ??? ??????? ??? ???? ?? ???????
icne555: ??? ???? ???? ?? ???????
icne555: ???? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ??????? ??? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ?????
icne555: ?????? ?????? ?? http://talib.hala.cc/key.html
icne555: ?????????? ???? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ?? ?? ???? ???? ??????
icne555: ???????? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ????? ? ????????? ??????? ???????? ???????
icne555: ???? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ???????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ??????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ????
icne555: ??? ???? ???? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??? ????
icne555: ??? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ???????? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ??????
———————-
—————-
?????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ???????? ?? ????
????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????
http://www.needshab.5gigs.com/news
———————————————

Permalink Comments

Jihadi Files Update - July 2005
Posted in General at 6:10 am by Vladimir
July 3

http://www.infovlad.co.nr/terror/0703200501.rmvb


http://www.infovlad.net/terror_videos/0703200502.rm

http://www.infovlad.co.nr/terror/0703200503.doc
- “Antitank.doc”

July 2

http://www.infovlad.net/terror_videos/0702200501.divx
- al-qaeda luanch sa-7 at jet (Thanks doubletap!)
http://www.infovlad.co.nr/terror/0702200502.3gp
http://www.infovlad.co.nr/terror/0702200503.swf
- Al-Rashoud’s memorial flash.



http://www.infovlad.net/terror_videos/battarbook_tanfeedh.pdf

Jihadi movies: January - June 2005
Jihadi movies: 2004

Permalink Comments

07.02.05
The Seven Masks of Taliban Online
Posted in General at 5:22 pm by Vladimir
http://www.taliban-online.info/
http://www.talibanonline.co.nr
http://alneda.info/
http://ansar-al-sunnah.info/
http://ayman-al-zawahiri.info/
http://taliban-news.info/
http://abu-musab-al-zarqawi.info/

All of them are forwarded to:
http://tonline.5gigs.com/mpn/

Domain Name: talibanonline.co.nr
(http://www.freedomain.co.nr/whois.php)

Status: Approved, Active
Owner: Usama, Abu
Country: United States
Registration Date: Jun 30, 2005 - 11:20 pm
Website Category: Internet
Website Title: TalibanOnline.co.nr
Website Description:
TalibanOnline - Your Source of Information

Permalink Comments

Al-Qaeda in Iraq - “To The Muslims Everywhere, Be Auspicious, the Victory is in the Near Future”
Posted in General at 4:30 pm by Vladimir
UPDATE (July 2nd):

Pedroarnold put a finger on what I posted. Thanks!

Hi, Vladimir.
The news in your site:
06.28.05 Ansar al-Sunnah - “To The Muslims Everywhere, Be Auspicious,
the Victory is in the Near Future”

I found that English report doesn’t match with the Arabic insurgency statement.
The Arabic statement is from Al-Qaeda in Iraq, not Army of Ansar Al-Sunnah.
It’s topic is ???? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ????????? ??
????????? ?????? ??????? ?? ???????, announce by Abu Maysara Al-Iraqi,
the spokesman of Al-Qaeda in Iraq.


Read the rest of this entry »


2,853 posted on 07/02/2005 9:54:19 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

(The hunt for OBL)



E-mail Author
Author Archive
Send to a Friend
Version







July 01, 2005, 12:13 p.m.
Remember Afghanistan?
The media again shows its predictable bias.

Last week I noted with some skepticism Rep. Nancy Pelosi's
statement that the war in Afghanistan was over. Since then we have
been cruelly reminded that Afghanistan remains a dangerous place.
Sixteen men — Navy Seals and an Army aircrew — were killed when
their MH-47 Chinook was brought down in Kunar Province. They
were part of a quick-reaction force on their way to reinforce troops
on the ground engaging the enemy as part of Operation Red Wing.
Taliban spokesman Abdul Latif Hakimi claimed that rebel forces shot
down the helicopter with "a new type of weapon," and that they had
captured and executed seven Coalition "spies."

It is a shame that the only time Afghanistan makes news is when
something tragic like this happens. The average citizen might well
have thought the war was over; the theater has become something
like China-Burma-India in World War Two, the scene of some
desperate and heroic fighting that lost exposure to more accessible
operations in Europe or the Pacific. The Chinook story put
Afghanistan back in the headlines; hundreds of newspapers ran it.
Meanwhile only a handful of them have chosen to say anything
about Operation Diablo Reach Back, a very successful recent move
against remnants of the Taliban in their former stronghold of
Kandahar Province. U.S., Romanian, and Afghan forces have used
not only armed force but also mediation, infrastructure
development, and other elements of soft power to help stabilize the
area. It is a good news story that is worth hearing, but positive
reportage from Afghanistan is even rarer than from Iraq, which says
more about the news business than the situation in-country.

Just as an aside, and especially for those who like to draw analogies
to Vietnam, check out Operation Nam Dong, named for the 1964
battle that saw the award of the first Medal of Honor in the Vietnam
conflict. This is a good example of a primarily Afghan National
Army-led operation that shows the progress being made in
establishing the ANA as an effective stability force.

Not much has been released yet about Operation Red Wing, but the
location is intriguing. Kunar Province is northwest of Kabul on the
Pakistan border, some of the most unforgiving mountainous terrain
in the country, and a long-time terrorist haven. The area was once
part of Kafiristan, the "land of the unbelievers," a name probably
best known from Rudyard Kipling's "The Man Who Would Be King."
It was the last part of Afghanistan to be forcibly converted to Islam
(in 1896), and was renamed Nurestan, "land of the enlightened,"
which is still the name of the province bordering Kunar to the north.
It has since ironically become a center for Muslim extremism, and
was an important Mujahedin base of operations during the war with
the Soviet Union. Gulbuddin Heymatyar — leader of the
Hezb-i-Islami movement, one of the primary beneficiaries of U.S.
aid in the 1980s — who is now in a declared state of jihad with his
former benefactors, is said to be holed up in or near Kunar.

The operation may also be tied to the ongoing hunt for Osama bin
Laden and his cronies. The mountain passes from Kunar lead to
Chitral District in Pakistan, which is one of the areas bin Laden has
recently been rumored to be hiding. (See for example this ABC
News report from two weeks ago.) The area around Chitral is
naturally beautiful country, and at one time was a destination for
hikers from around the world. But the countryside is now closed to
outsiders — for their own good, according to Pakistani authorities —
and those who obtain permission to visit are generally not
welcomed by the locals. A team from Frontline toured the area in
2002 and found the mood decidedly anti-American. Roadside signs
praising bin Laden and condemning the United States were
common. One strange sight was a hillside on which was spelled out
in whitewashed rocks, in English, "When the going gets tough, the
tough get going." This was one of Richard Nixon's favorite
expressions; one can only guess what he would think about al
Qaeda's appropriation.

There are other signs that something may be up in the bin Laden
hunt. A report earlier this week claimed that British SAS troops were
on alert for a "swoop" on Osama. Two weeks ago Canadian
investigators announced an intelligence coup, finding important al
Qaeda information on the laptop of Zaynab Khadr, daughter of
Ahmad Khadr, a bin Laden associate killed in Pakistan in 2003. The
computer files were said to have included the locations of safe
houses in Pakistan. (Note that Zaynab's brother Omar is the sole
Canadian detainee in Guantanamo.)

Meanwhile, bin Laden is said to have released a letter thanking the
"residents of the mountains" who have opened their homes to him
and his followers. He says that al Qaeda has reorganized and they
are preparing for the next round of jihad. "We are carrying such
flags and arms," he wrote, "which are going to dominate the world
very soon." The Mujahedin are "prepared to sacrifice their lives for
the great cause." Bold words from a man in hiding; but if the
terrorists are prepared to lay down their lives, Coalition forces are
there to help.

— James S. Robbins is senior fellow in national-security affairs at
the American Foreign Policy Council and an NRO contributor.









http://www.nationalreview.com/robbins/robbins200507011213.asp



2,854 posted on 07/02/2005 9:55:26 PM PDT by nw_arizona_granny (Get the United States out of the UN and the UN out of the United States,....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2810 | View Replies]

To: Donna Lee Nardo; backhoe; piasa; Godzilla; All

ON THE NET...

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=16424_Islamic_Group_Demands_Permanent_UN_Security_Council_Seat&only

===
===

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/07/02/kosovo.blasts.ap/index.html

"Three blasts rock Kosovo capital
U.N. building targeted"


Saturday, July 2, 2005; Posted: 6:35 p.m. EDT (22:35 GMT)


ARTICLE SNIPPET: "PRISTINA, Serbia-Montenegro (AP) -- At least three blasts rocked the center of Kosovo's capital on Saturday, and one targeted the U.N. mission headquarters.

An Associated Press reporter saw at least three U.N. vehicles set ablaze in the parking lot of the U.N. mission headquarters in Pristina.

There were no immediate reports of any injuries after at least three near-simultaneous blasts, said Hua Jiang, chief U.N. spokeswoman.

The second blast happened near the building of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the OSCE, which is some 100 meters (100 yards) down the road from the U.N. compound.

The third blast went off near the Kosovo government building which also houses the province's parliament and damaged it slightly, said Jiang. She did not say what caused the blasts."


2,855 posted on 07/02/2005 10:08:19 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

According to this Saudi Arabia is under threat.....

http://www.jihadunspun.com/intheatre_internal.php?article=103310&list=/home.php



Saudi Arabia Declares State Of Emergency
Jul 02, 2005
By Abu Haitham Al-Hijazee, JUS

According to sources inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a state of emergency has been declared
within Saudi’s Arabia’s security apparatus. The interior ministry has distributed a statement asking all
security personnel to be extremely vigilant as the government now believes that all police officers,
security personnel, and interrogation officers inside the Kingdom will be the prime targets of
Mujahideen, especially those on the new list.

Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry earlier this week released a new list of the Kingdoms most wanted
Mujahideen and is now offering a 1 million SR reward for information leading to the arrest of these
individuals 5 millions SR for information leading to the arrest of more than one individual and 7 millions
SR for information that prevents an attack from being carried out.

What is interesting about this latest development is that, following the conclusion of Al-Rass
operation, the Saudi government announced that they had totally eradicated the Mujahideen from
the Arabian Peninsula. Now they have come up with not only a new list of most wanted and huge
financial rewards for information leading to the arrest of any of these individuals, they have now
declared a state of emergency that contradicts their previous statements and validates that the
Jihad continues to gain momentum inside the Kingdom.


2,856 posted on 07/02/2005 10:12:28 PM PDT by nw_arizona_granny (Get the United States out of the UN and the UN out of the United States,....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2854 | View Replies]

To: All

ON THE NET...

http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/wanted_captured/index.cfm?page=faker

"Wanted
Faker Ben Abdelaziz Boussora
Abu Yusif al- Tunisi
Up to $5 Million Reward"
http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/images/boussora1.jpg

===
===

http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/wanted_captured/index.cfm?page=abderraouf

"Wanted
Abderraouf Ben Habib Jdey
(aka) Faruq al- Tunisi
Up to $5 Million Reward"

http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/images/jdey.jpg
http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/images/jdey2.jpg
http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/images/jdey4.jpg


2,857 posted on 07/02/2005 10:26:12 PM PDT by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2849 | View Replies]

To: JohnathanRGalt; backhoe; piasa; Godzilla; abu afak

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1435616/posts

"Bush furious at Ireland's terror haven"
Sunday Independent, Dublin, Ireland ^ | July 4, 2005 | MAEVE SHEEHAN and JODY CORCORAN

Posted on 07/02/2005 10:24:16 PM PDT by Murtyo

EXCLUSIVE

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "THE US Government is furious with Ireland after a Palestinian terrorist sent here under an international accord skipped the country last year and turned up in Spain.

Jihad Jara, described as one of Israel's most wanted men, was granted safe haven in Ireland under an international agreement to end the siege at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in 2002.

The Palestinian terrorist was supposed to be monitored by gardai while here but he managed to leave Ireland and travel to Spain for several weeks last year, the Sunday Independent can reveal.

Jara was picked up by Spanish authorities and forcibly returned to Ireland. Garda sources believe Jara was in Spain for less than a month, and say they have no evidence to suggest he was involved in terrorist activity.

However, US officials, including the CIA, are suspicious as to what he was doing in Spain.

The fact that the high-profile terrorist managed to leave Ireland in the first place will fuel international alarm. It may also prove deeply embarrassing to the Government and to security services here when an account of the story is broadcast on a major US television network - possibly next month."


2,858 posted on 07/02/2005 10:32:49 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: backhoe; F15Eagle; piasa; Godzilla; All

PERSECUTION.ORG
http://www.persecution.org

===
===

Note: The following post is an exact quote:
--
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1435579/posts


(Pakistan) Christian Areas Attacked, 200 Homes Destroyed (Muslims and non-Muslims)
International Christian Concern ^ | July 1, 2005 | BosNewsLife

Posted on 07/02/2005 8:41:16 PM PDT by underlying

Christian Areas Attacked, 200 Homes Destroyed

(BosNewsLife) - A human rights investigation continued Friday, July 1, into an outbreak of violence in several Christian areas of Pakistan where hundreds of homes have reportedly been destroyed by Islamic militants.

The Voice Of the Martyrs (VOM) USA told BosNewsLife the attacks happened this week in three areas around the city of Peshawar, about 172 km (107 miles) west of the capital Islamabad.

Troubles began late Tuesday, June 28, just hours after an illiterate Christian man in his 60's allegedly burned pages with Koranic verses written on them.

The organization claimed the burning incident happened when Yousaf Masih, who worked for almost two decades as a sweeper for the Pakistani military, came across a bag of "rough papers" at the office at a major's home.


2,859 posted on 07/02/2005 10:41:27 PM PDT by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2858 | View Replies]

To: F15Eagle; backhoe; piasa; Godzilla; All

June 2, 2005

Note: The following text is an exact quote:
===

Jeremy Reynalds
P O Box 27693
Alb., NM 87125-7693
Tel: (505) 400-7145
www.joyjunction.org

CHRISTIAN CHARGED UNDER PAKISTAN'S BLASPHEMY LAW

A Christian was arrested in late June and charged under Pakistan's blasphemy law.

According to a news release from the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), police arrested Yousaf Masih 40 kilometers east of Peshawar, NWFP, Province of Pakistan, on June 28.

According to APMA, Masih, 60, has been a long- time janitor in the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for many years. He also worked as a house cleaner for Major Fareeda, a nurse at CMH.

On June 28, Fareeda asked Masih to clean the newly rented house of one of her colleagues, Nurse Major Gazala. APMA reported that Masih was accompanied by a major to Gazala's new house. When he finished cleaning, he collected a number of items – apparently trash – that included old newspapers and books that had been left by the previous tenants. Masih was reportedly asked by the major to burn the items, and Masih complied, not really knowing what the items were.

After burning the items, Masih left the house, but soon after, some young boys playing nearby spotted two pieces of paper later identified as pages from a book taught to Muslim students before they start learning the Koran.

According to APMA, the young boys started shouting that a Koran had been burned (and consequently desecrated) by a Christian janitor. Muslim worshipers passing by after prayer in a local mosque gathered, and the news spread fast.

Announcements of the alleged desecration were quickly made in the mosque, APMA reported, and the need to punish Christians for what was considered to be a blasphemous act. An aggressive group of Muslims came out on the street and marched towards the area where Masih lived. On the way there, APMA reported, they burned and looted the houses of Christians, and burned Hindu Temples as well.

On reaching Masih's house, an angry crowd of people broke in and started looking for him. They devastated the house, throwing around furniture and household items. According to APMA, female family members were at home, and with Masih not being there they were harassed by the crowd.

The crowd had signs saying Christians should be burned ,and Masih should be publicly hung. Police soon arrived and dispersed the crowd, assuring them that Masih would be arrested.

Police later arrested Masih and took him to an area police station, charging him with blasphemy – desecrating the Koran. Meanwhile, APMA reported, a crowd of angry Muslims had gathered outside the police station demanding that Masih be handed over to them.

APMA commented it is important to note that Masih is illiterate and unable to read or write even his native language. In addition, he has heart problems and is slightly deaf.

APMA reported that along with his wife, Masih has been working in the military hospital for a long time and has a good work record. When a Muslim major asked Masih if it was he who had burned what was originally thought to be trash, Masih acknowledged that he had – without knowing that he had destroyed any part of the Koran.

Police made a case, APMA commented, without investigating the incident. Area Christians are routinely harassed, APMA reported, and end up having to leave the area in order to save their lives.

According to APMA, an organizational delegation quickly got involved and met with Masih's family, and local Christians and Hindus. They saw the burned houses, furniture and other materials. "They strengthened and encouraged the local Christians and assisted them in the emergency situation," APMA reported.

APMA has contacted governmental authorities and asked for immediate intervention. According to APMA, the local Christian and Hindu communities have filed a report against the attackers, few of whom have reportedly been arrested by police.

However, APMA reported, an area official and some police have visited the area and assured Christians and Hindus that they will be provided security.

An APMA delegation also went to Nowshera police Station to meet Masih, but they were reportedly denied permission to see him. In addition, Masih's family was not allowed to meet with him either.

On June 30, APMA reported, an area police official held a news conference saying that even though preliminary findings indicated Masih was not involved in the desecration of the Koran, he would nonetheless still be the subject of investigation.

Masih's medical condition has reportedly deteriorated. A court has ordered that he be transferred to a hospital for treatment.

APMA commented, "The situation in the area is critical, threatening and alarming for the Christians and especially for (Masih's) family. APMA is ... helping the local community to avert any unpleasant situation and to defuse tensions. This incident is a clear example of (the) growing misuse of (the) blasphemy law in Pakistan against Christians and other minorities. APMA has strongly condemned the attack of (the) Muslim mob on Hindu Temples and Christian houses, and (has) demanded (the) immediate release of Yousaf Masih."

An APMA official added, "(The) blasphemy law is a naked sword hanging over the heads of Christians. (The) blasphemy law is a ... weapon in the hands of Islamic extremists to persecute, terrorize, torture and kill Christians and other citizens of the country. Christians are (an) easy and soft target. Many Christians under this draconian law have been killed extra judicially, and many are waiting for trial in jails in life and death situations."

Shahbaz Bhatti, APMA Chairman, asked that prayers be said for Masih and his family.

According to the World Evangelical Alliance (www.worldevangelical.org/persecute/persec_pakistan_ii_28oct03.html), "APMA is a coalition representing Pakistan's non-Muslim religious minorities (Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Balmeek, Bheel, Maingwal, Zoarastrian, Bahai and Kelash communities). Using advocacy and lobbying, APMA "raise(s) minorities' issues and concerns with the government authorities, parliamentarians, human rights organizations and media."

APMA, the World Evangelical Alliance statement continued, is assisting many victims of "discriminatory laws and blasphemy laws and also supporting and protecting victims of terrorist attacks of Islamic militants especially since 11 Sept. 2001 ... APMA is struggling to protect and ensure religious freedom in Pakistan."


2,860 posted on 07/02/2005 10:44:11 PM PDT by Cindy
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