Nothing Will Change Until Musharraf Closes Pakistan's Militant Madrassas

South Asia Tribune ^ | 22 July | Ahmed Rashid

[ttsmi]

Britain has allowed militant Muslim preachers freedom to preach their message of hate in the mosques, the meeting halls and the sitting rooms of British Muslims. Literature and videos promoting extremism have been allowed to spread deep into the Muslim community. While some outsiders saw this as typical British eccentricity or liberalism, foreign intelligence agencies have been furious with British laxity for some years.

This week, more than 250 militants have been arrested and, in a speech to the nation last night, Musharraf again asked the public to join him in a jihad against Islamic extremism. But since September 11, such crackdowns have taken place frequently, and those arrested are invariably freed after 90 days in jail.

Pakistanis now respond to such speeches with a wave of the hand and a bored look, commenting that it is all for the gallery of Western onlookers. Since September 11, the general has been through this routine so many times that people have lost count and interest. Despite all the political pressures on the military from the West since September 11, all the debt forgiveness by Western countries, the lavish foreign aid - $3 billion from Washington alone, new weapon systems and intelligence equipment and the rush of cash to reform the madrassa system - nothing much has changed

[endthematrix]

I guess the winds of change are blowing:


Pakistan's Musharraf tightens control over Islamic schools, militancy
http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/afx/2005/07/22/afx2151839.html

[SteveMcKing]

The fact that Musharraf is still alive either means:

A) He is in control.
B) He has been exceedingly lucky.
C) He is conspiring with the enemy.


Perception is that B is most accurate.

Evidence is slowly pointing at A, fortunately.

One can never rule out C.

[rawcatslyentist]

But Mushy's just following Moe. Take out Moe, his words and works, and a LOT of problems dissapear!

Kill A Commie For Mommie
Seven Dead Monkeys Page O Tunes

[ZULU]

We should take out our own dirty laundry before criticising others.

[Travis McGee]