Date: Wednesday, February 24, 1999
Respected Munawar Hassan, Aijaz Chowdhry/Press
secratary,
Asslaam-o-alaikum,
We are very much concerned about what has happened
at Lohore.
We heared that a policeman was killed by Jamaat and cars of diplomats were damaged and
some of the properties were destroyed by the peoples collected by Jamaat to rally against
the Vajpaye arrival at Laohore.
For great cause like Kashmir we have always
exercised care and gave sacrifice. With such an air of conflict the whole cause is
damaged.So please clarify the situation what has been happened and how far we are
responsible.
Also what measure has been taken by Jamaat to nullify the propaganda by PTV and government
official like IG Police Lahore.
SUGGESTION: With long standing experience we had with mob control and protest on street, I
think we still have to take some measures to control the mob of different types under the
banner of Jamaat.
Your urgent reply is anxiously awaited by brothers.
Thank you and regards,
Ikram Hussain, Neaz Ahmed and many other brothers
from Dhahran
Reply:
Brothers Ikram Hussain, Neaz Ahmed and friends,
Assalam-o-Alaikum.
Jazakallah for your concern and the inquiry. You may
have heard that Munawar bhai and Ejaz Chaudhry are in prison and therefore they are not in
a position to respond. Moreover Prof Ibrahim, Hafiz M Idris, Mian Maqsood, Abdul Ghaffar
Aziz, Maualna Abdul Malik, Abdul Rashid Turabi, Shabbir Ahamd Khan and there are hundreds
rather ---- around 1500 brothers, who have been arrested. Can you really believe that
these people would have been doing the kind of things that are being charged by the
government and its agencies?
Please note that:
Jamaat had announced the protest program on
"the Mall" on 20th February.
Our position was that dialogue with the Indian
leadership should have been preceded with the clear admission by India that: (1) THE
JAMMUN AND KASHMIR IS A DISPUTED TERRITORY and (2) BABRI MASJID WILL BE REBUILT.
- There was no agreement between Jamaat and the
authorities not to continue the procession after 3:00 PM as is being claimed by the
government.
- Alhamdolillah the Jamaat procession was completely
peaceful
- The procession was formally over around 5-30 p.m.
- Qazi sahib and all senior leaders of the party went
back. The participants also dispersed.
- Yes There were people around Shahi Qila where the
reception in honor of Mr. Vajpayee was to be held. What the people did and on whose
instruction, is yet to be answered. Jamaat has repeatedly demanded for a proper inquiry.
While on the other hand there are clear allegations (even in the press), within government
agencies, blaming each other for the ugly incidents happened on the occasion.
There were hundreds of photographers/video
recorders, from various agencies representing national and international media, PTV, and
other government agencies, no one could come up with even a single photograph confirming
the allegations of firing against Jamaat or showing Jamaat people damaging public or
private properties.
- Jamaat, on the other hand have video
clippings/photographs( some have been published in the local press as well) clearly
showing Jamaat workers being tortured and beaten mercilessly by the police : in an all out
attempt to provoke them
- Yes we condemn any trouble occurred to any of the
respected ambassadors. But again we demand judicial inquiry. Let it be proved who is
really responsible for it.
Please rest assured that with the help of Allah,
InshaAllah, we shall succeed in the struggle. We however need prayers from all our
brothers.
Wassalam,
