Musharraf’s Resignation- Déjà Vu for Pakistani Politics

By Majed Iqbal- "No charge sheet can stand against me, no charge can be proved against me, because I never did anything for myself, it was all for Pakistan.......This is not time for individual bravado, it is time to think seriously. With impeachment, the country's dignity will be undermined and, as you all know, Pakistan is my love, my life is ready to be sacrificed for it."



In his usual Military mantra and irrational charisma, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf made these statements on a televised address to the nation on Monday 18th August in which he announced his resignation from the Presidency of Pakistan.

This move came amidst growing pressure form the newly formed government, elected in February this year who planned from the onset to oust Musharraf from his position and impeach him for violating the constitution in November last year, gross misconduct and economic mismanagement.

It asked the president to seek a vote of confidence from national and provincial lawmakers or to resign. Otherwise, they warned, the assembly will ask Parliament to impeach him

The National Assembly, or lower house, convened in Islamabad on as coalition officials gathered to prepare a "charge sheet" against Musharraf to strip him of his presidency.

Dr Aafia Siddiqui- A ‘Casualty in Americas War on T ’Error’

By Majed Iqbal- 'For you it's just another story. If you want the truth, go to Ghazni where you will get more than I can ever tell you about my sister"

These were the words echoed by Fouzia Siddiqui, sister of Aafia Siddiqui whose story has moved the Pakistani nation in the last weeks and months and has stirred international concern over America's new casualty in her War on Terror of which Pakistan is a Front line signatory in this campaign.

[youtube=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=17Q5_KyywXc]

Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a neuroscientist and graduate of genetics disappeared five years ago, in March 2003 along with her three children, aged 7 years, 5 years and 6 months during a visit to her mother's house in Karachi.

It is widely suspected that she was picked up on the way to the airport by Pakistani Intelligence and handed over to the FBI who believed her to be an "Al-Qaeda operative" and that she was yet another Pakistani citizen handed over to the Americans by the Musharraf government in exchange for money for the country or support for his leadership.

Stand for Islam Youth Conference draws crowds

By Majed Iqbal- Sunday 24th August saw the Youth Conference "Stand for Islam" organised by Hizb-ut-Tahrir Britain hosted in the city of Bradford . Over 150 people attended the event to listen into the discussions on the role of Young Muslims in tackling the growing discussions about Islam, Extremism, and the growing climate in which attacks are being levelled on the Quran, the Prophet of Islam and Shariah law.

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Muaaz Yasin opened the first sessions talk on the lifestyles that were being presented to Young Muslims. He tackled the glamorisation of gangster and rapper lifestyles showing their illusions and false pretences which are often imitated by youth.

An intro video visualised these issues of bravado and being street which lead to no where apart from trouble and misery. Muaaz detailed how Islam can create a productive youth who can use his energies to become a leader for Islam in his community by entertaining and entering into the debates and discussions which are coming thick and fast about Muslim Youth.

VIDEO- Millions call for Khilafah in 2008

A video capturing some scenes of the global islamic revival on the streets during the last year, from Rajab 1428 to Rajab 1429, corresponding to September 07 to August 08.

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The video also sends a message to the ummah - we have the kalaam and deen of Allah, we have the youth, we have the resources, the land, and the numbers. Yet there is one thing we do not have: Political Unity. So let us work to achieve this for the pleasure of Allah (swt) :)

As played at Khilafah Conference: The need for Political Unity in Britain, 2008.

Khilafah Conference News Coverage on Islam Channel

A news report and interview by Islam Channel after the momentous Khilafah Conference 2008 held in the Britain entitled "Khilafah: The need for political Unity". The conference was attended by 2500 Muslims coupled with an online audience around the globe through live web streaming which extolled a positive agenda for Political change in the Muslim world.

[youtube=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TEi69hSkseg]

This clip also contains an interview by Islam Channel of brother Taji Mustafa, one of the speakers at the conference and also a sister from Rochdale who spoke to Islam Chanel ecxlusively.

Musharraf Resigns- Is there anything worth rejoicing for?

Published on the Asian News Letters Section

By Majed Iqbal- Today's announcement by Musharraf of his resignation has come at an interesting time. I'm sure, this move has sparked off a wave of emotions in Pakistan as well as catching the attention of keen Observers of the country which has played a pivotal role in Americas "War on Terror".



Ever since the Elections in February this year, Pakistani Politics has circled around personal vendettas, Career goals, securing seats, and concocting plans to get a fair share of the Cake whilst in power.

Musharraf's resignation comes in light of the above issues where personal rivalries with Nawaz Sharif, who has taken upon it himself to oust the President, ever since he stepped back into the country coupled with a conniving Asif Zardari who has used his spouses assassination as a stepping stone to creep back into the political scene has played the key role in bringing Musharraf to this stage.

Hence, we must ask is there any joy for celebration or are we in for a re-run of October 1999? This was when Musharraf ousted Nawaz Sharif and sent him to exile in Saudia Arabia. and now we are seeing Nawaz playing the same role but this time in a more commanding position.

Rochdale at the Khilafah Conference 2008- "The need for Political Unity"

Thousands of delegates attended Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain's national Conference: Khilafah – The Need for Political Unity in London earlier today. This conference was part of a month of global activities following similar events in Palestine, Iraq, Indonesia, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Ukraine, Mombasa, Australia, Pakistan and Yemen.



Rochdale participated in the Conference with over 50 brothers and sisters making their journey early in the morning. Everyone was eagerly awaiting to listen to the Keynote speeches on the future of the Muslim world in light of the Food and Oil Crisis, amassed debt, Poverty and War stricken areas.

The speeches focused on tackling the issues of Unity amongst muslim countries under the shade of the khilafah State (caliphate) possible when there is ethnic, cultural, regional and jurispundential disputes amongst Muslims?

One speech specifically looked at the case study for Khilafah in Pakistan and how specific Islamic policies could fundamentally root out problems the people are facing like corruption and economic mismanagement of State and Public resources.