ROCHDALE SISTERS air their views with Media

More than half of the participants at Sunday, 4th August's conference on Khilafah in London were women. The press took note of this as their diet of thoughts on Islam, women and Political/social life were marred and shaped through western liberal insight which often depicts muslim women as voiceless and victims of male patriarchy. Rochdale sisters made the following statements which appeared in the International Herald tribune, New York times and the BBC.

"Some of the most ardent adherents to the party’s ideas about a caliphate were expressed by women. Rubina Ahmed, 33, a mother of four who came on a charter bus from Manchester (should be Rochdale!!!), said,

“It’s the in-depthness of the caliphate that I like.” Hizb ut-Tahrir “doesn’t compromise on the values of Islam, and it’s not afraid to speak out for what it wants,” she said. "

"Neela, a London-born woman now living in Rochdale, was one of those who sympathised.

"What you will find with Muslims is that we have a global identity, we share the same relief. It's not about me being a Muslim in Britain and she's a Muslim in Palestine, she is still my sister. When I see Iraq happening, I feel sad."

"There is no one taking account of British and American foreign policy for what it is actually doing to Muslim lands. "

"When we look at the solution of the caliphate, we're saying enough is enough, Muslims in the Muslim world should be allowed to choose their own political destiny. If it's Sharia law, that's their right." "

Links: Rubinas comments Neelas Comments

ROCHDALE SISTERS in the Press

ROCHDALE SISTERS air their views with Media



More than half of the participants at Sunday, 4th August's conference on Khilafah in London were women. The press took note of this as their diet of thoughts on Islam, women and Political/social life were marred and shaped through western liberal insight which often depicts muslim women as voiceless and victims of male patriarchy. Rochdale sisters made the following statements which appeared in the International Herald tribune, New York times and the BBC.

"Some of the most ardent adherents to the party’s ideas about a caliphate were expressed by women. Rubina Ahmed, 33, a mother of four who came on a charter bus from Manchester (should be Rochdale!!!), said,

“It’s the in-depthness of the caliphate that I like.” Hizb ut-Tahrir “doesn’t compromise on the values of Islam, and it’s not afraid to speak out for what it wants,” she said. "

"Neela, a London-born woman now living in Rochdale, was one of those who sympathised.

Early morning on Saturday, just after fajr (morning prayer), 55 men and women, some young and some old. some educated and some.....................more educated.......gathered together to set off for the much awaited Khilafah Conference in London. There were plenty of discussions circulating in Rochdale about the importance of such an event after 3000 flyers had been distributed 2 weeks earlier at Jumah (Friday prayers) and in the evenings in the various areas of Rochdale.

Hence there was healthy debate surrounding the conference on the journey on what the Government means when it talks about Extremism; Is the concept of khilafah (Caliphate) extreme? Is Political Islam which calls for the Muslim world to be shaped on its beliefs, History and Islamic legacy non-negotiable in todays era? Are political movements working for the aspirations of Millions in the Muslim world in any way a threat to anybody? Does the government believe that Islam is outdated and non-applicable? How can the Government Praise Islamic History but actively work to distort its re-application in the Muslim World by labeling it as unfit to "Global values"?

With these questions in mind as well as questions to do with how the Caliphate state will deal with building a healthy economy, eradicating Corruption, dealing with Minorities, Foreign policy, International trade, transfer of Technology, Education, Womens rights, tackling international Institutions like IMF and the World Bank, and a whole array of other questions; The Rochdale participants planned to get some serious answers.

Further coverage, audio, pictures and videos can be found by clicking here.

ROCHDALE at the Khilafah Conference

Early morning on Saturday, just after fajr (morning prayer), 55 men and women, some young and some old. some educated and some.....................more educated.......gathered together to set off for the much awaited Khilafah Conference in London. There were plenty of discussions circulating in Rochdale about the importance of such an event after 3000 flyers had been distributed 2 weeks earlier at Jumah (Friday prayers) and in the evenings in the various areas of Rochdale.

Hence there was healthy debate surrounding the conference on the journey on what the Government means when it talks about Extremism; Is the concept of khilafah (Caliphate) extreme? Is Political Islam which calls for the Muslim world to be shaped on its beliefs, History and Islamic legacy non-negotiable in todays era? Are political movements working for the aspirations of Millions in the Muslim world in any way a threat to anybody? Does the government believe that Islam is outdated and non-applicable? How can the Government Praise Islamic History but actively work to distort its re-application in the Muslim World by labeling it as unfit to "Global values"?

The Age of Irony is Dead!

Published on the Islamic Times website

By Andrusha Wickremeratne (Hebden Bridge)- In 1973 Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. As Tom Lehrer, one of America’s leading satirists remarked at the time: “political satire became obsolete when Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace”, since amongst Kissinger’s contribution to peace that year was the continuation of the bombing campaign of neutral Cambodia, started in 1970 and instigated by that esteemed diplomat and peacemaker, resulting in an estimated loss of 600,000 lives.



Sadly present day Tom Lehrers are thin on the ground. Tony Blair’s newly appointed position as Middle East Envoy with a special remit to, amongst other things, bring about peace between Israel and the Palestinians, has not been greeted with howls of disbelief, disdain or ridicule, but treated with all due gravitas and seriousness within the parameters of liberal journalism and commentary.

First, lets set a few things straight. There was no popular clamour for Blair to be seconded to this role. Indeed ordinary people around the world would probably agree with Lehrer’s appraisal of Kissinger as applied to Blair. For those Iraqis and Afghanis, the recipients of Western beneficence and bombs, the reaction would probably be somewhat stronger. No, Tony Blair was appointed to his new role by the “Quartet”; that is, representatives from the US, UN, EU and Russia. And who are these representatives? Highly educated diplomats, consumers of free lunches, people who appreciate a fine vintage wine, and who, like Kissinger does today, charge exorbitant sums of money for a speaking engagement on Peace.

FROM ISLAMABAD to London to Washington

Published in The Islamic Times Newspaper


By Majed Iqbal- Sacking of the Chief justice, Lawyers rallying on the streets, MQM activists murdering protesters, Madrassah students trying to create a state within a state, the Lal Masjid showdown; Pakistan peoples Party’s switch in allegiance to the Musharraf regime; Pakistan has seen it all in the last seven months.



With deep discontent and resentment rising over the unfolding sagas in the last months, President Musharraf is bordering a Political crisis with elections looming on the horizon and ace cards to place on the table to obtain support seem to be running out.



Support for Musharraf has plunged since February, according to an opinion poll published on Wednesday 2nd August 2007. The latest poll, conducted by the Washington-based International Republican Institute, found dissatisfaction with the president has surged this year with 63 per cent of respondents calling for him to quit.

FROM ISLAMABAD to London to Washington



By Majed Iqbal

Sacking of the Chief justice, Lawyers rallying on the streets, MQM activists murdering protesters, Madrassah students trying to create a state within a state, the Lal Masjid showdown; Pakistan peoples Party’s switch in allegiance to the Musharraf regime; Pakistan has seen it all in the last seven months. With deep discontent and resentment rising over the unfolding sagas in the last months, President Musharraf is bordering a Political crisis with elections looming on the horizon and ace cards to place on the table to obtain support seem to be running out.

Support for Musharraf has plunged since February, according to an opinion poll published on Wednesday 2nd August 2007. The latest poll, conducted by the Washington-based International Republican Institute, found dissatisfaction with the president has surged this year with 63 per cent of respondents calling for him to quit. The poll also showed a rising sense of insecurity in the country, with 72 per cent of respondents not supporting Musharraf's decision in March to suspend Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry.

More damning was the Brussels-based think tank, the International Crisis Group, who issued in their latest report on Pakistan that the end of President Musharraf's government was ‘a matter of time’ and ‘If the president tries to rig the elections or proclaims emergency rule, it could lead to street demonstrations and violent clashes with the military’ the report warned.

Musharraf’s blunder in sacking the Chief Justice cost him hugely and drew immense dissatisfaction on the streets in Pakistan. With the entire nations focus on damning the President in interfering with the independence of the Judiciary, Musharraf required a calculated miracle to regain balance in his favour. The Lal Masjid showdown’s timing and orchestration was now to prove its worth, after allowing it to build up from as far back as February 2007.

According to Mir Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, head of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, who was sent to negotiate with the mosque administration, and who was about to resolve the issue in April, was "asked by someone very important to delay it". According to Ishtiaq Ali Mehkri, news editor at Geo TV, the Lal Masjid standoff was a "masterpiece of intelligence agencies" and an "eyewash" to deflect attention from issues of national importance, especially the Supreme Court hearing of the petition of Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

The government milked this ‘triumph’ for all it is worth, portraying it as another victory against ‘extremism’. The image which Musharraf had cultivated in the West of being the last bulwark in Pakistan against the rising tide of Talibanisation was further strengthened.

Beyond the saga of Lal Masjid lay the challenge of Musharraf retaining his position and power; something which not only had been on his mind but the American administrations too. A swift maneuver from the Military regime in favour of reviving an old Pakistani dynasty with Musharraf still retaining power was the formula currently being conjured up.

On 27th July, Musharraf Benazir flew into the UAE capital Abu Dhabi for an unannounced meeting that was aimed at ending eight years of extreme hostility and to give the Pakistani politics a new direction. Much earlier, a US state department spokesman, briefing the media on June 11, had already alluded to possible changes "There are going to be some important elections coming up in the fall," he said, adding that Musharraf had pledged that, if he "continues in political life", he will "put aside the uniform".

The set up therefore seems appeasing to all parties involved. That is, Musharraf and Benazir will together run Pakistan as President and Prime Minister respectively. The national general elections will take place in Pakistan in the coming months, but as it appears, the results of the elections have already been decided and endorsed from Washington.

Once again, foreign nations triumph in playing the pivotal role ofsteering the direction of Pakistan, the cost of which the Pakistani population will pay for the time to come, just as they have witnessed with Musharraf and his instructions from Capitol Hill in the last decade.

SKY NEWS Interview- Benazir discusses "Deal"

SKY NEWS Interview- Benazir discusses "Deal"

Benazir outlines her moves and aspirations to re-enter Pakistani politics under a brokered deal with Musharraf that would suit the United States and in which would appease the liberal segment of Pakistan’s oligarchy. It is being argued that Ms. Bhutto would bring popular support for a power-sharing arrangement and could provide Pakistan’s army with an exit strategy.

Benazir maneuvers her way around the frank questions hurled at her by the presenter; especially her acceptance of power-sharing with a Dictator.

Watch the SKY NEWS interview

SKY NEWS Interview- Benazir discusses "Deal"

Benazir outlines her moves and aspirations to re-enter Pakistani politics under a brokered deal with Musharraf that would suit the United States and in which would appease the liberal segment of Pakistan’s oligarchy. It is being argued that Ms. Bhutto would bring popular support for a power-sharing arrangement and could provide Pakistan’s army with an exit strategy.

Benazir maneuvers her way around the frank questions hurled at her by the presenter; especially her acceptance of power-sharing with a Dictator.

COMMUNITY EVENT- WAR ON TERROR,
EXTREMISM AND KHILAFAH- Is there a Link?

Sunday 28th July 2007- The community in Rochdale was presented with an opportunity to key into the many discussions that have taken place in Government circles, Press, Television and in the Muslim community. Over 70 people attended the event to understand the current political environment in which the Muslim community is being subjected to plans, demands and orders and what practical actions the Muslim community in Rochdale can do to present their side of the story.

Keynote speaker, Mehboob Ali, member of Hizb-ut-tahrir explained that Khilafah (caliphate) are dear to the Muslims as they embody the application of Shariah in Muslim lands. When Muslims look at the Muslim worlds problems of corruption, poverty, economic mis-management, political in-fighting, occupation by foreign powers, and corrupt rulers financed and backed by the west, they realise that only the Islamic Political system can resolve their problems. The Muslim world remembers Iraq as the cradle of civilization, Spain as the Flower of Europe, and Cairo as the centre for educational excellence- These achievements were due to the Islamic ideology under the Khilafah state.

However, this call is being muddied by Governments, politicians and Media- trying to equate the Call for Khilafah with Terrorism and Extremism. Mehboob detailed Islam’s rejection of using violence to achieve political objectives and that states like America fit the picture of using terrorism more than anyone else.

Mehboob highlighted attempts by the British government to link extremism to the Muslim community when in fact it was British Foreign policy in Iraq and Afghanistan which has been the key motivator for violence.

Mehboob explained how Hizb-ut-tahrir’s call is based on Islam which promotes Political Activism to change the state of Affairs in the Muslim World. He argued the case of why the West does not allow the Muslim world to decide its own political destiny is primarily to do with interests like resources, gas, oil, gold or strategic interests.

Mehboob encouraged everyone to participate in the work to aid the re-establishment of the khilafah in the Muslim world.

The event finished with the audience engaging with the each other and having a look at the stall material and literature.