[ 24 July 2006 to 14 June 2007 ]
“All sides have to reasonably withdraw from the craziness to dominate and humiliate the other. The conspiracies of Paradigm Change to drive Muslims away from Islam will be ultimately counter-productive.” – Huq
“..to put an end to what we call the war on terror, it is absolutely essential that it not be a war on Islam--that is, we have to support those Muslims who are working to take back the face of their faith from those who do seek to exterminate Jews, Americans, and others. Now, I will add that we have to similarly differentiate between fundamentalist Muslims who are enemies and fundamentalist Muslims who are friends. That is, there are both and we must never confuse the two.”- Richard
Muslims Represented by
Council of Islamic Revolutionaries of Bangladesh (CIRB-Hezbollah)
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Islami Gono Andolon
Kazi Azizul Huq
Maulana Hamidullah ibn Hafezzi Huzur
Maulana Sheikh Abdus Salam
Jews Represented by
Interfaith Strength
American Jewish Committee
The Weekly Blitz
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
Chief Rabbi David Rosen KCSG
Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
Moderator:
Sanjeeb Chowdhury, Chairperson, Human Rights Forum (HRF)
TABLE OF CONTENTS / Page
26 July 2006 From K.A.HUQ to Editor of the Blitz Fw: Ltr of CIRB-Hezbollah to Israel 4
27 July 2006 from Dr. Benkin to Blitz & HRF with copy to KA Huq 6
28 July 2006 from K A Huq to Editor Blitz with Copy to Dr. Benkin 7
7 Sept.2006 from HRF to Dr. Richard L. Benkin 8
7 Sept. 2006 from Dr. Benkin to K.A. Huq 9
7 Sept. 2006 from K.A. Huq to Dr. Benkin 10
8 Sept 2006 from Dr. Benkin to K.A. Huq Re: HRF 10
10 Nov.2006 from Benkin to K.A. Huq Re: Mr. Shoaib 11
15 Nov.2006 from Dr.Benkin to K.A. Huq Re: Mr. Soaib 12
21 Nov 2006 from Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon to The Blitz Copy to Dr. Benkin 13
21 Nov. 2006 from Dr. Benkin to Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon 13
22 Nov. 2006 from Mr. Charles Whiteley, EU Delg. Re: Mr. Shoaib 14
25 Nov. 2006 Mr. Huq to EU Delegation Re: Mr. Shoaib Chy 14
26 Nov. 2006 Mr. Huq to US Embassy Re: Mr. Shoaib Chy 15
14 Dec.2006 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin & Blitz 16
17 Dec.2006 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin & Blitz Re: Saddam on Religion & Politics 17
18 Dec.2006 from Dr. Benkin Re: Mr. Shoaib 21
21 Jan 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin 22
24 Jan 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq 23
25 Jan 2007 from Mr. Huq to EU, USIP, US Embassy 23
29 Jan 2007 from Dr. Benkin (Report on Returning from Bangladesh) 24
31 Jan 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin 27
1 FEB 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq 28
6 FEB 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq 30
8 FEB 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq 31
11 FEB 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq 31
12 FEB 2007 from Khelafat to Chief Advisor of BD Gov’t Cc: Dr. Benkin 33
16 Feb 2007 from Dr.Benkin to Huq 35
16 Feb 2007 from Dr. Benkin Re: US Congress on Mr. Shoaib 36
17 Feb 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin Re: Khelafat Ltr to CA Gov’t of Bangladesh 37
19 Feb 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq Re: Kuwait Times article 39
22 Feb 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq Re: Kuwait Times article 40
23 Feb 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin Re: Kuwait Times article 44
10 March 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin 45
14 March 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq 46
18 March 2007 from Khelafat to Gov’t of Norway CC to Dr. Benkin 48
18 March 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq Re: Unity Gov’t in Palestine 49
20 March 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin Re: Unity Gov’t in Palestine 51
20 March 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq Re: Unity Gov’t in Palestine 53
23 March 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin 53
25 March 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq 54
30 March 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin 55
31 March 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin 57
2 April 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq Re: Lecture at Goethe-Institute 57
11 April 2007 from Dr. Benkin Re: US Congress on Mr. Shoaib’s Case 59
13 April 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin/EU/US 61
16 April 2007 from CIRB-Hezbollah to H.E. Chief Rabbi David Rosen 61
17 April 2007 from H.E. Chief Rabbi David Rosen to CIRB-Hezbollah 62
18 April 2007 from Mr. Huq to Gov’ts of Bangladesh, Iran, Saudi Arabia 64
18 April 2007 CIRB-Hezbollah to Gov’ts of Bangladesh, Iran, Saudi Arabia 65
20 April 2007 CIRB-Hezbollah to Saudi Foreign Minister 66
7 May 2007 from CIRB-Hezbollah to Saudi King 68
11 May 2007 from CIRB-Hezbollah to H.E.Chief Rabbi David Rosen 69
11 May 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq 71
17 May 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin 72
18 May 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq 73
18 May 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq 74
19 May 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin 74
20 May 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq 75
27 May 2007 from Mr. Huq to Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Re: Hate Campaign 76
28 May 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq Re: HRF 77
30 May 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq Re: Rejoinder to Amar Desh 78
30 May 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin Re: Rejoinder to Amar Desh 78
30 May 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq Re: Rejoinder to Amar Desh 79
31 May 2007 Mr. Shoaib to Dr. Benkin Copy to Mr. Huq Re: Rejoinder to Amar Desh 80
31 May 2007 Mr. Huq to Mr. Shoaib Copy to Dr. Benkin Re: Rejoinder to Amar Desh 81
4 June 2007 Dr. Benkin to Mr. Sanjeeb Copy to Mr. Huq Re: Rejoinder to Amar Desh 83
8 June 2007 Khelafat Andolon to American Jewish Committee 84
8 June 2007 Chief Rabbi David Rosen to Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon & Hezbollah 86
9 June 2007 Khelafat to Chief Rabbi David Rosen 90
8 June 2007 Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq Re: Issues raised by Palestinian Authority 90
8 June 2007 Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin 92
12 June 2007 Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq 93
12 June 2007 Dr. Benking to Mr. Huq 94
12 June 2007 PMW on PA’s Libel (1997-2007) 95
13 June 2007 Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin 100
13 June 2007 Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq 102
14 June 2007 Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin 103
18 June 2007 Al-Qods Seminar in Dhaka Postponed due to sad situation in Palestine 104
ANNEXURE-1
K.A. Huq’s Interview with the Weekly Blitz (Published on 22 Feb.2007) 106
Note : Above correspondence available on request to :-
Human Rights Forum26 July 2006 From Mr. Huq to the Editor of The Weekly Blitz
Letter to Israel from CIRB-Hezbollah
from Human Rights Forum
to ediblitz@yahoo.com
cc kahuq@dhaka.net
date Jul 26, 2006 8:54 PM
subject Ltr to President Moshe Katsav
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL.
2nd September 2001 A.D. 12th Jamadis Sani, 1422 Al Hijri. 18th Vadra, 1408, Bengali Yr.
To : His Excellency Mr. Moshe Katsav, Honorable President of the State of Israel.
From : Kazi Azizul Huque, RRCCMC&J sponsored by CIRB (HEZBOLLAH)
Excellency President, dear brother in Abrahamic Faith,
I call you my brother, because we believe in the Prophethood of Hazrat Moses Alaihissalam which is testified by the Last Prophet of Allah i.e. Hazrat Muhammad Ibn Abdullah Sallallaho Alaihissalam.
We are the closest and the most compassionate kin of Bani Israel. We have learnt form the Last Revealed Scripture of Allah i.e. The Holy Quran, about the inhuman sufferings inflicted on Bani Israel by Pharaoh. We are definitely partisan of Prophet Hazrat Moses Alsihissalam and his pious & obedient followers amongst Bani Israel. We are completely against Pharaoh and the oppressors like Pharaoh whom we treat to be enemies of Allah and of His Prophets.
Allah Says us in the Holy Quran :
" The apostle believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers ; they all believe in Allah and His angels and His books and His apostles ; We make no difference between any of His apostles: and they say : We hear and obey, our Lord ! Thy forgiveness (do we crave) , and to Thee is the end of all journeys."-(The Holy Quran 2 : 285, Sura Baqarah, Verse No.285).
Allah says in the Holy Quran :
"O people ! be careful of (your duty to) your Lord, Who created you from a single being (Adam) and created his mate (Eve) of the same (kind) and spread from these two many men and women ; and be careful of (your duty to ) Allah, by whom you demand one of the another (your rights) , and (to) the ties of relationship ; surely Allah ever watches over you." (The Quran 4:1 Sura Nisa, Verse No.1)
Therefore, all pious Muslims believe in One Allah, His angels, His books, His apostles ; pious Muslims do not make difference between apostles of Allah ; pious Muslims are modest and they beg forgiveness of Allah ; pious Muslims believe that Allah created mankind from a single pair of parents, i.e. Hazrat Adam Aslaihissalam and his wife Hazrat Eve Alaihissalam - thus the mankind is the progeny of Adam and Eve and are related to each other by blood. Pious Muslims do not believe in the atheistic hypothesis of evolution regarding origin of man which propagates the basis of discrimination i.e. man was originated in different races.
Pious Muslims are inherently non-arrogant, modest and compassionate. It is for the sake of Allah only that they sometime become hard. In fact All apostles of Allah and believers including Hazrat Moses Alaihissalam and his pious followers are Muslims. Islam means surrendering to Allah. Muslim means who have surrendered to Allah. Muslims are neither any race nor any tribe nor any ethnic community. Last apostle of Allah i.e. Prophet Muhammad Ibn Abdullah Sallallaho Alaihissalam was brotherly and compassionate to the Jewish people. But unfortunately some of his neighboring Jews turned to be the enemies of Allah. He was required by Allah to be hard to the enemies of Allah.
Divine Revelation in Sura Maidah (V) of the Holy Quran follows :-
" Verse - 20. And when Musa said to his people : O my people ! remember the favor of Allah upon you when He raised prophets among you and made you kings and gave you what He had not given to any other among the nations. "
" Verse - 21. O my people ! enter the holy land which Allah has prescribed for you and turn not on your backs for then you will turn back losers."
" Verse - 24. They said : O Musa ! we shall never enter it so long as they are in it; go therefore you and your Lord, then fight you both, surely we will here sit down."
" Verse - 25. He (Musa) said : My Lord ! surely I have no control (upon any) but my own self and my brother ; therefore make a separation between us and the nation of transgressors. " (The Holy Quran, Sura Maidah, Sura No.5 )
Kindly verify above facts from your own sources and Rabbi. The way the State of Israel was created by wiping out indigenous population of Palestine, is not justifiable even in accordance with the principles of the prevailing Western Civilization and its institutions - while the western civilization and its institutions owes largely its existence and promotion to our Jewish brethren. It is a contradiction. It is highly irrational.
Nevertheless, realities on the ground have been accepted by the Palestinians as well as by the neighboring states. Then by what Commandment of the Ten Commandments you are denying the inalienable rights of your Muslim and Christian fellows to have a separate Palestinian homeland ?
Let there be light. Let there be peace. Let again the exalted place of Jerusalem be upheld.
Sincerely your brother in Abrahamic Faith
Kazi Azizul Huq
Convener, Revolutionary Reconciliatory Command Council for Muslims, Christians & Jews (RRCCMC&J) - a spiritual organ sponsored by CIRB (HEZHOLLAH),
Phone: (880-2) 9881436, 0189-407963 E-mail: kahuq@dhaka.net, khelafat@dhaka.net
27 July 2006 from Dr. Benkin to Blitz& HRF with copy to Mr. Huq
from "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
to Human Rights Forum
cc kahuq@dhaka.net
date Jul 27, 2006 5:15 PM
subject Re: Ltr to President Moshe Katsav
mailed-by comcast.net
My Dearest Brother and Friend, Shoaib,
..It is..clear that the author knows nothing of Jewish history or religious documentation.
Moreover, it is false and ignorant in its reading of contemporary events. President Katsav's office receives floods of emails daily...
Sometimes I have to laugh. The stereotype is that we Jews are very smart. Yet, some people who say this make the most ridiculous statements and somehow think that "as smart as we are," we're stupid enough not to see through them.
Your Dearest Brother and Friend,
Richard
28 July 2006 from Mr. Huq to Editor Blitz with Copy to Dr. Benkin
from Human Rights Forum
to “Mr. Salahuddin Shoaib Choudhury”
cc "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
date Jul 28, 2006 7:37 AM
subject Re: Ltr to President Moshe Katsav
Dear Shoaib Bhai,
Dr. Richard L. Benkin seems to be too emotional or too arrogant. I personally have communication with Holy Prophet Moses (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him). There are few believers remaining in his community. Many of the today's Jews are agnostics and atheists.
Truly believer Jews are our brothers, even if we differ in issues. There are agnostics and atheists in the community known as Muslims or followers of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him). But they are still small minority in our community. Truly believer Jews are our brothers in Faith, while unbeliever Muslims are not our brothers in Faith.
May Allah Bless us all with True Faith and Good Deeds.
Yours,
Kazi Azizul Huq
7 Sept.2006 from HRF mail to Dr. Richard L. Benkin
from Human Rights Forum
to "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
cc “Mr. Salahuddin Shoaib Choudhury”
date Sep 7, 2006 9:03 AM
subject Re: Ltr to President Moshe Katsav
mailed-by gmail.com
Re: Dhaka Seminar-2006 scheduled to be held on 12 Sept. 2006 at National Press Club, Topkhana Road, Dhaka.
In the Morning Session, H.E. Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Minister for Law Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, will be the Chief Guest.
H.E. Ms. Pia Prytz Phiri, UNHCR Representative, and Mr. Ataus Samad, eminent journalist & human rights activist, will be Special Guests.
Resource persons include Hindu-Muslim-Buddhist-Christian & Tribal community leaders & activists, intellectuals, politicians, journalists and representatives of national government & international community.
With best wishes and best regards.
Kazi Azizul Huq, Team Leader & Event Manager
Sanjeeb Chowdhury, Chairman, Human Rights Forum
Adv. M. Shahjada, Rapporteur
Adv. M. Muniruzzaman, Coordinator
Contact: 9881436, 8117500, 8017044, 0189-407963
E-mail: info.hrf@gmail.com
PROGRAM
DHAKA SEMINAR-2006 (Round Table) 12 Sept 2006
Morning Session : 9:50 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Afternoon Session : 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Chief Guest :
H.E. Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Minister for Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, GoB.
Special Guests:
H.E. Ms. Pia Prytz Phiri, UNHCR Representative,
Mr. Ataus Samad, eminent journalist & human rights activist.
9:30 a.m. : Registration (will remain open till 3:00 p.m)
9:50 a.m. : Inauguration
10:20 a.m. : Human Security vis-a-vis National Security in the context of Refugees and
Minorities in Bangladesh
12:00 a.m. : "The Rohingya : Discrimination in Burma and Denial of Rights in Bangladesh"
A report by Refugees International (21 July 2006)
1:30 p.m. : Break for Lunch & Prayer
2:30 p.m. : Militancy in Bangladesh : Accusations, Propaganda and Realities
5:00 p.m. : Recommendations/Resolutions
5:20 p.m. : Sum-up & Wrap-up by the Chair
Resource persons include Hindu-Muslim-Buddhist-Christian & Tribal community leaders & activists, intellectuals, politicians, journalists and representatives of national government & international community.
7 Sept. 2006 from Dr. Benkin to HRF : Dhaka Seminar-2006
On 9/7/06, Dr. Richard L. Benkin
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
To: "Human Rights Forum"
Cc:
subject: Re: Ltr to President Moshe Katsav
Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2006 05:19:11 -0500
To whom it may concern:
Good luck with your program. I would suggest, however, that since your organization took the step of writing to Israeli President Katsav and since you are taking positions on the Middle East, it would contribute to understanding had you also invited a Jewish representative, a role which I (who is familiar with Bangladesh and Israel) would have been happy to play.
As I mentioned in an earlier email, your letter to President Katsav indicated a severe knowledge gap regarding Judaism and Israel. Interaction, unbiased information, and honest communication are keys to understanding.
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
7 Sept. 2006 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin Re: Dhaka Seminar-2006
From: "Human Rights Forum"
To: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
Cc:
Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 8:24 PM
Subject: Invitation to Dhaka Seminar-2006
Dear Mr. Richard L. Benkin,
Thanks for your response. If you are in Dhaka, you are welcome to attend the Dhaka Seminar-2006. If you are outside Bangladesh, we may not be able to support you to get visa within this short period. If you are attending, kindly inform us whether you will participate the whole day or any specific session.
Best regards and best wishes.
Sincerely yours,
KazI Azizul Huq
Team Leader & Event Manager
DHAKA SEMINAR-2006
Mob:0189-407963. Ph/Fx: 9881436
8 Sept 2006 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq Re: Dhaka Seminar-2006
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
To: "Human Rights Forum"
Subject: Re: Invitation to Dhaka Seminar-2006
Date: Fri, 8 Sep 2006 05:30:00 -0500
Dear Mr. Huq,
Getting to the seminar in five days with no visa, plane tickets, etc. yet is of course, impossible. But I thank you for your response and urge that you invite me to your next seminar with sufficient time for a visa and planning to spare.
Thank you.
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
10 Nov.2006 from Dr. Benkin Re: Mr. Shoaib Chy
from "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
to "Dr. Richard Benkin"
date Nov 10, 2006 7:31 PM
subject Journalist's Death Penalty Trial Begins Monday
mailed-by comcast.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 10, 2006
CONTACT: Richard L. Benkin, Ph.D.; 847-922-6426; drrbenkin@comcast.net
Journalist’s Death Penalty Trial Begins Monday
Available for Interviews
DHAKA: Bangladesh—Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, the editor of the “Weekly Blitz” and practicing Muslim, goes on trial for his life on Monday, November 13, on counts of sedition, treason and blasphemy. Since 2003, he has been beaten, tortured and imprisoned for his work in fostering peace and opposing radical Islamists in his country.
In an election night phone call Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) promised Choudhury that he would continue fighting for the journalist in the new Congress. Of late, Kirk has been joined by a bi-partisan group of Senators and House Members, and he intimated to Choudhury that he will propose specific action when Congress re-convenes. Kirk was instrumental in forcing the Bangladesh government to free Choudhury from prison in 2005.
Since 2003, the Bangladesh government and Islamist radicals have targeted Choudhury and his family. After seventeen months of imprisonment and “interrogation,” Choudhury was freed in April 2005 due to the efforts of Chicago-area resident, Richard Benkin and Rep. Mark Kirk. Since then, he has continued publishing his paper despite government blocks on advertisement and other forms of harassment.
Radicals have issued several death threats against him and in July, they bombed his newspaper. On October 6, 2006, a large group of Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Bahai, and Muslims spent all night with Choudhury to protect him from radicals who threatened “dire consequences” for his actions. Shortly after that, Choudhury went into hiding after a tip alerted him to impending police and radical moves against him.
For further information or an interview with Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury contact Richard Benkin above.
15 Nov.2006 from Dr. Benkin Re: Mr. Shoaib Chy
from "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
to "Dr. Richard Benkin"
date Nov 15, 2006 7:39 PM
subject Congressional Resolution on Behalf of Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
mailed-by comcast.net
On November 14, Reprehensive Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Nita Lowey (D-NY) introduced a Congressional Resolution urging the Bangladesh government to drop all charges against Muslim journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury and cease all other forms of harassment against him. I have attached Congressman Kirk's press release about this, as well as the Resolution itself, House Resolution 1080. It will be voted on before Congress adjourns at the end of this year.
Please contact your Congressional Representatives and urge them to support House Resolution 1080. Please encourage everyone you know to do the same. This is an issue that both Democrats and Republicans are supporting, and we must get it passed by a huge margin. This is our chance and the Congress's chance to make a strong statement for justice and against radicalism, and help save the life of this very brave man. You should contact your current Member of Congress who was in office before the recent elections.
Please act now and get everyone you know to act.
If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact me at 1-847-922-6426 or via this email address. You can also find more information at http://www.InterfaithStrength.com.
Thank you.
Richard Benkin
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
21 Nov 2006 from Khelafat Andolon to Blitz Re: Article on Gay
From: "Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon"
To:
Cc:
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 2:21 PM
Subject: David J.Forman on gays
Dear Editor,
Re: Being gay or lesbian is not an abomination - by Mr. David J.Forman.
published in current issue of Weekly Blitz
What Mr. David J. Forman (Jpost) has written in defense of gays is not acceptable. This is the internal dilemma that genuinely threatens the existence of the state of Israel. If Israel is that promised land - then who made that promise. Those who are agnostics do not believe in God and Scriptures, what makes "the promised land" sense to them? So long Israel is ruled by agnostics and atheists - its existence remains questionable.
Regards
Kazi Azizul Huq
International Affairs Secretary
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
N-70, Ashrafabad, Kamrangirchar, Dhaka-1211
BANGLADESH
E-mail: khelafat@dhaka.net
21 Nov. 2006 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq Re: Israel & Religious Jews
At 05:29 AM 11/21/2006 -0600, Dr. Richard L. Benkin wrote:
So, is the writer saying that if Israel is ruled by religious Jews, its existence is not questionable?
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
22 Nov.2007 Mr. Charles Whitely of EU to Mr. Huq Re:Mr. Shoaib
At 05:08 AM 11/22/2006 +0100, Charles.Whiteley@ec.europa.eu wrote:
I would really appreciate it if you could keep the European Commission abreast of any further developments in this case as we are very concerned by it.
Best regards
Charles Whiteley, First Secretary
Political,Economic,Trade & Press Section
Delegation of the European Commission to Bangladesh
Tel: 880-2-8824730 Ext-167
www.eudelbangladesh.org
25 Nov. 2006 Mr. Huq to EU Delegation Re: Mr. Shoaib’s Case
from K A Huq
to Charles Whiteley
cc khelafat@dhaka.net
date Sat, 25 Nov 2006 09:36:25
subject Copy of Charge Sheet of SS CHY
mailed-by dhaka.net
Dear Mr. Charles,
Pls find attached herewith English Translation of the Charge Sheet against Mr. S.S. Choudhury. I received it from Mr. Chowdhury.
It may be noted that Mr. Salahuddin Shoaib Choudhury was the Chief Correspondent of Itar-TASS (USSR) in Bangladesh.
In 1996 or 97, I can not remember exactly, I first met him when he visited me on behalf of Washington Post. At that time he was working in the New Nation.
He is quite exceptional. During Awami League regime (1996-2001) he was in jail for many months for criticizing the ruling party. During BNP regime (2001-2006) he was in jail for many months for attempting to travel to Israel.
During Sk.Hasina's regime, after being released from jail he started writing in the Daily Inqilab and joined Inqilab Group as Managing Director of their proposed Inqilab TV (ITV). He used to receive me very warmly and on several occasions I forwarded our (Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon's) Press Releases to him and he arranged those to be published in the Daily Inqilab.
But many senior journalists and reporters disliked him and were jealous of his closeness to Mr. Bahauddin (Son of Late Maulana Mannan and Managing Director & Editor of Inqilab). Then one day I came to know that he left Inqilab Group and ITV is dead. Then I came to know of his arrest from Dhaka Airport while trying to travel to Israel.
Best regards,
Huq
At 10:55 AM 11/23/2006 +0100, you wrote:……..
26 Nov. 2006 Mr. Huq to US Embassy Re: Mr. Shoaib’s Case
from K A Huq
to WongRE@state.gov
cc khelafat@dhaka.net
date Sun, 26 Nov 2006 14:12:39
subject Copy of Charge Sheet of SS CHY
mailed-by dhaka.net
Pls find attached herewith English Translation of the Charge Sheet against Mr. S.S. Choudhury. I received it from Mr. Choudhury.
It may be noted that Mr. Salahuddin Shoaib Choudhury was the Chief Correspondent of Itar-TASS (USSR) in Bangladesh.
In 1996 or 97, I can not remember exactly, I first met him when he visited me on behalf of Washington Post. At that time he was working in the New Nation.
He is quite exceptional. During Awami League regime (1996-2001) he was in jail for many months for criticizing the ruling party. During BNP regime (2001-2006) he was in jail for many months for attempting to travel to Israel.
During Sk.Hasina's regime, after being released from jail he started writing in the Daily Inqilab and joined Inqilab Group as Managing Director of their proposed Inqilab TV (ITV). He used to receive me very warmly and on several occasions I forwarded our (Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon's) Press Releases to him and he arranged those to be published in the Daily Inqilab. But many senior journalists and reporters disliked him and were jealous of his closeness to Mr. Bahauddin (Son of Late Maulana Mannan and Managing Director & Editor of Inqilab). Then one day I came to know that he left Inqilab Group and ITV is dead. Then I came to know of his arrest from Dhaka Airport while trying to travel to Israel.
Best regards,
Huq
14 Dec.2006 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin & Blitz
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2006 00:54:17
To: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
From: Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Subject: David J.Forman on gays
Cc: info.hrf@gmail.com
Unless Israel is ruled by believer pious Jews who truly believe in the Torah as Divine Scripture, it is inconsistent and irrational for the Jews to claim that Israel is their Promised Land.
After Israel attains truly religious wise leadership who practice their religion and retreats to 1948 borders and guarantees peaceful co-existence with neighbors, the existence of the Jewish state may be beneficial for followers of other religions as a model of religious state that abstains from sins and pursues virtues described in Divine Scriptures.
Kazi Azizul Huq
International Affairs Secretary
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
17 Dec.2006 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin & Blitz
from K A Huq
to "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
date Sun, 17 Dec 2006 00:28:34
subject Saddam's views on Religion & Politics
mailed-by dhaka.net
Dear Dr. Benkin,
I am enclosing in the attachment an article containing Saddam Hussein's views on History, Religion and Politics.
I have condensed the article from his speeches in Baath Party meetings.
I have been seriously studying his points and it seems to me that his perceptions if accepted by us and our compatriots, who you call political Islamists, may help to reduce current contradictions and confrontations. Of course, the West also must sincerely agree to withdraw from its coercive policy of dominating all nations of the world, especially Islamic nations.
As locomotive engine of modern material developments the West will naturally continue to enjoy their reasonable privileges and benefits - which we need not unnecessarily challenge.
I request you to study the article and forward it to relevant researchers and study groups.
If possible let me know your comments.
Sincerely,
Kazi Azizul Huq
International Affairs Secretary
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Enclosure : President Saddam Hussein on History, Religion & Politics
President Saddam Hussein
On History, Religion & Politics
• All systems that interfere excessively in people’s lives, including their religious creeds and practices, with no objective need for such action, are hated by their people.
• The good man who serves the people and the nation in the way of virtue is he who responds to the demands of the spirit of the Laws of the Heaven and to the needs of the movements of liberation and revolution on the earth.
• The essence of all Laws of Heaven lies in two principles: the Unity of God and what this requires in the Relation of Man to Heaven, and Establishment of Justice on the earth in relation of Man to Man.
• This revolutionary and principled attitude will achieve justice and equality on the earth and ensure a rightly coordinated development of life. It will also ensure man his freedom to express what he believes in and perform his duties towards God and his rites according to his own religious and sectarian belief.
The many schools and interpretations and great events of history enable every one to pick out what he likes from history to support his own approach. One approach might ignore the value of Islam as a revolution in the life of the Arabs, another one by exaggeration might ignore the role of Arabs in the Islamic message which emerged from their lands and was carried by them. Revolution can not emerge in a nation that is dead or incapable of moving forward, although, there may be symptoms of decline that appear on the surface at the stage when these revolutions take place.
There is no theory of life that can work for all nations, yet the theories of all nations may form a universal theory of life for the whole world. However correct our theory proves, in practice it will not be fully suitable for all countries.
Recorded facts are not all the ultimate realities even if they were agreed by all historians, because in every stage of history some things remain unrevealed. When a group of people living on a piece of land freely decide that they form a nation, they will eventually become a nation, because it is their will that determines whether they are a nation or not. All aspects of life including history are used in reinforcing or weakening this will.
Man makes conceptions which do not as a whole realistically and accurately reflect life as it exists. After he makes his conceptions he tries to relate it to reality including historical facts. He tries to adopt some facts to his main conception.
Islam is the soul of the Arab nation. We neither abolish our past nor copy it. We rather express the inspiration we draw from its spirit in a new formula of development. We are not neutral in this respect. We are on the side of Faith. In making this assertion we do not present ourselves as substitute for any religion or religious practice. Rather, we put forward a theory of action and principles of life with a view to developing society and establishing justice in it. The spirit of Islam and its message is the source of inspiration for our theory of life and action. It is a mistake to look at our pre-Islamic history as if it were meaningless and shameful. Equally it is a mistake to analyze our history on a class struggle basis.
Backward and retrogressive elements suggest that Arab nation was in such a state of decadence and injustice that Almighty God chose it for the message of Islam in order to reform it. Arabs were chosen to bear the message of Islam not because they were bad but because they were capable of leading humanity as a whole in changing its aspect.
The enemies of Arabs concentrate on the idea that the Arab mind is not versatile – that it can not calculate complex matters. They accuse the Arab mind of being narrow and limited, failing to measure alternative possibilities in an integrated manner. Whereas Arab civilization provide undeniable evidence that the Arabs finely calculated possibilities and probabilities in all aspects of life and science at a time when other nations were living in a state of darkness and backwardness.
Historical documents used at a popular level should enhance our position with a view to consolidating our struggle, steadfastness and our nation’s capability of progress. The door has to be kept open for further progress and new interpretations within the general principles of analyzing our history and other phenomenon. Marxist response to this in a unbalanced manner by saying that the development of nations, their rise, failure and progress depends on the materialistic interpretation of history. They omit all spiritual and moral considerations, and ignore their effect on the life of nations. Religion and the past with all its factors, traditions and rules of life are essential elements of our society affecting our traditions and morality. Nobility, honor, truth and many other values of life existed before Islam, but they later changed according to the change in society. I would like to assert that our party (Baath Party) does not take a neutral stand between Faith and heresy, it is always on the side of Faith. However, it is not a religious party.
The genuine and radical treatment of the people’s problems and basic social and economic conditions certainly requires the avoidance of generalization and calls for the specification of aims and methods of treatment. We reject the view that calls for the abandonment of religion – that is heresy.
To adopt a policy of interference in religious affairs would inevitably lead to divisions among our people. You must avoid detailed interference in the life of the people. If you interfere in the particularities of the people they will hate and shun you.
All systems that interfere excessively in people’s lives, including their religious creeds and practices, with no objective need for such action, are hated by their people.
We have to adopt persuasion as a basic instrument in our relation with society. We have also to maintain our clear and principled policy. We have also to maintain balance and avoid any detailed interference or unaccepted involvement.
The good man who serves the people and the nation in the way of virtue is he who responds to the demands of the spirit of the Laws of the Heaven and to the needs of the movements of liberation and revolution on the earth. Almighty God considers Faith and Good Deeds as central issue in the essence of all His religions.
Man can do a lot of things if he opts to serve the people and trust in its right to developed life free from injustice and exploitation. The Laws of Heaven are not only based on relation of man to God and on Belief in the Unity of God and in what this requires, but also on the understanding of man’s role on the earth.
The essence of all Laws of Heaven lies in two principles: the Unity of God and what this requires in the Relation of Man to Heaven, and Establishment of Justice on the earth in relation of Man to Man.
Christianity and Islam came after Judaism. Each religion was naturally born of the one that preceded it though the rules of each new religion were not entirely the same as those of its predecessor. As for Prophet Muhammad (SM) being the Last of all Prophets and Messengers, Islam being the Last of the Heavenly Religions – this means that the Laws and Rules of Heaven, man’s duties towards them, and his relation to God have essentially met the requirements of what God favors in man’s relation and duties towards Him.
When man grows he has to observe and respect the essence and spirit of what is demanded by Heaven in relations between men in life in general, within the overall context of establishing justice on the earth. What the essence of Heaven’s rules demands is the establishment of justice and equality between people and the placing of human effort at the disposal of the continuous progress of life. This revolutionary and principled attitude will achieve justice and equality on the earth and ensure a rightly coordinated development of life. It will also ensure man his freedom to express what he believes in and perform his duties towards God and his rites according to his own religious and sectarian belief.
We thus save our people from dilemma of continuous fragmentation and bitter fanatical conflict induced by the diversity of religions, sects, schools, groups and interpretations. The will of man in carrying and clarifying the Laws of Heaven has been essential ever since religions began. The observance of the laws of development and its bearing on human mentality have been a fundamental consideration of the Laws of Heaven, whether in the succession, gradation and development of religions or in the sequence of rules within a single religion.
END
18 Dec.2006 from Dr. Benkin Re: Mr. Shoaib’s Defence Attorney
At 05:54 PM 12/18/2006 -0600, you wrote:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 18, 2006 FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Richard L. Benkin, Ph.D.
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 18, 2006
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard L. Benkin, Ph.D. 847-922-6426; drrbenkin@comcast.net; http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Noted International Human Rights Attorney, Irwin Cotler, joins Shoaib’s Defense
Chicago, IL -In a development that underscored the growing seriousness of the Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury case, noted International Human Rights attor-ney, Professor Irwin Cotler, has joined the Muslim journalist's defense team as international legal counsel. Choudhury was imprisoned and tortured by Bangla-deshi authorities after writing about the rise of radical Islam in that country, promoting peace with Israel, and advocating interfaith dialogue. Choudhury is now faces charges of "sedition, treason, and blasphemy" for which he could be put to death. Cotler's has previously acted as counsel for Nelson Mandela, Andrei Sakharov, Natan Sharansky and Saad Edin Ibrahim, among others.
On December 7, 2006, Cotler, a member of the Canadian Parliament, addressed that body describing Choudhury's persecution and adding, "As counsel for Mr. Choudhury and as one who, while as minister of justice, was engaged in a joint Canada-Bangladesh rule of law project, I call upon the Bangladesh authorities to respect the rule of law, to review and, as appears just and appropriate, to drop the charges while working to apprehend those who have violated Mr. Choudhury's rights."
Cotler, an expert in comparative, constitutional and criminal law, has identified eight violations of Choudhury's rights under Bangladesh law - including holding him in solitary confinement for seventeen months while denying him the right to a fair hearing before an impartial judge - that warrant quashing the charges, which as Cotler says, are otherwise "unfounded in fact and wrong in law".
Resolutions urging the Bangladeshi government to drop the admittedly false charges have been approved or introduced by several nations including the United States and the European Union.
Last week, the Bangladeshi High Court summarily rejected Choudhury's motion to investigate the case's validity. In an ex parte communication, one judge complained that Choudhury's real problem was that "as a Muslim, [he should not have] told the Christians and Jews about the [Islamist] radicals."
Choudhury's attorney, S N Goswami-who called it "an honor" to work with Cotler-said he would consult his noted colleague as he prepared an appeal.
Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.10/651 - Release Date: 1/24/2007 6:48 PM
21 Jan 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr.Benkin
Re: Dialogue for Peaceful Co-existence
From: "K A Huq"
To: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
Cc:
Sent: Sunday, January 21, 2007 10:52 PM
Subject: Assalamu Alaikum
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
Quotation :
"Muslims are my brethren in faith while non-Muslims are my kin since we are all children of Adam & Eve (Alaihissalam)"-Hafezzi Huzur r.a.
Dear Dr. Benkin,
Assalamu Alaikum. May you receive this mail in the best of your health and spirit. In spite of our difference of opinion with Mr. Salahuddin Shoaib Chowdhury, we shall defend his right to freedom of expression.
We would like to jointly organize participatory roundtables that will help us to exchange information, remove mistrust & hatred, generate generosity & wisdom, and produce recommendations for policy makers.
In spite of our differences on issues, we remain committed to continue our cordial dialogue to reduce suspicion and promote environment for peaceful coexistence.
We hope, you will visit Bangladesh more frequently. Thanking you with best regards.
Sincerely yours
Kazi Azizul Huq
International Affairs Secretary
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
24 Jan 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq
Re: Dialogue for Peaceful Co-existence
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
To: "K A Huq"
subject: Re: Assalamu Alaikum
Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 17:35:38 -0600
X-MailScanner-From: drrbenkin@comcast.net
I surely would hope to visit more and to participate in the sort of roundtable discussion you suggest.
It was good speaking together.
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
25 Jan 2007 from Mr. Huq to EU, USIP, US Embassy
from K A Huq
to Charles Whiteley
cc Christine Fair
date Thu, 25 Jan 2007 15:09:37
subject Meeting with Dr. Benkin in Dhaka
mailed-by dhaka.net
DHAKA, 25 January 2007
To: European Union, Attn: Mr. Charles Whiteley, First Secretary, EC Delegation
Cc: US Institute of Peace,
Attn: Dr. Christian Fair, South Asia and Terrorism Specialist
Cc: US Embassy, Dhaka, Attn: Mr. Robert Wong, Second Secretary
Dear Friends,
Dr. Richard L. Benkin (AJC and WJC activist) who is concerned about Mr. Salah Uddin Shaoib Choudhury's case, recently visited Bangladesh. We had three rounds of discussion with him. We have proposed to continue dialogue with Jewish people to exchange information, remove mistrust & hatred, generate generosity & wisdom, and produce recommendations for policy makers.
In the attachment I am forwarding to you for your study and record copy of our e-mail correspondence (part) with Dr. Benkin between 26 July 2006 to 24 January 2007.
Best regards,
Kazi Azizul Huq
Designations:
International Affairs Secretary of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon [BKA]
Consultant & Event Manager of Human Rights Forum [HRF]
Convener of Revolutionary Reconciliatory Command Council for Muslims, Christians & Jews -RRCCMC&J - a spiritual organ sponsored by CIRB-HEZHOLLAH
29 Jan 2007 from Dr. Benkin (Report on Returning from Bangladesh)
from "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
to "Dr. Richard Benkin"
date Jan 29, 2007 6:32 AM
subject The Latest From Inside Bangladesh and What YOU Can Do
mailed-by comcast.net
On January 8, 2007, I arrived in Bangladesh, and Shoaib and I embraced as brothers for the first time. Having gone through so much together; having been denied the opportunity to see each other so many times (the Bangladesh government either prevented me from entering the country or Shoaib from leaving it); our meeting was extremely emotional for both of us. Shoaib and an entourage (including his attorney, S N Goswami) met me at the airport, presented me with flowers and then escorted me into Dhaka for ten days I never will forget.
The most important thing for everyone to know is that Shoaib is doing well. He is winning more and more adherents to our mission to stop radical Islamists, establish Bangladesh-Israel relations, and supporting interfaith dialogue and religious equality (including an end to minority oppression in Bangladesh). Shoaib has a beautiful family—a wife with an amazing inner strength who has supported him unflinchingly throughout the ordeal; two children who are very proud of their father; and a supportive brother and two sisters. In fact, having been there, I would say that were it not for the hideous charge hanging over him, one would conclude that Shoaib leads a good life in Bangladesh. But of course, the charge remains, which is something we will get to shortly.
I came to a Bangladesh torn by political strife. The ruling BNP had effectively rigged the impending elections, and the opposition Awami League was threatening to boycott them while adding radical Islamists to its coalition. Bangladeshi democracy was so badly compromised that every one of the western democracies was calling on the government NOT to hold elections as scheduled—an odd unanimity upon which I remarked to US Ambassador Patricia Butenis. Then came the final straw. Despite the fact that the international community had adopted her party’s stance, Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina called for even more violence and rioting in the streets—quite indicative of the vitriolic politics that has been stifling progress in Bangladesh for decades. Her threat brought the prospects of a complete social and political breakdown and a further cancellation of international orders for Bangladeshi garments—the lifeblood of the economy and the prerequisite for millions of Bangladeshi jobs. On January 11, three days after my arrival, the military called a State of Emergency, canceled elections, and deployed throughout Dhaka and elsewhere. Shortly thereafter, the BNP-appointed Chief Advisor resigned and was replaced by Princeton-educated, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, a former World Bank official. Soon, the government announced a program to uproot the seemingly endemic corruption that has been plaguing Bangladesh. Arrests followed, and it was impossible to find a Bangladesh who was not happy—outside of those who expected to continue benefiting from the deposed system. But although the new government is winning points internationally and domestically, it will face a number of challenges that it will have to overcome.
Prior to the State of Emergency, I told a former high official of the BNP government that his party and government had three problems that will plague Bangladesh until they are eradicated. “One is corruption,” I told him. “Two is radicals—your policy of appeasement and radical infiltration of the society and judiciary. And three is the oppression of minorities, journalists, women, and dissidents.” According to several sources, the new Bangladeshi leaders will be judged in large part by how effectively they deal with these three problems. So far, they have made a good start down that road, but it remains to be seen how effectively the new leaders will carry out these programs and chart a new course away from Bangladesh’s troubled past.
But there is another way that this government can have an immediate impact on how people see Bangladesh; that is to drop the charges against Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury—charges which the Bangladeshi government has admitted have no basis but are only maintained to appease the radicals. The fact that the radical judge was embarrassed on January 22, when government witnesses refused to appear against Shoaib gave many people worldwide hope that this new government is committed to justice. But previous hopes encouraged by the former government were often dashed by its policy of appeasement and its corruption. But there is cause for hope again. While in Bangladesh, I spoke with leaders among all the major factions, and this government is especially sensitive to how the international community views it. While there and since, we have made it clear—through our own communication and those of various international dignitaries and officials—that their disposal of the false charges against Shoaib will go far in helping to determine international opinion.
So far, the new government can be responsive. YOU CAN HELP. If you live in the United States, you can urge your Congressional representative to support HOUSE RESOLUTION 64, introduced by Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Nita Lowey (D-NY) urging the Bangladesh government to drop all charges against Shoaib and bring his attackers to justice. A link to help you is at the top of the InterfaithStrength home page. And no matter where you live, please send a fax or email to Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed, letting him know how serious this issue is and how dropping the false charges will help restore Bangladesh’s good name. Dr Fakhruddin’s fax number and formal address are: Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, Chief Advisor, People's Republic of Bangladesh; Fax: 880-2-8113243 & 880-2-8111490. A fax is preferable, but you also can email him at pmo@pmobd.net. You can also go to http://www.InterfaithStrength.com/index2.html and scroll down for a link to a sample letter.
As I have told a number of people, we have a window of opportunity, especially between now and February 28. NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT. Please get your Congressional Representatives, Senators, and Members of Parliament involved. Ask them to write a letter to Dr. Ahmed so he knows how his predecessors have perverted justice in Bangladesh and how high the level of international outrage has grown. Let him know that the only way to fix this travesty is to drop all charges against Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury.
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
31 Jan 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin
from K A Huq
to "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
cc khelafat@dhaka.net,info.hrf@gmail.com,snjbchy@yahoo.com,
ediblitz@yahoo.com
date Wed, 31 Jan 2007 20:29:23
subject The Latest From Inside Bangladesh and What YOU Can Do
mailed-by dhaka.net
DHAKA, 31 January 2007.
To: Dr. Richard L. Benkin, Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
Cc: Hazrat Maulana Hamidullah, Secretary General, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon (BKA)
Cc: Maulana Abdus Salam, Amir, Islami Gono Andolon (IGA)
Cc: Shri Sanjeeb Chowdhury, Chairman, Human Rights Forum (HRF)
Cc: Mr. Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, Editor, Weekly Blitz
Dear Dr. Benkin,
Assalamu Alaikum.
We acknowledge receipt of your report "The Latest From Inside Bangladesh and What YOU Can Do".
We (myself & Maulana Salam) briefed our respective organizations about our meetings with you. Inspite of certain reservations, we have been authorized by our respective organizations to go forward.
We agree:
(a) that Bangladesh Gov't should drop the case against Mr.Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury;
(b) that Bangladeshi Passport should be valid for traveling to all countries of the world.
Regarding above matters we shall write to Dr.Fakhruddin Ahmed, Hon. Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Government. We shall also give our opinion to concerned authorities.
I spoke with Br.Choudhury. Myself and Maulana Salam will sit with Br.Choudhury next week.
We are non-arrogant believer religious Muslims. We strive to be virtuous. We try not to commit sins. We have no hatred against people of other faith. We firmly believe that the whole mankind, irrespective of races, are children of Adam & Eve (Blessings of Allah be upon them) - thus all are our kin.
Egoist materialist Muslims are more dangerous for the society as well as for the world. These type of people are more likely to become revengeful radicals in reaction to Euro-American Hate Campaign and Military Campaign against Islam & Muslims.
Thanking you for your appreciation.
With best wishes and best regards.
Kazi Azizul Huq
Designations:
International Affairs Secretary of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Executive Director, Human Rights Forum (HRF)
1 FEB 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq
Thu, 1 Feb 2007 00:23:50 +0000
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
To: "K A Huq"
Cc:
References: <3.0.6.32.20070131202923.00b2f198@mail.dhaka.net>
Subject: Re: The Latest From Inside Bangladesh and What YOU Can Do
Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:23:40 -0600
Dear Friend, Haq,
wa Alaikum Assalamu
My friend, I have told many people here in the United States about our conversation. I try to make it clear that it is a far greater test of civility and equality for people to act respectfully of one another when they disagree on many things, than it is to be civil among people who agree with oneself. I found our meeting and emailing to be most enlightening and encouraging. I wish you and your colleagues the best of luck and warmest of wishes.
What you tell me in this email is most excellent. It certainly confirms my opinion of you as a man of principle, a man of faith, but a man who is strong enough in that faith and in those principles to allow that others might believe otherwise without making of them enemies. You have my respect, sir.
It would be very helpful and important if you could email me a copy of your letter to the CA (or somehow confirm it if you cannot create an attachment).
For you see, I have been trying to make a very important point to people here. As you probably know, I am an unflinching opponent of those radicals who seek to dominate my nation and exterminate my religion. People know that I will never compromise in that fight. BUT I also have been making several prominent statements to the effect that the only way to defeat our enemies (who say they are part of a radical Islam) is to make sure we understand that they do not represent all or most Muslims. And we must support those Muslims who are opposed to the radicals. You will remember that I mentioned my article, "Fundamentalism is not a Problem," in which (as a man of faith) I write that fundamentalist religion is not what we should be fighting; it is not our enemy. The fact that your group—fundamentalist Muslims--are taking a strong step that shows your principled stance, means a great deal.
If I can confirm that the support was made and publicly so, I will make sure many here in the US know about your group and what it represents. It could be the start of a path that leads to peace.
Thank you; and thank you for taking a stand supporting my brother's rights.
With the warmest regards,
Richard Benkin
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
6 FEB 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq
At 05:00 PM 2/6/2007 -0600, Dr. Richard L. Benkin wrote:
Dear Brother Huq,
Aleichem Shalom.
I am in the process now of trying to get something in newspapers about our conversation and the things you have told me since. I believe that if we can get this into the public, it will help end the divisiveness between one part of the world and another. If you recall, I wrote an article some time ago stating that fundamentalist religion is not the problem. We have all sorts or religious fundamentalists and all sorts who, while not fundamentalists, are committed believers.
I have long said that if we want to put an end to what we call the "war on terror," it is absolutely essential that it not be a war on Islam--that is, we have to support those Muslims who are working to take back the face of their faith from those who do seek to exterminate Jews, Americans, and others. Now, I will add that we have to similarly differentiate between fundamentalist Muslims who are enemies and fundamentalist Muslims who are friends. That is, there are both and we must never confuse the two.
You are opening up new doors to help heal our troubled world. I look forward to your confirmation.
Please offer my sincerest regards to the members of your community who are strong in their beliefs and respect ours as well. All my honor goes to you and my other brothers and sisters there.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Benkin
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
8 FEB 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
To: "Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon"
Cc: "Salah Choudhury"
subject: Re: Travel Ban Withdrawal
Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2007 17:53:51 -0600
Dear Bangladesh Khelaft Andolin,
Please listen to the wisdom of my brother, Shoaib. I am a Jew, and as a Jew, I can tell you that my people has been successful because we are fearless at looking critically at those things we assumed to be correct. I know he will be like a beacon of enlightenment to you even as you continue to forward the ideals of Islam and of your organization.
I would hope that you would continue this dialogue and think of me when you hold seminars and such.
Regards,
Richard Benkin
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
11 FEB 2007 from Dr. Benkin Re: Campaign for Mr. Shoaib
from "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
to "Dr. Richard Benkin"
date Feb 11, 2007 9:20 PM
subject US VOTERS: YOUR URGENT ACTION NEEDED FOR SALAH UDDIN SHOAIB CHOUDHURY
Dear Friends,
We might be getting close to freedom for Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury. The new Bangladeshi government has been responsive to our suggestions and communications, and has begun implementing an anti-radical agenda.
Next week, the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs will hear Mark Kirk’s House Resolution 64, which calls on the Bangladesh government to drop all charges against Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, noting that the previous government admitted several times that there was no basis for the charges and maintained them only to appease the radicals. There is wide bi-partisan support for the resolution both in the Committee and in the full House.
But we must overcome a technical hurdle—and do so by the end of business Tuesday.
Committee rules require at least ten co-sponsors from the Committee itself, and we are a few short. This is a link to the COMMITTEE MEMBERS with links to individual member web sites with their phone and fax numbers.
If you are a constituent of any member, please call or fax and urge that the member sign on as a co-sponsor House Resolution 64 before the end of business Tuesday. They can contact Congressman Mark Kirk’s office at 202-225-4835 to confirm and should ask for Jeff Phillips, Mr. Kirk’s point person for the Resolution. Or you or they can contact me at this email address or 847-722-7917.
I have attached a sample fax or phone script.
Please help; we do not have much time, and you can help save a life.
Thank you.
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
Hd. Office: N-70, ASHRAFABAD, KAMRANGIRCHAR, DHAKA-1211 BANGLADESH Ph: 7320078
Int’l Affairs Deptt.: 24/A, JOAR SHAHARA, DHAKA-1229. Ph: 9881436 E-mail: khelafat@dhaka.net
DHAKA February 12, 2007.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
"Muslims are my brothers in faith, while non-Muslims are my kin, since we are all children of Adam & Eve (Peace & Blessings of Allah be upon them)."
– Hazrat Hafezzi Huzur (RA)
To: H.E. Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, Chief Advisor, Government of Bangladesh
Cc: H.E. Secretary General, Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), Jeddah, KSA
Re: Bangladesh : Muslim-Jewish Relations;
Request to drop case against Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
Validate Bangladesh Passport for Travel to All Countries of the World
Muhtaram,
Assalamu Alaikum.
Our analysis of the current situation in Bangladesh is that fascism of Awami League (led by Sheikh Hasina), palace conspiracy of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (led by Begum Khaleda Zia), and so-called "FREE MEDIA" & "CIVIL SOCIETY" controlled & manipulated by Euro-American vested interests have almost stripped Bangladesh of her sovereignty.
America & NATO occupied Afghanistan & Iraq and have martyred Shahid President Saddam Hussein obviously with some sort of support of the ruling elite of Muslim states, particularly of GCC, Iran & Pakistan.
While we Muslims ourselves have been stabbing each other on the back, there is no wisdom in quarreling with Israel.
Founder of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon Late Hazrat Maulana Muhammadullah Hafezzi Huzur (r.a.) said on many occasions, "Muslims are my brothers in faith, while non-Muslims are my kin, since we are all children of Adam & Eve (Peace & Blessings of Allah be upon them)."
Therefore, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon has been engaged in Dialogues with the Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Tribals, Vatican, American Jewish Committee's Interfaith Strength, US, EU, USIP, DFID etc., to remove mutual suspicion and hatred and reduce unwanted pressures on Bangladesh, specially on Islamic religious activists.
Now it seems necessary to request our Bangladesh Government to drop charges against Mr. Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, Editor of the Weekly Blitz. US Congress and European Parliament passed resolutions in his favor. More resolutions are in process. Though we do not agree with Mr. Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury yet we defend his freedom of expression. So far we know, he is a fearless upright journalist who spent many months in jail during both Sheikh Hasina's rule and Begum Khaleda Zia's rule. He seems to be not a type of man who can be spy of any state. He defends the case of Israel openly. We think that he is safer for us than those elite of our country who pretend to be patriot but are actually secret agents of those foreigners who want to dominate and humiliate us.
Ban on Travel to Israel has no religious basis. Rather obstacles on the way of pious Muslims' religious visits to Holy places in Jerusalem and in neighboring lands should be removed.
So, we request our Government to remove any travel ban from the Ordinary International Passport of Bangladesh which should be valid for travel to all countries of the world.
Further, we need face-to-face debate and dialogue between those who defend the Rights of the Palestinians and those who defend the Rights of the Jews & Israel. We want intellectuals as well as religious clergies and leaders to participate in such debates and dialogues.
This, we hope, will make both sides more informed and less suspicious. This may open new opportunities for all stakeholders towards a better future.
Thanking you for your kind appreciation and action.
Maassalama.
Kazi Azizul Huq, Secretary,
International Affairs Department
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
16 Feb 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq Re: Campaign for Mr.Shoaib
Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2007 17:03:26 -0600
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
To: "K A Huq"
Cc:
subject: HR 64 Supporting Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury Passes House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Aleichem Shalom.
Dear Brother Huq,
I am a pretty good judge of character, I think, and my overall impression of you is that you are an honest man and a man of principle. There are too few people like that, unfortunately. I commend you on your forthright and honest comments.
Like you, I have encountered duplicity among many people who pretend one thing but do another. That is why my people's tradition tells us to judge a man by what he does not what he says. And of course, Khelafat Andolin has backed up their words with actions. And of course, I focus on what my brother Shoaib did in standing up for justice--something which you pointed out as well (in prison for maintaining an unpopular principle). And so I salute you. And most of all I thank you for standing for justice for my dearest brother, Shoaib.
As we said to one another in Dhaka, it is correct and just that we always have a respectful dialogue even if we disagree on subjects. And that seems to be the case, something which I will talk to a group I know will be skeptical next month. I've been asked to address a group of intelligence professionals and others.
Please allow me to point out one thing. At this point, Hamas leaders are stating that the National Unity government will not recognize Israel or abide by previous agreements with Israel. If that is the case, I can see the National Unity government being declared only to fool the US and other countries to take the money of taxpayers like me and give it to them. Only when that government officially recognizes the State of Israel as a legitimate state and abides by agreements to end terrorism and such will it have any basis for expecting Israel--a state it remains committed to destroy--to treat it as a peace partner.
My fondest regards, my friend,
Brother Benkin
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
16 Feb 2007 from Dr. Benkin Re: US Congress on Mr. Shoaib
from "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
to "Dr. Richard Benkin"
date Feb 16, 2007 7:07 PM
subject HR 64 Supporting Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury Passes House
Committee on Foreign Affairs
mailed-by comcast.net
On February 15, 2007, HOUSE RESOLUTION 64 passed the House Committee on Foreign Affairs without opposition. The resolution, introduced by Reps. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Nita Lowey (D-NY), calls on the government of Bangladesh to drop all charges against Shoaib. With wide bi-partisan support, we expect a strong vote in favor of it when it reaches the House floor.
As many of you know, it took a heroic professional and grassroots effort by many people to get the additional co-sponsors needed for it to come before the Committee at this time. Thanks to everyone who wrote Committee Members, put out calls for help, and otherwise supported the Resolution! When Shoaib needed your help, you were there for him. Thanks, too, to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and to the US State Department for their support. We now need a strong vote in favor of the Resolution that sends an unambiguous message about this case to the government of Bangladesh.
Please urge your Congressional representative to support House Resolution 64, introduced by Representatives Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Nita Lowey (D-NY) and passed by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. If you go to
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com, you will see a link for making contact on your own as well as one to the AJC web site where it can be done in a few clicks.
And personal thanks from Shoaib and me.
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
17 Feb 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin Re: BKA Ltr to BD Gov’t
from K A Huq
to "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
cc kahuq.bka@gmail.com,khelafat@dhaka.net
date Sat, 17 Feb 2007 01:20:51
subject HR 64 Supporting Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury Passes House
Committee on Foreign Affairs
mailed-by dhaka.net
Dear Brother Benkin,
Assalamu Alaikum.
We have sent our letter to H.E. Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, Chief Advisor, GoB. We faxed the copy to you also. I have handed over a hardcopy to Br. Shoaib Choudhury.
I met a senior officer... He expressed dissatisfaction about our persuasion to drop the case against Mr. Shoaib Choudhury and about our request to remove ban on travel to Israel. He was complaining against Khelafat Andolon, why being an Islamic party we wrote such a letter to Chief Advisor. "Shoaib is advocating in favor of Israel for money. Why are you changing your policy towards Israel" he asked me. He was insisting that law should take its own course and why should the government interfere the judicial course against Shaoib Chowdhury.
I argued with him :-
- When the western diplomats and delegates meet our ruling elite, why our ruling elite pretend to be soft towards Israel and put all blames on we Islamic Parties?
- We do not know why Mr. Shoaib chose to openly defend Israel while no one in Bangladesh openly defends Israel. It seems he is an upright man who spent many months in jail for taking up a stand which previous two regimes disliked. I do not know any other journalist in Bangladesh who spent so many months in jail for expression of opinion or for standing by a policy disliked by rulers.
- There is no religious reason to bar Muslims from traveling to Israel. Rather obstructing journeys to Jerusalem and holy places all around is a sin. We had agreed to such a ban only to put pressure on Israel to leave occupied lands. It was a political and humanitarian decision and not a religious decision. Gov't of Bangladesh and we Islamic political activists should act wisely to reduce unwanted international pressure on us.
- Khelafat Andolon already had been engaged in Dialogue with Hindus, Buddhists, Chirstians, Tribals. Recently we have started the Dialogue with Jews, who are Abrahamic people and in religion very close to us. Our leader taught us not to hate any one since we are all children of Adam & Hawa i.e. Eve (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon them).
I am briefing you about this discussion to know the realities that many of the so-called modern educated/western educated Muslims hate Jews at heart and pretend to be friends. Because materialist education and culture increases ego and makes people revengeful and hateful. Materialists do not know what love is, what compassion is.
It is a positive development that HAMAS has agreed to respect treaties signed by PLO. If the Jewish leadership ignores this positive development and pushes harder to humiliate & cripple the Palestinians, both Muslim and Jewish people may face another set back.
It seems to me that UK-USA want another Intifada to divert peoples' attention from Afghanistan-Iraq-Iran.
With best wishes and best regards.
Yours
Huq
Kazi Azizul Huq
International Affairs Secretary
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
19 Feb 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq Re: Article in Kuwait Times
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin" <>
To: "K A Huq"
subject: HR 64 Supporting Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury Passes House Committee
Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2007 20:32:24 -0600
Dear Brother Huq,
Aleichem Shalom.
An article appeared in the Kuwaiti Times about me and about our conversations. I must say that the author did not write everything the way I wanted it to be written (seems to have gotten a few things not quite correct, but overall, it is an excellent article.
Please see it via this link: http://www.kuwaittimes.net/ . When you arrive there, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the article about interfaith efforts. Remember please, that not all of what he wrote is my words.
Fond Regards,
Brother Benkin
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
Feb 22, 2007 10:36 PM
From: "Dr. Richard Benkin"
Reply | Reply to all | Forward | Print | Delete | Show original
Dear Friends,
I thought you would be interested in the following article that appeared in the Kuwaiti Times this week. Dr. Alrabaa wrote it subsequent to our conversations about my meeting with two Islamic Fundamentalists in Dhaka, their subsequent actions, and our ongoing dialogue.
Regards,
Richard
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
Kuwait Times Date: February 19, 2007
Efforts towards a genuine interfaith dialogue
By Dr Sami Alrabaa
International media reported, Feb 14, hardline Hindus protested against the celebration of St. Valentine's Day in several Indian cities. They called it immoral and a corrupt Western practice that is inconsistent with the country's traditions and ancient civilization. About 150 members of the pro-Hindu political party Shiv Sena gathered in New Delhi and shouted, "Down with the Western culture" and "Death to Valentine's Day!"
First I could not believe my eyes. I thought that my daily newspapers confused Hindus with Islamists. No. I was wrong and what I read was true. Hindus protested against Valentine's Day. I thought only fanatic Muslims would do so.
Dr Richard Benkin told me, fundamentalists are everywhere, you find them in every religion, among Hindus, Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Benkin also argues, it is natural. But we have to discriminate between those zealous followers of a certain faith and those who are ready to blow up themselves and drag innocent people into death. As long as fundamentalists only take to the street to demonstrate and shout, "Down" with this and that, it is ok. This is freedom of speech. Let them vent.
Benkin is one of those few advocates of interfaith dialogue between Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Hindus. He is working hard on "strengthening the bonds of understanding among people of different faiths," especially of those between Muslims and Jews.
Based on deep conviction of real, practical interfaith dialogue, Benkin, who is American and Jew, has undertaken a unique endeavour. He is establishing venues of communication with fundamentalist Muslims in Bangladesh. He even visited some of them and talked to them. Benkin proudly says, "We have been able to accept each other and our disagreements ..... It is only a start but an encouraging one. It is not likely that we will stomp out religious zeal (nor is that even a good thing perhaps)," but would at least end up in "knocking down suspicion."
Benkin managed even to persuade some fundamentalists to write to their political leaders and demand the release of Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, a Muslim journalist from Bangladesh. Choudhury was jailed and tortured for 17 months in a Dhaka prison for advocating interfaith understanding and warning Bangladeshis about radical Islamists. Yet, Benkin, the Jew who calls Choudhury a brother, managed to mobilise local and international pressure to free Choudhury. He got it. Choudhury is out of jail, but he still receives death threats (Sueddeutsche Zeitung) and the Bangladeshi government wants to put him on trial. They accuse him of blasphemy.
In fact, Choudhury's only "crime" was that he tried in his articles and speeches to correct loads of misinformation about other religions, about Christians and Jews. He also wanted to correct lots of misconceptions about the West and about Israel. Choudhury's central argument is that only when people are truly informed about each other and accept each other, there is a chance for understanding, coexistence, and peace.
After Shoaib Choudhury was released, Benkin visited him in Dhaka. He says, "On Jan 8, 2007, I arrived in Bangladesh and Shoaib and I embraced as brothers for the first time. Having gone through so much together; having been denied the opportunity to see each other so many times (the Bangladesh government either prevented me from entering the country or Shoaib from leaving it); our meeting was extremely emotional for both of us. Shoaib and an entourage (including his attorney, S N Goswami) met me at the airport, presented me with flowers and then escorted me into Dhaka for ten days I never will forget."
Benkin continues, "The most important thing for everyone to know is that Shoaib is doing well. He is winning more and more adherents to our mission to stop radical Islamists, and supporting interfaith dialogue and religious equality (including an end to minority oppression in Bangladesh). Shoaib has a beautiful family-a wife with an amazing inner strength who has supported him unflinchingly throughout the ordeal; two children who are very proud of their father; and a supportive brother and two sisters. In fact, having been there, I would say that were it not for the hideous charge hanging over him, one would conclude that Shoaib leads a good life in Bangladesh."
In Dhaka, Benkin told a former Bangladeshi high official that the government had three problems that will plague Bangladesh until they are eradicated. "One is corruption. Two is radicals-your policy of appeasement and radical infiltration of the society and judiciary. And three is the oppression of minorities, journalists, women, and dissidents."
In fact, the Bangladeshi government, Benkin says, "has admitted that the charges raised against Shoaib have no basis but are only maintained to appease the radicals...... The radical judge was embarrassed on Jan 22, when government witnesses refused to appear against Shoaib."
Indeed, not only Bangladesh is appeasing Muslim radicals, most Arab and Muslim states are doing so, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, and most recently Bahrain. Muslim monsters are maybe still babies. But they are growing up, and along that they are demanding more and more. They will not spare anybody, not even their "foster parents."
Sadly enough, there are very few people like Benkin, who do not only preach interfaith dialogue, but creatively practice it. He does not only talk about fundamentalism, like me. He is a practical man. He is a man of action. He is trying to dialogue with those verbal radicals in hopes to tame at least some of them. Experience has shown that some radicals are as such because they are unilaterally informed, if they are ever informed. A patient dialogue with them might help.
Eli Epstein, also American and Jew, has and is still implementing practical steps towards fighting extremism and bringing people of different faiths together, in this case Jews and Muslims. In cooperation with his business partner in Dubai, Mohammed Bin Ali Al Abbar, Epstein has created "Children of Abraham" on line whereby Muslims and Jews can communicate and chat about their faiths, peacefully. The project is working fine and has attracted lots of young Muslims and Jews. "If adults are difficult to sway, we have to invest in the youth. They are the leaders of this world." Al Abbar says.
Epstein is trying to buy a big hotel in Delmenhorst, Germany and convert it into "an International Youth Dialogue centre where youth from all over can be exposed to different cultures, religions etc." Epstein proclaims.
Two things can be learnt from Benkin, Epstein, and Al Abbar: fight the roots of extremism and no appeasement. The efforts of these pioneers towards a genuine interfaith dialogue might sound like a drop in an ocean. But these efforts will sometime bear fruits and will multiply if all of us supported these projects and created new ones. It is a proven fact that the majority of Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and Jews want to live in peace. They believe in dialogue and coexistence. They have adherents everywhere. Radicals are isolated minorities and will remain as such. Appeasing them is treason against the majority. Benkin, Epstein, and Al Abbar are the real leaders of the fight against extremism and terror. History shows that the world is able to win the fight against terror. It won it against the Nazis, the Red Army in Germany, and the IRA.
Having said all that, it is also important to admit that there are more violent fundamentalists among us Muslims than in other faiths. Check out the maiming and killing in Iraq, in Palestine, and most recently in Lebanon and Algeria. Other religions have had reformation debates for decades and centuries. We Muslims have not. Muslim and particularly Arab states and theology centres have blocked any debate about reform and modern interpretations of the holy Quran and Shari'a at large. The majority of Muslims would love to have such a debate. But they are scared of Islamists. Reformists are muzzled or persecuted, for example, Professor Nasr Hamed Abu Zeid and Shaikh Professor Abdul Hadi Palazzi.
In addition, unlike fundamentalists in other faiths, who antagonize other religions and their followers, Muslim violent radicals would not hesitate to kill fellow Muslims. This is not fundamentalism. This is madness.
Also, we Arabs, as usual, blast the power of the so called "Jewish lobby" in the US and worldwide. Indeed, the Jews are powerful, but not because they use suicide and car bombs. They are strong and more acceptable because they support peace and talk to their archenemies, including Muslim fundamentalists. We would pose competition to them only if we did the same: talk to our enemies and renounce violence.
23 Feb 2007 fromMr. Huq to Dr. Benkin Re: Kuwait Times Article
Date: Fri, 23 Feb 2007 20:43:34 +0600
From: "Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon"
To: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
subject: Comments on The Article in the Kuwait Times
Cc: info@mofa.gov.sa, dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir, istiftaa@wilayah.org
X-Antivirus: AVG for E-mail 7.5.441 [268.18.3/696]
Dear Brother Benkin,
Assalamu Alaikum.
We have read the article of Dr Sami Alrabaa in the Kuwait Times dated February 19, 2007 under the caption "Efforts towards a genuine interfaith dialogue".
We hope we are moving in the right direction. We are hopeful, gradually perceptions on all sides will change. All sides have to reasonably withdraw from the craziness to dominate and humiliate the other. The conspiracies of "Paradigm Change" to drive Muslims away from Islam will be ultimately counter-productive.
We have to try to remove suspicion and hatred. We have to truly understand each other freeing ourselves from prejudices.
Comment such as "dialogue with those verbal radicals in hopes to tame at least some of them" - is a failure to respect each other. The mission is not to tame the other. Our mission is to promote virtues and resist vices. If the believer pious Muslims are pushed hard to go underground, those who drive them underground will face increasing insecurity while Muslims risk their best sons become perverts.
In fact, pious Muslims educated in Quaumi Madrasa are more or less superior to the so-called modern educated Muslims who are egoist & revengeful, who pretend, who more quickly turn into perverts. I would request you to note this point with special importance. Otherwise you will be cheated. I myself and my brothers will not cheat you. We tell you where we disagree. We tell you where we agree. We have no aim to earn any material benefit from you.
We remain committed to continue to improve understanding and relations between Muslims and Jews - promote the values of Faith and dos & don’ts described in the Holy Divine Scriptures, identify sin as sin and virtue as virtue. The Government of Israel should not defend the gays and homosexuals under the guise of civil rights. The Government of Israel should promote marriage and prohibit fornication and live-together. This will create a common ground for the believer Jews, Christians and Muslims to make a better world, to make a virtuous world.
May Allah Bless us all with His Guidance.
With best wishes and warmest regards.
Kazi Azizul Huq
International Affairs Secretary
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
10 March 2007 from Huq to Dr. Benkin
from K A Huq
to "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
cc ediblitz@yahoo.com,khelafat@dhaka.net
date Sat, 10 Mar 2007 09:36:51
subject BANGLADESH : MUSLIM-JEWISH DIALOGUE
mailed-by dhaka.net
My dear Brother Benkin,
Assalamu Alaikum.
I have not heard from you for quite sometime. Meanwhile I and Maulana Salam met the Blitz Editor (Mr. Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury) and discussed current situation and what can be done to promote the MUSLIM-JEWISH Dialogue in Bangladesh for removing suspicion and achieve understanding for peaceful co-existence, security and progress of all communities. You are aware that we insist on promotion of pious and virtuous life and prohibition of sinful acts and behavior. And we insist that both Muslims and Jews should follow Divine Revelations to them (the Holy Quran and the Holy Torah).
I am grateful to the Blitz Editor that he published my interview with him without much editing.
My contact at Amnesty UK International Secretariat Mr. Abbas Faiz is in Dhaka. I met him and handed over a copy of my letter to the Chief Advisor of GoB requesting removal of travel ban on Israel and dropping cases against the Blitz Editor. It seems Amnesty is not interested to speak for the rights of the Weekly Blitz Editor because Amnesty's principal agent here Mr. Shahriar Kabir is jealous of Blitz Editor.
However, since we have agreed to defend the Blitz Editor in spite of our difference of opinion with him, we shall knock every possible door in this regard.
Fondest regards,
Kazi Azizul Huq
International Affairs Secrertary
Tel: 9881436, 01819-407963
Alternative E-mails: khelafat@dhaka.net, kahuq.bka@gmail.com
14 March 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2007 20:53:34 -0500
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
To: kahuq@dhaka.net
Subject: Congress Passes Resolution for Shoaib; Please Sign SPME Petition
Dear Friends,
As more and more people are finding out worldwide, the US Congress made it official yesterday. It is now US Government Policy that all charges against courageous journalist, Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury be dropped. In addition, it demands that all harassment against him be ended. The vote in the Congress was 409 to 1. I was fortunate enough to be present in Congress to witness the heartfelt addressed made by several members of Congress on Shoaib's behalf.
Introduced by Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and co-sponsored by Rep.Nita Lowey (D-NY), House Resolution 64 passed the powerful House Committee on Foreign Relations less than a month ago, picking up the official support of the US State Department as it did. Kirk spoke about how he came to know about Shoaib's plight and how it became his own. He also recognized his Senior Legislative Assistant, Jeffrey Phillips who spearheaded the Resolution. Lowey also spoke passionately about Shoaib's case. Other speakers included Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Rep. John Boozman (R-AK), and Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH) who told of his personal meeting with Shoaib in Bangladesh. Ackerman and Boozman also exchanged remarks about the completely bi-partisan nature of support of Shoaib and their hope that such cooperation will "splash over" (as Ackerman put it) to other issues before the Congress. The Members of Congress all tied the Choudhury case to the wider war against Islamist extremism and to an end to Bangladesh's regular persecution of other journalists, dissidents, minorities, and women.
It is not clear yet how the resolution will be communicated to the Bangladeshi government.
Shoaib's international attorney and acclaimed human rights attorney Dr. Irwin Cotler believes that a critical event is approaching quickly. On March 28, the Bangladeshi Supreme Court will hear Shoaib's petition to have all charges dropped. Previously, the Bangladeshi courts have dismissed such requests summarily often with nasty ex-parte communications. He is hopeful that this signals a real change on the part of the Bangladeshis, and he believes that the Resolution's passage has come at a critically important time.
One important step everyone can take is to sign the Petition by Scholars for Peace in the Middle East, in support of Shoaib. Given the prominence of many signatories, its delivery before March 28 could end up being a critical factor in tipping the scales in favor of justice. To sign the petition, go to http://www.spme.net/cgi-bin/display_petitions.cgi?ID=6. You can also sign the petition by going to http://www.InterfaithStrength.com and following the links.
Interested individuals can view the actual US House floor debate by going to
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com as well.
Thanks to all for your support. Let us hope we are close to seeing justice for Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury prevail--not only for him but for others like him and ultimately for all of us.
Richard Benkin
18 March 2007 from Mr. Huq to Gov’t of Norway CC to Dr. Benkin
Congratulation to Norwegian Government for
Recognizing the Unity Government of Palestine
From: "Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon"
To: "H.E. Ambassador"
Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2007 10:26 PM
Subject: New Palestinian Unity Government
DHAKA March 18, 2007.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
"Muslims are my brothers in faith, while non-Muslims are my kin, since we are all children of Adam & Eve (Peace & Blessings of Allah be upon them)." - Hazrat Hafezzi Huzur (RA)
To: The Government of Norway via Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka
Copy to:
1. Hon. Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, Chief Advisor, Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka
2. Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka
3. Government of Palestine via: H.E. Ambassador of Palestine, Dhaka
4. Government of USA via: H.E. Ambassador of USA, Dhaka
5. Government of Israel via: Dr. R.L. Benkin, AJC, USA
6. Government of Saudi Arabia via: H.E. Ambassador of KSA, Dhaka
7. H.E. Secretary of State, Vatican via: H.E. Most Rev. Apostolic Nuncio, Dhaka
8. Government of IR Iran via: H.E. Ambassador of IR Iran, Dhaka
9. H.E. Secretary General, UNO via: Resident Representative, UNDP, Dhaka
10. H.E. Secretary General, OIC via: VC, IUT (OIC), Board Bazar, Dhaka
Re: Congratulation to Norwegian Government for
Recognizing the Unity Government of Palestine
Muhtaram,
We congratulate the Government of Norway for recognizing the Unity Government of Palestine.
We hope, the Governments of Israel and USA will get rid of the prejudices and will be practical and flexible to ensure justice to all concerned. That is the way to get rid of the violence.
For durable solution we need
(1) the end of occupation;
(2) joint-administration of the Holy City of Jerusalem; and
(3) Divine & human motivation for brotherhood and cooperation for peaceful co-existence & mutual development.
Thanking you for your kind appreciation and action.
Maassalama.
BANGLADESH KHELAFAT ANDOLON
Kazi Azizul Huq, Secretary
International Affairs Department
BANGLADESH KHELAFAT ANDOLON
24/A, Joar Shahara (Olipara), Dhaka-1229, Bangladesh
Tel:(880-2) 9881436, 01819-407963 Fax:(880-2) 9881436
E-mails: khelafat@dhaka.net, info.bka@gmail.com, kahuq@dhaka.net
Head Office Phone: +880-2-7320078
18 March 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2007 14:02:57 -0500
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
To: "Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon"
Cc: "Brother Shoaib"
Subject: New Palestinian Unity Government
To my brothers in Khelafat Andolon,
In the spirit of honesty that has characterized our interaction, I must state that I could not be in stronger disagreement with your position on this than I am. From our point of view, the so-called National Unity government is a farce intended solely to fool certain quarters into resuming international aid that has been cut off legitimately by those donors who long have insisted that aid go only to parties that recognize each other's legitimacy. In a secondary way, it is being undertaken to give those weak parties an excuse to resume aid and cease the trembling in their shoes.
It is both logically and morally impossible to force citizens of member states to hand over the tax money that is the fruit of their labors to an entity that is committed to the destruction of the party with whom it is to negotiate a lasting peace. It is logically and morally impossible to expect Israel to sit down and negotiate with an entity that has stated again and again that it will never acknowledge Israel's legitimacy or cease to struggle for the Jewish state's destruction. Any Israeli leader who would agree to such a thing would be guilty, whether out of intent or effect, of agreeing to dismantle the Jewish state.
I and many people like me, not only Jews but many others as well, will never get on our knees to become the lap dogs of terrorists such as Hamas; we never will agree to accepting a renewal of international aid to a terrorist-supporting, anti-Jewish genocidal Hamas-government; not will we ever pretend that such a terrorist entity will negotiate for true peace with Israel that includes full security for the Jewish state as well as for itself.
Further, to accord this farce of a terrorist entity a place at the negotiating table would be to say--falsely, and I repeat falsely--that the legitimacy of the Jewish State of Israel depends on the say-so of a Hamas or any other body, especially one that would accord Jews in the Middle East a threefold choice: forced conversion, death, or a dhimmi status. We categorically reject all three as options that a terrorist-Hamas entity (which still illegally holds and refuses to give up a young Israeli it kidnapped nine months ago) that is proud that it has the blood of innocent Jews on its terror-hands.
Finally, as to the status of Jerusalem and the Jewish Holy sites in the Middle East, only Israeli sovereignty insures that all faiths have access to these sites. When Jerusalem and Hebron were under Arab-Jordanian occupation, Jews were barred from praying at our holy Temple Mount in Jerusalem and the holy Cave of Machpelah in Hebron where our Patriarchs and Matriarchs are buried. The government of Israel NEVER has done that to Muslims. In fact, attendance at Al-Aqsa had increased so much under Israeli sovereignty that the Waqf had to build an additional mosque under Al-Aqsa, even defiling ancient Jewish precints to accommodate the many Muslim worshippers. Even more recently, so-called Palestinian Arabs defiled Jewish holy sites in Jericho and other places. These sites must be accorded the same legitimacy by all Muslims that Jews have accorded Muslim sites.
Neither Jew nor Muslim should ever be prevented from praying to the Great God that both religions share or at the holy sites, many of which we share as a testimony to our common patrimony.
Your Brother Benkin
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
20 March 2007 from K.A. Huq to Dr. Benkin Re: Unity Gov’t in Palestine
From: "Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon"
To: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
Cc: "Brother Shoaib"
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2007 11:49 AM
Subject: New Palestinian Unity Government
DHAKA 20th March 2007
Dear brother Benkin,
Assalamu Alaikum.
I have been authorized by Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon to lead the Muslim-Jewish Dialogue and communicate our organization’s stand on the issue of Palestine.
We have tried to carefully study your reactions to our call for supporting the New HAMAS-FATAH National Unity Government of Palestine and our policy of pursuing for Joint Administration of the Holy City of Jerusalem.
We understand, it is an emotional issue for the Jews as well as for the Muslims & Christians. Since we sincerely want reconciliation based on Divine Will and human virtues, we do not intend to enter into arguments and intellectual exercises that may ruin our efforts.
We are all children of Adam and Eve (Blessings of Allah be upon them). We are sinners. Allah is Great and He loves to forgive his creation. We have to care about Divine Will and seek His Forgiveness and Blessings for our life in this world as well as for our eternal life in the Hereafter.
So far we know, many of the leaders and members of HAMAS are like me and Maulana Salam. Once they make any commitment to you, we hope, they will maintain it. You will find them better than the leaders and members of FATAH.
We do not like to see atheists and agnostics as the ruling elite of any government. Specifically the Holy places should be administered by non-communal generous believers and virtuous people. We were extremely worried when we saw on the TV screen that Israeli police & security defending the homosexual* rally on the street of the Holy City of Jerusalem and the pious Jews were beaten wounded and sent to hospital blood-stained. (*Homosexuality is a sin. To commit sin is human. But to demand right to commit sin and/or to organize a community to legalize sin is very grave sin – it is like declaring war against Allah).
Jordan was created by Britain and may be still run by their intelligence. We do not defend their constitution or citizenship law. I do not have much knowledge about Israeli constitution and law. So far I know, in the Post World War World Order, for the member states of the UN there is no scope to expand territory of any state by war.
I fully agree to your comment “Neither Jew nor Muslim should ever be prevented from praying to the Great God that both religions share or at the holy sites, many of which we share as a testimony to our common patrimony”.
May Allah Forgive us and Bless us.
Your brother Huq
Kazi Azizul Huq, Secretary
International Affairs Department, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
20 March 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
At 06:33 AM 3/20/2007 -0500, you wrote:
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin" <>
To: "Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon"
subject: Re: New Palestinian Unity Government
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2007 06:33:17 -0500
To Brother Huq,
Aleichem Sholom
You are a good man with deep beliefs. I agree with you that true people of faith, regardless of which faith that is, have much more in common than they do with non-believers who say they are of the same religion.
I offer my respect to your position and statement and, of course, all fealty to the Great God that rules over all of us.
Your Brother Benkin
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
23 March 2007 from Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon to Dr. Benkin
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2007 04:08:04 +0600
From: "Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon"
To: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
subject: New Palestinian Unity Government
Cc: salahuddinshoaibchoudhury@yahoo.com
X-Antivirus: AVG for E-mail 7.5.446 [268.18.17/730]
To Brother Richard L. Benkin,
Assalamu Alaikum.
I am very grateful to you for your kind compliments.
I personally remain committed to do my best with the help of Allah to remove obstacles in the way of improving Muslim-Jewish relations for the good of the world as well as for our both communities. When you were in Dhaka, I spoke to you of my personal spiritual communication with Prophet Hazrat Moses (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) to whom I made a commitment to embrace his true followers as my brothers & sisters in Faith.
Many Islamic scholars and clergy, also in Khelafat Andolon, are not free from the prejudice that has widened our division. To reduce this division we are again and again referring to the saying of our late leader Hazrat Hafezzee Huzur (Peace of Allah be upon him) : "Muslims are my brethren in Faith while non-Muslims are my kin since we are all children of Adam & Eve (Peace & Blessings of Allah be upon them)"
We offer you our respect and regards for kindly appreciating our position and statement.
And surely "all fealty to the Great God that rules over all of us".
Your brother Huq
Cell: +880-(0)-1819-407963
Land Pone:+880-2-9881436
Kazi Azizul Huq, Secretary
International Affairs Department, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
E-mails: khelafat@dhaka.net, kahuq.bka@gmail.com, kahuq@dhaka.net
25 March 2007 from Dr. Benkin to K.A. Huq
On 3/25/07, Dr. Richard L. Benkin
My Dear Friend and Brother Huq,
Aleichem Sholom
I honor you greatly and have begun speaking to certain Torah-observant Jews about Khelafat Andolin. Many have asked me the following question.
They want to know if your organization has made a statement denouncing jihad against Israel, denouncing explicitly and without qualification terrorism against Israeli civilians. Also, do you accept Israel's right of return to, and living independently in the "Land of the Fathers" as congruent with the Koran; that we have to be allowed to heal heal the deep wounds from our exile, including the injustices inflicted upon us. They add, "Then also blisters like gay parades will disappear; and our "Orthodox" will find Torah-based answers for a modern State of Israel - in brotherhood with Ishmael, and eventually also with Esau who, too, has the chance to do repentance, and get healed."
Let us end suspicion together and bring all of our peoples back to the principles of our fathers, which stem from the One Great God to whom all of us owe everything.
Your Friend and Brother, Richard
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
30 March 2007 from Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon to Dr. Benkin
Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2007 22:54:22 +0600
From: "Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon"
To: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
subject: Re: New Palestinian Unity Government
Cc: Secretary-General
My Dear Friend and Brother Benkin,
Assalamu Alaikum.
We have agreed to initiate the process of bringing the Jews & Muslims closer to help understand each other, remove hatred & suspicion, pursue divine and human virtues for the security & development of our both communities.
As a matter of policy Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon still supports the rights of the Palestinians against Israeli occupation. But we oppose attacking Israeli civilians. We also oppose provocative acts of both Israeli government forces and Palestinian groups.
I have convinced my organization that we have to accept the existence of Israel and should pursue to end the occupation.
We treat Iranian President's call to "wipeout Israel" is a political stunt. We do not agree with him.
Our Jewish brothers' point which you described as follows: "accept Israel's right of return to and living independently in the 'Land of the Fathers' as congruent with the Koran; that we have to be allowed to heal the deep wounds from our exile, including the injustices inflicted upon us" - needs face to face dialogue between your and our clergies and scholars.
We should not relate the issue of gay parade to the above point or to other age-old difficulties. We accept western science and technology which are good for mankind. But we should not follow them and wage war against God.
We sincerely and emotionally endorse your concluding remark "Let us end suspicion together and bring all of our peoples back to the principles of our fathers, which stem from the One Great God to whom all of us owe everything."
Your friend and brother, Huq
Kazi Azizul Huq, Secretary
International Affairs Department
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
E-mails: khelafat@dhaka.net, kahuq.bka@gmail.com, kahuq@dhaka.net
31 March 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin
from K A Huq
to "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
cc khelafat@dhaka.net,Human Rights Forum
date Mar 31, 2007 11:01 AM
subject Fwd: April 2nd, 2007: Architecture & Religion at the Goethe-Institut
My Dear Brother Richard,
Assalamu Alaikum.
German Cultural Center, Dhaka, has invited me to make a presentation on 3rd April 2007 titled "The Common Patrimony of Mankind and the Beauty of Unity in Diversity".
I should be grateful if you kindly send me some guideline and materials that you feel promote our common struggle. Please keep in mind that I shall be speaking as an office bearer of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon.
Your friend and brother,
Huq
2 April 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq Re: Lecture at Goeth- Inst.
from "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
to K A Huq
date Apr 2, 2007 9:14 PM
subject Re: April 2nd, 2007: Architecture & Religion at the Goethe-Institut
mailed-by comcast.net
My Dear Brother and Friend, Huq:
Congratulations on your honor on the presentation. I would first urge that you inform your audience of our efforts together to build bridges of understanding based on that very common heritage and belief in the same Great God! When I speak about our ongoing mutual efforts, I always emphasize that we acknowledge our differences on many matters--sometimes even matters about which we each feel passionate. But we continue talking, continue listening, continue respecting one another, and continue respecting our diversity of opinions. That is the key to the future for all of us.
It is highly doubtful--in fact highly undesirable--that a day ever will come when we all agree about everything important. Engaging our intellects through a passionate exchange of ideas is what keeps the human mind alive and nimble; and what allows us to grow as human beings. Thus, it is critical that we live together, respectfully and without falling into sloganeering and accusation. That, thanks to God, we are pursuing together--even as, sadly, so many in this world are hardening their attitudes that exclude others.
When people speak of diversity, they often speak of diverse categories based on ethnicity, religion or culture; but they leave out perhaps the sort of diversity most germane for this discussion; specifically, diversity in opinion, diversity in belief. This is the sort of diversity we must work for in our world. For it is not diversity in religion itself that is a problem. It is the interpretation of religions as they apply to political categories--and even more than that, their implications in the actions people take as a result.
For instance, we can take the Holy Sites in Israel as a perfect example. Let us take the case of the Cave of Mechpelah (also known as Cave of the Patriarchs) in Hevron. The Cave is the burial site of Abraham, father of Isaac and Ishmael; of Isaac, father of Jacob and Esav; and of Jacob and of their wives (except for Rachel, one of Jacob's two wives; she is buried in Bethlehem). The fact that the site is holy to all three Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), highlights our unity--our common patrimony. Yet, there are many who would demand exclusive access to the site for their faith, and they similarly highlight exactly how NOT to live in accordance with that common patrimony. As a result, Hevron has often been a site of contention and conflict between Jews and Muslims; and it is one of the most volatile spots in the Middle East today.
In 2000, I stood atop Mt. Nebo in Jordan--the mountain where Moses (honored by all Abrahamic faiths) died and from where he watched the Children of Israel enter the land that God promised to them. My wife pointed out that there were Muslim and Christian shrines on Mt. Nebo, but no mention of Moses's position in the Jewish religion (where, admittedly, his status is the most prominent). When I questioned my Jordanian guide why that was the case, he simply replied, "There are no Jews in Jordan" where Jews are legally proscribed from becoming citizens or even settling. Mt. Nebo, too, could be a monument to the unity of our faiths; instead it is a reminder of our divisions.
The Holy Books of our three great faiths all acknowledge that common patrimony; but too many who claim to be religious authorities try to explain that away. Any who claim that the religions which followed their own are somehow less legitimate contribute to division and cut off understanding. Those who try to explain away those faiths that came before with some variant of "replacement theology" (that is, that their own faith is God's latest revelation and delegitimizes earlier faiths) are terribly guilty of creating conflict that should not exist, and of calling on their congregants to assign a lower status to those who practice those other faiths. Thus, division should never be elevated to an aspect of the religion itself; for it is not. Division is the corruption of that faith by those followers who fear that the existence of other faith is threat to their own.
Finally, speaking as a Jew, I find that one of the most divisive elements in our world today is the hate-speech toward my people emanating from many mosques. Some time in the past, I could have made the same statement about churches; but not today. The point is that those clerics who call us "sons of apes and pigs" or who urge their congregants to wage war against us are misleading their flocks and moving them away from the common patrimony that is all of ours. Instead of helping their congregants cleave to God, they lead them away from God--perhaps the worst sin that a cleric can commit.
Whether it is de-legitimization of one faith's followers, clerics instigating their congregants to hate, or clinging to absolutist political positions that cut off debate or inflexibly demand absolute results to any conflict; such actions corrupt the "faiths of our Father" and refuse to allow true healing in our world. Our world is best served by discussion that leads to further discussion, honesty in acknowledging our differences and the fact that they do not supercede that which unites us; words and actions that try to say the "other" is not entitled to call his belief system equal, words and actions that force an end to honest debate among equals, not only deny the reality of our common patrimony but do damage to all of us who share God's creation.
Your Dear Brother and Friend,
Richard
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
11 April 2007 from Dr. Benkin Re: US Congress on Mr. Shoaib
from "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
date Apr 11, 2007 6:34 AM
subject You Can Help Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
mailed-by comcast.net
Dear Friends,
As you know, the US House passed a resolution demanding an immediate end to Shoaib's persecution by a 409-1 margin. It was the culmination of years of activity and the basis for further action on behalf of this courageous individual. Things are moving well, but there is a potential new threat on the horizon. Fortunately, we are in the process of catching it early, and you can help.
One of the strongest motivators for the Bangladeshis in this entire affair has been the knowledge that tariff relief and their holy grail of a Free Trade Agreement with the United States will remain forever elusive so long as they maintain the charges against Shoaib and fail to live up to their promises in this regard; so long as they continue to appease the Islamists in their midst. The US imports roughly 70 percent of everything Bangladesh exports, and so trade with the US is critical to them. We are continuing along these lines toward a successful conclusion, but a bill recently introduced in the Senate threatens all of it, though unintentionally.
Senate Bill 652, introduced by Gordon Smith (R-OR) is a good bill in its conception--provide tariff relief to less developed countries and so help them develop economically and socially, develop free markets, and take part in the international market. Unfortunately, one of the countries it slates for relief is Bangladesh. Certainly, if Bangladesh lives up to its promises with regard to Shoaib, it is a more likely candiate. But right now, it is in violation of an overwhelming sense of the Congress, and has not kept its promise to the US. It also continues to harass this anti-radical journalist even while claiming to be a "moderate Muslim country." We need to see that specific language is placed in the legislation rendering Bangladesh ineligible for tariff relief as long as the charges against Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury remain.
Right now, the bill rests with the Senate Finance Committee, and I am beginning my effort to make the members aware of this matter so that the bill is fixed before it is debated by the full Senate or goes on to a similar process in the House. If the Committee members are contacted by their constituents as well, it will make my contact that much more effective. If you want to help Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury while making this a good bill for the US, you can if you live in any one of the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah. Washington, West Virgina, Wyoming.
Senators from these states are on the Senate Finance Committee. If you live in these states and can phone or fax them about Senate Bill 652, please reply to me and I will send you "scripts" for phone calls and faxes, along with contact numbers and the name of the Senator(s) from your state on the Committee. It would be even better if you could get neighbors and other residents of your state to do the same. Of course, people will veer from the scripts if they wish; I provide them as guides, as information, and as tools you can use as you wish. BUT PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SENATOR ABOUT THIS IMMEDIATELY.
Already, the Bangladesh Supreme Court hearing that is to rule on Shoaib's motion to drop the charges (with some optimism) has been postponed three times since this bill was introduced. With a little effort, you can make an enormous difference for Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury--an anti-Islamist Muslin who refuses to be driven out of the Muslim world where he wants to defeat our enemies. Please contact me about this and request any additional information you want.
Thank you.
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
13 April 2007 from K A Huq to Dr. Benkin, EU & US Gov’t
from K A Huq
to "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
Charles Whiteley
WongRE@state.gov
date Apr 13, 2007 7:46 AM
subject Western educated Muslims vs Madrasa Educated Muslims
mailed-by gmail.com
Re: Western educated Muslims vs Madrasa Educated Muslims
Egoist Western educated materialist Muslims are more dangerous for the society as well as for the world than the Madrasa educated pious Muslims.
Egoist western educated materialist Muslims are more likely to become revengeful radicals in reaction to Euro-American Hate Campaign and Military Campaign against Islam & Muslims.
From:
Kazi Azizul Huq
24/A, Joar Shahara (Olipara)
DHAKA-1229, Bangladesh
16 April 2007 from CIRB-Hezbollah to H.E. Chief Rabbi David Rosen
From: CIRB Hezbollah [mailto:cirb.hezbollah@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, April 16, 2007 3:05 PM
To: H.E.Rabbi David Rosen
Cc: khelafat@dhaka.net
Subject: Archive: Letter to Israel
To : American Jewish Committee
Attn : H.E. Rabbi David Rosen, International Director of Inter-religious Affairs, AJC.
Excellency,
Assalamu Alaikum.
I am forwarding to you copy of a letter which we wrote to the Head of the State of Israel on 2nd September 2001.
I am committed to do my best to bring together the doer of good deeds and faithful monotheistic believers, irrespective of communities, to fulfill Divine Will.
I seek your understanding and cooperation.
May Allah forgive us.
Best wishes and best regards.
Kazi Azizul Huq
Ibn Abdul Huq Ibn Izzatullah Ibn Abdul Hamid
Designations:
Founder Convener of RRCCMC&J and CIRB(Hezbollah)
International Affairs Secretary, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon.
17 April 2007 from H.E. Chief Rabbi David Rosen to CIRB-Hezbollah
from David Rosen
reply-to rosend@ajc.org.il
to cirb.hezbollah@gmail.com
cc khelafat@dhaka.net
date Apr 17, 2007 7:32 PM
subject FW: Letter to Israel
mailed-by ajc.org.il
Alaikum El Salam,
Your Excellency may not be aware of the following:-
-Twenty per cent of the State of Israel are Arabs – ninety per cent of them being Muslims – who are full citizens of the State of Israel.
- Israel's Declaration of Independence 1. affirms equality of rights for non-Jews – a position energetically defended by the Israeli courts and 2. calls on the Arab states to live in peace with her .
- Israeli leaders called on the Arab population not to leave their homes in the build up and during the fighting of 1948.
-In 1967 Israel sent a letter via the US to King Hussein urging him not to join Egypt and Syria in trying to exterminate Israel. Hussein ignored this warning and lost control of East Jerusalem and the West Bank as a result. Israel did not force Arab residents to flee – this was their (misguided) choice (substantially fueled by anti-Jewish propaganda.).
- Israel's first president Chaim Weizman signed a concordat of cooperation with the Emir Feisal as leader of the Arab world in 1919. Most Arab nations ignored this and launched hostilities and then war against Israel which led to the tragedy of Palestinian displaced persons.
These points make it clear that Israel has never sought to wipe out any population in the Holy Land/mandatory Palestine, but has sought and seeks to live in peace with them and guaranteeing that in its own society, all are equal before the law and equality of franchise, regardless of religion or race.
As far as a Palestinian state is concerned , the goal of establishing such ( a two states solution) is the official policy of the State of Israel, for which it withdrew at the time from the territories in the West Bank under the Oslo accords. Unfortunately, Palestinian violence forced Israel to reoccupy much of these. If the Palestinians will recognize Israel and cease violent acts against its citizens, they will gain their legitimate aspiration for a state (which is actually in the interests of the State of Israel as well.)
Blessings from Al Kuds Al Sharifa in the prayer that all who hold Jerusalem dear will be able to enjoy her sanctity and beauty in safety and dignity.
Allah makom,
David Rosen
Chief Rabbi David Rosen, KCSG
International Director of Interreligious Affairs, American Jewish Committee (AJC)
President, the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations (IJCIC),
tel:+972-2-6255281 fax:+972-2-6256527
mailto:rosend@ajc.org http://www:rabbidavidrosen.net
17 April 2007 from HRF to Dr.Benkin
from Human Rights Forum
to "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
cc salahuddinshoaibchoudhury@yahoo.com
bcc kahuq@dhaka.net,khelafat@dhaka.net
date Apr 17, 2007 10:30 AM
subject Profile of HRF
mailed-by gmail.com
To: Dr. Richard L.Benkin, Interfaith Strength, and
Spl. Advisor to the Intelligence Summit on Bangladesh Affairs
Dear Sir,
Since 1997 Human Rights Forum (HRF) has been active for
-Advocating that the whole mankind is the progeny of single pair of parents (Adam & Eve a.s.) and thus kin of each other
-Advocating spiritual compassion for each other for inter-community, inter-religious and inter-ethnic relations
-Advocating for the rights of the Burmese Refugees in Bangladesh (save them from statelessness)
-Advocating for the rights of the Indian origin minority Biharis in Bangladesh (save them from statelessness)
-Advocating for the security & rights of the religious and ethnic minorities of the region
-Advocating for resolution of disputes through peaceful means with guarantee to ensure civil rights and equal opportunities for all
....
We would welcome your cooperation and suggestions.
Thanking you for your appreciation and understanding.
Best regards,
Human Rights Forum
Sanjeeb Chowdhury, Chairman, Cell:+880-(0)-1199-008917
Kazi Azizul Huq, Team Leader, Cell:+880-(0)-1819-407963
18 April 2007 CIRB-Hezbollah to CEOs of GoB, Iran, KSA
From: CIRB Hezbollah
To: "H.E. Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed"
Cc: "H.E.Secretary General of OIC"
Bcc: information@oic-oci.org, info@wilayah.net, mohammaduppal@yahoo.com, yunus@grameen.net, mgsmibrahim@yahoo.com, kahuq@dhaka.net, Kazi Azizul Huq
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
DHAKA, Wednesday 18 April, 2007.
To: 1. H.E. Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, CEO, Government of Bangladesh
2. H.E. Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, Rahbar, Islamic Republic of Iran
3. H.E. King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Cc: (a) H.E. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, IR Iran
(b) H.E. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Foreign Minister of K.S.A.
(c) H.E. Secretary General, OIC, Jeddah
Re: Forwarding Reply from H.E. Rabbi David Rosen, International Director of
Inter-religious Affairs, American Jewish Committee (AJC).
Excellencies,
Assalamu Alaikum. We are forwarding to you a Reply from H.E.Rabbi David Rosen. We request your excellencies to study and inform us of your comments.
While we so-called Muslims are stabbing each other on the back, while with the help of the so-called Muslims the UK and the USA have occupied Afghanistan and Iraq and dominating the whole world, what is the rationale of quarreling with Israel and the Jews?
Jews, Israel & USA are not the prime enemy of the Muslims. British Government is the prime enemy of the Muslims and the believers. The British Government is the prime mover of god-less culture and values. They are trying to De-Faith the Muslim societies. They are trying to undermine marriage, promote fornication, introduce Live-together and Gay culture in our Afro-Asian societies. They are promoting the fight between the Jews and Muslims to rule the world. We think it is time for the Muslims and Jews and the Asians-Africans-Latin Americans and oppressed peoples of the world to unite to foil the British conspiracies to keep their God-less evil political/cultural domination over the world.
We urge your excellencies to take the matter seriously. It may be noted that I am an humble follower of Divine Will.
Seeking your understanding and comments.
May Allah forgive us all and enable us to remain steadfast against evil forces.
Maassalama.
Kazi Azizul Huq (ibn Abdul Huq ibn Izzatulla ibn Abdul Hamid)
Convener, Revolutionary Reconciliatory Command Council for Muslims, Christians & Jews (RRCCMC&J) - a spiritual organ sponsored by Council of Islamic Revolutionaries of Bangladesh (CIRB-HEZBOLLAH) Phone: (880-2) 9881436, 01819-407963
E-mail: cirb.hezbollah@gmail.com, kahuq@dhaka.net, khelafat@dhaka.net
20 April 2007 CIRB-Hezbollah to H.E. Prince Saud Al-Faisal
CIRB Hezbollah
To: "H.E. Prince Saud Al Faisal"
Cc: khelafat@dhaka.net
Bcc: almaeena@arabnews.com, mkm@bangla.net, asifnazrul@yahoo.com, info@pmo.gov.bd, istiftaa@wilayah.org, cabinet@oic-oci.org, dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir
To:H.E. Prince Saud Al Faisal, Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, K.S.A.
Fm: K. A. Huq, International Affairs Secretary of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
and Founder Convener of CIRB-Hezbollah.
Dear Excellency,
Assalamu Alaikum.
H.E. Chief Rabbi David Rosen, KCSG, International Director of Interreligious Affairs, American Jewish Committee and President, the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations, has sent us a reply presenting Israeli position in response to our call for agreeing the inalienable rights of the Palestinians to have a separate viable homeland and to uphold the exalted place of Jerusalem.
Earlier we had a series of correspondence and consultation with Dr. Richard L. Benkin (Special Advisor to Intelligence Summit of Bangladesh Affairs) of American Jewish Committee. We had 3 rounds of meeting with him when he visited Dhaka last January. He requested our support for removal of ban on travel to Israel and subsequently for Bangladesh-Israel diplomatic relation. We told him, if Israel retreats to 1948 borders and agrees to joint administration of Jerusalem - we may agree to recognize the State of Israel. Unless we know the territory and boundary of Israel and unless the status of Jerusalem is agreed, it is difficult for Islamic parties and activists to recognize Israel.
Moreover, the sort of God-less secular democracy practiced in Israel that defends the Gays to parade on the streets of the Holy City of Jerusalem is not acceptable to we believers. Rather if Israel enacts the laws of Torah as the law of the state, Israel will be more acceptable to us that many other secular Muslim states.
We agreed to write to our government for removal of travel ban (we have already written to our Government). For our support for diplomatic relation we told him to pursue Saudi Government. After the Saudi Government establishes diplomatic relation, it will be possible for our government to recognize the State of Israel.
Meanwhile, we requested them to accept the Unity Government in Palestine achieved through Saudi mediation. But they seem to be more prejudiced than the Muslims and the Palestinians. However, things are in progress and we think it is time to understand that "Jews, Israel & USA are not the prime enemy of the Muslims. British Government has been the prime enemy of the Muslims and the believers. The British Government is the prime mover of God-less culture and values. They are trying to De-Faith the Muslim societies. They are trying to undermine marriage, promote fornication, and introduce Live-together and Gay culture in our Afro-Asian societies. They have been promoting the fight between the Jews and Muslims to rule the world. We think it is time for the Muslims and the Jews and the Asians-Africans-Latin Americans and the oppressed peoples of the world to unite to foil all British conspiracies to keep their God-less evil political/cultural domination over the world."
We request your Excellency to kindly study their reply and provide us with materials to continue this consultation. We are hopeful, it will deliver.
May Allah forgive us all.
Maassalam.
Kazi Azizul Huq (ibn Abdul Huq ibn Izzatullah ibn Abdul Hamid)
Ph:+880-2-9881436. Cell:+880-(0)-1819-407963
E-mails: kahuq@dhaka.net, khelafat@dhaka.net, cirb.hezbollah@gmail.com
Designations:
Founder Convener of CIRB-Hezbollah
International Affairs Secretary of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
7 May 2007 from CIRB-Hezbollah to Saudi King
CIRB Hezbollah
To: "H.E. King Abdulllah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud"
Cc: "H.E. Prince Saud Al Faisal"
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
Dhaka, Monday, May 07, 2007.
To: H.E. King Abdulllah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Via: H.E. Prince Saud Al Faisal, Minister, Foreign Affairst of KSA
Attn: Secretary to the Hon.Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Muhtaram,
Assalamu Alaikum.
On 23 April 2007 we had written a letter to your Excellency. We had forwarded our correspondence with H.E. Chief Rabbi David Rosen.
We have not yet received any comment from you or your office or from the Embassy of KSA in Dhaka.
Muslim-Jewish consultations at government and non-government levels should be coordinated for the good of all stakeholders.
We appreciate your cooperation.
Massalam.
Kazi Azizul Huq ibn Abdul Huq ibn Izzatullah ibn Abdul Hamid
CIRB-Hezbollah
24/A, Joar Shahara (Walipara), Dhaka-1229, Bangladesh
Ph:+880-(1)-819-407963, +880-2-9881436
(International Affairs Secretary of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon)
E-mails: cirb.hezbollah@gmail.com, khelafat@dhaka.net
11 May 2007 from KA Huq to H.E. Chief Rabbi David Rosen
From: K A Huq
To: "H.E. Chief Rabbi David Rosen"
Cc: cirb.hezbollah@gmail.com, khelafat@dhaka.net, info@mofa.gov.sa, istiftaa@wilayah.org, cabinet@oic-oci.org, dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir, info@pmo.gov.bd
To: His Excellency Chief Rabbi David Rosen, KCSG
Cc: H.E. King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, HRH King of Saudi Arabia
H.E. Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran
H.E. Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, CA, Government of Bangladesh
H.E. Secretary-General, Organization of Islamic Conference, Jeddah
Fm: Kazi Azizul Huq ibn Abdul Huq ibn Izzatullah ibn Abdul Hamid
Excellency,
Assalamu Alaikum.
We sent copy of your letter to the leaders and policy makers of the Governments of Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, IR Iran and OIC. We have been discussing your points among our Islamic Clergies, intellectuals and activists.
We draw your kind attention to following points:
1. The Government of the State of Israel is a privileged state authority, and therefore has greater responsibility than the Palestinians who are the underprivileged.
2. We do not support any policy to wipeout the State of Israel.
3. We insist that the State of Israel should
(a) abandon belligerency;
(b) leave all occupied lands;
(c) retreat to her 1948 borders; and
(d) implement mutually agreed joint administration of the Holy City of Jerusalem by friendly clergies of Jews, Christians and Muslims who will agree access of followers of all Abrahamic Religions to respective Holy sites.
In exchange
(i) The Palestinians and their patrons have to abandon all belligerency against the State of Israel and make real commitment to coexist peacefully as brotherly states and good neighbors.
(ii) Citizenship Laws of the State of Palestine should be fair and accept Jewish population in their territory as legitimate citizens of the State of Palestine.
We hope that Your Excellency will kindly discuss above among yourselves and find out ways to get out of the impasse in mutual interest. We remain committed to do our best to reach a solution that can be practically implemented.
May Allah forgive us all and help us all to be brotherly to each other and get rid of prejudices and mutual suspicion & hatred.
With best wishes and best regards.
Maassalam.
Kazi Azizul Huq
CIRB-Hezbollah
24/A, Joar Shahara (Walipara)
Dhaka-1229, Bangladesh
Tel: +880-2-9881436, +880-0-181-407963
11 May 2007 from Dr. Benkin to CIRB-Hezbollah Mr.Huq
Fwd: Letter to Israel Inbox
CIRB Hezbollah
K A Huq
To: His Excellency Chief Rabbi David Rosen, KCSG
Cc: H.E. King Abdullah bin A... May 11 (1 day ago)
K A Huq
Dear Brother and Friend Richard Benkin, Assalamu Alaikum. I am forwarding here..Reply
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
to K A Huq
Dear Brother and Friend K A Huq,
Forgive the length of time that has passed since I last wrote you; things are very busy here. Allow me to comment on your proposals, which are in many ways courageous.
I think there are a few important conceptions that should be clarified:
1. Let us remember that there is nothing magical about the 1948 Armistice Lines; they were drawn based on troop positions at the cease fire concluding Israel's War of Independence.
2. Israel has NEVER prevented any religions access to their holy sites; in fact, Al Aqsa has fared much better under Israeli sovereignty than it ever did under Jordanian or Turkish.
3. On the other hand, there is a very long history of Arabs preventing Jews access to holy sites and of them desecrating Jewish holy sites; their religious and political leaders regularly claim that Jews have no rights to those sites.
4. I very much like the fact that you call on the Arabs to take steps since so many so-called proposals call on action only by Israel; but let us be honest and admit that such action itself is unclear based on different understandings and definitions. For instance, what territories do you considered "occupied," and would all governments in the region strictly enforce an end to all belligerency against Israel by all groups in the region. As we know, there are many groups with backing from certain nations that consider all Israeli land "occupied" and are committed to fight no matter what proposals are agreed to by others.
5. For Israel, the issue is and always has been security. Before 1967, all Arab states were at war with Israel with the expressed intention of destroying Israel. It is only since 1973 that anyone has been saying that Judea, Samaria (West Bank), and Gaza are sufficient. So, if Israel unilaterally gives that up, how do we know they will not return to the old goals?
6. People love to speak of Israeli "belligerency." What specifically do they mean? And to what extent has it not been in response to Arab aggression?
7. Who will ensure that Imams and other leaders will stop demonizing the Jewish people and speak of wiping out the Jewish state?
My brother, I would love to engage in a productive dialogue with others on this in some open forum.
What do you think?
Brother Richard Benkin
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
17 May 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin
Date: Thu, 17 May 2007 01:24:50 +0600
From: "Kazi Azizul Huque"
To: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
Subject: Archive of our Correspondence July 2006 to May 2007
Dear Brother and Friend Dr. Benkin,
Assalamu Alaikum.
From our e-mail archive I have compiled a copy of our correspondence since July 2006. I am attaching herewith that MS Word file.
HRF is preparing a reply to your mail. It will be sent to you by our Secretary General Mr. Hafez Ahmad Ullah tomorrow or day after tomorrow.
Regarding Israel, Palestine and Muslim-Jewish relation - we have noted your points.
It seems to me that the way you are thinking will not be good for Israel and our Jewish brethren.
I am trying to find out a solution through a revolutionary reform of both sides.
Spiritual agreement with Divine Will and Prophetic Missions is also very important.
I am praying to Allah for a solution.
With best wishes and best regards.
Your Brother and Friend, Huq
Cell: +880-(0)-1819-407963
Land Pone:+880-2-9881436
Kazi Azizul Huq, Secretary
International Affairs Department
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
E-mails: khelafat@dhaka.net, kahuq.bka@gmail.com, kahuq@dhaka.net
18 May 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq Re: Receipt of Attchment
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
To: "Kazi Azizul Huque"
Subject: Re: See Attachment
Date: Fri, 18 May 2007 06:54:06 -0500
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3028
Excellent, brother. I will read these again as soon as I can.
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
18 May 2007 from Dr. Benkin to K.A. Huq
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
To: "Kazi Azizul Huque"
Subject: Re: Archive of our Correspondence July 2006 to May 2007
Date: Fri, 18 May 2007 06:52:38 -0500
My Brother and Friend Huq,
I hope we can work out a solution together. My response to the offer was genuine because, as you know, I believe the only way we can interact as brothers is through honesty and honest dialogue. That is one reason why I never want to hide my beliefs. If we accept the fact that we disagree on things but agree that the One Great God directs all of us, then everything is possible.
Your Brother and Friend Richard
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
19 May 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr.Benkin
05/19/2007
To: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"<>
From: "Kazi Azizul Huque"
Subject: Re: Archive of our Correspondence July 2006 to May 2007
Cc: info.hrf@gmail.com, khelafat@dhaka.net
My Dear Brother and Friend Richard,
Assalamu Alaikum.
The most important reasons of my liking for you is that you honestly disclose your heart and do not pretend. My own nature is similar and it is the virtue that has made me closer to the One Great God, who I believe, is directing both you and me. I hope, the One Great God will Forgive our sins and will Bless us to workout a solution together. We are small and weak, but our One Great God is omnipotent and can make possible even the apparently impossible. Our duty is to remain faithful to Him and submissive to Him.
Your Brother and Friend Huq
Kazi Azizul Huq
20 May 2007 from Dr. Benkin to K.A. Huq
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
To: "Kazi Azizul Huq"
Subject: Re: Archive of our Correspondence July 2006 to May 2007
Date: Sun, 20 May 2007 10:06:12 -0500
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3028
My Dear Brother and Friend, Huq,
Sholem Aleichem!
Yes, true understanding and brotherhood can come only out of truth--even if some might be uncomfortable. I believe the tendency of many in this world to demand complete agreement in order to work together, as well as the tendency of some to compromise in a way that denies or hides their true beliefs undermine the search for real peace. Such tendencies also do violence to the One Great God, as it is only from lack of faith that one would think that deception is better than truth.
From the first day, we both have been truthful with one another, which is one of the reasons why I like you so much. And I tell many people in America about you and about us. Unfortunately, there are too many people who forget that the God of Isaac and Ishmael is the same God. We must work together to show the world otherwise. I am completing my necessary research into Human Rights Forum and hope to get back to you very soon.
I was very impressed with HRF's stance in support of Rohingya Refugees and recognition of the anti-God junta in Burma. I will also try to have a strong proposal for the International Coordinator role, which will contain some questions and decisions for HRF so we can move together.
My great respect for interfaith leaders of HRF as I know we will work together for the common good of all mankind.
Your Dear Brother and Friend, Richard
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
27 May 2007 from K.A. HUQ to Anti Defamation League
05/27/ 2007 7:55 AM
From: : "Kazi Azizul Huq"
To: Anti-Defamation League
Subject: Hate campaign is sinful act
Bcc:
To : Brothers & Sisters in the ADL
Re: Hate Campaign
Dear Brothers & Sisters,
Assalamu Alaikum.
Hate campaign is sinful act - whether it is committed by the Jews or the Muslims or the Christians or anyone else. No one should resort to hate campaign. State institutions, private institutions, media and particularly the clergies and scholars of all communities required to motivate their respective communities and people to shun hatred & cruelty, promote compassion and justice.
We are all children of Adam & Eve (May God Bless them). The more one is privileged, the greater is his/her responsibility. The State of Israel and the Jews are the privileged party. The Palestinians are the underprivileged. The State of Israel and our Jewish brethren have higher responsibility than the Palestinians.
Neither the Jews nor the Palestinians are to be wiped out. Both have to do justice to each other and coexist as peaceful neighbors.
Probably British administration intentionally manipulated the fight and hatred between the Muslims and Jews. These two communities are so potential that if they unite, they can jointly be the leader of the world.
May Allah forgive our sins and make us virtuous.
With best wishes and best regards,
Kazi Azizul Huq (ibn Abdul Huq ibn Izzatullah ibn Abdulhamid)
International Affairs Secretary, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon.
Founder Convener, CIRB-Hezbollah
Team Leader, Human Rights Forum
At 04:06 AM 5/23/2007, ADL wrote: Hamas Targets Children for Hate
Hamas Targets Children for Hate
A Hamas TV station recently used a Mickey Mouse look-alike on a children's show to promote the destruction of the State of Israel and the most virulent anti-Semitism, while the the terrorist regime's online children's magazine also teaches hatred of Jews and Israel. Hamas has taken another step to indoctrinate children into its culture of hate, and as we continue to monitor and report this outrage, it is clear that ADL’s fight against anti-Semitism in the Arab world is more critical than ever.
28 May 2007 from Dr. Benin to Huq Re: HRF
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
To: "Kazi Azizul Huq"
Subject: Re: Resolution EC of HRF dt.5 May 2007
Date: Mon, 28 May 2007 09:02:41 -0500
Sholem Aleichem.
Dear Brother Huq,
Yes, I will be honored to accept both positions. I would like to proceed by first getting a consensus from your kind end as to how the HRF board envisions the International Coordinator's position. I will then see if I can put something together about it.
I also will attempt to get something published about the EC/HRF resolution regarding the Rohingya.
Please provide me with the insights of your honored self and the other EC members.
Brother Richard
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
30 May 2007 from Dr. Benkin to K.A. Hu q Re: Amar Desh
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
To: "Kazi Azizul Huq"
Subject: Re: Resolution EC of HRF dt.5 May 2007
Date: Tue, 29 May 2007 14:02:00 -0500
My Dear Brother Huq.
Sholem Aleichem.
I noticed that one of the Governing Body Members of HRF, Mr. Sanjeeb Chowdhury, has a high position with Daily Amar Desh. A few weeks ago, Amar Desh had a front page article of a scurrilous nature about me. I wrote a rejoinder in Shoaib's Weekly Blitz, but would appreciate an opportunity to write one in Amar Desh--in fact, I could write many articles from the perspective of a fighter against extremism and for religious understanding; as well as someone with many ties to people in the US government.
Your Brother, Richard
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
30 May 2007 from Huq to Dr. Benkin
From: "Kazi Azizul Huq"
To: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 7:40 AM
Subject: Report in the Daily Amar Desh of 10 May 2007
My Dear Brother Richard,
I have discussed the matter with Mr. Sanjeeb Chowdhury. He has advised me to write to you to send the rejoinder to his following e-mail address:
"Mr. Sanjeeb Chowdhury"
If you send it in English, he will arrange to translate into Bengali and publish in the Daily Amar Desh.
He told me that the concerned reporter recently joined the Amar Desh. He was formerly in the Daily Inqilab. He had served Bangladesh Army as a Lieutenant.
Mr. Sanjeeb told me, because he works in the Editorial section, he did not have the opportunity to know about the report before it was published. However he will ensure that your Rejoinder is published in the Daily Amar Desh.
Since you yourself can not read Bengali, before you write the rejoinder you need to be sure about the correct translation of the text of the report published in the Daily Amar Desh. If you already have at your hand any English translation of the text, please send it to me and I shall compare the English text with the Bengali report published in the Daily Amar Desh.
The report was published on Thursday 10 May 2007 in Column-1 of the First Page of the Daily Amar Desh. Immediately after Sanjeeb Da saw report in the morning of 10 May, he telephoned me. I contacted Shoaib Bhai. Shoaib Bhai advised me to ignore. He also told me, I might inform you about it. I thought since Shoaib Bhai is aware of it, he will take care of the matter.
I have a relationship of trust with Mr. Sanjeeb Chowhdury. He is aware of and interested in the Interfaith dialogue I am continuing with you. But unfortunately Shoaib Bhai does not like him.
With best wishes and best regards.
Your Brother and Friend.
Huq
30 May 2007 Dr. Benkin to Huq
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
To: "Kazi Azizul Huq"
Subject: Re: Report in the Daily Amar Desh of 10 May 2007
Date: Wed, 30 May 2007 17:00:35 -0500
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3028
My Dear Brother Huq,
I have attached the translation I received on the Amar Desh article. Please let me know if it varies from the author's words. The fact is, however, that I do not see how it could vary in a meaningful way. The fact that this reporter just came over from Daily Inquilab, where Shoaib and I are considered poison, further confirms the reporter's personal agenda. Beyond that, I would be most indebted to Mr. Sanjeeb Chowdhury for the opportunity to put this ridiculous story to rest once and for all.
Also, brother, please let Mr. Sanjeeb Chowdhury know that I was not holding him responsible for the problem, but am looking to him for a solution that not only will set that record straight, but also could enable Amar Desh readers to hear a Jewish voice, too, which will further all of our goals.
I would be most happy to work cooperatively with him and with HRF on getting more interfaith material in the Bangladeshi press.
Brother Richard
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
31 May 2007 Mr. Shoaib to Benkin Cc K.A. Huq
At 06:04 AM 5/31/2007, Salah Choudhury wrote:
From: Salah Choudhury
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Resolution EC of HRF dt.5 May 2007
To: Kazi Azizul Huq
My Dearest Brother and Friend, Richard:
Shalom Uvracha!
Of course it your judgment whether to write for Amar Desh or not, but, please take note that, this newspaper is owned by BNP's jailed corrupt man Musaddeq Ali Falu. My opinion is, we have given required response to the nes through Weekly Blitz, which is good enough. We should not get with Amar Desh. They are not good people. .....................
.........................
Shoaib
31 May 2007 from KA Huq to Mr. Shoaib Cc to Dr. Benkin
Date: Thu, 31 May 2007 14:24:23 +0600
To: Salah Choudhury
From: Kazi Azizul Huq
Subject: Reply to Mr. Shoaib
Cc: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
My Dear Shoaib Bhai,
Assalamu Alaikum.
1. I keep in mind that we have agreed to disagree on points, while we continue to work together or cooperate with each other in the areas we agree. We defend your right to freedom of expression and your choice to defend the State of Israel. In exchange you have also defended our freedom of expression and our choice to defend those opposed by you. So we wrote to the Bangladesh Government defending your rights and freedom and you published my interview with you in which I defended freedom movements of Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq. We have agreed to work with you and with Dr. Benkin to reduce the existing suspicion and hatred between the Jews and Muslims, and to promote brotherly better mutual understanding for better future of the humanity - we try to sort out things and pave our way courageously. We may be apparently poor and weak. But our strength is our Faith in the One Omnipotent Allah who is the owner of everything. My way is more straight and open. In my opinion, in today's world secret ways are failing and ending up in creating further complications instead of solutions. I am trying to discharge my obligations honestly as good as I can. I have been regularly consulting religious clergies, co-activists, and companions. I am also trying to motivate major stakeholders.
2. I have no liking for Mosaddek Ali Falu. But owners of most of the other media in Bangladesh are both corrupt and arrogant (while Falu is only corrupt, but not arrogant) viz. owners of Ittefaq Group, the Prothom-alo-Daily Star Group, The Daily Jugantor, etc. As an owner of media, Falu is probably one of the most generous owners who rarely interfered with the freedom of the journalists working in the media owned by him. He also has a reputation of very modest and good behavior with his employees - from the editor to the peon and cleaner. Probably he is unrivalled in this regard. Sanjeeb Chowdhury confirmed me about it. In the past Sanjeeb Da has worked in many news papers of Bangladesh viz. the Daily Sangbad (Leftist - Pro-Soviet, pro-Awami League), the Weekly Ekota (Pro Soviet, Motiur Rahman of Prothom-also was its editor), the Daily Ajker Kagoj (pro-Awami League), the Daily Jugantor (pro-Awami League), etc. And he is enjoying better freedom in the Daily Amar Desh.
3. Since the Daily Amar Desh is a pro-BNP news paper, and Mr. Babor betrayed his party and was trying to save himself instead of saving his party - the Daily Amar Desh published the report as it was against Babor. The News Editor even did not know Dr. Benkin. The concerned reporter showed some copies of documents to the News Editor which seemed credible. So the Amar Desh allowed the report to be published. It came in the First page because it was against Babor.
4. The Daily Amar Desh has a daily circulation of around 160,000 hard-copies. It is one of the leading dailies of Bangladesh. By principle, the Rejoinder should be sent to the newspaper who published that report. If that newspaper refuses to publish the Rejoinder then it may be published in other newspapers - and also a case can be filed against the Amar Desh.
5. Inside the administration of Bangladesh - there are people in favor of you & Dr.Benkin, but there are also people against you and Dr. Benkin. Protho-Alo-Daily Star Group and several other vested interests have simultaneous link inside our administration, as well as with the UK / EU / US / Indian / Pakistani / Saudi administrations.
I am indebted to you for the great role you played to bring the believer Jews and Believer Muslims closer to help them understand each other more honestly and practically. And this relationship is not based on any material gains. I hope and believe that you will not misunderstand me and my colleagues. My friends are also your friends. HRF will discuss with you how it can defend your rights in a better way.
Thanking you for your kind appreciation.
Your Bother,
Huq
4 June 2007 from Dr.Benkin to Mr.Sanjeeb Cc to K.A. Huq
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
To: "Sanjeeb Chowdhury"
Cc:
Subject: Re: mails from Dr. Benkin 28, 29, 30 May 2007
Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2007 15:14:35 -0500
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3028
Dear Brother Sanjeeb Chowdhury,
At this point, I must withdraw my request to publish a rejoinder in Amar Desh for various reasons that make it impossible at the moment. At any rate, it is probably best for Amar Desh, as nothing I write tends to be "soft," especially on matters I believe are mendacious at their root, which the story that appeared in Amar Desh about me is. That he could so glibly disparage me with no foundation or the slightest regard for jounalistic ethics places him on a level to which I will not stoop. That he could write such things about me without ever contacting me in any manner for a comment is not worthy of a journalist but more so of a political hatchet man. Brother Huq will confirm that I am very frank and honest about my opinions and positions, moral and political.
As I said in the rejoinder I published earlier in Weekly Blitz, the article would not receive a passing grade in an elementary journalism course here in the US. If you are interested in seeing the facts behind the case that the reporter wrote, please let me refer you to the piece I wrote for Weekly Blitz after the initial Amar Desh publication:
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com/images/Desh.htm.
Perhaps there will be a time in the future when such things will be possible, and let us nonetheless continue together our work to break down barriers between peoples.. I thank you and Brother Huq for your openness and honesty in this matter.
Your Brother Richard Benkin
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
8 June 2007 Khelafat to American Jewish Committee
Date: Fri, 08 Jun 2007 16:56:03 +0600
To: "Mr. David A. Harris, Executive Director"
From: Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Subject: Forwarding a copy of our letter to H.E. Chief Rabbi David Rosen
Cc: cirb.hezbollah@gmail.com
To: Mr. David A. Harris, Executive Director, American Jewish Committee (AJC)
Re: Muslim-Jews Dialogue sponsored by Bangladesh Group
Dear Sir,
For your information, we are forwarding hereunder a copy of our mail to H.E. Chief Rabbi David Rosen KCSG.
With best wishes and best regards.
Kazi Azizul Huq
Mail sent to chief Rabbi David Rosen"
Dhaka, Friday June 08, 2007.
To: H.E. Chief Rabbi David Rosen KCSG
International Director of Interreligious Affairs, American Jewish Committee (AJC)
President, the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations (IJCIC).
tel:+972-2-6255281 fax:+972-2-6256527
mailto: rosend@ajc.org http://www:rabbidavidrosen.net
Excellency,
Assalamu Alaikum.
Reference the points raised in your excellency’s e-mail of 17 April 2007, Palestinian Authority yesterday informed us a few points to be communicated to you as follows:-
QUOTE
1. Equality of Citizenship in Israel:
It is not true that all citizens irrespective of Jews or Arab Muslims enjoy equal status and opportunities in Israel. Even all Jews are not equal in Israel.
There are 3 classes of Jews in Israel:
(a) Western Jews (European/American) –the privileged Class
(b) Eastern Jews (Middle Eastern) – the under-privileged Class
(c) Black Jews (African) – like the slave Class
Western Jews (from Europe/USA/Canada) enjoy higher status and opportunities in Israel. Eastern Jews and African Jews suffer discrimination.
Arabs generally suffer more severe discrimination and frequent persecution, intimidation and suffocation. Even those Arabs who are in good book of the Jews and have been made Knesset members are not spared from frivolous allegations and charges based on communal suspicion.
2. Territory and Border of Israel :
On the entrance of Israeli Knesset (Parliament) and on one side of Israeli currency the territory of Israel is shown from the Nile to the Euphrates.
It indicates Israel’s belligerent provocative nature.
3. Right of Return:
The Jews from anywhere in the world are considered to have the Right of Return to Israel – though those Jews or their parents or their grandparents were not inhabitant of that land.
Palestinians who themselves or their parents or their grandparents were inhabitant of that land are denied of the Right of Return.
UNQOTE
Kindly check and confirm us the facts and inform us of your opinion and suggestions about the possible solutions (may be more than one options).
We are pursuing our government to lift ban on travel to Israel. We also think that ban on communication, shipping, transports, business transactions etc., should also be removed. In our opinion these ban are rather harming the Muslims and the Palestinians. If all the Muslim state parties and communities remove these barriers and let their people sit face to face and transact with the Jews and Israel - it will create a better environment for solving our mutual problems and differences.
We like to continue this communication and dialogue. We are also considering to invite your excellency to any suitable event in Dhaka.
We shall be waiting for your kind reply and continuation of the Dialogue.
May Allah Bless us with His Forgiveness and His Generosity to overcome our current impasse and move forward as brotherly and friendly communities committed to the path of virtue indicated in the Divine Revelations, Prophetic Missions and human experience.
Massalam.
Kazi Azizul Huq
(ibn Abdulhuq ibn Izzatullah ibn Abdulhamid)
Designations:
Founder Convener of CIRB-Hezbollah
Intenational Affais Secretary of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Team Leader of Human Rights Forum (HRF)
08 June 2007 from Chief Rabbi Rosen to Khelafat & Hezbollah
Delivered-To: cirb.hezbollah@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:05:17 +0300
From: Sharon Rosen
Subject: FW: Your mail of June 8 2007
To: khelafat@dhaka.net, cirb.hezbollah@gmail.com
Cc: 'David Rosen'
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook, Build 10.0.2627
W'aleikom elSalaam to your Excellency.
Forgive me for replying from home (on my wife's computer) as I am shortly about to leave on travels for the next ten days and did not want to delay replying to Your Honour.
Allow me to express my appreciation for the spirit in which you have initiated and continue this discussion – in keeping with the injunctions of the Prophet PBUH, to engage others – especially the Peoples of the Book – in respectful discourse; and in keeping with his revelation of the Divine injunction "to know one another".
I am also grateful for the opportunity you offer me to dispel distortions, falsehoods and myths, that have become widespread as a result of the poison of politics and propaganda which "blind the eyes of the wise and distorts the words of the just ".
I refer to your points in the order you have numbered them.
1. This allegation reveals great ignorance regarding Israeli politics and society. Not only is there complete equality of franchise for Arabs and Jews whether Sephardic (from the ME, Asia and Africa – essentially Muslim lands) or Ashkenazic ( essentially from European lands), but the current President of Israel, the Minister of Defense, the Attorney General, the Chief of Staff (and I could go on) are all Sephardic Jews and the Sephardic religious party, Shas, is currently being "courted" by the candidates for the next presidency, revealing the degree to which it exerts control in Israeli political life.
Moreover my own son-in-law's parents come from Morocco and I certainly do not consider him not our grandchildren to be second class citizens in any way.
I can only conclude that the strange and spurious reference to Black African Jews concerns Jews from Ethiopia (there are of course many black Jews from Yemen and Jews from southern Africa residing in Israel.) It is true that Ethiopian Jews face many difficulties due to the fact that before their return to the Jewish homeland they have lived in a very different and disadvantaged cultural context without the same educational opportunities. However not only is there no institutional discrimination against them, but the State actually allocates additional resources for social and educational services as a means of affirmative action.
The complete falsehood of this allegation about different classes of Jews, should lead you to conclude that the allegations concerning Israel's Arab citizens are similarly as false.
2. There is no emblem of Israel's currency at the Knesset. However there is a pattern on the ten agorot coin (approximately one penny sterling – hardly a significant coinage !) that could be seen as a map of the Middle East and may be seen as an allusion to the journeys of our Father Abraham. There is no basis to any claim that the motive behind this outline on the ten agorot coin is belligerent (and as I say, if there would have been any significant motive, it would have made sense to use a more prestigious coin or note! ) However let us for argument's sake allow that the reference intended by this pattern is to indicate that the Divine promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob as written in the Torah was to inherit the land from the Nile to the Euphrates. Does this imply belligerence ? Judaism like Islam forbids any act of violence against innocents and prohibits theft and robbery of any person. No Divine promise can permit the transgression of God's Law and His moral prohibitions. There are certainly Jews who dream that one day God's promises will be fulfilled, but no decent Jew thinks for one minute that that allows him to wage war against others – especially believers in the One God – nor God forbid to steal others' property.
The parallel would be if a Muslim country had an outline of a map of the extent of the Caliphate when Muslim rule was at its zenith. Surely that would be a legitimate memorial of the past and even a hope for the future – as long as it is not achieved in a manner that shows any disrespect for the life and dignity of another.
3. This is the only point that contains a legitimate criticism. Allow me to explain how Jews see Israel's Law of Return.
Even though we were expelled from our land both by the Babylonians (in 586 BCE) and then by the Romans (70 CE) not only have there always been Jews living in the Holy land, but wherever we have been, we have maintained our fidelity to our relationship with it. It is the only "Qibla" for Jewish prayer. In our daily prayers three times a day and in grace after every meal, we prayed and still pray for our return to the land and its restoration. Our festivals are not only historical festivals but seasonal ones as well (therefore our lunar calendar is synchronized with the solar calendar) in keeping with the seasons in the Holy Land (Jews who live in Argentina for example celebrate the Spring festival in the autumn and pray for rain when it is not appropriate for Argentina, because our liturgy is conditioned by the land.) At the end of a Jewish wedding a glass is broken in remembrance of the destruction of Jerusalem and hope for the return. At the end of the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, the Day of Atonement, and at the end of the Passover meal we declare "next year in Jerusalem."
Accordingly we have always seen ourselves as citizens in potential and the establishment of the State of Israel has enabled us to exercise this "citizenship".
I lament that Palestinians from the Holy Land are not able to enjoy this right as well and the only reason for that is the ongoing conflict and the concomitant security concerns. I pray that these will be resolved, peace will prevail, a Palestinians state will be established; and Palestinians will be able to enjoy the same rights in their state as Jews enjoy in theirs – insh'Allah.
I concur with the sentiments of his Excellency and applaud your initiatives. I think that it would also be important for us to come together and bring religious leaders from the Muslim and Jewish worlds to discuss these matters and work on a common plan for justice security and peace for all in the Holy Land.
Ma Salame,
David Rosen
Chief Rabbi David Rosen, KCSG
President, International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations (IJCIC)
Director of Interreligious Affairs, American Jewish Committee (AJC)
tel:+972-2-6255281 fax:+972-2-6256527
mailto:rosend@ajc.org www:rabbidavidrosen.net
09 June 2007 Khelafat to Chief Rabbi David Rosen
Date: Sat, 09 Jun 2007 08:02:41 +0600
To: Sharon Rosen
From: Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Subject: Your reply of June 8 2007
Cc: cirb.hezbollah@gmail.com,kahuq@dhaka.net,info.hrf@gmail.com
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
QUOTATION:
"Muslims are my brethren in faith, while non-Muslims are my kin, since we are all children of Adam & Eve (PBUT)."
-Late Hazrat Maulana Mohammadullah Hafezzi Huzur (r.a.), Founder of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon.
To: H.E. Chief Rabbi David Rosen KCSG
International Director of Interreligious Affairs, AJC.
President, the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations (IJCIC).
Excellency,
Assalamu Alaikum.
I acknowledge with thanks and great appreciation the receipt of your excellency's detail reply to the points raised by Palestinian Authority.
I greatly appreciate the sincerity and honesty with which your excellency have tried to communicate the facts as your excellency see and feel.
After we discuss it within ourselves we shall prepare a communication to the PA as well as to Muslim state parties. May Allah Forgive us and Enable us to be obedient to Him as well as to His Will, do justice to each other, be compassionate to each other, and co-exist peacefully as brotherly and friendly neighbors. I seek your excellency's cooperation in advocating and extending same emotions of virtuous compassion and justice within your community also.
Ma Assalam,
Kazi Azizul Huq
International Affairs Secretary, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Founder Convener, CIRB-Hezbollah
Team Leader, Human Rights Forum (HRF)
Cell: +880-(0)-1819-407963. Tel/Fax:+880-2-9881436
08 June 2007 from Dr. Richard L.Benkin to Mr. K.A. Huq
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
To: "Kazi Azizul Huq"
Subject: Re: mails from Dr. Benkin 28, 29, 30 May 2007
Date: Fri, 8 Jun 2007 06:40:41 -0500
Dear Brother Huq,
...
Now, as to the material by the Palestinian Authority (PA), I wish I could provide a detailed rebuttal, but I cannot because they are nothing but simple untrue assertions--something that has become the PA's stock in trade. You can tell this by the fact that they do not even attempt to provide any evidence of their lies, but simply spit them out. Perhaps they believe that we are stupid people who will swallow such things whole without any use of our minds. Let me say first that all citizens of Israel enjoy equal status. That is guaranteed by the State of Israel and even is enforced at times. When--as in any society--there are inequalities, even the Israeli Supreme Court has ruled that illegal and ordered change. The PA's stratification if different classes of Jews is not only wrong, but ridiculous even on its face. African Jews "like a slave"? Where in the world do they get that? How do they even expect anyone to believe it? Eastern Jews an "under privileged class"? The Defense Minister is an Eastern Jew. There is an Israeli Arab on the Supreme Court and an Israeli Arab in the Cabinet!
There is an Arab MK who has left Israel ahead of the law, but he has never denied working with Israel's enemies, even during war. That is called treason and is a crime in any society. Moreover, even that traitor still received a pension from the Israeli government! Compare the rule of law in Israel to the PA's treatment of supposed informers--who are dragged in the streets and executed sometimes in the most heinous fashion. If the PA claims it is done by others, then ask it why not a single one of those murderers has been brought to justice.
Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. I was in Israel during the 2000 Camp David Peace talks and spoke to many Israeli Arabs, as well as read their quotes in various papers. Not one of them wanted to give up Israeli citizenship in favor of becoming a citizen of the corrupt Palestinian State.
Speaking of "slave," ask the PA about the extensive African slave trade in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Arab world.
Finally, the PA statement about the map is a total fabrication. I have been to the Knesset and seen the entrance. There is nothing of the sort. There never has been an official Israeli document or item that showed a map from the "Nile to the Euphrates" as Israel. This is why mendacious people like the former BNP and BAL leaders in Bangladesh do not allow its citizens to go to Israel. It is for fear that they will learn the truth and no longer swallow such lies.
Now I have a question for the PA. Why does it carry sermons on its official TV and on official web sites that call Jews "sons of apes and pigs" and calls for jihad against all Jews? I want to know why it calls itself a "peace partner" but still calls for the destruction of the Jewish State? Also, I can tell you that in every Arab shop in Israel, you can buy tee-shirts that show the entire Land of Israel and the disputed territories and with the title "Palestine" on it with images of the arch-terrorist Yassir Arafat above it.
My brother, the good news here is that only because you speak with all of us do you have a chance to hear all information and decide. Only when we continue dialogue is the breaking down of suspicion possible.
Brother Richard
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
8 June 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin
Date: Fri, 08 Jun 2007 18:49:19 +0600
To: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
From: Kazi Azizul Huq
Subject: Yr mail of 8 June 2007
My Dear Brother and Friend Richard,
Assalamu Alaikum.
... Your response to the points raised by PA has been helpful. We want to send to them a communication in a week. If you think more points and materials may be made available to be sent to them and to the state parties in the Middle East who are either ignorant or biased - please do send to us.
We want our government to lift ban on travel to Israel. I also think that ban on communication, shipping, transports, business transactions etc., should also be removed. In my opinion these ban are rather harming the Muslims and the Palestinians. If all the Muslim state parties and communities remove these barriers and let their people sit face to face and transact with the Jews and Israel - it will create a better environment for solving our mutual problems and differences.
It is because of the courageous efforts of Shoaib Bhai (in our language it means Brother Shoaib. Bengali Muslims call their brothers Bhai) and moderation provided by Sanjeeb Da, that a Bangladesh Group consisting of Islamic parties like Khelafat Andolon (Led by nationally respected Deobondi Clergy), Hezbollah (created in 1980-81 in collaboration with Sepah Pasdaran-i-Inqilabi Islami Iran) & Islami Gono Andolon (Led by Bangladeshi Commander of Afghan Anti-Soviet War Veterans) have been introduced to qualified Jewish counterpart. Committed Muslims and Jews have initiated a sincere and genuine Dialogue - and the ice is breaking. Insha-Allah (God Willing) we shall soon experience difference through positive developments.
Your Brother and Friend,
Huq
Kazi Azizul Huq
International Affairs Secretary, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Ph/Fx: +880-2-9881436 Cell: +880-(0)-1819-407963
12 June 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
To: "K A Huq"
Subject: Re: From the Nile to the Euphrates- PA continuous libel (1997 -2007) about secret plan to conquer Arab nation
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2007 06:47:08 -0500
Sholem Aleichem!
Brother Huq,
I also was thinking how nowhere is there debate between the two sides that does not involve throwing barbs at each other. What an idea for HRF/KAB to sponsor such a debagte in Dhaka where we can present evidence instead of slogans and accusations.
Brother Richard
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
12 June 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Huq Re: Palestinian’s Fabrications
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
To: "K A Huq"
Cc: "K A Huq"
Subject: Fw: From the Nile to the Euphrates- PA continuous libel (1997 -2007) about secret plan to conquer Arab nation
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2007 06:21:49 -0500
Dear Brother Huq,
Please see the following that demonstrates how the information you received from the PA is part of an ongoing campaign of lies against Israel. If they respond by calling it lies or attacking the source, ask them to respond to the information and evidence presented by the PMW.
This is important especially as the PA and its mouthpieces have a long history of mendacity when it come to Israel and many, many other matters.
I hope we can hold some sort of dialogue whereby such charges will be aired and disputed openly based on evidence not blanket assertions.
This will further our common goals.
Brother Richard
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
From: PMW Reports
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 3:18 AM
Subject: From the Nile to the Euphrates- PA continuous libel (1997 -2007) about secret plan to conquer Arab nation
Palestinian Media Watch Bulletin - June 12, 2007
From the Nile to the Euphrates -
PA continuous libel (1997 -2007)
about secret plan to conquer Arab nation
by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook
Lies and libels have been used for many years by the Palestinian Authority to present Israel as a dangerous existential threat to the Arab and Muslim world. One of the repeating libels, that Israel is planning to conquer Arab lands, including lands in Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Saudi Arabia – “from the Euphrates until the Nile” – was repeated this week in the PA daily Al-Ayyam.
For many years the Palestinian Authority (PA) has promoted this “Euphrates to the Nile” libel, and below PMW has cited more than 20 additional Palestinian references in recent years. As with all effective propaganda, detailed fictitious allegations are often advocated to make the lie sound credible.
The following are some of these PA fabrications:
• The term "From the Nile to the Euphrates your land, oh Israel,” is written above the gates of the Knesset.
• The term "The Nile to the Euphrates” appears on Israeli money
• The two blue stripes on the Israeli flag represent the Nile and the Euphrates and the Star of David represents the state of Israel.
• Israeli children in school are taught through repetition of the expression: “Land of Israel -from the Nile to the Euphrates.”
• Repeatedly presenting Israel as a country that plans to expand and destroy other countries is an integral part of Palestinian hate promotion. Palestinians are more likely to feel justified fighting and killing Israelis when it is presented as an act of self-defense. The repetition of this charge over so many years should categorize this almost as an ideology.
This week the PA presented the "Nile to the Euphrates” libel again as an principle so intrinsic to the State of Israel it is said to be written above the gates of the Knesset: “From the Euphrates until the Nile, your land oh Israel.”
Former Israeli PM, Ariel Sharon, on a map of Mid-East looking at the Nile.
Caption: "From the Euphrates to." [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Aug. 5, 2003]
Below is this latest version of this libel, and more than 20 other references from among the many times this libel has been made in the past:
A video clip which has been airing on PA TV since 2001 depicts a classroom of Jewish children wearing kippot (religious skullcaps) in front of the Israeli flag, repeating after a teacher: “The Land of Israel from the Nile to the Euphrates”. The video clip is shown as if were an actual classroom in an Israeli school. The child actors speak Hebrew .[PA TV, since January 31, 2001]
"In 1967, it [Israel] occupied all that was left of Palestine in addition to the larger Arab territory... before initiating the third stage, in order to make the slogan written on the top of the gates of the Knesset come true: “From the Euphrates until the Nile, your land oh Israel.” [Al-Ayyam, June 4, 2007]
“…The Zionists’ aspirations are not limited to Palestine from the sea to the river, and not to Egypt and the Sha’am lands [includes parts of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel], extending to Iraq and Al-Medina, or from the Euphrates to the Nile … the idea of ‘the greater Middle East’ includes [lit: swallows] many countries in the Islamic world…” [Al-Risalah, December 7, 2006]
Political sciences lecturer, Dr. Hamd Al-Fara claims that “Israel already realized with success its dream to be from the Nile to the Euphrates – since, currently, Israelis from the Mossad [Israeli secret service] are in Iraq, and there is an Israeli embassy in Egypt.” [PA TV, July 7, 2006]
“The Israelis think in a completely different way. They think that the problem is summarized with how to get away with the loot they looted during unusual circumstances, in the near and distant past, that is the land of Palestine they hold serves as a departure point to the [territory] between the Euphrates and the Nile.” [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Nihad Munir Al-Rees, March 20, 2006]
Barakat Al-Fara of the PLO, former Palestinian deputy ambassador to Egypt:
“The June 67 war took place and emphasized that the Zionist enemy did not set as a goal only Palestine, but it set as a goal the Arab nation, from the ocean to the gulf, and it plans a Jewish state which will spread out from the Nile to the Euphrates…” [PA TV, January 1, 2006]
“There is a fairy tale or a slogan of the global Zionist movement which states that the borders of Israel are from the Euphrates to the Nile. When [the settlements] were destroyed, and when the settlers were banished from the settlements, the Palestinian people, all the free people and all Arabs erased this fairy tale.” [PA TV, August 5, 2005]
“There is no escape, but to clarify to the world that our enemies, that Zionism in particular, yearn to establish their state to control the world from east to west, and not the greater state of Israel from the Euphrates to the Nile, but they stare and want to establish their state over the entire planet earth.” [PA TV, June 18, 2004]
“The Arabs and Muslims must consolidate a political-military defense strategy, in which the armed masses will participate… I emphasize the word ‘defense’… for taking a defensive stance and a defensive initiative, which are meant to prevent the most dangerous and the worst [thing] of all, that is seen in the horizon, that is approaching comes from the United States, that is allowing Israel to establish the Israeli empire from the Euphrates to the Nile including the city of Medina [the second most sacred site in Islam, the burial site of the Prophet Muhammad].” [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, September 22, 2003]
Headline: “Why are the Palestinians committed to the Hudna [ceasefire] and the Roadmap, and the Israelis are acting as opposed to it?” by international law lecturer, Dr. Hana Isah:
“There is no doubt that the politicians in Israel are not interested in stability, and as a result, they escape from any agreement we will sign with them, since their goal is to extend their theft and their arrogant repression with all that concerns Palestine… ‘The land of Israel from the Mediterranean Sea to the Euphrates, from Lebanon to the Nile.’ This slogan is the basis which drives the foundation of Israel since the foundation of the Zionist movement until today, and the future.” [Al-Hayat Al’Jadida, August 10, 2003]
[Ahmad Halas Abu-Maher, Fatah secretary in the Gaza Strip] confirms the matters: “We are not only fighting for the Palestinian people. We are fighting in defense of the Arab nation and on this region, in which every people is a target for Israeli aggression. The slogan of Israel is ‘from the Nile to the Euphrates,’ in geographic terms. But in terms of its interests, Israel is larger than that. It extends to the entire Arab and Muslim territory. Therefore, when we are fighting and being killed in Gaza and Jenin, it is for the sake of the entire Arab nation.” [PA TV, July 29, 2002]
Abu-Karsh: “Even the Israeli flag, the blue line and the second blue line, and the Star of David in the middle, this is what is between the two rivers, that is the Nile and the Euphrates.”
Abu-Sharakh: “The Zionist project still exists. They want a greater state of Israel from the Euphrates to the Nile. If it will not happen in the next 50 years, they will ask [to make it come true] within the next hundred years, until their hopes and their aspirations in establishing a greater state of Israel will be realized. And this must be understood by the Arab nation and the entire world… They [Israelis] think about the state of Israel from the Euphrates to the Nile as something that cannot be avoided. From the Euphrates to the Nile.” [PA TV, July 17, 2002]
“The Zionists are behind the plot aiming to disconnect the rivers that extend from outside the Arab homeland in, such as the Euphrates and the Nile. The Zionists stole the Palestinian water and founded projects that transferred the water from the north to southern areas. They control the southern waters and steal them, and established the settlements above the water sources.”[PA TV, March 22, 2002]
“Zionism decided in the Basel committee in 1897 that Israel will be established between the Nile and the Euphrates, and this is what Israel aspires to realize. Therefore, every piece of land that we achieve is a withdrawal from the Zionist idea.”[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, February 11, 2002]
“The Hebrew state adopted an official flag – a blue Star of David (symbolizing the state of Israel), between two blue lines symbolizing the Nile River and the Euphrates which the Zionist movement viewed as its borders.”[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, October 28, 2001]
“Poor Israel: Its primitive, childish dream “the land of Israel from the Nile to the Euphrates” is reduced to a flag with a Star of David and two blue lines, one of them is the Nile, in the imagination, and the other is the disappointing Euphrates. These two lines will approach inwards, and will squeeze the Star of David until it bursts. This is what it [Israel] chose for itself…”[“The Voice of Women” in Al-Ayyam, July 19, 2001]
“… All the killing is followed by an intensive bombing of the national security outposts… what does it mean if not a declaration of an encompassing war on the Palestinian people, if not the determination to realize the constant goal of Zionism, of extending the occupation territory as far as possible, from the Euphrates to the Nile…”[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, July 19, 2001]
Friday sermon by preacher Dr. Muhammad Madi:
“Arabs and Muslims! The Zionist slogan, the slogan of the Jews’ state in Palestine – from the Nile to the Euphrates. It is written in their books and on their coins…”[PA TV, May 4, 2001]
“The Palestinians view the Israeli flag as a symbol for the greater Jewish state that spreads out from the Nile to the Euphrates according to the Zionist dream: the two blue lines symbolize the two rivers, and the Star of David between them is the symbol of the state. The Palestinians pride themselves in their flag with the four colors, which represents the blood, the war, and the peace…”[Al-Ayyam, May 14, 2000]
“A strategy was consolidated by some of the ones who hold a Jewish perspective, which was subsequently known as ‘Zionism’ aiming to establish a national homeland for the Jews in Palestine – or according to the traditional idea which sets the borders of the state of Israel from the Nile to the Euphrates.” [Al-Ayyam, February 12, 2000]
Hussein Abu-Shanab: “The map storm reminds us of the three superpowers [that emerged] in the [original] map in the ‘Protocols of the Elders of Zion’… Herzl sent a furious letter to these nations and demanded they change the mandatory borders of Palestine so that they include the Litany River, that is ‘from the water to the water’ – [a slogan] expressed by the poster spread over the Knesset ‘from the Euphrates to the Nile.’ Sharon’s declarations to journalists following the Palestinian-Israeli-American triple-meeting were for abolishing the process… considering that the historical homeland, according to the Zionist perspective, is from the Nile to the Euphrates…” [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, December 21, 1997]
13 June 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin
Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 09:08:31 +0600
To: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
From: Kazi Azizul Huq
Subject: From the Nile to the Euphrates- PA continuous libel (1997 -2007) about secret plan to conquer Arab nation
Cc:
Dear Brother Richard,
Assalamu Alaikum.
It is necessary to initiate open discussion and debate participated by both Muslims and Jews to remove falsehood and establish the truth. We need to involve influential persons/institutions of both sides.
Also we have to try to bring certain real changes in attitude and practices in both the communities so that these two important communities of the world can be brotherly and friendly to each other.
Late Hazrat Maulana Mohammadullah Hafezzi Huzur r.a.(died in 1987), founder of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, still is a highly revered divine spiritual clergy both in Bangladesh and abroad. During last April the Iranian Cultural Center in Dhaka under instruction from the Government in Tehran in Celebration of the Unity Week devoted One Session of their day-long program to the memory of Hazrat Hafezzi Huzur r.a.
Hafezzi was from Sunni Deobondi Tradition. I myself am from Sunni Furfura Tradition.
Hafezzi brought together Muslims of various traditions including the Shiaites. He was non-communal and preached kinship of the mankind irrespective of race or religions since all are Children of Adam & Eve (PBUT). Most of the so-called Jihadi Clergy and students in the Indian Sub-Continent today are from Deobondi Tradition. Tabligh Jamat and Talebans are also Sunni-Hanafi Deobondi Muslims.
Originally Deobond preached non-communal Spiritual Islam (Tariqa-i-Chistia Saberia) based on Sunni Hanafi Islamic Jurisprudence.
But
• partition of the Indian Sub-Continent based on communalism (there was no
communalism in India before British Colonization),
• hegemony of God-less European culture and of their mercenaries,
• conspiracies of British intelligence, their aid agencies, partners and
mercenaries,
• disinformation and hate campaign initiated by vested interests,
• misinterpretation of the Quran and Hadis by financially rich anti-spiritual
Wahabis of GCC countries,
• military defeat and humiliation imposed on Muslims
have influenced the Deobondi Clergy and students to become reactionary and communal - which situation can still be corrected if handled by the Divine people compassionately, wisely and prudently.
The policy of elimination through the so-called War on Terror is simply too dangerous. It is making them revengeful (whereas originally in Deobondi Tradition revenge and hatred is considered as sin and vice), increasing their capacity for secret movement, making them interested in sinful acts (indiscriminate bombing and killing) that has media impact and helps fund-raising.
In Bangladesh, main leaders of the Jihadis are close to me and listens to me. Sheikh Maulana Abdus Salam, who I introduced to you in Dhaka, is their Amir. Criminal activities were committed by a small faction who did not listen to me. Together with the help of Allah Almighty and with the good wishes and blessings of the Holy Prophets and Saints (Blessings of Allah be Upon on them) we hope to be successful in bringing a change that will be beneficial for our both communities as well as for the mankind and the creation of Allah.
Your Brother and Friend,
Huq
Kazi Azizul Huq (ibn Abdulhuq ibn Izzatullah ibn Abdulhamid)
International Affairs Secretary, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon (BKA)
Team Leader, Human Rights Forum (HRF)
Founder Convener, CIRB-Hezbollah
Street Address:
24/A, Joar Shahara (Olipara)
Dhaka-1229, BANGLADESH
Cell: +880-(0)-1819-407963. Ph/Fx: +880-2-9881436
13 June 2007 from Dr. Benkin to Mr. Huq
From: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
To: "Kazi Azizul Huq"
Subject: Re: From the Nile to the Euphrates- PA continuous libel (1997 -2007) about secret plan to conquer Arab nation
Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 05:58:39 -0500
Dear Brother Huq,
Aleichem Sholem.
I have met many Arabs. We have talked, and I have said that it does not surprise me that they stand up for their own people. I expect most people do that, and it is a correct thing to do (except for justifying ungodly behavior); and I probably respect them for it. That should not lead me to never speak with them. By the same token, they have to yield the same to me and realize that I am just as passionate about my brethren. If we understand that, we can speak as brothers even if we have passionate beliefs and disagreements. You, my brother, and I have shown that disagreement is no barrier to honest and brotherly talk.
I have often wondered, however, if the Arabs believe their position is correct, why then do they need to rely on falsehoods such as those which they sent my good brother and which are total fabrications?
Brother Richard
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Special Advisor to The Intelligence Summit on Bangladeshi Affairs
14 June 2007 from Mr. Huq to Dr. Benkin
Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2007 08:16:04 +0600
To: "Dr. Richard L. Benkin"
From: Kazi Azizul Huq
Subject: Softcopy of our Dialogue in the Attachment
My Dear Brother and Friend Richard Benkin,
Assalamu Alaikum.
Please find in the attachment soft copy of our Muslim-Jews Dialogue Sponsored by Bangladesh Group. Kindly make some time to go through it and advise necessary editing.
Please rest assured that our brotherhood and friendship is not affected by what Palestinian Authority said.
When so-called ethnic Muslims are fighting and stabbing each other on the back, when the ethnic Muslims do not care about the Will of God, how can a God-fearing divine Muslim be unjustly biased towards his community.
As an obedient disciple of Hazrat Muhammad Sall-Allaho Alaihissalam I made a commitment to Hazrat Moses Sall-Allaho Alaihissalam. I have been struggling to fulfill that commitment with the Help of Allah and for the Pleasure of Allah. Allah wants His slaves to invest their life and resources for the struggle in the Way of Allah. I am trying to do that and encouraging others to do that.
Your Brother and Friend,
Huq
Kazi Azizul Huq (ibn Abdulhuq ibn Izzatullah ibn Abdulhamid)
International Affairs Secretary, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon (BKA)
Team Leader, Human Rights Forum (HRF)
Founder Convener, CIRB-Hezbollah
ANNEXURE-1
The Weekly Blitz 27 Feb 2007
Exclusive interview of Kazi Azizul Huq with Blitz Editor
“Allah did not prohibit the Muslims from traveling to any country” - Huq
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan (BKA), a political party mostly led by Islamic scholars and clergies has sent a letter to the Chief Advisor of the interim government in Bangladesh, demanding withdrawal of existing travel ban on Israel. BKA is the first political party in Bangladesh to send such specific letter to the chief executive of the country.
It may be mentioned here that, Israel is the first three countries to recognize Bangladesh after the war of liberation.
International Affairs Secretary of Bangaldesh Khelafat Andolan (Bangladesh Caliphate Movement), Kazi Azizul Huq recently gave an exclusive interview to Weekly Blitz editor Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury to discuss various issues. Here are the excerpts:
Q: In the international media there have been certain campaign saying that your party is a radical group, which supports terrorism in the name of Islam and also it supports suicide bombing and jihad for killing Jews and Christians. What is your opinion about that?
A: The allegations you are referring to specifically ending at Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, I have never heard that way. Because in Bangladesh such a situation is not existent, and as regards international situation, yes, we support the liberation movement of Afghanistan, not the NATO occupation and US occupation. Yes, we support those who are struggling to liberate Iraq from the occupation of USA and their allies and also we support the liberation struggle of the Palestinians. But, we have reservations about fixing human beings, innocent people as targets for military attack. In fact in our opinion, the way now-a-days explosive and other ammunitions are used against civilians was initiated by the US military at the end of the Second World War, when they dropped nuclear weapons on the civilians of Japan. And such a practice has become rampant all over the world which in Islam we do not accept. Yes, in modern warfare there are some collateral damages. If the strugglers or the liberation forces are Muslims it is an obligation to minimize collateral damages and to be specific about military targets. Regarding terrorist activities, we mean killing innocent people, putting bomb in railways, putting bomb on residential areas etc., we do not support. We think such practice must be changed. In recent days, for example, in Iraq, they are targeting American helicopters. We think that is the right way of dealing with the matter. We should not target the civilians the way Jamaatul Mujahedin in Bangladesh was doing.
Q: You just mentioned that you support the so-called liberation movement in Afghanistan. Does it mean that you support the Talibans to be back in power?
A: Yes, we support the Talibans. But we think that they need to be abreast of time. It is very much needed for them realizing that to run a government, the people of the nation should accept it, as well as the international community should also accept it. Talibans, I think, they made some mistakes, and such mistakes should not be repeated.
Q: So, you mean that, your organization supports the Taliban to be back in power under the leadership of Ossama Bin Laden, Mullah Omar etc?
A: So far I know, Ossama Bin Laden is not an Afghan and he never wants to be in power, nor had he ever been in power. My understanding is, he already has been killed. He is not alive. My understanding is Ossama Bin Laden is not alive now. And obviously they are Arab fighters; they have to do something in the Arab world. In Afghanistan they have nothing to do. Rather it was a circumstance that pushed them to Afghanistan. On the other hand, Afghans never went to Europe or America to attack those nations. It was done by the Arabs, as they have some extremist characters.
Q: You just said, Ossama Bin Laden should do something in Arab world. By terming ‘Arab world’ which country do you specifically mean?
A: It is the Jazeerans, which means the Gulf States. Other white and black African Arabs may also be included in it.
Q: You just said that BKA opposes using civilians as human shields. But in recent war between Israel and Lebanon, Hezbollah used so many innocent civilians as human shields. How you would look into this issue?
A: I don’t think that it was applied by the Lebanese government. Rather the situation is, the area Israel choose to attack, civilians there did not intend to leave their homes in spite of the threat of military attacks from Israel. May be because they had been sympathetic to the Hezbollah and they supported the Hezbollah.
Q: But, so far we know, the innocent civilians were not allowed to leave their houses and forced to stay at home by the militant members of Hezbollah, in order to let them become human shields. What would be your comment on it?
A: We don’t have exact information in this regard, but whatever we have learnt from the media like Al Jazeera, BBC, and CNN etc., it was made clear that those people voluntarily remained there. They did not want to leave their homes.
Q: How do you look towards the monarchs and rulers in the Muslim Arab world? And do you feel that those Muslim Arab nations under monarchism, such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait etc., need to be democratized?
A: Yes, of course! We oppose kingship. We think that freedom is an inevitable right of any believer Muslim. During the time of the Prophet, people had right to speak to him. Even at the time of Caliph Omar, there were instances that the people had the power to question the activities of him. He was accountable to his people. So, it shows that during the time of the prophet or the caliph, people had the right to speak against the rulers. ... But in the Arab world, people today, do not have the right to criticize their governments.
Q: Do you support religious freedom?
A: Surely! Our leader Hafezzi Huzur in many meetings said, “Muslim are my brothers and sister and non-Muslims are my kin”. Because we all are the children of Adam. So, non-Muslims always exists in the Muslim society. And they will practice their religion. Yes, Muslim clergies will also continue to preach Islam, and if any of them voluntarily decides to adopt Islam they must also be given that option. But, no one should be forced to obey Islam.
Q: You just said that your party supports religious freedom. In this case, how do you look into the issue of Talibans in Afghanistan destroying Buddhist statues and temples?
A: It is a critical question. In Afghanistan the Buddhist community is non-existent. The Islamic clergies in the rural areas decided that as there was no Buddhist in the country to worship those statues or idols, it was simply a liability of the nation. Although I don’t know the exact nature of the matter. But, of course, it was a decision came from the grass root of the clergy government.
Q: How calm some ancient statues could become liability for a nation. When in many of the Muslim Arab world, they have a liability of the kingship and they (Talibans) never spoke against these authoritarian rule, but simply termed these invaluable status as liabilities. Is it not ridiculous enough, which exposes their naked radical face?
A: If those statues were worshiped by any of the members of the Afghan society, then it would be considered as religious idols. But in Afghanistan it was not any religious statue. No body was worshipping it.
Q: So, you mean that when these statues were built at that time there had been Buddhist population in Afghanistan, who had later been eliminated from the society by the Muslim extremists?
A: Buddhists were never eliminated by Muslims from Afghanistan but were eliminated by the Arians.
Q: Recently your party has written a letter to the Chief Advisor in Bangladesh, suggesting withdrawal of existing travel ban on Israel. What was the point that moved you in taking such an excellent step?
A: We have written to the Chief Advisor of the present government mentioning details of this issue. We see that occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq has been clandestinely supported by Iran. They even celebrated these occupations. So in this case, our understanding is that, it is simply unnecessary to quarrel with Israel. When the Muslims themselves are stabbing each-other at the back, what is the necessity of quarrelling with Israel? As to the travel ban, it is not a religious ban. Because, Allah never prohibited the Muslim from traveling to any country in the world. Even when the Muslims were driven out of Mecca, and the Ka’aba was controlled by the polytheists, prophet Muhammed traveled to Mecca and performed Umra. So, though at that time, Mecca was under occupation of the polytheists, statues and idols were inside Ka’aba, still prophet visited Mecca and offered prayer at Ka’aba. So why travel restrictions from traveling to Jerusalem should not be withdrawn? It is one of our holiest places. And there is no hope that Muslims will soon re-occupy Jerusalem. So, Muslims in Bangladesh should not be deprived of visiting holy places in Jerusalem.
Q: Finally, what is your opinion about the Palestinian suicide bombers?
A: To commit suicide is prohibited in Islam. But Islamic Shariah is non-rigid, flexible and elastic. For example, pork and wine are prohibited in Islam. But if someone is in such a situation that he or she does not have anything to eat and drink but pork and wine, then he or she may take pork and wine as little as possible to save life. Similarly if there is no other way to confront the enemy but to sacrifice one’s own life then it may be permissible as little as possible to confront the armed enemy. But it can not be made a common practice of war. A Muslim must not be revengeful. Muslims must not target unarmed civilians of enemy nation or community.
END
Blitz 27 Feb 2007
