[mujahid_ghazi]

The Lal Masjid I knew
by
Adnan Gill

Many moons ago, I remember looking at the Lal Masjid through the holes in the wall of my junior school, right across the Masjid. Sometimes I would stair at the Masjid for minutes at a time while hanging upside down on the monkey-bars. Sometimes, during the dog days of summer, I used to take refuge in the Masjid from the scorching heat, which was always delightfully cool as the sun would shine through its greenly tinted windows. For some reason, I always found it to be a very peaceful place. I can't remember if it was always painted red, but when I close my eyes, I see it white. In good old-days we used to call it ‘Jamma Masjid’.


In those days, during the regular prayers, barely a row or two used to fill with the devoted worshipers. Even the regular shoppers from -- then known ‘Jumma Bazaar’ -- ‘Itwar Bazaar’ used to barely make a dent in the attendance. However, Jumma prayers always attracted large crowds. So did the Eid prayers. In those golden days, I never remember the Imam issuing calls for Jihad or physical violence. The sermons always focused on the peaceful teachings of the Koran and life of Mohammed (PBUH). When and who transformed the Masjid into a symbol of extremism is not known to me. Luckily, I left Islamabad before the Masjid took a turn for the extremism. At least, I can still revert back to the nostalgic days of Jamma Masjid when the worshipers were more concerned about each other's well-being than the length of their beards.


Fast forward to late 80s. I remember meeting a young and joyful man in the Northern-Areas, which some say depicts the heavens. I still remember exchanging pleasantries with that young man on the lush green lawns of an Army mess as the ‘Megrib’ time fell upon us and as the flying-squirrels started their air-ballet gliding from a tree to tree. I will never forget the time I spent with that young and brave man under the clear blue skies of the Northern-Areas. That young man's name was Captain Haroon Islam. Yes, I am eulogizing Shaheed Colonel Haroon Islam who gave the ultimate sacrifice while breaching the walls of Lal Masjid in an effort to secure the innocent lives of our children stuck inside the Masjid whose Imam time and again refused to order his impressionable students to leave the Masjid; unless, the government agreed to issue him and his mother a full-amnesty. In other words, he was willing to exchange blood of innocent children with a free get-out-of-jail card.


Who is to be blamed for radicalizing, the once, peaceful Masjid to the point where so many innocent lives have been lost is a matter for another debate, but we need to make it loud and clear; that no more we will allow another Imam to brainwash our impressionable children so they can consolidate their power through an army of children. No more we will allow Mosques that are supposed to be places for warship and sources to cleanse one’s souls to become the hubs of extremism. No more we will allow the extremists to hijack our religion whose meaning, and message is peace and welfare for whole creation of Allah.


Let's not forget what the Qur'an has clearly declared:
Whoever killed even a single soul - except being a punishment of murder or that of spreading unrest in the land - is as if he killed the whole of mankind. (Al-Maaidah 5: 32)
Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to resist these radicals (who are spreading unrest in the land) with every fiber of our being so they can no longer corrupt and poison the pristine minds of our children.


Till we take such a strong stand against the extremists, these thieves of peaceful souls will continue hijacking the impressionable minds of our blossoming children, and more and more brave fathers will have to save these children with the gifts of their lives.


I hope, the next time I see the Lal Masjid I will not have to close my eyes to see the peaceful Masjid, I once knew. I also hope, the Masjid to be renamed to ‘Masjid-ul-Islam’ in the memory of the Shaheed Haroon Islam, so we will always remember the price we had to pay to rescue our beloved children. Finally, I hope, the government will no longer get in the business of granting general-amnesties to the murderers of our children.


Rest well, rest well my friend Haroon Islam. May Allah bless you with every reward he has promised to a Shaheed.


http://www.pakistanthinktank.org/def...rticles/pk/334

[mujahid_ghazi]

A chance encounter with those who actually took part in the final assault on the militants in Jamia Hafsa was fascinating, and frustrating. Words cannot describe the selfless bravery of the troopers of Zarrar Battalion in "close quarter battle" (CQB), fully one-third of the attacking force of 164 becoming casualties in the face of horrific fire from rooms made into well-sited and inter-connected bunkers. One incident stands out, Captain Salman Butt and two troopers obtaining shahadat (with five others injured) in one room while evacuating the women and children by shielding them with their bodies. Every woman and child was got out safely. Mixed with the pride of having done their duty, there is consternation at not being recognised by the masses for their outstanding bravery, their absolute commitment at the price of their lives. Such men seldom need any eulogies, their raw courage stands out as eloquent witness of the sacrifice they gave (and are ready to give) for their nation. Those of us who have grown old without carrying the scars of battle owe a debt of gratitude to those who do.

Ikram Sehgal
Defence and political analyst

[terraX]

from where do you digg up such absolute bunkum....... please... please forgive us all..... and go eat some ice cream....

[daria dil]

saray sabooto ko remove kardia gaya even Jamia Hafsa ko mukamal Bulldoze kardia gaya ...takay logo ko sachiyee ka kabhi pata hee na chal sakhay joo jhooti batay jamia kay baray may ghari gai thee uska parda uth na jaiay... agar hokomat atni sachi thee tu jamia hafsa ko atni jald bazi se bulldoze kion kia gaya thaa...???

Supreme court ne uz khud notice latay howiay govt se sawal kia k jamia hafsa ko kion jaldbazi se bulldoze kia gaya???? abb inquiry kis tarha hosakhay gee kion kay govt ne saboot hee remove kardiay hai..........

govt ne kafi koshis ki awam ki Brainwashing ki k awam lal masjid per honay walay zulm ko jaiz maan lay lakin esa nahi hosakha ajj har dard mand shaks es operation ko galut khay raha chay woo mazhabi hoo ya gair mazhabi even ASMA JHANGIR *HRC* ki saddar joo secular mind woo bhi govt operation kay sakht khilaaf hai or inquiry ka mutalba kia hai....