 SARGODHA, Pakistan — One of five Americans detained in Pakistan on Monday acknowledged their aim to go to Afghanistan to wage holy war against Western forces but defended their plans as justified under Islam. However, he denied any links to Al Qaeda or plans to carry out terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Monday was the first time the young Muslims from the Washington, D.C., area have addressed a court after being arrested in early December in the eastern Pakistani city of Sargodha. The case has spurred fears that Westerners are traveling to Pakistan to join militant groups. Pakistani police have said they plan to seek life sentences for the men under the country's anti-terrorism law. "We are not terrorists," one of the men, Ramy Zamzam, told The Associated Press as he entered a courtroom in Sargodha on Monday. "We are jihadists, and jihad is not terrorism," he said, referring to the word for Islamic holy war. Zamzam did not elaborate, but some Muslims believe it is their duty to wage jihad against foreign forces they view as occupying a Muslim country. The men, aged 19 to 25, denied they had ties with Al Qaeda or other militant groups during a court appearance Monday in Sargodha, said their attorney, Ameer Abdullah Rokri. "They told the court that they did not have any plan to carry out any terrorist act inside or outside Pakistan," said Rokri. "They said that they only intended to travel to Afghanistan to help their Muslim brothers who are in trouble, who are bleeding and who are being victimized by Western forces." The Americans arrived amid tight security. About a dozen police cars escorted the prison van inside the court premises as officers manned the rooftops of surrounding buildings. The men wore handcuffs as they walked into the courthouse for their hearing. The court remanded the men to prison for 14 days to give police time to prepare their case, said Rokri. "We have told the court that police have completed their investigation and have enough evidence against the five suspects to try them under anti-terrorism law," said police officer Matiullah Shahani. Police have not said what the group's intended target was, but authorities say the men had a map of Chashma Barrage — a complex located near nuclear power facilities that includes a water reservoir and other structures. It lies in the populous province of Punjab, about 125 miles southwest of the capital, Islamabad. Pakistan has a nuclear weapons arsenal, but also nuclear power plants for civilian purposes. The court ordered the release of one of the suspects' fathers, Khalid Farooq, because of a lack of evidence that he had committed any crime, said police officer Tahir Shirazai. It was unclear if Farooq, also a U.S. citizen, was still in custody since authorities said they had released him more than two weeks ago. Pakistani police and government officials have made a series of escalating and, at times, seemingly contradictory allegations about the men's intentions, while U.S. officials have been far more cautious.
The U.S. is also looking at charging the men — Umar Farooq, Waqar Khan, Ahmed Minni, Aman Hassan Yemer and Ramy Zamzam. Officials in both countries have said they expect the men to eventually be deported back to the United States, though charging them in Pakistan could delay that process. The U.S. Embassy has declined to comment on the potential charges the men face in Pakistan. FoxNews
 It was the first time such forces had been involved in fighting since the military offensive began in the valley more than a week ago. "It signifies a major shift in the fighting," chief military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said. Members of the counter-insurgency force landed behind the front line in the Piochar region, about 60km from Mingora, the main city in the Swat Valley. The greater involvement of ground troops could bring higher army casualties - a major concern for Pakistan's military command, which restrained past efforts in Swat in order to avoid that outcome. Government troops have been using heavy artillery, helicopter gunships and fighter jets. Previous military action has tended to peter out without the capture or deaths of leading insurgents. Past stalemates brought criticism, particularly from the country's American allies, that the army was not pursuing the Taliban hard enough. This time, Pakistani leaders say, the army will not rest until it has wiped out all militants. The offensive has won praise even from the US. According to the Pakistani officials, there are about 5000 Taliban militants fighting 15,000 regular government troops in what is being described as the biggest counter-insurgency operation that Pakistan has undertaken since 2001. Piochar, 3050m above sea level, is regarded as the main base for the militants. "The troops have surrounded the terrorist camps and are closing in on the militants' command centre," General Abbas said. Among them, the general said, was Mullah Fazalullah, the leader of the Swat insurgency, and some of his top commanders. "Our main strategy is to block the free movement of the militants and eliminate the entire leadership." The army claims that 751 militants have been killed in Swat and neighbouring districts so far, with29 soldiers dead. But the figures could not be verified independently. Government forces have been using heavy air and ground bombardment to pound Taliban positions but this has forced hundreds of thousands of residents to flee the area. The Government launched a full-scale assault on Swat and the surrounding districts last week after Taliban militants tried to extend their influence to areas only 110km from the capital, Islamabad, on the back of a peace deal that handed them control of the Swat Valley. Read More...... Source: The Australian
 January 17, 2009
SURE, it's easy for progressive types to march through Western cities in solidarity with Hamas and be all blaming the Zionists.
But how much of a Hamas fan are you really? There's only one way to find out: take the Super Hamas Fanboy Multiple Choice Quiz!
Just answer these questions then total the results to find your level of Hamas compatibility. This test is certified 100 per cent accurate by the International Society of Middle Eastern Quizzlers.
1 Hamas is a:
a) Terrorist death cult
b) Misguided but well-meaning collective just trying to get by
c) Freedom-fighting movement I'd vote for if they ran for government in Australia
2 According to exiled Hamas leader Khalid Meshaal: "Our modest, home-made rockets are our cry of protest to the world." Which people construct these modest, home-made rockets?
a) Murderous Hamas operatives whose weapons have killed dozens of Israeli civilians
b) Ill-advised young men caught up in a cycle of violence
c) They are knitted by little old ladies sitting on porches in their rocking chairs. Some rockets have colourful doilies on them and are sold in craft markets
3 How do you feel when Hamas and rival Palestinian group Fatah begin killing each other, as happens from time to time?
a) Get me some popcorn! I love this show
b) It demonstrates just how deep are the troubling troubles in this troubled region
c) I hate it when mummy and daddy fight
4 What are you more likely to find in backyards throughout the southern Israeli city of Sderot, only a couple of kilometres from Gaza?
a) Modest, home-made rockets
b) Oil wells. Israel does have oil, right?
c) Scheming Jew-children plotting future occupation plans
5 Hamas's charter calls for the obliteration of Israel. Do you have a problem with that?
a) Well, yes. I'd have thought any civilised person would have a problem with that
b) Some allowance should be made for hyperbole
c) Israel shouldn't be there in the first place
6 Why are there gigantic secondary explosions when Israeli defence force missiles hit targeted mosques?
a) Those would be the massive stores of concealed armaments detonating, which explains why certain sites are under attack
b) Maybe there are problems with gas leaks
c) It's all the peace and spirituality escaping
7 Hamas's charter also cites the Protocols Of The Elders Of Zion, a Hitler-endorsed forgery alleging that (among other things) Jews feast on non-Jew blood. Again, any issues here?
a) Plenty
b) Hey, it might be just a problem with translation. You know how tricky that can be
c) Let's not take the Protocols out of context
8 How many "modest home-made rockets" and mortar shells were fired into Israel (which is one third the size of Tasmania) last year?
a) 3258 - a 128 per cent increase over the previous year
b) Maybe a few hundred; the news doesn't really mention any rockets much
c) The number isn't important. These are cries of protest to the world!
9 What did you make of the recording allegedly made by Osama bin Laden in which he called for a holy war in response to the Gaza attacks?
a) Big deal. It was just one insane terrorist talking to other terrorists
b) This could lead to a dangerous escalation of violence
c) As an elder statesman of the Islamist movement, we should heed his words
10 From where do you get your news about the Middle East?
a) A wide range of print and electronic media
b) Commercial television
c) The ABC
11 Female members of the IDF are:
a) Hot
b) Please, their obvious and intense hotness should not be an issue
c) They'd look better if they were wearing veils. And maybe vests lined with explosives
12 Malcolm Fraser claims that modest, home-made rockets are "the kind of weapon used by those who have been pushed too far and basically have no resources". Except for the resources required to build and launch 3258 rockets. How long would Israel exist if Hamas had nuclear resources?
a) Not even as long as Fraser was going to remain prime minister once Bob Hawke became ALP leader
b) It depends. Would these be modest, home-made nuclear resources?
c) Er, um . . . racism!
Results
Next, the tallying of your results. Award one point for every "a" answer, five points for every "b" and 10 for every "c". Where do you stand?
12-40: Shalom, Schlomo! What are you doing completing a quiz during the Sabbath? For shame.
41-80: You have the potential to be a loyal and valuable Hamas supporter, yet you exhibit worrying signs of reasonableness and sanity.
81-120: Congratulations, honorary Hamas operative! Your solidarity with the struggle is duly noted. Now, let's see if this modest, home-made Semtex vest fits you. Source: Daily Telegraph
 January 15, 2009
HOPES for a peace deal in Gaza have improved, with Hamas apparently "reacting favourably" to an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire plan.
Hamas has agreed to a temporary ceasefire plan in Gaza, although Israel is yet to agree to the truce.
International pleas mounted overnight for a halt to the Gaza war as the death toll in the Palestinian territory passed 1000 people.
Israeli jets carried out a fresh wave of air strikes across the Gaza Strip this morning, killing at least 13 Palestinians, including a 13-year-old boy, medics and witnesses said.
But while al-Qa'ida leader Osama bin Laden seized on the conflict to call for a holy war against Israel, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could be edging closer.
“The outlines of a ceasefire have begun to appear, even if we still have to face serious obstacles,” Mr Kouchner told the French parliament. “I'm convinced that our efforts will bear fruit.”
His comments were echoed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy who said he had “a good feeling that things are moving in a positive way” as he held talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in Paris.
Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said in Jerusalem that Gaza's Islamist movement Hamas had accepted an Egyptian initiative to halt the war and “is going to publicly express its support and acceptance”.
While an Egyptian official said earlier that Hamas had “reacted favourably” to Egyptian efforts to end the fighting, according to MENA news agency in Cairo where UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon began his Middle East peace tour.
After talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Mr Ban repeated his call for an “immediate and durable ceasefire,” and urged “both parties... to stop the fighting now. There is no time to lose”.
Middle Eastern countries also added their calls to an end to the violence.
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah called an emergency summit of Gulf countries in Riyadh later today due to escalating tensions “resulting from the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people,” the Saudi SPA news agency said.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told the BBC that his country was doing everything to mediate a truce and warned that Israel's offensive on the Gaza Strip risks “sowing the seeds of extremism around the region”.
His views were echoed by Jordan's King Abdullah II who said Israel “should be forced to be committed to UN Security Council Resolution 1860,” which was adopted last week, demanding an “immediate, durable” ceasefire leading to the “full withdrawal” of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The UN General Assembly was to hold an emergency session tonight to press for a ceasefire call.
Meanwhile a number of European deputies insisted that the EU take sanctions against Israel amid wider calls to freeze deeper ties with the Jewish state.
Bin Laden, in his first audio broadcast for more than eight months, called on Muslims to declare a holy war on Israel because of the Gaza conflict.
In a recording entitled “A Call for Jihad to Stop Aggression Against Gaza,” the al-Qa'ida leader also criticised Arab countries' handling of the conflict.
Gaza medics say more than 1000 Palestinians have been killed, including 292 children, and more than 4500 people wounded in the conflict. Ten Israeli soldiers and three civilians have been killed in combat or by rocket attacks.
“There's an increasing number of women and children being wounded and going to hospitals,” Red Cross spokesman Jakob Kellenberger told reporters in Jerusalem.
Iran meanwhile accused Israel of preventing a Red Crescent ship carrying medicines and food from reaching the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.
An Israeli army spokesman confirmed to AFP that the navy had stopped an Iranian boat from approaching the Gaza coastline. Israel has enforced a naval blockade along the Gaza coast. Source: The Australian
The Danish Security Service, PET, is proposing that the Danish government refrain from using the words "war against terror" and "Jihad". In an eight page report the language use PET recommends that the authorities choose their words with care in order to deescalate the conflict between the West and the Muslim world. Besides refraining from using the phrase "war against terror" PET recommends to refrain from speaking of Muslims as a population group related to terror and extremism. Other expression to refrain from using are "jihad", "holy war", "Islamism", "fundamentalism" or "mujahedines". Read more ...Source: Islam in Europe
 There is an article here from "Religion News" blog that struck home with me and I would like to reprint it along with some comments the blog made about the political side of Islam. The Muslim world has created a battle plan to defend its religion from political cartoonists and bigots.Concerned about what they see as a rise in the defamation of Islam, leaders of the world’s Muslim nations are considering taking legal action against those that slight their religion or its sacred symbols.
It was a key issue during a two-day summit that ended Friday in Dakar, Senegal’s capital.
“I don’t think freedom of expression should mean freedom from blasphemy,” said Senegal’s President Abdoulaye Wade, the chairman of the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference.
“There can be no freedom without limits.”
Delegates were given a voluminous report by the OIC that recorded anti-Islamic speech and actions from around the world. The report concludes that Islam is under attack and that a defense must be mounted.
“Muslims are being targeted by a campaign of defamation, denigration, stereotyping, intolerance and discrimination,” charged Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the secretary general of the group.
The report urges the creation of a “legal instrument” to crack down on defamation of Islam.
Some delegates point to laws in Europe criminalizing the denial of the Holocaust and other anti-Semitic rhetoric.
They also point to articles within various U.N. charters that condemn discrimination based on religion and argue that these should be ramped up.
“In our relation with the Western world, we are going through a difficult time,” Ihsanoglu told the summit’s general assembly.
“Islamophobia cannot be dealt with only through cultural activities but (through) a robust political engagement.” Then the Religious News blog said; "We’ll use our right to Free Speech to say this:"
In the name of Islam countless Muslims use any and every opportunity to stage violent protests, issue death threats, destroy property, murder, and commit other acts of terrorism.
They go nuts (yes, nuts) over cartoons and teddy bears, while they generally keep quiet over acts of terrorism and other human rights violations committed by fellow members of their so-called ‘religion of peace.’
If Muslims want to curtail or deny free speech, they must be prepared to be held accountable for the hate speech produced by Muslims — including its hateful cartoons — targeted against non-Muslims.
The Muslim leaders are attempting to demand redress from nations such as Denmark, which allowed the publication of cartoons portraying the Prophet Muhammad in 2006 and again last month, to the fury of the Muslim world.
Although the legal measures being considered have not been spelled out, the idea pits many Muslims against principles of freedom of speech enshrined in the constitutions of numerous Western governments. On a personal note here....... This seems to be another attempt by Muslim societies to impose their values on other groups and only further displays the intolerance we can expect from them until they decide to enter the twenty first century. One statement from the Muslims pretty will sums it up: "There can be no freedom without limits!" And there lies the crux of the whole problem. We in the West have separated religion and state while the Islamic countries still have everything under their religious jurisdiction and will fight like hell to keep it that way. Don't expect the Religious Hierarchy to give up without one Mother of a fight! AND FINALLY THIS WORD FROM ANOTHER BLOG! (He sums it up pretty good!) An open letter to Muslim extremist zealots the world over, from the folks at Irregular Times...
"Since we placed up our several articles of new, original cartoons of the Islamic prophet Mohammed, we have received many messages of praise and condemnation for our act. We thank those who have expressed their support, and for those who have condemned us as satanic infidels in accord with the devil.
To any fundamentalist, we will send the same message. We will not kow-tow to anyone who tries to make us follow the rules of their religion, whether that religion is Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, or Buddhism.
Hell, if the Wiccans told us we had to bend low in respect of their religious practices, we’d tell them to go stick their heads in the mud, too.
It is bad enough that the Islamic world thinks it has the right to tell the rest of us what we can say and what we cannot say. Even worse, the Bush White House is going along with the radical Imams, and is telling everyone to apologize for a few European cartoons.
Cartoons don’t cause problems - death threats do.
So, we’re doing the only thing it makes sense to do when violent radicals try to silence us with threats of violence. We are getting louder. No one will deter us from speaking our minds.
We will say what we want to say about any religion, and we won’t apologize for the freedom to do so. We will draw anything that we want to draw, and if people want to try to come into our homes to slaughter us as a result, let them come.
I refuse to raise my children in a way that teaches them to be afraid of bullies.
I’m not going to have my children live in a world where they feel that they do not have the right to speak their minds. Nothing is above criticism and satire. Not me. Not you. Not the prophet Mohammed.
So, follow your own religious laws, if you must, but when you demand that I follow them, I will exercise my constitutional right to make fun of you as much as I want.
Fundamentalist Muslims: Got a problem with it? Tough. Your religion is not my religion, and you’d better get used to it, because I will have my head cut off before I submit to you.
So, kill me now, or stop threatening me, and leave me alone so that I can live in freedom without hearing your shrill whining...........!" Allan W Janssen is the author of the book The Plain Truth About God (What the mainstream religions don't want you to know!) and is available at the web site www.God-101.com Visit the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com
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Copyright Muslims Against Sharia 2008. All rights reserved.
E-mail: info AT ReformIslam.org
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SARGODHA, Pakistan — One of five Americans detained in Pakistan on Monday acknowledged their aim to go to Afghanistan to wage holy war against Western forces but defended their plans as justified under Islam. 
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