Musharraf imposes emergency rule
 

Saturday, 3 November 2007, 15:43 GMT

Wow. He's desperate.

Muslim extremists rampant in Pakistan's north

Associated Press
November 1, 2007 at 4:40 PM EST

SWAT, Pakistan — Muslim extremists are expanding their control of northern Pakistan, challenging the U.S.-backed government of President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and adding to the lands where terrorists allied with Osama bin Laden find refuge.


The increased influence of the Islamic radicals was highlighted this week by intense fighting between local gunmen and government troops. The government said about 180 people have been killed, mostly militants, in violence including bombings, abductions and shootouts.


The growing instability in northwest Pakistan has shaken Gen. Musharraf's authority at a time when he's also being upstaged by the return of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto — a jubilant homecoming shattered by a terrorist bombing that killed more than 140 people.

Pro-Taliban cleric Maulana Fazlullah has set up a virtual mini-state in Swat, a province of 6,500 square kilometres. He uses an FM radio station to help spread fundamentalist Islam in an area once known to tourists as the “Switzerland of Asia” for its stunning, snow-covered mountains.

Militias following Mr. Fazlullah's teachings, identified by their shoulder-length hair and camouflage vests over traditional shalwar kameez clothing, have bombed girls schools and blown up video and CD shops. They drilled holes into the face of a 6-metre- tall stone Buddha, obliterating the features of the 1,300-year-old sculpture.

Mr. Fazlullah, who draws tens of thousands to his rallies, has launched a broad campaign against Western influence. He uses his outlawed FM radio station to preach jihad against America and Gen. Musharraf and teach his strict interpretation of Islam.

Mr. Fazlullah has called for a ban on polio vaccinations because he said it was a ploy by the West to sterilize Muslim babies. He demands women wear the all-encompassing burka and frowns on barbers who give haircuts in styles deemed un-Islamic.


www.theglobeandmail.com



Music centres threatened by religious extremists


Pakistan:
Music centres threatened by religious extremists

"Close within three days – or you will be blown away".
A campaign launched by a religious leader against listening to music has taken a dangerous turn in Swat Valley of North-West Frontier Province, reports our correspondent from Pakistan, who on 4 March 2007 met with the clerk and his council in Imam Dheri Village to discuss the issue about prohibition of music in Islam


Maulana Fazlullah supporters attacked the local police station and broke pans of police vehicles

After burning tv sets, video equipment and computers in the most scenic valley of Swat in north-west Pakistan, some unidenitified extremist religious groups have distributed phamplets and letters warning propieters of music centres to close down their shops within three days – otherwise they will be blown away.

Locals say that Dawat-Elal-khair (Invitation to Virtue) – an unidentified religious group – has issued phamplets and handwritten letters in Kabal area of Swat and Katlang area of district Mardan warning music centres' owners to abide by the principles of Islam and close down their businesses.

The letter states:
"All music centres, CD centres and internet cafes' owners are hereby informed to find another business for themselves within three days and repent for their evil actions, otherwise their shops will be blown away with bombs".

Second part of the letter warns all school-going girls and their teachers to make sure that they will be wearing an Islamic veil within seven days – otherwise their schools will be bombed.

In the third part of the letter the radical group advises the government servants, especially the police, to support it in its war against the present evil system:

"If you can not support us then never try to come in our way because opposing us is similar to opposing the teachings of the Holy Quran", the letter reads.

In another letter, an ultimatum of ten days has been given to the headmistress of the Government Girls High School Kabal in Swat for the complete observance of Islamic veil by both the girls students and their teachers.



Half of Pakistans goverment are Muslim extremists
At least one leader is a know terrorist.

The truth is President Pervez Musharraf is the good guy.

The Muslim extremists are the bad guys.

And they must be stopped.

Musharraf definitely isn't the good guy, he's not interested in fighting the islamists either, only in using them to secure US support while he tramples on the constitution and causes chaos that allows islamist groups to thrive.

"Musharraf or the islamists" is a false dichotomy, it's what he needs the west (mainly the US of course) to believe though to keep their support instead of being told to step down before he causes even more harm, as he should be.

what do the religious nuts have against music?