Karachi blast death toll mounts to 43, Islamic World News, NewAgeIslam.com

Islamic World News

Karachi blast death toll mounts to 43

ISLAMABAD: Karachi was in mourning a day after the deadly suicide attack on a Muharram procession in which the death toll has now climbed to 43.

Despite the incidents of widespread arson following the bombing, the situation remained under control.

But until late into the morning, fire engines continued to battle flames in properties that were set ablaze by rioters after the bombing.

The provincial government declared on Tuesday a holiday and designated it as an official day of mourning for the dead.

Shops, businesses, schools and petrol pumps remained closed and there was no public transport as the city prepared for the funerals of those who were killed in the attack.

Hundreds of shops were burnt in Monday’s arson spree following the suicide attack. Interior minister Rehman Malik, who visited Karachi on Tuesday, said the incidents of violence were a “pre-planned” conspiracy to engulf the city in flames.

He said it was improbable the Shia mourners in the processions were carrying jerry-cans of petrol ready to torch properties.

Conspiracy

The fires began within minutes, and this, Mr. Malik said, pointed to a conspiracy against Pakistan.

He promised that the government would compensate traders for the losses, which may be run into billions of rupees.

Police officials said they were studying CCTV footage of the bombing. The bomber is said to have used 16 kg of explosives.

Earlier, the police issued a photograph of a severed head discovered from the site of the attack, thought to belong to the bomber, but it was later discovered to be that of a mourner in the procession.

This was the first major terror attack in Pakistan’s financial hub in over two years.

http://newageislam.com/karachi-blast-death-toll-mounts-to-43/islamic-world-news/d/2305

Fort Hood Fallout: Muslims face Insults but no widespread backlash, Muslims and Islamophobia, NewAgeISlam.com

Muslims and Islamophobia

Fort Hood Fallout: Muslims face Insults but no widespread backlash

Central Texas Muslims say increased knowledge of Islam since 9/11 attacks helped deter anti-Muslim sentiments.

When the suspect in the Nov. 5 Fort Hood shooting was identified as Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, Muslims all over the country braced for widespread retaliation similar to what they saw after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

In Texas alone, the days following the 2001 attacks saw three mosques vandalized: a Molotov cocktail was thrown against the side of the Islamic Society of Denton, at least six bullets were fired through windows of the Islamic Center of Irving and a window was smashed at an Islamic center in Carrollton.

But no such widespread backlash has come after this month's shootings.

Imam Islam Mossaad, who leads the North Austin Muslim Community Center, said a few hateful voice mails were left at the mosque after the Nov. 5 shootings, but he said that's far fewer than the dozens they received after Sept. 11.

"Thankfully nothing major, only insults and empty threats here and there," he said. "All the positive e-mails and calls of support from fellow faith leaders in Austin that we have interacted with by far overshadow the ignorant hatred of anonymous individuals."

"I give credit to the U.S. military and a lot of the media in not jumping to too many conclusions or insinuating some sort of mass conspiracy was going on by their Muslim neighbors," Mossaad said.

Muslims groups locally and nationally immediately denounced the shootings.

http://newageislam.com/fort-hood-fallout--muslims-face-insults-but-no-widespread-backlash/muslims-and-islamophobia/d/2104

An Open Letter to My Lord, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, The War within Islam, NewAgeIslam.com

The War within Islam

An Open Letter to My Lord, the Chief Justice of Pakistan

By Yasser Latif Hamdani

June 18, 2012

My Lord’s legacy is secure in the succession plan that will follow. What is more, this nation needs My Lord to play a role in active politics!

My Lord,

I write to your Lordship as a lawyer who participated in a meagre capacity in the Lawyers’ Movement. We stood up then for the Supreme Court of Pakistan because in your Lordship we found a chief justice who was willing to say ‘no’ to the demands of a military dictator. When history is recorded, your Lordship will be credited as being responsible for initiating and executing the end game for Pakistan’s last military dictator and for laying the foundation of sustainable constitutional civilian rule in Pakistan. Therefore, your Lordship’s place in history is assured and unshakeable.

It is therefore now that I, in my humble capacity as a mere practitioner of law in the High Courts of our Republic, pen this letter to your Lordship to address my concerns at the recent events, which threaten to shake the very foundation of the revolution the great Lawyers’ Movement brought about in the history of this country. The adage “Caesar’s wife should be above suspicion” is most appropriate for us to ponder over. My Lord will no doubt realise that there are two opinions in this country regarding the matter. The first opinion is that there is a grave conspiracy brewing against the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the second opinion is one that is unfavourable to your Lordship’s position and reputation. I do not wish to go into the controversy of which opinion is the majority opinion in the country. However, what is clear is that the existence of these two opinions is itself indicative of the fact that the powers that be have now manipulated the situation to an extent that your Lordship’s good name has been brought into controversy and as the saying goes, Caesar’s wife is no longer above suspicion.

http://newageislam.com/the-war-within-islam/yasser-latif-hamdani/an-open-letter-to-my-lord,-the-chief-justice-of-pakistan/d/7679