Sunday, December 14, 2008

What to do when you get arrested


An important chapter in the manual gives detailed instructions about what to do if arrested. 'If any friend (jihadis are referred to as friends in the manual) gets into trouble he must remember one thing: Police or interrogators will give you the impression that they know everything about you, your organisation and other friends but, in reality, they know nothing so don't fall into their trap. You have to remain very composed, particularly when the interrogators threaten to harm your parents or sisters. They can use all kind of methods, but you are answerable only to God, so never betray your friends or the future plans of the organisation. Never give detailed answers and avoid unnecessary information. Try to confuse them about your friends. Never be afraid to die, even when interrogators threaten you with death or put you in front of a firing squad. These are mere threats and then, remember, you are a mujahid, and whatever you are doing is for the cause of your religion.'
Saeed's group, despite the ban on JuD's assets by the US Treasury Department, was openly soliciting funds for jihad through its weekly, Ghazwa. In an advertisement, the group sought Ushr from farmers. Islamic customs urge farmers to keep aside a 20th of his wheat crop for charity, Ushr. JuD said Ushr was needed to support jihad in Kashmir, Afghanistan and Iraq. 'Your Ushr will support mujahideen, their widows, their families, etc. It will also be used in buying weapons for mujahideen,' ran the ad.
In June 2008, Saeed was quite actively promoting the cause of jihad from his mosque in Lahore. 'Jihad is not terrorism. It is the biggest source of establishing peace on earth. The state of the world's affairs is changing rapidly because of the sacrifices offered by the Muslims. The Muslims must remain steadfast.'
This brief is largely drawn from the author's yet-to-be published Coming Blowback: How Pakistan is Endangering the World. He can be contacted at wjohn@orfonline.org
Image: An undated photograph of Maulana Masood Azhar, who was released during the Kandahar hijack episode. Photograph: Getty Images.

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