From: umera%msu.dnet@TERRA.OSCS.MONTANA.EDU (Ruhul Amin)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.bangladesh
Subject: RE: SHAKIL AHMED AZAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: 10 Apr 92 22:51:50 GMT


I just read the article by Asif on Shakil's integrity, question of
citizenship etc.  I was outraged but then controled myself to some 
extent when I read the apology by Asif.  I did not have time
to read s.c.b earlier today.  Otherwise, I would have written the same
thing as the others did in favour of Shakil.  

Probably it's little late but still I think it's worth posting the
following article from another net.  Few weeks ago we had a debate
on M.S.A. Net about the arrest of Gulam Azam in Bangladesh.  It 
started when someone posted an article to collect signature/letter
for the release of Gulam Azam.  Yes, people are active even in the "west"
for the release of Gulam Azam. I am posting excerpt of the article by
Shakil during that debate.  I hope his critic will have a better
understanding about Shakil and how he feels about Gulam Azam.  Sorry
Shakil, I did not take your permission to post your article.  I hope 
you wouldn't mind.  So here is the article.

-- Ruhul Amin
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717

******************** BEGINING OF SHAKIL'S ARTICLE ****************************

From:	(Address deleted)  29-MAR-1992 19:12:27.75
To:	(Address deleted)
CC:	
Subj:	Bangladesh

.................M.S.A..Net........M.S.A..Net..................
message # 889 .................................................

(Skakil writes:)

Assalamu Alaikum.

It has generally been my principle not to post anything of political
nature to this list, especially when there is risk of the discussion
leading to topics which have little to do with the purpose of this
list.  Unfortunately, a recent article forces me to violate my own
principle.  I firmly believe that we should stand united, but I cannot
sit back and smile when there is a case of severe misinformation.

(Name deleted) writes:

    [staff deleted]


   The leader of the Jamaat Islami Bangladesh is an old man. Yes, if
   he commited a crime he should be punished. But who will decide what
   was the crime he committed ? And to what extent he did what is alleged ?
   As I pointed out, you have certain personal biases. Most other people who
   were involved in this also have strong personal feelings. It is natural that
   we should get emotional when we have lost so many of our loved
   ones.

(Skakil writes):

Unfortunately, if we extend this level of reasoning, we could apply it
to *all* crimes.  Who is to judge anything?  

Need a community accept someone who is clearly against the existence
of that very community?  Can destructive behavior that attempts
tearing down a society be considered helpful in any way?  Is the age
of the accused relevant to the crimes committed in any way?

(Name deleted) writes:

   You [Ruhul Amin] have suggested that we not ask for the release of the 
   old man. This indirectly suggests that you trust the judgement of the 
   government. Do you ? Are you willing to go along with whatever they say ?

(Shakil writes:)

In one case, we have someone in support of a trial against the man.
By any book, that is quite just, for noone can be held guilty without
a fair trial.  But on the other hand, you are arguing for the
*release* of the "old man", once more somehow tying his age into all
this.  In this latter case, you are *already* making a ruling.  On
what grounds are you proposing his release?  His age?  Under which
jurisdiction, Islamic or even otherwise, does this hold?  How can one
ask the MSA net to support releasing someone against whom there is
much evidence, *before* he has even been tried?  Can this be
considered just in any way at all?  All brother Ruhul Amin was stating
is that one should not take the appeal for help at face value, the
water is much deeper than it appears.  He provided a fair amount of
background information as well as some touching personal experiences.
He was attempting to inform the Muslim community of something they may
not have been aware of.  Nobody has the right to demand lifting a
trial simply on emotional grounds having to do with "age" or whatever.

(Name deleted) writes:

   My own humble answer to the above questions is "NO".
   I do not trust the government to carry out true justice.

(Shakil writes):

And therefore you propose his release and freedom?  On what grounds
are *you* basing your decision?  Clearly, you must have much to say
against the existing evidence against him that allows you to reach
such a ruling from so many thousand miles away?  We are all Muslims,
and we should all believe in our legal system -- many Muslims commit
crimes, and they need to be punished.  Age really does not play a role
in this.  Trials are the rational and fair means of dealing with
accusations.  Arguing for release before a trial indicates an
unacceptable bias that is neither rational, nor fair.

(Name deleted) writes:

   If you feel that he is still of doubtful character, then remove him from the
   leadership of the party. But isn't what the government doing right
   now, taking matters too far ? 

(Shakil writes:)

How can the government remove him from the leadership of a party it
does not control?

(Name deleted) writes:

   At the end of the debate, I came to the conclusion that all parties were
   biased and emotional. As such it would not be possible to to give out a just
   punishment, assuming that one can conclusively prove the guilt of a person,
   which in itself is highly unlikely.

(Shakil writes):

But how can you reach such conclusions without investigating the
evidence for the case in question?  More importantly, what are you
basing your call for the defendant's freedom on?  What facts?

(Name deleted) writes:

   I apologize for writing such a loooong response, but I felt that a
   human life (A Muslim life) would be worth it.

(Shakil writes):

To some, I guess three million Muslim lives weren't worth much.

Again, there is a risk here of getting deep into South Asian politics,
and that would deviate far from the actual purpose of this mailing
list.  I do believe, however, that it is our duty to educate our
fellow Muslims on issues they may not be aware of, especially if it
means we all learn from our history.


-- Shakil Ahmed
=======================================================================
Dept. of Computer Science     INTERNET: ahmed-shakil@cs.yale.edu
P.O. Box 2158, Yale Station   BITNET  : ahmed-shakil@yalecs.bitnet
New Haven, CT 06520-2158      UUCP    : {ucbvax,harvard,...}!yale!ahmed
=======================================================================
********************* END OF SHAKIL'S ARTICLE *********************************

Newsgroups: soc.culture.bangladesh