MRN

The aspiration of the Media Review Network is to dispel the myths and stereotypes about Islam and Muslims and to foster bridges of understanding among the diverse people of our country. The Media Review Network believes that Muslim perspectives on issues impacting on South Africans are a prerequisite to a better appreciation of Islam.

Press statement tragedy in Kashmir

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

By Ibrahim Vawda – Media Review Network

The Media Review Network expresses its concern at the latest atrocities carried out by the Indian Government in Indian Held Kashmir. An amnesty international letter to the Indian Prime Minister, Mr Manmohan Singh in 2008 listed his country’s human rights abuses in Kashmir and called for an independent inquiry claiming that unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, torture and the rape of women persists in the state of Kashmir.

The struggle for self-determination by the Kashmiris began six decades ago. The Indian Government invaded the territory in 1947 and to this day has controlled it with an iron fist, through draconian laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the Jammu and Kashmir Disturbed Areas Act and the Public Safety Act. The provisions of these Acts enable the Military to operate with impunity. 800 000 security forces are deployed in the region with a population of 7 million.

Kashmir remains a disputed territory, awaiting the referendum promised by Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1947/48. The Government of India remains intransigent and will not recognise this.

The recent uprising, which began in June of this year, has seen scores of civilians killed, hundreds wounded, many detained, many women gang raped, widowed and children orphaned.

With crimes committed by states friendly to the West, atrocity fatigue hastily sets in. Similarly, daily home demolitions, rape of women, and theft of land and detention of Palestinians by Israel is ignored. Is it because Israel trains the Indian military in the art of “counter terrorism”?

The MRN urges the South African Government to immediately impress upon the Indian Government to revoke all draconian laws which promote human rights violations. Also, to withdraw all its armed forces from populated areas and to release all Kashmiri leaders and activists languishing in Indian jails and in Indian Occupied Kashmir prisons. Furthermore the Government should call upon the Indian Authorities to honour all United Nations Resolutions, thereby securing a rapid solution to the problem.

Un urged to implement its resolutions on Kashmir

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

(source: Kashmir Media Service)

The Executive Director of Kashmir Centre London, Professor Nazir Ahmad Shawl has appealed to the United Nations to recognise the present situation of occupied Kashmir and take notice of latest mayhem orchestrated by Indian troops on Monday in the territory.

Professor Shawl in a statement issued in London urged the UN Secretary General, Chairman Human Rights Council and UN Human Rights Commissioner to recognise and acknowledge the massive participation of the people in various protest Marches. “These Marches are in fact a referendum against Indian occupation,” he added.

The Executive Director asserted that it would be quite timely if a grand political initiative was set in motion by permanent members of the Security Council by organising a round table discussion with India, Pakistan and Kashmir representatives as participants. “The discussion in this round table should be based on the UN package agreed by India, Pakistan and international community long ago. The need of the hour is to utilise UN mechanisms and unfreeze the UN package on Kashmir,” Shawl maintained.

World urged to take note of Indian state terrorism in ihk

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

(source: Kashmir Media Service)

Convenor of All Parties Hurriyet Conference, AJK, chapter, Mehmood Ahmad Saghar, while condemning the killings of innocent Kashmiris by Indian troops, has appealed the international community to take notice of Indian state terrorism in the occupied territory.

Mehmood Ahmad Saghar in a statement said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir were peacefully struggling for securing right to self-determination but the Indian troops and police personnel were killing them. He said that the massacre of 19 Kashmiris by Indian troops in last 24 hours was the worst kind of Indian state terrorism.

He said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had rendered unprecedented and matchless sacrifices for getting rid of Indian bondage and they would continue their struggle till complete success. He demanded of the world community to take notice of barbarism by Indian troops in the occupied territory and force India to resolve the Kashmir dispute in accordance with Kashmiris’ aspirations.

Rabbi tells erdogan no peace without hamas

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

By Khalid Amayreh in occupied Palestine

A prominent rabbi from a settlement in the West Bank has informed Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that there can be no real peace in occupied Palestine or the wider Middle East without the involvement of Hamas, the Islamic Palestinian liberation movement.

The Rabbi, Menahem Fruman, met with Erdogan in Istanbul a few weeks ago. Fruman believes that since Hamas more or less represents Islam, there can be no lasting peace between Jews and Muslims without recognizing the central role of Islam in peace-making in the region and the world at large.

The rabbi also believes that since Jews lived a good part of their history under Islam in peace, there is no reason why they can’t have the same experience again. Fruman said he emphasized to Erdogan that all current peace efforts, led by the United States, were doomed to failure since people who really represent the Palestinian people, namely the Hamas movement, were not involved in the process.

Fruman, who lives at the settlement of Tkeou near Bethlehem, added that any peace deal that ignores the centrality of Islam in the region wouldn’t succeed in the long run. "I think Jews have to make peace with Islam first and foremost. Peace with secular forces in the Arab world would lead to nowhere. Only peace with Islam would be genuine and long-lasting."

The rabbi added that Erdogan agreed with him that without the involvement with Hamas in peace talks, the entire peace process would be dubious and fruitless. Fruman had met with prominent Palestinian leaders such as the late PLO leader Yasser Arafat and Martyr Ahmed Yasin, the late leader of Hamas, who was murdered by Israel more than 6 years ago.