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Spread the word — “The Talibans have got to go!”

By pm317 on May 11, 2009 at 11:30 AM in Current Affairs, Pakistan, Taliban

I saw this article in the Indian Express Online posted on May 05.

It is about time!

Islamabad:

A young Pakistani woman has floated a group on a popular social networking website to say “no to Taliban” against the backdrop of an upsurge in activities by militants demanding the enforcement of Islamic law in the country.

nototaliban_pakistan_blogger

“This group officially denounces all political parties that support Taliban, Shariah courts and violence against women. We also denounce mullahs of all denominations. We are tax-paying citizens of Pakistan and we say no to Taliban,” reads the introductory note on “A Voice Against Shariah Apologists” on Facebook.

So far, 425 Pakistanis have joined the group created by Tazeen Jay, who lives in Karachi. Tazeen, an active blogger, has also hosted a blog voiceagainstshariahapologists.blogspot.com which is tagged as “Pehle Insaaniyat, Phir Shariyat” (First humanity and then Shariah or Islamic law).

“Lets work at mobilising as many people as possible to make this protest significant. The Talibans have got to go!” wrote Asma Shahab, the co-founder of the group.

For Ibrahim Nasar, a Pakistani living in Washington, the group didn’t go far enough. He suggested that the group “adopt a harder stance against the militants. “I have joined this group, but disagree with its slogan ‘pehley insaaniyat, phir shariyat’. Instead it should be replaced with these words: ‘Insaniyat, never shariyat’,” he wrote.” Others quoted in the article have equally strong statements about rejecting and saying no to Taliban.

  • Cahil

    While I want to say it’s about time, another part of me fears for the lives of those brave enough to speak out in that part of the world.

    We, as a world society, need to do more to educate the poor and less fortunate, for only then will the killing stop.

  • Ladydawnelle

    I can say I am more PROUD of a YOUNG Pakistani woman than I am of MOST Of the YOUNG OBOTS who allowed the misogyny during the primaries.

    I know it’s a BIG difference also in consequences 4 protesting as well…………… STILL our YOUNG women OBOTS lazy couldn’t muster up ONE CLUCK of defense for the garbage way Hillary was treated.

    This woman speaks out at the risk of her OWN life!
    How truly brave! Her MOTHER must be SOOOO Proud!

    • jwrjr

      Her mother is also unboubtedly scared s**tless over the “tragic accident” that is probably waiting for her.

  • Tom Cat “wodie j” Jefferson Esq

    Hopefully this is the beginning of independence from terrorism, oppression and torture of their own people in ALL countries. We can go over there and try to help all can by training people who want peace how to defend themselves. We sure can’t do it all. If Americans didn’t fight for liberty, we wouldn’t have it.

    I was watching a tv special about Israel this morning. I just sat there with my mouth open. They teach those kids in school to hate the US and Britain. One little girl said “my Daddy is going to give me an AK47 and a rifle for my birthday and I’m going to join the militant army when I grow up”. Then they showed a little boy around 5 with a hood on his head w the eyse and mouth cut out. Hate was used alot in one leader who is denouncing Western civilization. That’s all they stand for-HATE.

    • pm317

      Who was teaching them to hate? Not clear in your comment.

    • JozefAL

      You mean you’re more disturbed by THAT than a similar image of a little kid whose parents have put him/her in a little Klan robe or a kid whose parents have him/her at an anti-abortion rally holding a sign reading “I’m glad my mommy didn’t abort me” (or something similar)?
      Let’s all remember that many people who are disturbed or offended by the images such as those YOU mention are among the first to take offense ath the idea that someone else knows the best way they raise their children.
      (For the record, I find the images you described to be sad, but I’m equally sad that there are American parents who put their children out in front of TV news crews doing exactly the types of things that I listed.)

  • NomNomNom

    OT: Roxana Saberi sentence commuted to 2 years suspended sentence, she is free to leave Iran.
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/5307681/Journalist-Roxana-Saberi-freed-by-Iranian-appeal-court-verdict.html

  • Peggy Sue

    This is uplifting news, pm, although I hope the opposition membership grows quickly, safety in numbers. I also hope that Pakistani and other Muslims outside the country support the effort.

    Yes, we all need to say “No” to this and support those on the frontline.

    Good news. Finally. I admire the enormous courage this takes.

  • http://deleted Betsy Buzz Ross Latte

    This is truly wonderful news on two fronts.

    Roxana is free.

    Tazeen Jay takes a stand.

    Both of these lovely ladies could teach the obots a thing or two, not to mention those who get hung up on being so oppressed in America. Hah!

    While this one is rather altruistic when the dangers are so very real for those that oppose the taliban and hate mongering, perhaps this is appropriate.

    “No body can hurt me without my permission.”

    Gandi

    • http://deleted Betsy Buzz Ross Latte

      Oops.

      *Gandhi*

      I was typing and answering the phone at the same time…

    • cynic

      What does any of this have to do with “obots? Are you under the impression that “obots” are pro-Taliban?

      • http://deleted Betsy Buzz Ross Latte

        It’s called a comment.

        Obots, who allowed oppression by participating in intimidation, vote tampering, spray painting and stealing signs, and physical abuse, could use a lesson in who’s really the enemy.

    • NoBamaNoWay

      right Betsy, american women ought to just sit down and shut up; sexism clearly doesn’t exist here since other women have it worse. betsy, you need to get your ovaries back from your pimp.

      • http://deleted Betsy Buzz Ross Latte

        Wow. Now that wasn’t too bitchy now was it?

      • http://deleted Betsy Buzz Ross Latte

        Wow. Now that wasn’t too bitchy now was it?

        How are all those personal issues treating you?

  • I’m a Linda too

    Spread the word — “The Talibans have got to go!”

    Hey, isn’t that an ACORN chant?

    “Hey Hey (double clap), Ho Ho (double clap), the Talibans have got to go! (repeat)
    :)

    • Docelder

      ACORN could really do a great service in organizing the people of Pakistan against the Taliban. We need to draft an emergency legislation funding this asap.

      • pm317

        Yeah, sure. They will pocket all the aid money.

        Linda, I didn’t know it was ACORN’s chant.

  • http://noquarter foxyladi14

    not the moderate ones.potus is courting them..

  • http://www.dcmediagirl.com DCMediagirl

    Hmmm pm317…does this mean that there’s a grassroots movement to kick the American media out of Pakistan? I’m confused, since you yourself compared American domestic press to the Taliban.

    But I guess you’re talking about the REAL Taliban, the one that kills people. I’m relieved that you’ve come to understand the difference.

    With all due respect to the Indian publication you quote from, maybe you missed the fact that the Taliban aren’t so popular in Pakistan. Perhaps you should read some of the comments of the hundreds of thousands of refugees pouring out of Swat, who are telling horror stories of Taliban atrocities and expressing their relief that the authorities are taking action against the butchers.

    You also may have missed the widespread demonstrations that took place in 2007 that eventually led to Musharraf declaring martial law in November of that year. Those brave people were demonstrating for the rule of (SECULAR) law. Another round of marches (and a timely call from Hillary Clinton) persuaded Zardari to put an end to his foolishness and reinstate the Chief Justice once and for all.

    So the point is that the phenomenon of Pakistanis voicing their disapproval of human rights abuses of one form or another for years, and not just with Facebook pages (as noble as that effort may be). I suggest that people who find this subject interesting read the writings of journalists in Pakistan who risk their lives advocating for human rights and against tyranny of all kinds. These articles and editorials are available in English.