Salaamaleykum,
I hope everyone still remember the massacre of Lal Masjeed, Islamabad that occurred back in mid-2007. Despite the huge human casualty, the real story behind it remains a mystery. Events are blurred between the 'official politically correct' version and the politically incorrect version, which is based on the accounts of witnesses at the scene.
Heck, even the death tally is disputed between the two versions. Officials put the death toll at just over 100, where as witnesses said around 2000 died, most of them women and children.


The official story, which the international press community decided to agree with, painted a very grim picture over the whole ordeal. Lal masjeed was supposedly a training camp for terrorists and propagated extremist ideologies.
The other version, however, is very different from what the government claimed. It was nothing about terrorism. In fact, it was a internal political drama.

My article based on an account of an acquaintance that has recently been to Islamabad and have a thorough study of the events at Lal Masjeed.


Lal Masjeed (lit. Red Mosque) is actually a mosque cum seminary (madrasah) that catered both male and female students. Of course, the female quaters and male quaters are separated. The seminary has been existing for decades.

 The government accused, a few weeks prior to the massacre, the masjeed was built without approval from the local authority. Even though the accusation is true, anyone with a good knowledge of  South Asia will know that these things are normal. Hardly will you be able to find a mosque or other places of worship built with proper documentations. Aside from the buildings built under government projects, all other such buildings were built by common understand. If the government was to demolish all the mosques built without proper documents, I dare say more then half of  the mosques in Pakistan will have to be destroyed.

The events unfolds due to a massage parlour cum brothel that was getting popular located not far from the mosque. It was run by a woman called Aunty Shemeem.

The Maulana (Principal) of the seminary decided that it was time to tackle the brothel issue, as it was big vice activity happening so near to the mosque. An indignity to the mosque.
 
(Officials claim Aunty Shemeem was kidnapped by the female students of the Madrassa, they never mentioned anything that lead to the 'kidnap'). The Maulana sent a few letters to Aunty Shemeem asking her to move the brothal to a different place far away from the mosque. The letter also aforementioned that the madrassa has no power to force them to evict but the request was as a respect to the place of worship.
After being repeatedly ignored by Aunty Shemeem, a few female students from the Jamia Hafsa decided to confront her. They forcefully dragged her to the  seminary, and started reasoning with her. Of course, it can be labeled as 'kidnap'.
Anyway, having talked to her, advise her, lecture her, they let her go after a few hours. Unfortunately, Aunty Shemeem hasn't reached her senses and is far from repenting. She felt that she need to revenge to the Seminary.

Since many of her customers are high ranking officers and politician, she was more then sure that she can have things her way. Before long, the Lal Masjeed was approached by the authorities for being built without proper documentations. After weeks of tensions and negotiations, an agreement was reached with the Masjeed authorities which will spare the masjeed from demolision. Outside the masjeed compound, however, due to the raised tensions, a battalion comprising of soldiers from the minorities (i.e. non-Muslims) had already been deployed.
Unfortunately, at the last minute before the signing of the agreement, the then Prime Minister, Gen. Pervez Musharaf, had a change of mind. The agreement didnt went through.

As the episode enters its climax,a standoff begun between the security forces and the students of the seminary. Initially, the students were given amnesty to leave the seminary. While this was going on, a commander was shot, by a bullet coming from the direction of the seminary compound. Some speculate, it was from one of the Secret Service agents, in attempt to start firing at the Masjeed. Of course, as planned, the fire exchange begun.

Sadly enough, the children and womenfolk are still trapped inside the dorm of the seminary. Weather, trapped or deliberately decided to stay on, what is certain is none of them stepped out alive.

The fighting continued fiercely between the seminary students and the armed force for days. One of accusations hurled at the seminary, to paint is as a terrorist camp, was that they had an considerable supply of arms and ammunition. I agree, this is suspicious. However, if you know the nature of life in Pakistan, you will understand why its important for big traditional Islamic institutions to keep arms in their compound.

Pakistan is no stranger to internal fighting, sectarian violence and constant threat of war with India. Mainly, its the sectarian violence (between Shi'a and Sunni) that prompt such institutions to arm themselves.

Point to be noted though, NOT all students were 'dangerously armed with AK-47', in fact most of the students and the female students were armed with mere sticks!!!

Back to the fight, it went on for few days and few nights. Apparently, the armed force's policy at this given occasion was 'take no prisoner'.

After a week-long standoff, the sound of gun fire silenced. What remains was the appalling stench of the casualty of the battle. The victors hailed their success, whereas the rest of the nation mourns the violation of the sacredness of the Mosque by the Islamic Republic's own armed force. Perhaps, the President was wise by fielding non-Muslim soldiers for that operation, they will follow orders without any conflict of interest.

Here are some pictures of what remained of Lal Masjeed.

posted by The Burmastani in Islam , Pakistan, Politics @ 9:23 PM

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