Some anti-jihad progress-
Back in November, I read about the plight of Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, a very brave Bangladeshi muslim journalist who is on trial, possibly for his life, because he supported a dialogue between Israel and Bangladesh, and had been critical of Islamic radicals. See "An Interview with With Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury: Will America Act to Save One Courageous Man's Life?" at itshinesforall.com and note, among other things, "Why hasn't Mr. Choudhury fled Bangladesh despite having had the opportunity? Because, he says, "if I leave I will be proved to be a coward ... I want to fight the matter to the last." Many of Mr. Choudhury's colleagues have fled the country, but Mr. Choudhury, a practicing Muslim, wants to live free in his own country and beat the case set against him. "There is no pride, no honor, and no dignity in retreating," he says."
One or more of the anti-jihad websites had posted that there was a resolution in Congress, yet to be passed, "Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Government of Bangladesh should immediately drop all pending charges against Bangladeshi journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, the Government of Bangladesh should immediately return all of Mr. Choudhury's confiscated possessions; and the Government of Bangladesh should cease harassment and intimidation of Mr. Choudhury, take steps to protect Mr. Choudhury, and hold accountable those responsible for attacks against Mr. Choudhury."
From Richard Benkin, Choudhury's most vocal defender, in his "Fighting Injustice and Jihad in Bangladesh" see interfaithstrength.com "The unjust treatment of Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury is a tragedy and a travesty in and of itself. For that reason alone, we must fight it. But consider, as well, that many other Muslims have said privately that people are looking at the case. Many Muslims in places like Bangladesh feel much as Shoaib does. Most, however, fear the retribution that Shoaib has withstood and are largely silent. If we allow Shoaib to go down, they will likely remain silent. But if we defeat those who are trying to hijack their faith and their countries, they will be emboldened to stand up, as well, for justice and ultimately for all of us.
You want a War on Terror, this one without guns but with equal courage? Here it is. "
Figuring that, though this is one small instance of resisting this scourge on humanity, this man deserves our help, and just maybe his message may encourage others to resist. Considering that, among other things, $63 million in aid to Bangladesh annually should have some influence, I wrote to my congressman to support the resolution.
I'm happy to report that House Resolution 64 re Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury passed on 3/13/07, 409 to 1 (encouraging results, no?).
Let's see where the government goes with this.
For more information see-
freechoudhury.com and all of the links
From Choudhury's own Bangladeshi Tabloid, the Blitz-
US Congress passes resolution on Blitz editor
weeklyblitz.net;
To see HR64- thomas.loc.gov and enter "choudhury" in the search box |
