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Free Babar Ahmad: Sign Petition To Get UK Trial

babar ahmad muslim prison detainee

                          Babar Ahmad, 2009  
"O sad heart! From hardships, do not get mad.
Your worries will soon end, don't feel sad.
The road's perilous and destination away.
Yet all roads have their end, I daresay." - Hafez Shirazi

These were the opening words I read from Babar Ahmad's last letter. He, as always, remembered me in his prayers over the Ramadan season and greeted me with Eid duas before I had "got around" to sending mine.

His story is a unique one and I'm frustrated that I have to share it with such regret. I personally feel I have not done enough. There is no time here to complain about the work "we" have and the lack of "us" in the community. This is definitely an "I (you) need to do more" scenario.

Babar... Who?
Babar Ahmad is the 37 year old British Muslim who has been detained in various UK prisons - without charge - for almost ten years. He was taken into custody in 2003 as part of the 'war on terror' phase which was illegitimately legalised by both the government's then newly passed laws on anti-terrorism in 2001 and 2003 (look them up).

Babar was taken from his home in London, hit severely in front his wife and children and according to statements, sustained a total of seventy-three - that's 73 - forensically recorded injuries. He was beaten. By the police. There is no denying this or justification for it. Babar was released six days later, without charge.

Almost a year later, Babar was arrested again and taken to prison with a request this time from the US for extradition, under the no-evidence-required Extradition Act of 2003. The US alleged that in the 1990s, Babar was a supporter of "terrorism" although Babar denies any involvement of the sort.

Babar Ahmad has been in prison for 7 years. Without charge. Without evidence. Without trial.

So much for justice, liberty and freedom for all men. I know this doesn't move you much yet; he's not your dad, or your brother, - not all that interesting to us right now. This is why Allah The Creator told all of humanity:
"O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, a witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. BE JUST; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do."
(Qur'an, 5:8)

And the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: “That person will not enter Paradise whose neighbour is not secure from his wrongful conduct.” (Muslim)

Now that you know a person on your planet (he's your neighbour) is being oppressed and has a grave unjustice done to them, it is not only a moral duty of yours to fix that, it is a command from God. Not doing anything will put us in the same category as the authorities and individuals who put Babar Ahmad in his situation.

What You Need To Do
An ePetition has been launched to gather 100,000 signatures by 10th November 2011, so that Babar Ahmad's case can be discussed in Parliament. Larger numbers create a larger voice in British politics which is why your participation is vital. The rest, and Babar Ahmad's safety, we always leave to God's protection and guidance, insha-Allah, God willing.

  1. Digitally sign the Free Babar Ahmad campaign ePetition using a email address and British postal code. You must be a British citizen. You can sign it more than once - this is not cheating as the petition does not forbid it - and you can sign on behalf of all your household/family or roommates, providing of course they have an email address. After signing, you must click the link sent to you through email to confirm the signature. No confirmation, no signature.
  2. But if you are not a British citizen, copy and send the ePetition link {http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/885} to all your friends and to anyone who has a British address.
  3. Share the link on Facebook, Twitter, text it to all your friends requesting them to forward it too, send it to your grandparents, get your siblings to pin it on the school notice board and get schools, your ISOC/MSA or social group involved; tell your parents to sign it and share it at work. After signing it yourself, you must get at least 25 people to sign the petition and ask them to forward it for 25+ more. Please.
Take It To The Streets
For the more active of you who bump into more people during the day (at work or the mosque), download and print this petition template to gather signatures which can then be entered online (time saver). The direct link for that pdf download is {http://www.freebabarahmad.com/downloads/babar_ahmad_petition_template.pdf}.

Please remember, we have only a third of the target number - we need 100,000 signatures before 10 November 2011 for the issue to become eligible for parliamentary debate.

Signing takes just a minute. That link again {Free Babar Ahmad campaign ePetition}.

Thank you so much for your help, alhamdulillah.

Zaufishan.

Write to Babar Ahmad and let him know you signed the ePetition:
Babar Ahmad (A9385AG)
Detainee Unit
HMP Long Lartin
Evesham
Worcs, WR11 8TZ (UK)

More on Muslim detainees:
The Final Letter From Abdul Muhid, UK Prisoner
Writing To Muslim Detainee Talha Ahsan
Help Me Help the Forgotten Muslim Detainees
Writing to Muslim Detainee Adel Abdel'Bary | Muslimness of Zaufishan

1 comment:

  1. Nusratbahmed30/10/2011, 23:56

    Please let Babar Ahmad have a fair Trial in UK
    From N B Ahmed

    ReplyDelete

Thank you. Have you read Muslimness.com?

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