by Ayub Khan
CHICAGO (Islam Online) - A peaceful impromptu demonstration was held by the Free
Anwar Campaign in front of the Raddison hotel in Rosemont, Illinois, outside of
Chicago, where Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad spoke at a gathering
of Malaysian students.
A little over a dozen protesters held placards and banners and demanded the
immediate release of the deposed and jailed former deputy Prime Minister Anwar
Ibrahim.
The demonstrators shouted slogans like "Hey, Hey! Ho! Ho! Mahathir got to go",
"Go back Mahthir", "Reformasi" etc. The slogans got louder as Mahathir's
cavalcade, including police cars, approached the hotel.
Mahathir and his wife were immediately whisked away by the security personnel,
and this correspondent was able to catch only a glimpse of the two.
Dr. Abdul Malik Mujahid, an American Muslim activist who was a member of the
demonstration said "Anwar has been wronged... we as Muslims must stand for
justice and support his rights. I hope Mahathir will keep remembering and
listening to this message and will realize that he has committed a mistake and
ask for forgiveness from Anwar and his family."
He said that although the number of protesters present was small, they stand for
justice and represent thousands of other people. He stated that here, in the
U.S., Mahathir has no Malaysian police or secret agencies that he can send out
to the demonstrators.
Jeff, a white American, who was holding a sign saying "No Justice in Malaysia",
when asked as to why he is supporting this demonstration said, " I believe in
freedom for all people, and how can you be free as in the case of Anwar when
there are charges trumped up against you."
Many passing motorists honked as they drove by in support of the demonstrators.
Mahathir Mohammad, whose initial invitation to attend the Islamic Society of
North America's (ISNA) convention was withdrawn, was awarded a Life Time
Achievement Award by the American finance house, Lariba, in recognition of his
role in resolving the financial crisis in Malaysia.
The function was held at the Islamic Cultural Center of Greater Chicago in
Northbrook, Illinois on Friday night.
Prof. Khairy Tourk of the Illinois Institute of Technology paid glowing tributes
to Dr. Mahathir and said that he has restored the dignity and self-respect of
all developing countries. "And for that, we owe you a debt of gratitude," he
said.
In accepting the award, Mahathir stated that it was the Malaysian people who
truly deserved the award. "It was [with] the understanding and full co-operation
of the vast majority of Malaysians that we succeeded in defending our economy
against the deliberate attempts by certain forces to destroy it."
He called for a "true jihad" so that Muslims will be freed from oppression and
can take their place as successful members of a regenerated Muslim civilization.
He said the holy war is a struggle to achieve Muslim unity and acquisition of
Muslim statecraft, knowledge and skills - far different from that of today's
so-called fundamentalists who are "only interested in the trappings of Islam and
not the true fundamentals."
Meanwhile, at the Islamic Society of North America's annual convention, many
attendees condemned Mahathir's actions against Anwar and said that even though
they admired and supported Mahthir on many issues in the past (e.g. his stand of
speaking out against the dominance of the West), they now think that he has
committed a major blunder and should try to rectify it before it is too late, by
releasing Anwar immediately.
A majority of the attendees believed in Anwar's innocence.
Anwar Ibrahim, in a hand written letter from the jail to the President and
General Secretary of ISNA said, "This is a short personal note to express my
heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the support and sympathy, which you and
ISNA have shown me, Aziza (wife) and family. ... I pray for the continual
success of your noble endeavors in furthering the cause of Islam."
Dipetik daripada
http://www.islamonline.net/IOL-English/dowalia/news-2000-sep-04/topnews1.asp
