The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Transcription

1 In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community 2nd Annual USA Jammat Public Relations Seminar Saturday, January 27, 2007 Bait ul Zafar, Hollis, The Second Annual Public Relations seminar was held on January 27 th 2007 in Bait ul Zafar, Hollis,. The seminar is organized on an annual basis to bring public relations and chapter presidents or their representatives from all chapters in the United States to discuss matters requiring national efforts and organization. A total of 85 members of the 65 chapters invited attended the 1 day seminar. The meeting started promptly at 9 am with recitation from the Holy Quran. Naib Ameer Br. Zinda Sahib opened the meeting with a message from Khalifatul Messih V encouraging the Public Relations members to continue the important task of meeting with officials in the US government to bring the situation in Pakistan to light. Specifically a campaign has been launched by the Public Relations US chapter that every chapter in the 29 states represented should schedule and meet with at their elected officials between Dec 1 st 2006 and April 23, 2007 to highlight the need to eliminate the Anti-Ahmadi law in Pakistan. Br. Sahib also presented the top three objectives of the campaign: First, restore the rights of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan to vote. Second, Release of prisoner and eliminate the Ordinance XX law, Cease persecution of Ahmadi Muslims. Thirdly appeasement of radical Mullahs, A comprehensive dossier is located on the Ahmadiyya.us web site where members can assemble the appropriate documents for meetings with elected officials. Each chapter was requested to develop 2 hard copies for use in meetings and that if any chapter need assistance with preparation/ cost they should request the support of the national PR office through Br. Sahib. The link below is the location for the dossier: m_content&task=view&id=227&itemid=172 Following the initial address to the delegates, a review of the dossier contents was conducted. During this review an open letter to Gen. Musharraf was reviewed and discussed. The delegates were requested to take this letter forward to their elected officials and discuss the state of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan and elsewhere that are being persecuted.

2 Additional data was presented to support meetings including facts related to the number of Ahmadi's martyred on average each year before and after Ahmadi's were declared non-muslim in This data reflects a rise in the number of Ahmadi's martyred each year by over 300% since After a short break for afternoon prayer and lunch the delegates hosted four guests for a session Presided by Dr Ahsanullah Zafar Ameer USA Jammat, on media, citizenship, and meeting with elected officials. The guests were (left) James P. Pinker, a fellow at the America Foundation and a columnist for sday and TechCentralStation.com as well as a contributor to the Fox s Channel. Mr. Pinker worked in the White House domestic policy offices of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. He also worked on their 1980, 1984, 1988 and 1992 presidential campaigns. He is also author of the book, What Comes Next: The End of Big Government and the Paradigm Ahead (Hyperion, 1995).; (center) Mr. Omar Alvarellos worked with Mayor Giuliani and now with Keyspan Energy; and (right) John Kenny-A Lawyer in -Post with Governor Spitzer. Also joining the PR seminar via conference phone was Christoph Wilcke. Researcher, Middle East Division (Jordan and Saudi Arabia), Human Rights Watch. The delegates raised issues for awareness to the guests such as persecution in Pakistan and the recent arrest and exile of 29 Ahmadi Muslims in Saudi Arabia on December 29 th, After understanding these and other points respected Ameer Sahib and Missionary Sahib led the team in a discussion and Q & A that lasted for over one hour.

3 One delegate suggested that Mr. Pinker read the Promised Messiah's book entitled "The British Government and Jihad" and A Message of Peace to gain an understanding of the Ahmadi teachings on this subject. He was presented the books and agreed to read it. After a 1 hour session of Q and A the delegates moved to topics in the late session of how to meet with elected officials. This was accomplished in power point presentation on various subjects and workshop form discussions. The meeting concluded at 9 pm after namaz and was a very successful and enlightening event for all that attended. Conclusion: Mr. Pinker spoke on topics ranging from the importance of interacting with communities of different backgrounds to better know your neighbors, to making sure we have considered how we represent ourselves on web sites and our Mosques. He answered many questions on how to engage with media in a positive way with a strong message of peace and moderation. Over 85 delegates from all over the United States attended the 1 day PR seminar in. Topics such as the Pakistan Campaign to restore the right to vote to Ahmadi Muslims, making a general appeal to elected US officials, and highlighting the recent action by the Saudi government against Ahmadi's were central to the seminar. Each Jammat was requested to meet with elected officials as part of the campaign between Dec 1 st 2006 and April 23, Any chapter unable to fulfill this objective must report to Br. Zinda Sahib for council and alternative arrangements. Br. made a passionate appeal to all members that we are working in the cause of Allah and that this cause would be successful if we apply ourselves with earnest efforts and prayers. Over 80 meetings have been conducted since the 1 st annual PR seminars involving a select handful of members. If each chapter can mobilize in a similar fashion the whole of Congress and Senate will know our issue and will share our conviction to resolve it, Inshallah. Appendix: Meeting COMMITT MEETIN Date OFFICIAL'S NAME EE'S JAMAAT G REMARKS/ Jamaat Staff Name NAME DELEGATES VENUE COMMENTS 1/09/06 Congressman Frank Wolf (D- VA) 1/27/06 Staff David Crotts Senator Richard Burr Dr. Ahsanullah Zafar M. Waseem, C. Naseer Z.M., Jalal Latif, Naseer Syed Int. of Islam Ahmadiyyat/Root causes of terror/ Denial of basic rights/jihad Int. of Islam Ahmadiyyat/Root causes of terror/ Denial of basic rights/jihad

4 1st. Public Relations Seminar USA Jamaat in which 83 Delegates attended from 38 Jamaats at 1/28/06 NHQ. Only 38 Jamaats represented out of 61 Jamaats. 2/21/06 Congress Joseph Crowley along with 3 US Bangladesh Embassy Staff visited Ahmadiyya NHQ and had meeting with Jamaat Delegation. National and International Press were present at this meeting. 2/27/06 USCIRF Delegation of 6 officials led by Chairman visited Ahmadiyya NHQ and had meeting with Jamaat Delegation. National and International Press were also present at this meeting. 3/02/06 Clarissa Adamson (Office of International Religious Freedom State Department) met Indonesian Jamaat Delegates in US Embassy Jakarta and accompanied them to NHQ Bogor, and had a meeting with the Delegation in the Mosque, which is still sealed. 3/23/06 UN Perm. Rep. of Kazakhstan Z.M. Serik Zh. Zhanibekov--- Counselor Ali Murtaza 3/27/06 Congressman Crowley Z.M. Greg E. Sheiowitz legis. assistant 3/27/06 Office of USCIRF Z.M. Steve Snow & Kazakhstan Desk Office of Ambassador of Z.M., 3/28/06 Kazakhstan, Zahir Met Counsellor 3/28/06 Nancy M Hewett (Kazakhstan) 3/28/06 Lisa Curtis 4/19/06 Asma Jahangir Chairman 3/19/06 State Departmen t Official Senior Advisor on Euroasian affairs Z.M.,, Mian Waseem Senate Foreign Z.M. Relation Professional Staff Committee Human Rights Z.M. Lahore, Commissio n of Munawar I.A.Rehman Director Pakistan Shahid Pakistan Met Hazoor aba in London who graciously gave wide-ranging directions and guidance. Alhamdolillah. 5/3/06 USCIRF Z.M. 5/03/06 Mark Silverman, Staff Senator Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) Chairman Sub- Comm. Perm. Rep. of Pak to UN Kazakhstan, Extension of work visa for missionary Issue Follow Up 6th Meeting Issue Issue Issue Clarissa Adamson Introduced Will pass on to Kazakhstan Desk Detailed discussion of Human Rights situation in Pak. Released Annual Report Met Pak/BD Embassy Staff Z.M. Senator has new staff. When arrived, told that 5/30/06 Ambassador Muneer Akram Z.M. Asad, Ismael Ambassador not Nayyar there. Wrote letter Congressman Joseph (attached) to 6/7/06 Crowley Z.M. Pakistan Greg E. Sheiowitz legislative Ambass. on assistant 6/23/06. 6/9/06 Dr. Kamal Hussein National Z.M. Attended a

5 6/17/06 Farewell at JFK on June 17th 6/14/06 Rashid Khan Menon Farewell at JFK on June 14th 7/3/06 Leader of reception Banglades h on June 9th President Workers Very obliged and Party BD Z.M. greatful. 8 US Journalists belonging to different newspapers visited NHQ Dhaka, BD and had a meeting with Jamaat Delegation. National and International Press were also present. 7/11/06 USCIRF- An Event with Z.M., Book "The Mighty and The Almighty- Sec. Madeline Albright, Asad Reflections on America,God, and World Affairs" Met with Hazoor aba on August 1st, 2006 in London, who very kindly gave directive to work for 8/1/2006 peace in world--middle east--syria 9/1/2006 Joseph Barghout US State Depart Precarious situation of the World Warren Gofsy Syrian Desk Z.M. US to avoid Syria get into conflict 9/12/2006 Karen Parker Intern. developme nt Fund Imam Irshad Malhi San Fran To discuss working of UNHRC 9/30/2006 Director IED,Chief Rep to UN International Conference on Bangladseh against terrorrism 10/7/2006 Sitting with Shahriar Kabir HR Acivist of BD 10/14/2006 Abdul Niyas Ahmad Martyred in NegombeSri Lanka 4.30am Humanit. Law Project(NG O) Wasim Malik,Z.M.Ba jwa CA to work on Pakistan Mir Mubashir Ali Naib Amir Jammat delegate of Govt of BD policies of terrorrism Shahriar about 14 Kabir person Ny discussed BD,s Baitul Situation in BD and Members Zafar forth coming Queens BD election came NY into discussion Martyred on Oct 14, /tel Moved our state in Sri Lanks and opponent eph department decaled to Kill 6 Jammat offiical and Thanks for their capture mosque by 10/31 timely action 10/23 to Senator 10/28 Chafee,Dole, senators/c Santoroum,F state ong ox Depart Sri Lanka situation correspondence with Sri 10/17 to Lanak Govt 10/23/2006 Diplomats in US A jammat delegate Imam I H disscussed about 10/26/2006 Asma Jihangir met her Kauser Pakistan in Z M UN Special Rapateaour and 4 others NY Situation of Sri 10/30/2006 Mr Aziz First Secretary Z M Lanka discussed UN Perm Mission of Sri Lanka Asad NY A Situation of Sri 10/31/2006 H.E.Bernard Goonetilleke Lanka discussed Imam S.Nasir,Zaki Ambassador of Sri Lanka Kauser Got information that Bulgarian (a town attorney General) want to get "Ahmadia" registeration 11/14/2006 terminated 11/15//2006 Olivia Hil / (Phillip Barth) By from ZM Thanks Saba and Nancy Hewett for

6 US State Departmnet Bulgaria Desk 10/26/2006 Asma Jahangir IH Kauser Pak H R Commission /Special Rapeteour to UN US Departmne 11/30/2006 Olivia Hil-Bulgaria Desk t of State J. Morales-Pak,S.Lanka Desk Clarissa Adamson-Indones. Desk 11/30/2006 Khalid Hasan 12/1/2006 Mark Silverman-I/C Foreign Relation Sen. Lincoln Chafee Court date 11/19, 11/21,12/8, Embassy in sophia get enganged Columnist "The Pakistan Times" ZM / M Rafiq US introducing to Bulgaria Desk Discussed about Pakistan and Sri Lanka Bulgaria, Sri Lanks Zinda M D.C. and Pakistani Laws Agreed to visit our Mosque to appreciate his article on Dr A Zinda M Salams 10th Anniv. Discussed about repeal of laws in ZM Pakistan The 12/1/06 Lisa Curtis Heritage Foundation ZM Senior Research fellow on South Asian countries NGO 12/12/06 12/19/06 12/22/06 to 12/24/06 Sen. Barbara Boxer (CA) Congressman Paul Ryan(R- WI) Future Chairman Senate Subcommit tee Foreign Relation SouthAsia Imam I Malhi/ Chris Komari Shakoor sh/khadim Shah Nasirullah, Hasan Kakeem Akbar Mohammad San Fran CA Kenoke, WI Discussed about repeal of laws in Pakistan Discussed about repeal of laws in Pakistan He was very positive.assured his support.dr Amtul got app. Participated in the West Coast Jalsa Salana. Held meeting with Presidents and addressed Jalsa audience briefly on PR activities, particularly on going campaign on Pakistan. 12/25/06 Met Karen Parker in reference to on going campaign on Pakistan. Imam I. Malhi Sahib, ZM San Fran. SAUDIA ARABIA Dec 29, Ahmadis arrested in Jeddah after Friday Prayer 12/30/06 Received sad report from Tabshir about arrest of 49 Ahmadies in Jeddah on December 29th while they were praying Jumma and Asr prayer. All Govt offices were closed due to holiday, wrote letters to the following officials, US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Council General Jeddah with cc: to State Department, Senators Lugar, Biden, Brownback, Feingold, and Harkin. Congressman Wolfe, Lantos, Meeks, and Crowley. 12/31/06 Imam Mubashar Sahib's key Saudi contact was contacted and asked for his assistance in this situation. He assured his full cooperation in this regard.he was visiting cairo and was supposed to be back Saudi Arabia Friday Jan 5, 2007

7 Meetings/ Events in 2007 SAUDIA ARABIA Dec 29, Ahmadis arrested in Jeddah after Friday Prayer 1/4/2007 Albert Gomibs, Katy Lurie, Ryan Casteel, Robert Jachim US State Dept Saudia Arabia Desk ZM Muhammad A. Chaudry on Silicon Valley About Detainees in SA, Human Rights and freedom of religion About Detainees in SA, Human Rights and freedom of religion 1/4/2007 Chief of Staff Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA) 1/4/2007 The following members contacted their respective Senators and Congressman by and phone to lobby on the issue of detainees in Saudia Arabia. Dr. Aamir Malik (Hous), Dr Hamid Azizur Rahman (Albany NY), Dr Amtul Ahmad (Zion), Richard Reno (Portland), Nazir Ayaz - Ali Murtaza - Asad ( ) 1/5/07 A follow up letter was written to US Ambassador to Jeddah raising the issue of an 8 month child in detention without his parents. This letter was also sent to human rights organizations. To All officials mentioned above 12/30 activity. 1/6/2007 Imam Mubashir's sahib contact informed of his helplessnes to assist in the case of detainees. He stated they do not want to listen or discuss anything related to this issue. 1/6/2007 Tommy Ross - Staff Congresswoman Price (RTA) 1/8/2007 1/8/2007 1/9/2007 1/9/2007 Emily Plagman Legislative Assistant Senator Russ Feingold (WI) Jonah Blank - Committee staff Senator Joseph Biden (D-DL) David Adams - Committee Staff Congressman Gary Ackerman (NY) Hans-Joachim Hogrefe Committee Staff Congressman Tom Lantos (CA) 1/10/2007 Ambassador Abdul Rahman Gdaia Saudi Embassy Senate Foreign Relation Chair Senate Foreign Relation Committee Chair House SubComitt ee Foreign Affairs South Asia Chair House Foreign Affair Chair CongressH R Caucus Jalal Abdul Latif ZM Zinda M ZM ZM Repected Ameer Sahib,, Zinda M. RTA on on on on cc: Contacted via , phone. Staff informed us the US embassy is working togather with India and Pakistan embassies in Saudia Arabia. Thanks to Dr. Amtul Ahmad for making the apointment on short notice. After speaking with Jonah, handed over paperwork regarding Saudi issue to his office After speaking with David, handed over paperwork regarding Saudi issue to his office. Requested his office for personal mneeting with Congressman Very involved discussion on Saudia Arabia as well as Pakistan. Requested his office for personal mneeting with Congressman Detainees in Saudia Arabia started to be released before our meeting. 25 members were release before the

8 bajwa Asad start fo the meeting. Abassador was asked to cancel deportation order. 1/15/2007 Letter Written to Condoleezza Rice US Secretary of State who was in Riyadh, SA. She was supposed to meet King Abdullah on 1/16/07. Letter was cc: to US Ambassador, Council general and all officials listed above on 12/30. 1/17/2007 Brian Simon Staff Congressman Gregory Meeks 1/23/07 Albert Gomibs, Katy Lurie, Ryan Casteel, Robert Jachim, Joanelle Morales, Saba Ghori, Nancy Hayward 1/25/07 Congressman Chet Edwards - TX House Committee on Foreign Affairs US State Departmen t officials, Desk of Pak, BD, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka,Bulg aria Zinda M Asad Zinda M. Kamal A. Rahman Queens NY Saudi Arabia deportees and Pakistan Campaign to repeal bad Laws Pakistan, Saudia arabian deportees. Overall situation of Ahmadies in other countries Pakistan, Saudia Arabia campaign Reported by Ijaz Mujib and Nasir Bukhari, Detroit MI. Jan 31, 2007 Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam USA Department of Public Affairs Palo Alto Street, Hollis, zmbajwa@yahoo.com Fax: