[Image from the AFP]
More than 100,000 grieving Pakistanis gathered at the mausoleum of former PM Benazir Bhutto in honor of her death anniversary today. According to Dawn, “A sea of mourners, some wailing and beating their chests in a wrenching outpouring of emotion, flooded through security checkpoints into the mausoelum in rural southern Garhi Khuda Bakhsh for the commemoration.” AAJ Television cited statements made by President Asif Ali Zardari [Bhutto's widower] during his address to the nation. He said, “In the tradition of a true Benazir Bhutto, she faced certain death rather than abandon her principles or the people…The tyrants and the killers have killed her but they shall never be able to kill her ideas, which drove and inspired a generation to lofty aims.”
Bhutto was assassinated in a gun and suicide attack as she left a campaign rally in Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007. At the time, she had been campaigning to bring her party, the Pakistan People’s Party [PPP] to power in the country’s parliamentary elections. According to Dawn, “Benazir is buried alongside her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, a former premier who was hanged in 1979 by the country’s military regime. Her brothers Shahnawaz and Murtaza, who died in violent circumstances, are also buried in the tomb.”
Some media outlets provided more personalized accounts of Bhutto’s mourners in their coverage. The AFP noted that Tariq Waseem, a 25-year-old student from Balochistan, walked about 400 kilometres (250 miles) over 10 days with about a dozen friends in order to be at Saturday’s event. But unlike his friends, he walked barefoot. He told the news agency, “These are not painful,” pointing with pride at blisters covering his soles. “These are a gift from my martyred leader.”
At the site, GEO Television reported, “Various stalls have been set up where the people are purchasing posters and badges with photographs of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Cassettes of her speeches and songs in BB’s and PPP’s praise were also on high sale.” The Nation added in its coverage, “One year on, Pakistan’s reverence for Bhutto continues unabated — television programs about her life have been running for days, and the government has issued a 10-rupee coin and stamps bearing her portrait.” An interesting article in the Daily Times, entitled, “BB Remembered through Songs and Her Speeches,” reported,
Since Bhutto’s assassination, around 56 audio and video albums focusing on her life and paying tribute to her have appeared in the market. Different companies, like KTN, Marvi production, Jan production, Naz production and Sindh TV, have produced these compilations. Ironically, the CD/DVD release of her last speech delivered at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, just minutes before her assassination is a major super hit. According to the records of the wholesale dealers at Rainbow center, “Daughter of the East” (an audio/video compilation) has sold more then 3.3 million copies to date.
The ceremonies today are expected to culminate with special prayers at 05:20 p.m. [PST], “about the time Benazir was attacked,” Dawn noted. Security precautions have reportedly been taken to ward off potential violence today. Dawn reported in its coverage, “A special wall has been erected around the mausoleum as part of a raft of precautions taken to safeguard President Zardari. Closed-circuit cameras have been installed, and mourners were required to pass through metal detectors.”
Benazir’s assassination was an immense tragedy for Pakistan, regardless of what your political affiliation or past feelings were towards the former PM. Her death was actually what inspired me to create CHUP. In my first post, written several weeks after Bhutto’s assasination, I noted, “Today, assassinations of former Pakistani leaders are a tragedy not just because of the person or persons involved but because of the moderate voice that was extinguished in the process.” Benazir’s return to the Pakistani political stage last year was without a doubt courageous, not just because she inspired supporters of her own party, but because she did it in the face of militant death threats and daily violence. She did not hide behind the safety of closed doors. She delivered many of her speeches in large rallies that inspired those at the grassroots level. Although this populist approach essentially ended her life [she was shot as she left her political rally], she became a larger-than-life figure after her death, evidenced by the countless numbers of people that have gathered to commemorate her death anniversary. So, today, remember what Benazir Bhutto symbolized – someone not afraid to stand up for her country and for her people, regardless of what forces stood against her.
[...] checkpoints into the mausoelum in rural southern Garhi Khuda […] Read more at: CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan ali bhutto, anniversary image, asif ali zardari, bakhsh, benazir bhutto, campaign rally, death [...]
Assassination as a political device belongs clearly to the middle ages. I hope that the death of Benazir would be the last of these heinous acts. I also hope that the murderers are exposed and quickly brought to justice, which always seems to be an evasive beast in the sub-continent.
@ The impression is that this, given forcibly, an event, is
converted into a Fanatical devotional cult rituals,
which is typical of subconti-traditional emotional
extremism touching the very limits of paganism’s folly !
Three days of mourning on PTV and others is beyond
simple reason, exploiting and abusing public services
national media at the service of PPP’s Govt. ministerial
” hazeri ” of all PPP ” present sir” attitude is
spectaculaire, yes I think we returned to Bhutto’s epoch.!
alas, democracy !
PPP cleverly disposed off the pain to investigate BB’s
murder,
now the way is clear to ” celeberate” daily and regularly
imposing BB on public, in the interest of party, which has
lost its credibility, not to talk about respect, entirely !
This is how democracy is looted and raped.
Benazir’s death was truly tragic and I can understand why so many people around me grieved so deeply. Having said this, I do not understand why so many people seem hellbent on whitewashing her image. Why are people forgetting that this is the same woman who stole billions from us, recognized the Taliban as a legitimate government and, for all her rhetoric, did nothing for women’s rights (among many others) in this country?
Benazir was the first woman prime minister of an Islamic country. She could have been a beacon and paved the way for countless young women, not just in Pakistan but around the Islamic world towards education and positions of leadership by proving her worth. And yes, I DO believe that it is fair to expect more from her, even if the system was against her. She was educated at the world’s finest institutions and inherited a strong support base left from her father.
To add insult to injury, the PPP today is using her death to justify whatever they do. It’s “Jiyay Bhutto” or “Shaheed Bibi” whenever someone disagrees with what Zardari is doing. Energy and food crises? India breathing down our necks? U.S. bombings? Militants everywhere? No, none of this is addressed. Instead, we get several roads, airports, etc, named after Benazir.
Corrupt as she was, I’m inclined to believe she’s spinning in her grave seeing what her ex is doing to this country.
Kamil, I do agree that no one should be white washed. I do agree that Benazir could’ve and should have done more, as she had the opportunity to do so. Her 1993 regime was a disappointment for many who supported her. However, it’s always easier said than done.
What many people forget that she ruled Pakistan for a mere two and a half year (I only consider her second time rule as it was the only time the ISI and Army was sidelined). Also remember, it was her who introduced women’s right in the parliament, however basic they were. It was her, who spent countless years in jail for her country, it was her who stood against Zia-ul-Haq’s military regime, it was her who never personally tarnished her opponents, it was her who never tried to break the sanctity of our country’s institutions (that most Politician’s and military dictators do) and it was her who was and is popular in all provinces of Pakistan.
The ‘Energy and food crises’, didn’t appear today, they have been there because of the mismanaged policies in the decade rule of Musharaff military regim. ‘U.S. bombings? Militants everywhere?’ Imran khan eloquently argued in 2004 that if Musharaff’s took an offensive military strategy with the militants, we will be engulfed in a war within our country and will pay a high price. And lo behold, in the past four years, we have seen the birth of suicide bombing in Pakistan.
Anyhow, I ask you, if she was such a criminal, why did millions flood to greet her in October 08? If she was so corrupt, why did her party members spend so many years in jail for her, when they were promised the world under Mushraff? And if she was so inept, why did her party win in the current election?
The simple truth is that Benazir Bhutto was and will remain a larger than life figure. And today, she is being immortalised by our media because we did lose a great leader, who for many symbolised hope and courage.
Benazir Bhutto’s murder and The WHY? of Terrorism in Islam
I am an American living in Asia. I am not Moslem, but I am a writer and historian. I would like to share some information with you: information concerning Moslem violence and terrorism, and why the United States and its military allies throughout Europe Asia, and the Middle East must continue to be vigilant and present a solid front, so that when appropriate, they can respond to individual acts of violent Islamic terrorism with relentless, overwhelming, and deadly force.
This information may help you understand what is going on not only in India, Pakistan, and China, as well as other parts of Asia, but also the entire Middle East, as well as Africa, Europe, and even the United States.
Simply put, Benezir Bhutto was murdered by Islamic militants, because she made it clear she would never participate in an Islamic Jihad against the rest of the non-Moslem world. These same criminals then used their influence and government connections to cover-up their hideous crime, because in the not too distant future, they and their Islamic terrorists brothers hope to involve you and your loved ones, as well as a vast number of other innocent victims in a man-made catastrophe: an organized and violent calamity of biblical proportions that is based on teachings that were deliberately added to the Koran, decades after the faith was founded.
Disregarding the social, economic, and political factors that serve as underpinnings for Islamic terrorism, I will address the more fundamental issue: the religious teachings that sanction violence against non-Moslems and AGAINST ALL WOMEN. Here are seven verses from the Koran. These scriptures have been translated into modern English.
…murder, crucify, or cut off the hands and feet of non-Moslems…Chapter 5 Verse 33 – The Koran
…create terror in the hearts of non-Moslems …cut off their heads…Chapter 8 Verse 12 – The Koran
…and fight non-Moslems until Allah’s religion is the only one…Chapter 8 Verse 39 – The Koran
…of all the loot you plunder from non-Moslems, 20% belongs to Allah and to Mohammed. Chapter 8 Verse 41- The Koran (Author’s note: Loot included kidnapped female sex-slaves.)
…Take as many as four wives from the women you are sexually attracted to … Chapter 4 Verse 3 – The Koran
…God has made men superior to women… Virtuous women are obedient. If a woman becomes disobedient, beat her. Chapter 4 Verse 34 – The Koran
…When it comes to marriage, Allah makes it legal for you to take as wives, women whom your right hand possesses. Chapter 33 Verse 50 – The Koran (Author’s note: This verse talks about the “loot” non-Moslems call… kidnapped female sex-slaves.)
Most people in the western world have never heard of these astonishing scriptures, but they are in the Koran … along with a relatively short list of others, just like them. This is important because not all Moslems are the same; there are two very different types. Militant Moslems view these verses as commandments from their god – a primitive desert god, from an ancient land of heat, sand and scorpions. Militant Moslems think these teachings apply to life in the Twenty-first Century and they try to use them, regardless of the suffering and mayhem they create, whereas moderate Moslems ignore such verses because they were uttered a long time ago, when the Arabian peninsula, from whence Islam came, was a wild and savage place.
Historians tell us these terrorist teachings are part of a cluster of ferocious beliefs that were deliberately added to one specific part of the formerly peaceful and tolerant Koran. These startling changes were made, decades after Islam was first founded in the Arabian city of Mecca. By the time of these changes, the original (and real) prophet of Islam was dead. Thereafter the religious headquarters was uprooted and moved to the city of Medina. Islam began changing; under new leadership it turned cruel and predatory.
In fact, historians also tell us Islam didn’t simply fall from the sky as a full-blown religion, but rather evolved from a persecuted sect of Jewish-Christians. The first Moslems in the city of Mecca were actually part of a larger group of Jesus’ followers called the Ebionites.
Ebionites were peace-loving disciples of Christ, who shared their wealth with fellow believers, and taught that a man should marry only one wife.
In fact, women were much more independent in the Ebionite Jewish-Christian days of Islam. They were more influential too. I say this because my research has determined that the first prophet of Islam may have been someone other than Mohammed: I believe the first prophet was a very special Arabian princess named Khadija the Pure. Khadija was Mohammed’s first and only wife for twenty-four years. Khadija was fifteen years older than Mohammed. She was considered to be fabulously wealthy, and she was Mohammed’s employer, before she became his wife.
Mohammed on the other hand, before he became Khadija’s employee, was an impoverished youth who had been raised as an orphan. Ultimately Mohammed worked his way up to a position as Khadija’s business manager. With time, Khadija grew fond of Mohammed. She even married him. However, Khadija was a liberated woman. In fact, Khadija was the one who initiated the marriage proposal to Mohammed! And after their wedding, she never allowed Mohammed to take other wives, or have other women in her house.
Throughout her lifetime, even though Khadija had already converted to Christianity, Mohammed’s first and only wife for twenty-four years remained an important Arabian princess in the ruling family that controlled worship in the Kabba Temple, with it’s pantheon of more than three hundred pagan gods and goddesses. Clearly, in the early days of Islam, Khadija was a person of great influence in Arabian society: and clearly Mohammed, her husband… was not. http://www.TheMoslemInstitute.com
After Khadija’s untimely death from a terrible illness, Islam was hijacked by a cartel of corrupt men, headed by Mohammed himself. The faith was abruptly relocated to the city of Medina and new beliefs were added to the Koran; at the same time, old beliefs were deleted or relegated to unimportance, and the religion was changed beyond recognition. In the end, Islam abandoned many of its Ebionite Jewish-Christian teachings. Women suffered the most: they became the focus of repression, scorn, and violence.
Today, although moderate Moslems are loath to admit these ideas, and many of them are terrified to voice criticism of their militant Islamic brothers, because of fear that violence will come to them and their families, the fact remains that these added teachings are not the original beliefs of Islam; they are amendments: They are the terrorist teachings of Islam.
In the near future, militant Moslems hope to unleash a Jihad: a Moslem holy war upon the non-Moslem world; not only the United States and Western Europe, but also throughout parts of Asia, including India and maybe even China, and Japan. Because the terrorist teachings of Islam sanction treaty breaking, deception, and war, as well as looting, murder, kidnapping, terrorism, and human slavery (including sexual slavery), so long as these crimes are directed against non-Moslems, there is no limit to the things these fanatics can do. But the scariest part: Militant Moslems will do everything… in the name of their primitive desert god.
Once victory is attained in this violent holy war, these fanatics believe Allah will bless them with harems of kidnapped sex slaves taken from destroyed cities and nations, as well as enormous fortunes of loot plundered from the non-Moslem world. They believe this because of the terrorist teachings that were added to the Koran. These terrorist teachings even say ransoms paid to Moslem terrorists, to redeem stolen property (like hijacked oil tankers and cargo ships) as well as kidnapped men, women, and children, are part of the Islamic loot these vicious criminals are entitled to receive.
These same terrorist teachings even allow Moslem men to force their kidnapped female sex slaves to marry them in Moslem wedding ceremonies, and bear children for them: whether the women want to or not. Terrorist Moslem teachings mandate only two requirements: The women must come from Christian or Jewish backgrounds, and secondly, if the unfortunate women resist, these same terrorist teachings say the Moslem husbands must beat them, and imprison them in their own homes.
If the Moslem fanatics die while committing these crimes against humanity, as an eternal reward for their cruel deeds Islamic extremists believe their fierce desert god will admit them to paradise and bless them with luxurious palaces filled with riches and populated by seventy-two virgin brides, who are exquisitely beautiful, yet modest enough to struggle to control their unbridled lust to have sexual intercourse with a dead Moslem terrorist.
With these stinging indictments against terrorist Islamic doctrines entered into the record, it is important to remember that the majority of Moslems are moderate, decent people who love God and practice acts of charity and kindness to their neighbors, both Moslem and non-Moslem. Such moderate Moslems recognize these violent teachings as obsolete and out of place in the Twenty-first Century. In the author’s opinion, in spite of enormous cultural and ideological differences that exist between the non-Moslem world and the followers of Islam, it is with this moderate Moslem majority that any long-term resolution to the Islamic terrorism issue will ultimately be negotiated.
However, given the massive population increases taking place in the Moslem world, at a time when poverty, chaos, criminality, and religious fanaticism are burgeoning, the numbers of Moslems worldwide who declare themselves militant is increasing; the influence their growing networks of terror cells exert on Islamic governments throughout the world has reached crisis levels. Because of the terrorist teachings of Islam, modern civilization faces a nightmarish future; the attacks on Mumbai, India, the World Trade Center in New York, and the subway bombings in Spain and London are simply previews of things to come. In this ferocious Jihad, nuclear and biological weapons are almost certain to come into play.
To paraphrase Winston Churchill: The road before us will be long and dangerous and terrifying; the United States and Europe and Asia must be resolute… and take courage. We must work together to neutralize militant Islamic movements… and if necessary… wage war against the governments that sustain them. At the same time, the non-Moslem world must also nurture moderate Islamic states and establish strong alliances with them. The very survival of our civilization depends on it.
Are you are interested in learning more about an array of Islamic topics including:
1. Who are The Seventy-two Virgins of Islam and how did they become part of militant Moslem dogma?
2. What role did the Ebionites and Khadija the Pure play, in founding the original (peaceful) religion of Islam?
3. What role does militant Islam play in modern human slavery?
Visit The Moslem Institute website: http://www.TheMoslemInstitute.com
Regards,
Dane Dahl
Author and Historian
@Dane Dahl
atlast we have a Neocon zionist anti-Islam propaganda
crusader present right among us, with his selling pitch
of International Consortium of Terrorism to counter a
fantasmic terrorism ” designated” to Muslims with
the cut-pieces of Quranic references.
what nonsense !
[...] Bhutto’s “rap tribute” to her mother, former PM Benazir Bhutto [click here to read about her recent death anniversary], gained significant traction in the media this past week, airing on Pakistan state-run television [...]
@ The most disappointing death anniversary thread
counting nearly all comments negative, with only
one ” hommage ” of a Catholic fanatic Islamophobe
donkey priest turned ” historian” author of his unique
Bakwaas, using one and a half phrase for BB only, but
the rest 27 parargraph are pure case of choronic
Islamophobic hemorroide.
This thread has already met its end. what a ” failed ”
anniversary .