Secret Threat to Pakistan

The Emerging Agha Khani Threat in Pakistan

MUHAMMAD ASIF RIAZ


www.dailymuslims.com


FOR the last many years General (retired) Musharraf has been talking about his agenda
of “enlightened moderation” in order to convey to Western countries as well as to Pakistanis that he is himself an enlightened and moderate Muslim ruler committed to fighting extremism and terrorism. His image-building rhetoric has served him well - particularly in the West, which, despite the totally unscrupulous use of the absolute power that he has appropriated, continues to regard him as a symbol of moderation in an otherwise increasingly extremist Pakistan.

Evidence is mounting that Musharraf’s proclamations about being an ardent advocate of “enlightened moderation” were nothing more than a hypocritical subterfuge for disguising his own ambitious objectives. However, there are some related and extremely important aspects of the Machiavellian plot that he has supported to sabotage true Islam that are unknown to Muslim leaders or masses in Pakistan.

The fundamental teachings of Islam – particularly its ethical principles – would be regarded as the greatest threat by a ruler whose personal as well as public life is filled with acts that are completely repugnant to the Islam that is embodied in the Qur’an and the life of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.). The kind of Islam that President Musharraf wanted to propagate in Pakistan would be one that would be personally convenient for him and would give a cover of moral and religious legitimacy to his blatantly unIslamic agenda.

A review of the information collected over the past many years gives important pointers to the larger picture that is now emerging. The moderate enlightenment enigma of Musharraf started unraveling when:

· It was announced by A.P.P. that I.R.E.D[*]. had been merged in the International Islamic University in Islamabad in December 20, 2007 and a new Board of Governors had come into existence. What is very interesting to note that Amin Hashwani has emerged as the Vice-Chairman of the Governing Board with also includes Mariam Mehdi. Neither of them have any knowledge of Islam nor does Iqbal so their presence on the Board has to be seen as a political act which undoubtedly have the support of President Musharraf.

Two important questions that need to be asked are:

1.How did Amin Hashwani, an Aga Khani Ismaili who was a non-scholar become the Chairman of the Board of Directors of an Institute which was to be the meeting-point of world-class Muslim scholars?
2.How did Amin Hashwani, an Aga Khani Ismaili who was a non-scholar become the Vice-Chairman of the Governing Board of an Institute which is now a part of the International Islamic University?
It is obvious that through his machinations and manipulations Amin Hashwani, an Aga Khani Ismaili, is seeking legitimacy with regards to his Islamic credentials. From being the self-appointed Chairman of I.R.E.D’s Board of Directors, he has managed to advance to being the Vice-Chairman of a Governing Board which is part of the International Islamic University.



Aga Khan Muslim University: His Highness Aga Khan is establishing a Muslim University with a total cost of US $ 500 million, the president of Aga Khan Council, Iqbal Waljee, said in Karachi on Thursday, 24 January 2008.. He said 1,000 acres of land has been acquired for the purpose on Super Highway in Karachi. The Aga Khan will inaugurate the ground breaking shortly, he said adding that acadamic activity will start from 2011. Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Imamat Caliphate of Aga Khan is being marked in Pakistan with high profile programmes including lecture series by Karen Armstrong on intellectual traditions in Islam. [Source: http://ismaili.us/ ]



NOTE: Please note the words “AGA KHAN MUSLIM UNIVERSITY” in the title of the above quoted text.



The establishment of a Muslim University owned and run by Aga Khani Ismailis in Pakistan, in some ways the most important Muslim country in the world today, would create an extremely dangerous, totally unacceptable situation. However, it seems that President Musharraf has no qualms about the Aga Khani Ismailis acquiring 1000 acres of land in a prime location to build a University whose underlying purpose is to undermine mainstream Islam in all kinds of ways. Amin Hashwani and others like him will use this University as a launching pad for disseminating their version of progressive Islam by using known scholars of Islam as a front for their clandestine activities which will be aimed at subverting the fundamentals of Islam at its very roots.

One begins to see the larger picture if one examines the strategies adopted by the Aga Khani Ismailis in Pakistan to infiltrate significant sectors of society. This has happened in the field of business where the Aga Khani Ismailis have huge holdings (for instance they own the most expensive hotels in Pakistan) and in the field of health services (The Aga Khan Medical University and Hospital are considered to be the best health providers in Pakistan). They have also established a big network of schools and educational institutions run by their various agencies including the Citizens Foundation and the Aga Khan Foundation. Now they are about to embark on their most ambitious venture – the establishment of a Muslim University in the vicinity of Karachi. It is obvious that this Muslim University (whose name is highly reminiscent of Aligarh Muslim University) is going to dispense Islamic education.

The question that must be asked is: what kind of islamic education is it going to impart and who will be imparting it?

Even a cursory look at the other significant Aga Khani Ismaili institutes in the world shows that these institutions are invariably run by dedicated Aga Khanis. While some well-known Muslim scholars (such as Dr. Mohammed Arkoun ) may be associated with Ismaili Institutes, these institutions in general do not employ non-Ismaili scholars to teach Islamic theology, philosophy or history. The reason for this is that the belief-system of the age khani ismailis is in conflict with accepted muslim beliefs.

After the Ahmadis were declared to be non-Muslims in Pakistan, the Jama’at-e-Islami began to ask questions about the Aga Khani Ismailis. They put posters outside the Aga Khan University and other Aga Khani institutions which raised such questions:

How are Aga Khani Ismailis to be regarded as Muslims when they do not follow the mandatory obligations of Muslims (“faraiz”) with respect to salat (the five daily prayers), zakat (wealth-sharing), siyam (fasting) and hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca)?

How are Aga Khani Ismailis to be regarded as Muslims when they literally worship their leader, the Aga Khan, whom they consider being an incarnation of God, and to whom they accord a place higher than that of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)?

Realizing the danger to his community, the present Aga Khan, ordered his community to start identifying themselves as “Muslims” and “Shi’as” rather than as“Aga Khani Ismailis.” He also ordered them to start reading the Qur’an (which most of them had not read until that time) and to acquire some knowledge of mainstream Islam. Of necessity this knowledge of Islam had to be limited otherwise the discrepancy between Islam and what the Aga Khani Ismailis were taught to believe would have become evident.”

The Aga Khan also maintained very cordial relations with the Pakistani government, giving assistance in times of crisis. He also offered to spend vast resources to develop backward areas such as Hunza, Gilgit and Chitral. Of course it was not revealed that converting the inhabitants of these areas to Aga Khani Ismailism was a part of the hidden agenda. Such was the scale of conversion that it was proposed at one time that Hunza should be made an Aga Khani Ismaili state!



· Iqbal International Institute of Research & Dialogue (IRED) merged with IIUI




The Board of Governors of the “Iqbal International Institute of Research & Dialogue” has decided to merge the institute with the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI).
Earlier the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in his capacity as patron-in-chief of Iqbal International Institute of Research, Education & dialogue (IRED) and Chancellor of the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) had approved the transfer of administrative/financial control of IRED along with its assets and liabilities to the IIUI.
As a result, the Iqbal International Institute for Research, Education & Dialogue (IRED) has signed an agreement with the International Islamic University, Islamabad for the transfer of Iqbal International Institute of Research, Education & Dialogue to the University.
The Governing Council of Iqbal International Institute of Research, Education & Dialogue has been reconstituted as per the agreement between the two institutions as well as the approval of the Board of Governors, IIU as under:

i) Dr. Manzoor Ahmad, Rector, IIUI Chairman

ii) Mr. Amin Hashwani Vice Chairman

iii) Dr. Anwar h. Siddiqui, President, IIUI Member

iv) Mrs. Mariam Mehdi Member

v) Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik Member (Nominee of the BOG)

vi) Dr. Zafar Ishaq Ansari, Director IRI Member (Scholar)

vii) Dr. Ghazala Irfan, Professor LUMS Member (Scholar)

viii) Mr. Soheyl Umer, Director, Iqbal Academy Lahore Member (Scholar)

ix) Executive Director of the Institute Ex-Officio Member/Secretary

Earlier renowned scholar Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad, Higher Education Commission (HEC) sponsored visiting professor at IIUI was appointed as Acting Executive Director of the institute.



Source: http://iiu.edu.pk/News/news_Dec07.html#Iqbal



NOTE: PLEASE CHECK THE 2nd NAME IN THE LIST. IT IS MR. HASHWANI WHO IS AN AGA KHANI ISMAILI. THE ABOVE ACCOUNT REFERS TO THE PROCESS OF HIS ADVANCEMENT FROM BEING CHAIRMAN OF I.R.E.D. TO BECOMING THE VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW GOVERNING BOARD WHICH IS PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY IN ISLAMABAD.






The International Islamic University has referred to its nature and objectives as follows:

“The International Islamic University is a unique institution of higher learning which integrates the two parallel streams of religious and other education systems prevailing in the Muslim world. It provides a system based on universal Islamic principles capable of responding to present day needs and requirements.” (Source:http://www.iiu.edu.pk/News/news_jan08.html)

The story gets more interesting when Islamic University announces

· Guest in Town: Karen Armstrong to address in Islamabad




Renowned scholar and author Karen Armstrong shall deliver a lecture on February 1st 2008 under the auspices of recently established Iqbal International Institute of Research Education and Dialogue (IRED) of the International Islamic University Islamabad. She will speak on “Tolerance in Islam”. A Historical Perspective”. The Venue of her lecture will be the Jinnah Convention Centre Islamabad. All interested persons in listening her address can contact Public Relations Section of the International Islamic University Islamabad on Ph#051-9262048 for obtaining invitation cards. Karen Armstrong’s brief Profile is given here.



(Source:http://www.iiu.edu.pk/News/news_jan08.html)



The news stories of the arrival and activities of Karen Armstrong farther strengthen my point.



1. Karen Armstrong, world-renowned scholar and author of several books on religions, talks to ‘The News’ published in Daily News on Feb 03, 2008.



The news paper stated the purpose of visit of Karen as



“These views came from Karen Armstrong, world-renowned scholar and author of several best-selling works on religions. Born in 1944, Karen is based in London and is currently visiting Pakistan on an invitation from The Aga Khan Foundation. She is here to deliver a series of lectures as part of the numerous events being organised to commemorate the golden jubilee of the ‘imamat’ of His Highness The Aga Khan — the spiritual leader of Shia Ismaili Muslims.”




Knowing that he is not a scholar of Islam, Amin Hashwani has come up with a very clever stratagem to gain legitimacy amongst Muslim scholars and intellectuals. He invited Karen Armstrong – a British scholar of international repute who is very sympathetic to Islam – to visit Pakistan to deliver five lectures at Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi respectively. It was mentioned in the newspaper reports of Ms. Armstrong’s lectures that she was in Pakistan at the invitation of the Aga Khan Foundation and Ismaili Council of Pakistan to deliver her lectures on Islam as a part of the Jubilee Celebrations of the Imamate of the present Imam. She was introduced to the audience by Amin Hashwani who is the Secretary of the Ismaili Council of Pakistan.

It is clear that Amin Hashwani has worked very hard to become accepted as a most prominent office-bearer of Islamic educational institutions. He has had the support of President Musharraf as well as the Aga Khani Ismaili leadership. What is his final goal?

(Source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=94464)

2. The same is claimed on Ismailimail as

Time Ripe Now For Muslims to Be Creative

Time ripe now for Muslims to be creative and spread the beauty of Islam across the world, said British author Karen Armstrong, the most celebrated British writer, who has received world acclaim for her biography of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), in a talk given at a function hosted by the Aga Khan Foundation and Aga Khan Network here on Thursday. The function was organised to commemorate the golden jubilee of the ascension of Prince Karim Aga Khan to the Imamate of the Ismaili community.

(Source) http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2008/02/01/british-author-karen-armstrong-time- ripe-now-for-muslims-to-be-creative/)

And there are many stories regarding series of these events in daily newspapers in Pakistan.


The important points to note are…

· This Year is being celebrated as Golden Jubilee of the “Imamate” of Karim Aga Khan.

· Numerous events are being organized in Pakistan by the Aga Khani Ismaili community to commemorate the Golden Jubilee.

· No reference is made to the fact that the Jubilee Commemmoration celebrations are being organized ONLY BY THE AGA KHANIS AND NOT BY SHI’A ISMA’ILI COMMUNITY IN GENERAL. (ISMAILIS ALSO INCLUDE COMMUNITIES OTHER THAN THE AGA KHANIS, FOR INSTANCE, THE BOHRA COMMUNITY WHOSE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES APPARENTLY CONFORM TO FUNDAMENTAL ISLAMIC TEACHINGS)

· The announcement of Aga Khan MUSLIM UNIVERSITY is part of these celebrations.

· As a gift and tribute to the Aga Khan, Mr. Hashwani made the International Islamic University /I.R.E.D. the venue for one of Karen Armstrong’s lectures even though it was stated in all news items referring to Karen Armstrong’s visit to Pakistan that she had been invited by the Aga Khan Foundation and the Ismaili Council of Pakistan to play a prominent role in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Aga Khan’s “imamate.”

OBJECTION:

It is totally unacceptable to establish an institution named MUSLIM UNIVERSITY by the Aga Khani Ismaili community. The Aligarh Muslim University was the birthplace of a new muslim renaissance. By calling itself “muslim university,” this proposed Aga Khani Ismaili institute is assimilating the achievements of the Aligarh Muslim university and presenting itself as the birthplace of a new rebirth of Islamic thought. Since the religious beliefs of Aga Khani Ismailis differ radically not only from Sunni theology but even from accepted Shi’a theology, THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO CALL THEIR PROPOSED UNIVERSITY “MUSLIM UNIVERSITY” – a name which is clearly meant to camouflage the real character and objectives of this institution and deceive or dupe unsuspecting Muslims into accepting Aga Khani Ismaili beliefs (including the cult of the Aga Khan) as legitimate Islamic teaching.



AMIN HASHWANI ALREADY TOOK CHARGE OF I.R.E.D. WHICH HAD BEEN FOUNDED ON THE VISION OF THE GREAT THINKERS OF THE ALIGARH MOVEMENT, PARTICULARLY ALLAMA IQBAL. ITS MISSION STATEMENT HAD STATED: (AS PRINTED AND PUBLISHED IN I.R.E.D.’s LAHORE CHAPTER)

· To create a flagship institution to become the focal point of progressive thinking in the Muslim world and bring about a new Islamic Renaissance through the collaborative work of world-class scholars committed to working with Muslim masses, especially the youth, to create societies and communities that are educated and enlightened, just and compassionate, forward-looking and life-affirming.

· The five divisions of I.R.E.D., namely, Research, Education, Dialogue, Outreach and Publications, will implement programmes and projects which will incorporate the ethical values of Islam and the creative insights of great Muslim thinkers and teachers such as Allama Iqbal, to imbue Pakistani society and the Muslim ummah with a new sense of hope and self-affirmation.

· A core Mission of I.R.E.D. is to become a crucible for a cutting-edge moral and intellectual development of present and future leaders of Pakistan and the Muslim world that will be seen by global society as models of true enlightenment and civilization.

The new Mission of I.R.E.D. under the Vice-Chairmanship of Amin Hashwani is: “to enhance its activities for a meaningful dialogue among civilizations in the light of the teachings of Islam as further strengthened by great philosopher poet Allama Iqbal.” (Source:)

The difference between the original Mission and the new Mission of I.R.E.D. is easy to see. NOW I.R.E.D. Will FOCUS NOT ON IMPARTING KNOWLEDGE OF TRUE ISLAM TO YOUNG MUSLIMS BUT ON “INTER-CIVILIZATIONAL DIALOGUE” - A WESTERN TERM WHICH IS GENERALLY USED TO EMPHASIZE THE NEED FOR MUSLIMS TO ENGAGE IN DIALOGUE WITH NON-MUSLIM WESTERNERS IN THE CONTEXT OF A FRAMEWORK WHICH IS WESTERN RATHER THAN ISLAMIC.





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[*] In November 2004, Dr. Riffat Hassan (A US BASED PROFESSOR OF ISLAMIC THEOLOGY-) got an opportunity to organize a Consultation of 45 world-class Muslim scholars from 14 countries in Islamabad. These scholars were asked to share their vision of an enlightened Muslim society in the modern world, and their thoughts on how this vision could be actualized.

One unanimous recommendation made by the scholars was that an Institute should be set up in Pakistan which could become a global meeting point for Muslim scholars who would educate various segments of civil society about the meaning and core values of Islam in an intellectually challenging and spiritually-grounded learning environment.

President Musharraf had met the scholars and readily accepted their recommendation. He asked Dr. Hassan to form a planning committee and work out the details of the proposed Institute. Amongst those who had supported Dr. Hassan’s work for a number of years and “volunteered” to help her in matters pertaining to the new Institute were Amin Hashwani (A Karachi-based business man who was the Secretary of the Ismaili Agha Khan Council of Pakistan) and Mrs. Mariam Mehdi, a Mauritian woman married to Istiqbal Mehdi, a Shia financial consultant who was President Musharraf’s best friend.

Dr. Hassan developed the concept of The Iqbal International Institute for Research, Education and Dialogue (I.R.E.D.) which was approved on August 1, 2005, by President Musharraf who appointed her as the head of the Institute which was to be international and autonomous and would be set up in Lahore. In between according to Dr. Riffat, she realized that Amin Hashwani and Mariam Mehdi wanted to use the Institute which was envisaged to be the birthplace of a new Muslim renaissance for their own vested interests, she had no option but to resist their efforts. She further adds Amin Hashwani and Mariam Mehdi wanted to wrest control of I.R.E.D. at any cost so that they could use it for their own ends. They started a cycle of vicious intrigues designed to discredit Dr. Hassan and the Institute. They knew that President Musharraf was not genuinely interested in promoting a programme designed to educate young Pakistanis about Islam’s ethical teachings or its intellectual foundation and heritage. This sort of education would be very dangerous to him and his associates. What he wanted was to use the credentials and credibility of world-class Muslim scholars to show to his allies that his rhetoric about making Pakistan an enlightened and moderate Muslim society had some real content. Reports of the breakthroughs made by the I.R.E.D. scholars in a short time unnerved him and he decided to become the executioner of an Institute of which he was the founder and Patron-in-Chief.

On July 26, 2007, Amin Hashwani and Mariam Mehdi, citing the authority of President Musharraf, staged a military style coup d’etat and seized the premises. They said that President Musharraf wanted I.R.E.D. to be transferred to the International Islamic University in Islamabad.

. However, Amin Hashwani tried hard to maintain at least a part of the Institute at Lahore so that he could use it for his own Ismaili agenda.