Ahmed Muhammed Dhakane on Trial for Smuggling Terrorists into the U.S. (Among Other Crimes)

Perhaps these Muslim terrorists are being smuggled into the U.S. to help build orphanages. How about some Senate hearings on Islamophobia?

A lucrative and active human smuggling ring brought an undetermined number of potential Somali jihadists into the United States through Brazil, federal prosecutors say in court papers.

Those prosecutors are asking a federal judge in San Antonio to give the maximum sentence to a Somali man who pleaded guilty in November to two counts of making false statements on a 2008 asylum application. Ahmed Muhammed Dhakane failed to report his connections to Al-Ittihad Al-Islami (AIAI) and al-Barakat, both specially designated terrorist organizations.

When he is sentenced April 28, prosecutors want U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez to factor in a series of related and disturbing actions spelled out in this memorandum, including the human smuggling of potential terrorists. They intend to call several law enforcement witnesses and three people Dhakane smuggled into the country.

The smuggling was run through Brazil, aided by bribes paid to immigration authorities there, from June 2006 through March 2008. Dhakane instructed those he smuggled on how to make false asylum claims.

The sentencing memo was first reported by Patrick Poole.

In it, prosecutors say that a confidential informant will testify that Dhakane openly talked about being a member of the AIAI. Dhakane sees that group and other designated Somali terrorist groups such as al-Shabaab and the Council of Islamic Courts (CIC) as one entity because of overlapping membership. The only distinction, he said, was between "supporters or fighters," but "all of these individuals are ready to fight and die for the cause."

Some of the people Dhakane smuggled into the United States were AIAI members. "Dhakane stated he did not know their exact reason for wanting to enter the United States, but cautioned that he believed they would fight against the US if the jihad moved from overseas locations to the US mainland," the memo said.

Dhakane "bragged on tape to the [informant] that he made as much as $75,000 in one day by smuggling Somalis. On tape, Dhakane stated his minimum charge for smuggling individuals was $3,000 per person," prosecutors wrote.

Dhakane smuggled in people he knew were violent jihadists "with the full knowledge that if the decision was made by the [terrorist group], for which he was associated with in the past, to commit terrorist acts in the United States, these jihadists would commit violent acts in and against the United States," they added.

Concerns over Somalis and terrorism have focused on activity in the opposite direction during the past two years. More than 20 young Somalis from the Minneapolis area are believed to have returned to East Africa to join al-Shabaab's jihad. Several of them have been killed. In addition, more than 20 people have been indicted throughout the country on charges related to recruiting Somali fighters.

One American, Omar Hammami, is considered an al-Shabaab leader. But reports indicate FBI officials are focused on possible domestic threats from Somalis.

The terrorism enhancement isn't the only reason prosecutors want Dhakane to receive the maximum 10-year sentence on each count – and to have those sentences run consecutively rather than the normal concurrent term, extending his time in prison to 20 years.

In admitting his guilt, Dhakane lied to the court by denying he was an alien smuggler.

In addition, Dhakane repeatedly raped and impregnated an underage girl who he was paid to smuggle into the United States. When he applied for asylum, Dhakane claimed the girl was his wife, thinking it would help his asylum chances to have a pregnant wife. She told officials he threatened to kill her if she denied this or mentioned the rapes. Prosecutors say that qualifies him for sentencing enhancements for using a minor who was vulnerable in advancing his crimes.

The girl now suffers with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

There also is a public safety concern that makes a longer sentence necessary. Though he is ordered to be removed from the country, he may one day be set free in the United States "because of the lack of a functioning government" in Somalia, prosecutors wrote. A witness from the Department of Homeland Security is expected to testify about that at the sentencing hearing.

As Poole reports, this is not an isolated example of terrorists trying to sneak into the United States. In one case, a Hizballah operative crossed the border with Mexico in the trunk of a car. (Source)

Justice Department Sues School over "Discrimination" against Safoorah Khan

Math instructor Safoorah Khan asked to leave her students for three weeks for a religious pilgrimage that she's allowed to make any year of her life. The school denied her request. It isn't surprising that Muslims see this as "bigotry," "racism," and "Islamophobia," for Muslims see these things whenever a culture does not immediately bow down to Islam. What's shocking is that the United States government is suing the school on Khan's behalf.

This case isn't about civil rights. It's about special privileges for Muslims. The school would have turned down any Christian, any Jew, any Hindu, any Buddhist who made such an absurd request, and you wouldn't have heard a peep from the government. But reject a Muslim's demands, and watch out! Obama's coming for you.

Amazingly, the government is appealing to the First Amendment to support their actions. But that amendment says that the government cannot favor one religion over another. That's exactly what the U.S. government is doing by pursuing this case.

Washington Post--Safoorah Khan had taught middle school math for only nine months in this tiny Chicago suburb when she made an unusual request. She wanted three weeks off for a pilgrimage to Mecca.

The school district, faced with losing its only math lab instructor during the end-of-semester marking period, said no. Khan, a devout Muslim, resigned and made the trip anyway.

Justice Department lawyers examined the same set of facts and reached a different conclusion - that the school district's decision amounted to outright discrimination against Khan. They filed an unusual lawsuit, accusing the district of violating her civil rights by forcing her to choose between her job and her faith.

As the case moves forward in federal court in Chicago, it has triggered debate over whether the Justice Department was following a purely legal path or whether suing on Khan's behalf was part of a broader Obama administration campaign to reach out to Muslims.

The decision to take on a small-town school board has drawn criticism from conservatives and Berkeley officials, who say the government should not stand behind a teacher who wanted to leave her students.

The lawsuit may test the boundaries of how far employers must go to accommodate workers' religious practices - a key issue as the nation grows more multicultural and the Muslim population increases. (Read more.)

U.S. Senate to Hold Hearings on "Anti-Muslim Bigotry"

UNITED STATES--On a day when Islamic jihadists exploded a bomb in Jerusalem that murdered at least one woman and wounded thirty, and when Islamic jihadists opened fire on and killed two Christians outside a church in Pakistan, Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) announced that he was going to hold hearings on the rise in “anti-Muslim bigotry.”

Durbin, of course, was retaliating for the hearings recently conducted by Rep. Peter King (R-NY), who himself bowed to politically correct pressure and dropped several witnesses that he had originally announced his intention to call, including ex-Muslim human rights activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali and terror analyst Walid Phares.

Not only was the timing of Durbin’s announcement ironic, but also the fact that his retaliatory hearings were unnecessary in the first place. King, after all, gave a prime platform at his hearings to the weepy Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), whose pilgrimage to Mecca was paid for with $13,350 from the Muslim American Society, the Muslim Brotherhood ‘s chief operating arm in the U.S.

Ellison used the bully pulpit King gave him to paint a lurid picture of Muslim victimhood, all the while saying nothing (of course) about the sharp increase in jihad terror plots in this country over the last two years. How can Durbin top that?

The irony of Durbin’s hearings becomes even more acute when one notes that according to the most recent FBI statistics (covering 2009), anti-Jewish attacks account for 70% of hate crimes, and anti-Muslim attacks for only 9% of crimes thus classified. Durbin is preparing to hold hearings about an “anti-Muslim bigotry” that is almost completely nonexistent. (Read more.)

Thomas More Law Center Defends Captain Paul Fields against Islamic Supremacism

OKLAHOMA--Tulsa, Oklahoma police captain Paul Fields refused to order his officers to attend an Islamic propaganda event staged by a local mosque with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. As a result, Captain Fields, a 16-year police veteran, has been stripped of his command and is now the subject of an internal investigation.

TMLC announced today it has joined Tulsa, Oklahoma attorney Scott Wood to defend Captain Fields’ constitutional right not to become a propaganda prop for the local mosque. As you know, TMLC is heavily involved in litigation defending the religious freedom of Christians as well as countering the infiltration of radical Muslims in America.

The Mosque event, dubbed, “Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, ” had nothing to do with any official police function. It clearly fell outside of the police department’s policy on community policing, and based on comments made by police department officials in a closed door meeting, it was not “community outreach” as it has been previously portrayed in the media. Rather, it included a mosque tour, meetings with local Muslims and Muslim leadership, observing a “weekly prayer service, ” and lectures on Islamic “beliefs.” The event was scheduled for Friday, March 4, 2011—Friday being the “holy day” or “Sabbath” for Islam. In fact, the event was originally voluntary, but when not enough officers were willing to attend, it became mandatory.

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel for TMLC, commented: “This case is an astonishing example of a double standard. If this were a Catholic or Protestant prayer event, no one would have been ordered to attend, and no one would have been punished for refusing to attend. It is a prime example of government officials over-stepping their authority when it comes to government intrusion on an employee’s constitutionally protected freedoms.” (Read more.)

Pakistani Actress Veena Malik Mops the Floor with Ranting Mullah

Pakistani actress Veena Malik appeared on an Indian reality TV program, and she's been condemned by Muslims ever since. Yet when she finally gets to confront one of her accusers, she utterly humiliates him.

This should be enough to make Muslims doubt Muhammad's claim that women are, by nature, stupid.

Sahih al-Bukhari 2658--The Prophet said: "Isn’t the witness of a woman equal to half of that of a man?" The women said: "Yes." He said: "This is because of the deficiency of her mind."

Muslim Student Association a "Terror Factory"

Sharia Alert: British Investors Using Sharia Clause to Avoid Taxes

Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that there might be problems with Western governments attempting to apply Sharia in the West.

UNITED KINGDOM--Sharia law is being used by house buyers posing as Muslims to dodge stamp duty, it was revealed yesterday.

A scheme, brought in by Labour in 2005, allows followers of Islam to buy property without paying the tax.

Paying interest is banned under Sharia law, so Muslims are allowed to buy a house and then sell it on to an offshore financial company.

They then lease the house from the company instead of taking out a mortgage, which would include interest payments. Stamp duty, which is applicable to all properties worth £125,000 and over, does not have to be paid on properties which are immediately sold on.

But the loophole, which costs the Treasury £40million a year, is now being used by some who pretend to be Muslim.

Sultan Choudhury, from the UK Islamic Finance Secretariat, said: “It was certainly not envisaged that some tax advisers would manipulate the legislation on behalf of their clients to avoid paying stamp duty at all.” (Source)

"Paying interest is banned under Sharia law." Anyone ever consider telling U.K. Muslims that that Great Britain is not under Sharia law? Would that be too bigoted?

Gay Couple Suing Dutch Police for Not Protecting Them from Muslims

Protecting people from Muslims would be racist, bigoted, and Islamophobic.

UTRECHT, 22/03/11 - A gay couple from Utrecht is holding the municipality, the police and central government liable for the financial and emotional damage they suffered as a result of intimidation and violence of Moroccan youths.

The couple have made official police reports to the Utrecht police eight times in the past years. On no single occasion was a suspect arrested. Meanwhile, the two men have moved to another municipality.

The men are holding the municipality, the police and the State liable. They want to force a damages settlement from the three bodies via civil proceedings. In separate proceedings, they also want to compel judges to force the Public Prosecutor's Office (OM) to prosecute the perpetrators.

Between the summer of 2009 and 2010, the men were continually intimidated. Windows of their house were broken and their car was damaged. Because police there said they could not take action against this, the men eventually found themselves forced to sell their home at way below its estimated value. (Source)

Muslim Extremists Gaining Momentum in Indonesia

Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Radical Muslim groups are thought to be behind mail bombs recently delivered to prominent figures and security officials, including Christians, in various places in Indonesia. Human rights activists and ordinary Indonesians are sounding the alarm, warning the country is slowing turning into a Pakistan-style ‘Islamised’ state in which extremist movements sow terror to gain power.

Although the authorities have not made any public statement on the matter, many believe that extremist groups are behind a recent spate of attacks involving books containing explosive sent by mail. Inspector Ansyaas Mbai, head of the anti-terror department, blames radical Islamic movements, like Jemaah Islamiyah, the Islamic State of Indonesia and the Mujahedeen Kompak.

The recent bombings were carried out by “old players within the old terror network”, based on their modus operandi and the evidence collected at the sites where attacks occurred, which are “closely related to their (political) ideology,” he said.

The anti-terrorism expert noted that Muslim extremists used similar methods in the past, during sectarian clashes between Christians and Muslims in Poso (central Sulawesi) in 2006.

“The only different thing is the packaging. Now, they use books as bomb cover; in the past torches were commonly used. When the torchlight was set on, the bomb went off,” Mbaai explained.

Targets are another major difference. They include Indonesians seen as close to or puppets in the hands of the Americans and the Israelis.

Targets are labelled “common enemies”, people opposed to the introduction of Sharia, Islamic law, or to the establishment of an Islamic state in Indonesia. (Read more.)

Christian Nursing Student Magdalene Ashraf Raped by Muslim Doctor, Denied Justice in Pakistan

KARACHI, PAKISTAN -- A huge controversy has broken out in Pakistan over the case of Magdalene Ashraf, a 23-year-old third-year Christian student nurse at the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre in Karachi, who was allegedly raped by a doctor on July 15, 2010.

Magdalene is the daughter of Ashraf Masih, a poor Christian, who is said to have "dreamed of a good future" for his daughter after her graduation, but then all came crashing down after the alleged rape.

Instead of a rape charge, a case of simple assault was made by the police against Dr. Abdul Jabbar Memon, which falls under section 324 of the country's Penal Code.

ANS has discovered from an informant who asked not to be named for security reasons, that a "renowned Pakistani hospital" run by the state, had allegedly declared, in its medical examination report, that a semen specimen sent to them was "not that" of the alleged rapist of the virgin Christian trainee nurse, thus depriving her of "justice in this case."

The informant then alleged, that staff there conspired together and allegedly declared that the specimen sent to them was not that of the main accused doctor, nor of any of his "accomplices" whom it was claimed had raped the Christian nurse and thus deprived this "hapless and impoverished Christian trainee nurse of justice."

According to our informant, the Christian trainee nurse was allegedly seduced and taken to the doctors' mess led by a Muslim nurse and then subjected to "immense physical, mental and sexual assault" by the doctor and two other Muslim men.

According to reports obtained later that night, she was found lying on ground "nearly dead" and "drenched in blood" and taken to the hospital for treatment for her "critical condition."

Our source said that the police were reluctant to register a case against this influential Muslim physician but, later on, under media pressure, registered a case, but "refrained from inserting the rape section of Pakistani Penal Code." (Read more.)

Muslim Student Association's "Pledge of Allegiance"

It's good to know that the next generation of Muslims is proclaiming their eagerness to "die to establish Islam." Nothing to worry about here.

Sam and David on "Jesus or Muhammad" This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!

It's that time again. Sam and I will be on "Jesus or Muhammad" from 8:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. (Eastern Standard Time) this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. On Friday, we'll be interviewing our brother and former Muslim C.L. Edwards. On Saturday, we'll be discussing an interesting topic: "Did Allah Kill Muhammad?" Sunday we'll be addressing the blatant taqiyya of Rep. Keith Ellison.

If you don't get ABN via satellite, you can watch live on the internet here.

Indonesian Military Forcing Ahmadi Muslims to Convert to Orthodox Islam

Update from modern, moderate Indonesia.

Indonesia admitted on Wednesday that soldiers had been entering mosques of a minority Islamic sect but said they had been protecting followers, escalating a debate about religious freedoms.

An Indonesian human rights group said however it had recorded 56 cases in West Java province in which soldiers forced Ahmadiyah followers to convert to mainstream Islam.

The government denies there have been any forced conversions, saying the military intervention was to protect the Ahmadiyah from more violence.

"As long as their intention is positive -- that is to ensure Ahmadiyah followers do not become the target of violence -- then that's not a human rights violation," said Justice and Human Rights Minister Patrialis Akbar.

"It’s not a harmful intervention," Akbar told reporters.

But local rights group Imparsial disputed that, saying soldiers have entered mosques, gathered the sect followers and "forced them to repent and convert to Islam". (Source)

Christian Qamar David Dies in Pakistani Prison While Serving Life Sentence for "Blasphemy"

Islamabad (AsiaNews) - Qamar David, a Christian originally from Lahore Pakistan, but living in Karachi died in prison while serving a life sentence for blasphemy. Official sources confirm that the man died last night in his cell, after a heart attack. in the past he had suffered several episodes of violence within the prison walls. Human rights activists are calling for an investigation to ascertain the "true causes" of death. Interviewed by AsiaNews, the bishop of Islamabad speaks of "false accusations" against David fabricated to convict him and asks "how much Christian blood will still flow," before the infamous blasphemy laws are "abolished."

Qamar David was a native of Hamza, near Lahore (Punjab), but was a self employed painter in Karachi in the south of the country. On 8 June 2006 he was reported by a business rival on false charges of blasphemy in accordance with Articles 295 and C of the Pakistan Penal Code. According to the plaintiff, he sent telephone messages with insulting words against Muhammad.

Under the controversial blasphemy rules, introduced in 1986 by Pakistani dictator Zia-ul-Haq, anyone who uses derogatory phrases to refer to the prophet or desecrates the Koran is punishable by death or life imprisonment. Typically, capital cases are switched to life imprisonment. On 25 February 2010, the Karachi court adjunct Judge Jangu Khan, found him guilty of "outrageous" words against Muhammad, and exclusively based on the "black law" and the testimony of his accuser, David Qamar was sentenced to prison for life.

The man died overnight in prison and prison authorities have tried to pass his death off as a heart attack. The Police Commissioner said that the body is being held in the Civil Hospital, Karachi, available to health authorities for an autopsy, which should shed light on the real cause of death. (Read more.)

Muslim Beauty Contestant Shanna Bukhari Told to Burn in Hell

United Kingdom--Shanna Bukhari who is Great Britain’s first Muslim Miss Universe contestant told the press that religious zealots not only slammed her decision to enter the beauty contest but told her to rot in hell.

Miss Bukhari aged 24 had the zealots predicting her torments in hellfire and with some other religious Muslim men posting messages on her Facebook page condemning her Miss Universe move as offensive to Islam.

"Three men wrote that they would not support me because what I was doing was sinful," the young beauty contestant told the Manchester Evening News. "They said I should rot in hell, which is pretty shocking.”

Miss Bukhari also critisized these men as hypocritical.

"They contradict themselves by going out clubbing, drinking and smoking at the weekends. That is completely hypocritical and they should look to themselves before they start judging others.”

Miss Bukhari who works as model and is from a Pakistani origin, said that she wants girls from the Muslim communities to feel that they can do this.

"Muslim girls don't enter competitions like this because Islam does not permit it, but there is so much more to it than looking pretty," she said. (Read more.)

Ezedden Khalid Ahmed Al Khaledi Arrested in Scotland for Connection to Failed Suicide Bombing in Sweden

BBC--A 30-year-old man has appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court in connection with a suicide bombing in Sweden.

Ezedden Khalid Ahmed Al Khaledi, described as a Kuwaiti national, faces three charges under the Terrorism Act and five others under immigration laws and banking regulations.

He made no plea or declaration and was remanded into custody.

Two people were hurt in two explosions in Stockholm in December. A man with an explosive device was later found dead.

The Stockholm bomber was named as 28-year-old Iraqi-born Taimour Abdulwahab al-Abdaly.

He had settled in Luton with his wife Mona, with whom he had three young children - two girls and a boy.

He previously attended the University of Bedfordshire.

The attack was believed to be the first suicide bombing in Sweden's history.

Detectives have been investigating whether Abdaly was supported by others or acted as a lone attacker.

Mr Khaledi was arrested following a police raid on the 19th floor of a block of flats in the Whiteinch area of Glasgow on Tuesday 8 March.

A convoy, flanked by armed officers and watched from a police helicopter, escorted him to the private hearing in Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Proceeding were translated into Arabic for him.

The first charge against him alleges he provided money for Abdaly.

He is also accused of possessing money and bank cards which could have been used for terrorism, and with entering into an arrangement to provide money for terrorist purposes.

Mr Khaledi also faces a charge that he falsely claimed to be a Kuwaiti national so he could claim asylum and benefits in the UK and of fraudulently opening bank accounts. (Source)

Al-Qaeda Launches "Jihad Cosmo" Magazine for Muslim Women

Daily Mail--Al-Qaeda has launched a women's magazine that mixes beauty and fashion tips with advice on suicide bombings.

Dubbed 'Jihad Cosmo', the glossy magazine's front cover features the barrel of a sub-machine gun next to a picture a woman in a veil.

There are exclusive interviews with martyrs' wives, who praise their husbands' decisions to die in suicide attacks.

The slick, 31-page Al-Shamikha magazine - meaning The Majestic Woman - has advice for singletons on 'marrying a mujahideen'.

Readers are told it is their duty to raise children to be mujahideen ready for jihad.

And the 'beauty column' instructs women to stay indoors with their faces covered to keep a 'clear complexion'.

They should 'not go out except when necessary' and wear a niqab for 'rewards by complying with the command of Allah Almighty'.

A woman called Umm Muhanad hails her husband for his bravery after his suicide bombing in Afghanistan.

And another article urges readers to give their lives for the Islamist cause.

It advises: 'From martyrdom, the believer will gain security, safety and happiness.'

More traditional content for a women's magazine includes features on the merits of honey facemasks, etiquette, first aid and why readers should avoid 'towelling too forcibly'.

A trailer for the next issue promises tips on skin care - and how to wage electronic jihad. (Read more.)

Muslim Cleric Ibrahim Abdullahi Bolori Gunned Down for Criticizing Radical Group Boko Haram

KANO, Nigeria — Gunmen shot and killed a Muslim cleric highly critical of a hardline Islamist sect, in an attack outside his home in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, witnesses said.

The attackers, who were in a sports utility vehicle, gunned down Ibrahim Abdullahi Bolori outside his house, which is just next to a mosque, neighbours said.

"The sheikh came out of his house around 8:00 pm (1900 GMT) and sat outside. An unmarked jeep slowed down and gunmen shot him... five times before speeding off," said a neighbour Awwalu Ishaq.

Bolori had been an outspoken critic of the radical Islamist group known as Boko Haram, which in 2009 launched an uprising in Maiduguri, the provincial capital of Borno state.

The revolt was put down by a brutal military assault, but since 2010, attacks attributed to the group have left dozens dead, most of them policemen.

Another cleric who spoke against the sect was gunned down in the same city October last year at his house while giving a theology lesson to a student.

The sect, whose name means "education is a sin" has been blamed for killings targeting police officers, local community leaders, clerics and politicians in recent months. (Read more.)

Shaheen Bibi Rescued from Muslim Captors

As Muslims in the West complain of intolerance and Islamophobia, never-ending reports of the subjugation and abuse of non-Muslims in the Muslim world remind us of what intolerance is really like. Unfortunately, Western Muslims are so busy accusing us of racism, they rarely find time to address actual oppression.

LAHORE, Pakistan – A Christian mother of seven here who last August was kidnapped, raped, sold into marriage and threatened with death if she did not convert to Islam was freed this week.

After she refused to convert and accept the marriage, human traffickers had threatened to kill Shaheen Bibi, 40, and throw her body into the Sindh River if her father, Manna Masih, did not pay a ransom of 100,000 rupees (US$1,170) by Saturday (March 5), the released woman told Compass.

Drugged into unconsciousness, Shaheen Bibi said that when she awoke in Sadiqabad, her captors told her she had been sold and given in marriage.

“I asked them who they were,” she said. “They said that they were Muslims, to which I told them that I was a married Christian woman with seven children, so it was impossible for me to marry someone, especially a Muslim.”

Giving her a prayer rug (musalla), her captors – Ahmed Baksh, Muhammad Amin and Jaam Ijaz – tried to force her to convert to Islam and told her to recite a Muslim prayer, she said.

“I took the musalla but prayed to Jesus Christ for help,” she said. “They realized that I should be returned to my family.”

A member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lahore, Shaheen Bibi said she was kidnapped in August 2010 after she met a woman named Parveen on a bus on her way to work. She said Parveen learned where she worked and later showed up there in a car with two men identified as Muhammad Zulfiqar and Shah. They offered her a job at double her salary and took her to nearby Thokar Niaz Baig.

There she was given tea with some drug in it, and she began to fall unconscious as the two men raped her, she said. Shaheen Bibi was unconscious when they put her in a vehicle, and they gave her sedation injections whenever she regained her senses, she said.

When she awoke in Sadiqabad, Baksh, Amin and Ijaz informed her that she had been sold into marriage with Baksh. They showed her legal documents in which she was given a Muslim name, Sughran Bibi daughter of Siddiq Ali. After Baksh had twice raped her, she said, his mother interjected that she was a “persistent Christian” and that therefore he should stay away from her.

Shaheen Bibi, separated from an abusive husband who had left her for another woman, said that after Baksh’s mother intervened, her captors stopped hurting her but kept her in chains.

Her father, Masih, asked police to take action, but they did nothing as her captors had taken her to a remote area between the cities of Rahim Yar Khan and Sadiqabad, considered a “no-go” area ruled by dangerous criminals.

Masih then sought legal assistance from the Community Development Initiative (CDI), a human rights affiliate of the European Center for Law & Justice. With the kidnappers giving Saturday (March 5) as a deadline for payment of the ransom, CDI attorneys brought the issue to the notice of high police officials in Lahore and on March 4 obtained urgent legal orders from Model Town Superintendent of Police Haidar Ashraf to recover Shaheen, according to a CDI source.

The order ultimately went to Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Asghar Jutt of the Nashtar police station. Police accompanied by a CDI field officer raided the home of a contact person for the captors in Lahore, Naheed Bibi, the CDI source said, and officers arrested her in Awami Colony, Lahore.

With Naheed Bibi along, CDI Field Officer Haroon Tazeem and Masih accompanied five policemen, including ASI Jutt, on March 5 to Khan Baila, near Rahim Yar Khan – a journey of 370 miles, arriving that evening. Area police were not willing to cooperate and accompany them, telling them that Khan Baila was a “no-go area” they did not enter even during daytime, much less at night.

Jutt told area police that he had orders from high officials to recover Shaheen Bibi, and that he and Tazeem would lead the raid, the CDI source said. With Nashtar police also daring them to help, five local policemen decided to go with them for the operation, he said.

At midnight on Sunday (March 6), after some encounters and raids in a jungle area where houses are miles apart, the rescue team managed to get hold of Shaheen Bibi, the CDI source said. The captors handed over Shaheen Bibi on the condition that they would not be the targets of further legal action, the CDI source said.

Sensing that their foray into the danger zone had gone on long enough, Tazeem and Jutt decided to leave but told them that those who had sold Shaheen Bibi in Lahore would be brought to justice.

Fatigued and fragile when she arrived in Lahore on Monday (March 7), Shaheen Bibi told CDN through her attorneys that she would pursue legal action against those who sold her fraudulently into slavery and humiliation.

She said that she had been chained to a tree outside a house, where she prayed continually that God would help her out of the seemingly impossible situation. After the kidnappers gave her father the March 5 deadline last week, Shaheen Bibi said, at one point she lifted her eyes in prayer, saw a cross in the sky and was comforted that God’s mighty hand would release her even though her father had no money to pay ransom.

On four previous occasions, she said, her captors had decided to kill her and had changed their mind.

Shaheen Bibi said there were about 10 other women in captivity with her, some whose hands or legs were broken because they had refused to be forcibly given in marriage. Among the women was one from Bangladesh who had abandoned hope of ever returning home as she had reached her 60s in captivity.

Masih told CDN that he had prayed that God would send help, as he had no money to pay the ransom. The day before the deadline for paying the ransom, he said, he had 100 rupees (less than US$2) in his pocket. (Source)