9/11 Statement: Prof. Khurshid Ahmad Ex- Member Senate of Pakistan

PROF KHURSHID AHMAD
Chairman, Institute of Policy Studies
Ex- Member Senate of Pakistan
Islamabad (September 10, 2012): Naib Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan and former Senator

Prof. Khurshid Ahmad has issued the following Statement:

September 11 this year represents the 11th anniversary of the tragic and dastardly
attack on World Trade Centre and Pentagon as well as the equally, if not more tragic and
dastardly, response to that heinous act by the US leadership and other Governments that
collaborated with the US. In the year 2001 the humanity entered the new millennium with
high hopes but 9/11 turned the course of history towards mutual destruction and undoing
of much that had been achieved during the last two millenniums. The acts of terrorism
beginning on 9/11 were given a new direction by the US response to unleash a global war
by resorting to unprecedented brinkmanship attacking other nations and demonising the
faith and community of Islam.

The entire world is in the grip of the longest war in human history and there seems no end
to it unless the leadership and the people of the world are prepared to revisit the ideas
and strategies that have thrown humanity into this disastrous predicament. World has to
face the challenging questions that have been totally cast aside to cover up the crimes
that are being perpetrated by the vicious and the powerful. In human terms, according to
conservative estimates over half a million people have been killed after 9/11, as many if
not more have been injured and rendered incapable of enjoying the opportunities of life,
thousands have become mentally deranged, a large number even committed suicide
including those engaged in this war or its veterans. The number of those who have been
made homeless described either as refugees or internally displaced persons exceed 10
million. Reasonable estimates about the 11 year war are more than five trillion dollars and
it cannot be ignored that the economic and financial crisis that the world is in has also,
among others, been caused by this war on terror.

It is also time to make an honest balance sheet of what has been achieved and what
has been lost. The world today is awash with individual, group and state terrorism.
The concepts and processes of the rule of law including the respect and obedience of
international law and conventions is in utter disarray. Apprehensions about the clash of

civilizations have become a menacing reality and there seems to be no end to it.

Islam as a faith and Muslim Ummah and states are the worst sufferers. Muslims around
the world have been demonised, discriminated and dishonoured and the leadership of the
Muslim Ummah and all those concerned about human rights, peace and global security
are constantly ignoring the questions posed by the discrimination meted out to Muslims
today. Serious questions have been raised about, not only the failure of the leadership to
address the real issues but also their role through acts of commission or omission which
have resulted in the promotion of terrorism, insecurity, lawlessness and intellectual and
political bewilderment.

This 11th anniversary would also pass, like earlier ones if we do not revisit
situation reflecting on what has been achieved and what has been lost and
gained and who are on the suffering end? It is tragic that there is not enough
causes and strategies to remove causes and all the energies are being wasted
war on an idea and chasing illusions and shadows.

It should also be reminded that contrary to accusations and perceptions about Muslim
religious leadership, 46 top leaders of the Islamic Movements were the first to condemn
unequivocally the 9/11 attacks and declared them as "crime against humanity" but they
had also made it very clear that the way America is responding is bound to aggravate the
situation and this is what has happened.

I only hope and pray wiser sense will prevail and this disastrous war would be brought
to an end, opening up new vistas for peace, security and mutually supportive living
conditions for the poor and the afflicted of the world. Pakistan should be the first country to
disassociate itself from this war and to make a beginning towards pursuing a path which
would lead to a political solution to a problem which can never be resolved by resorting to
war or violence.