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Newsletter: Attend next court date & pro-Aafia events - New poem |
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Correction: Attend next court date & pro-Aafia events - New poem
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TAKE ACTION:
Donate to Dr. Aafia's support fund!
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The Government of Pakistan is now providing a legal defense for Dr. Aafia. However there is still a great need for financial support. Her case requires advocacy work, educational materials and outreach as well as investigations into the whereabouts of Dr. Aafia's missing children. Take action here! |
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Free Dr. Aafia
LATEST NEWS & EVENTS |
Greetings!
Ask your friends and family to subscribe!
It is very important to have a strong showing of support for Dr. Aafia as her court date draws near! We appreciate your support and assistance.
May God bless you!
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The next upcoming court date: All able are encouraged to attend!
There will be a court hearing for Dr. Aafia's case next week:
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 1:30pm (time may get moved)
WHERE: Federal Court, 500 Pearl Street, New York
Please advise your networks and encourage people in New York area to attend. It is likely that Judge Richard Berman will require Dr. Aafia to be brought to court under a force order that requires forced strip searches.
For those who cannot attend, please say a special prayer.
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Upcoming events highlight the importance of Dr. Aafia's case
Please save the date for the city closest to you and kindly invite friends to support and attend the following:
- Friday, October 16th - Brooklyn, NY
- Saturday, October 17th - Chicago, IL
- Sunday, October 18th - Coney Island, NY
- Tuesday, October 20th - Birmingham, AL
- Wednesday, October 21st - Atlanta, GA
- Thursday, October 22nd - Milwaukee, WI
- Friday, October 23rd - Dallas, TX
- Saturday, October 24th - Houston, TX
Details about locations and timings will be forthcoming. Special guests will include Yvonne Ridley, the British journalist who initially broke Dr. Aafia's story leading to her "emergence" in Afghanistan.
Please
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MLFA to RSVP or for questions!
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Getting Dr. Aafia home is the nation's promise: Pakistani Senator
October 1, 2009
ISLAMABAD: The Chairman of Senate Standing Committee on Interior, Senator Talha Mehmood has said that there are about 30 thousands Pakistanis, who are detained in the jails of different countries. While talking to reporters after the committee meeting here on Thursday, he urged the United States to release Dr. Aafia Siddiqui for the improvement of its image amongst the Islamic countries.... He alleged that the delay in return of the Pakistani family detained in Saudi Arabia on charges of drugs smuggling is due to the inefficiency of the Pakistani officials there.... However, he said that bringing back Dr. Aafia to Pakistan is the promise of the committee, adding that he is sure that we would succeed in it.... Full article here. |
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New poem recital released in honor of Dr. Aafia (Audio)
Recently, some poets in Karachi held a Musha'era (Poetry Recital) honoring Dr Aafia's cause. One of the key recitations (Shers) titled "Teri Azeemat Ko Salaam..." can be heard here... |
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From the Archives: Summary of Pakistani Senate report regarding Pakistani senators who interviewed Dr. Aafia (Urdu)
for full summary, please click here. An English summary of the report can be seen here. ISLAMABAD: In the New York Jail six masked men tied her hands behind her back, stripped her naked and made her video film. While being taken back to her cell in a wheelchair a woman covered her with a blanket and begged the masked men not to humiliate Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.
In response to a question about the nature of security checks, Dr. Aafia said many a times she was stripped for security check in the New York jail and due to that humiliation she even stopped seeing her lawyer. She despised being stripped for security checks.
This is the first hand report recently compiled by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas on meeting with Dr. Aafia Siddiqui on October 7, 2008 at Carswell, Fort Worth, Texas, USA....
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Feature Article: Dr. Aafia's case: Government violates both national and international law
By Ali Palh
Writer holds a Masters in Human Rights from Office of Human Rights and Social Development (OHRSD), currently is working as Head of District Office, with Nonviolent Peace-force, Sri Lanka.
... Both stories of Dr. Aafia's arrest from Afghanistan and later her attempt to fire at American official does not stand in front of the facts which have already been exposed to whole world by Amnesty International and a British journalist, Yvonne Ridley, who had reported one year ago that the missing Pakistani Dr. was detained in one of the American camps where she was being tortured and raped by American camp officials, refute above drama.
US authorities had better contacted to any Pakistani Station House Officer (SHO), or Head Munshi, for making a better and believable story which could be equally believed by both Pakistani nation and international community. Dr. Aafia's American lawyer is right when she says that story of Dr. Aafia's arrest and her attack have happened in Afghanistan but case has been fabricated in the New York....
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Newsletter: Court updates: important dates & analysis – What was Ramadan like for Dr. Aafia? |
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Court updates: important dates & analysis – What was Ramadan like for Dr. Aafia?
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TAKE ACTION:
Donate to Dr. Aafia's support fund!
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The Government of Pakistan is now providing a legal defense for Dr. Aafia. However there is still a great need for financial support. Her case requires advocacy work, educational materials and outreach as well as investigations into the whereabouts of Dr. Aafia's missing children. Take action here! |
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Free Dr. Aafia
LATEST NEWS & EVENTS |
Greetings!
This is the family of Dr. Aafia's official source for news, updates, action alerts and events related to Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's plight and court case.
Please FORWARD this email with your friends and family and encourage them to subscribe. We protect your privacy and your time, so we will not share our email list with anyone nor will we spam you.
May God bless you!
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A note of thanks to all supporters
The family of Dr. Aafia would like to express our appreciation to all the supporters who organized the many events and conducted the various seminars and prayers for Dr. Aafia during the month of Ramadan. From groups and individuals in Pakistan, the United States and other countries, we were heartened by the continued show of empathy and goodwill.
We would also like to thank the, literally, thousands of people who sent cards and letters to Aafia. Even though the prison will not confirm what was actually delivered to her, we know for a fact that she is aware of your support and efforts.
May God bless each and everyone of you and keep you and your loved ones safe, prosperous and content.
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Court updates: More hearings and date changes
On September 23, 2009, another pre-trial hearing was held by Judge Richard Berman in New York.
This was not well publicized and
many key decisions were made which are summarized below:
- Judge Berman did not force Dr. Aafia to attend the hearing
- Judge Berman found that there was no conflict of interest between the hired attorneys and the Government of Pakistan.
- Judge Berman asked for a brief to determine whether attendance by Dr. Aafia is required in court going forward.
- The Prosecution informed the Court that one of their main witnesses was currently hospitalized, and requested an extension of the trial date.
Post-hearing update:
Judge Berman ruled in favor of the prosecution by granting an extension to the trial date from Nov. 02, 2009 to Jan. 18, 2010.
The hearing scheduled for September 29 has been cancelled.
The next public hearing is set for Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 1:30PM. (NOTE: the time may change as the judge has previously changed times at the last minute)
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Children protest for Dr. Aafia
KARACHI (Sept. 27, 2009) A group of children staged a protest rally at the Karachi Press Club on Sep 27, 2009 asking for the release of Dr Aafia. The rally was arranged by PASBAN. Click here to view photos. News coverage here. |
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Important court actions that are lost in the "fine print"
 Despite his previous comments expressing concerns over the forced strip searches on Dr. Aafia, (conducted every time she is brought to court, is visited by her lawyers and etc.) Judge Berman has so far refused to formally make a ruling. The public display of a reasonable and humane posture on the part of the judge is lacking action and demonstrates no real shift or answer to the problem. While Judge Berman has formally admitted the legal team appointed by the Pakistani government, he has insisted on the continued retention of U.S. taxpayer funded CJA lawyer, Dawn Cardi, despite Dr. Aafia's strong rejection to and distrust of her.
On Sept. 02, Judge Berman sided with the prosecution when he used the court's "discretion" to deny the defense's request to use Jury Questionnaires. This item was "missed" by most of the press reports. (NOTE: These questionnaires are critical in cases such as this where there has been so much negative publicity for so long. By denying the defense this mechanism to qualify potential jurors, Judge Berman has provided the prosecution another advantage and reduced the chances for a fair jury.)
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Urdu Article - How others treat their own
Full article available here. |
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Ramadan for Dr. Aafia, Eid Disappointment for her mother & family
Dr. Aafia spent her Ramadan alone in her solitary cell. We have no confirmation that she was provided food at the appropriate times. We know she was not given a meal schedule by the prison system. We only have confirmation that she received the prayer timings and fasting schedule mailed by her family.
Despite attempts by family to inquire about her conditions for Ramadan, the only response received was that "...MDC is following all the rules to a 'T'..." whatever that means. No clarification was provided. A request for meal logs has gone unanswered. Considering that Dr. Aafia is monitored and the observations are logged every 20 minutes, this should not have been difficult to provide.
Dr. Aafia has received some mail from friends and supporters. ,It seems a lot of mail is being received but MDC has not confirmed how much they are actually delivering to her. One concern cited has been the tiny size of her cell.
Dr. Aafia did request some specific books and most have been sent to her by her family but some were not available in soft cover. A list of these will be posted on the website in case someone knows of a soft cover version that can be sent to her.
An Eid "Disappointment" - A promise, not a request, left unfilled in POOR TASTE!
At the end of Ramadan, on the occasion of Eid, officials played an unnecessary psychological ploy on Dr. Aafia's mother by promising her a phone call from Dr. Aafia - a call which never came. At this time the officials are not being named because it is not clear if they instigated the ploy or were simply messengers trying to act in good faith.
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From The Archives: The intriguing case of Dr. Aafiya Siddiqui - by Yvonne Ridley
The Pakistan Government has been ordered to secure the release of scientist Dr Aafiya Siddiqui from US custody.The Islamabad High Court made the ground-breaking directive in a move welcomed by her family, supporters and anyone who wants to see justice delivered to a woman who has been trapped in a hellish existence for the last six years. However, not everyone is happy that Justice Raja Saeed Akram has ordered the government to work towards bringing Aafiya home. As I discovered a few days ago during a visit to Pakistan it seems her ex-husband Dr Muhammad Amjad Khan has been briefing against the mother of his three children. .... .... Why he chose to break his silence after six years is not immediately obvious ... unless you buy in to the crazy theory that he was instrumental in his wife's arrest and disappearance. .... I am not sure what are his motives but, in a conference I gave at the Islamabad National Press Club this week I threw out a challenge to Dr Khan to either put up or shut up. In his February 18 interview he said: "Aafia's release cannot be secured by propagating stories based on falsehood and deception," and then he went on to tell a lie so blatant that I can no longer remain silent, and here's why.... Full Story here.
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Stand for humane treatment and stand against injustice! Standing for Dr. Aafia brings light to all missing persons, victims of extraordinary rendition and people held in secret prisons. It sends the message that all human beings, especially - our sisters - Muslim women have rights!
God Bless,
The Free Dr. Aafia Campaign |
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Newsletter: Eid Mubarak - new pics, poem and article from Dr. Aafia's sister & brother |
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Eid Mubark - new pics, poem and article from Dr. Aafia's sister & brother
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TAKE ACTION:
Donate to Dr. Aafia's support fund!
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The Government of Pakistan is now providing a legal defense for Dr. Aafia. However there is still a great need for financial support. Her case requires advocacy work, educational materials and outreach as well as investigations into the whereabouts of Dr. Aafia's missing children. Take action here! |
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Free Dr. Aafia
LATEST NEWS & EVENTS |
Greetings!
This is the family of Dr. Aafia's official source for news, updates, action alerts and events related to Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's plight and court case.
Please FORWARD this email with your friends and family and encourage them to subscribe. We protect your privacy and your time, so we will not share our email list with anyone nor will we spam you.
May God bless you!
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Quote from the Holy Koran
"All that lives on earth or in the heavens is bound to pass away.
But your Lord (God), full of Majesty and Glory shall remain forever
Then which of your Lord's Blessings will you deny?
On Him depend all creatures in the heavens and on earth
And every day He manifests Himself in yet another [wondrous] way
Then which of your Lord's Blessings will you deny?"
The Holy Koran, Chapter 55 (Ar-Rahman), verses: 26~30
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EID GREETINGS from The Free Aafia Campaign and the family of Dr. Aafia!
Aafia, Mariam, Suleman, Ahmad - from happier times
A message to all friends, supporters and people of conscience everywhere:
Thank you to each one of you for extending to Aafia and to us, her family, the hand of friendship during this trying and difficult time. Thank you for your prayers, your words of comfort to Aafia and to each member of our family. And, praise be to God for all He has done by bringing such blessings into our lives through each one of you. We will not lose hope so long as our faith in God and the light of your brave hearts burns brightly for Aafia and for us.
All we can offer in return is a prayer that May God bless each of you and your loved ones and may you live your lives in peace, freedom and prosperity.
"The Family of Dr. Aafia."
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I MISS YOU
A poem for Dr. Aafia
by her sister, Dr. Fauzia
My Dear Aafia, My little sister
My little sister, My little sister
I miss you so
How much I miss you, I cannot say
My true feelings words cannot portray
I cry myself for you to sleep
In my dreams for you to creep
My little sister, I miss you so
Every day a new dawn brings light
Dear Lord end my sisters plight
My emotions I cannot express
Flowing tears I cannot regress
My little sister I miss you so
Every step I take is for you my dear
Every thought is to pull you near
I wish I could get you back
See you free and cut you slack
My little sister, I miss you so
Your sweet smile I wish to see
Laughter and joyful tears be
Have you embrace mommy, my mission
Your kids smiling with you my commission
My little sister, I miss you so
Your agony tears my heart
Your screams rip me apart
My helplessness, my frustrations
Shameful Egos of two nations
My little sister I miss you so
All my efforts seem in vain
I wish I could share your pain
May Your faith give you might
For righteousness we have to fight
My Dear Aafia
My little sister, My little sister
I miss you so
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RAMADAN REFLECTIONS: Blessings and Hope amidst Pain and Sorrow
A personal account by Dr. Aafia's brother, Mohammad
As we come to the celebration of Eid-al-Fitr of 2009, it is the 7th Eid we will celebrate without Aafia being among her friends and family. But we will celebrate. Not because we forget Aafia or because we abandon her but because there are many reasons to celebrate and to be thankful for God's many, many blessings.
In some ways, for a long time, I could not get myself to see beyond the pain and stress of the whole saga of my sister disappearing with her three young children, and that too under such a notorious cloud of suspicion and innuendo. Celebrations or even allowing oneself to experience the simple pleasures of life seemed wrong and filled me with remorse. After all, Aafia and her children were denied these same treasures of family and friends that only freedom allows, and yet we all take for granted. So, for a long time I put myself in a mental prison with her even though it was neither productive nor therapeutic.
During the last year events have taken our whole family on such a phenomenal roller coaster ride of emotions and stress that I am amazed that we are all still here. Much of this has been played out in public and many of you have had a window into our journey. Aafia is still in a miserable place and it seems like the most powerful forces on earth are determined that she stays there. So many people come up and express sympathy but feel that we are fighting a lost cause - hoping in the face of a hopeless situation. Yet, I find reason to celebrate and have genuine hope....
Full article here
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New song released in celebration of Dr. Aafia (in Urdu)
"Istiqamat Ko Teri Salam" Click here to listen online.
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Poem: Ghum na kar saat rab he (Urdu)
Click here to see the full size image
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Stand for humane treatment and stand against injustice! Standing for Dr. Aafia brings light to all missing persons, victims of extraordinary rendition and people held in secret prisons. It sends the message that all human beings, especially - our sisters - Muslim women have rights!
God Bless,
The Free Dr. Aafia Campaign |
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Newsletter: PAK court updates, new photos from rallies, Urdu poems and articles on Dr. Aafia |
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Updates, new photos from rallies, Urdu poems and articles on Dr. Aafia
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TAKE ACTION:
Donate to Dr. Aafia's support fund!
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The Government of Pakistan is now providing a legal defense for Dr. Aafia. However there is still a great need for financial support. Her case requires advocacy work, educational materials and outreach as well as investigations into the whereabouts of Dr. Aafia's missing children. Take action here! |
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Free Dr. Aafia
LATEST NEWS & EVENTS |
Greetings!
This is the family of Dr. Aafia's official source for news, updates, action alerts and events related to Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's plight and court case.
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES:
Some recent subscribers to the newsletter have inquired about past information. Past newsletters are archived at www.freeaafia.org or click here to go directly to the archive. May God bless you!
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Please remember Dr. Aafia's two missing children!
Please remember Dr. Aafia and her two missing children along with all other persecuted and missing persons in your prayers and thoughts.
As our family prays for Aafia's missing daughter and son, we hope that even if they believe that they are orphans that one day Dr. Aafia will be reunited with them. The following video demonstrates the special place that the memory or hope of a mother has in the life of orphans. |
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New photos from Defense of Pakistan Day rallies
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From the Archives: Tell Me the Truth about Prisoner 650 - By: YVONNE RIDLEY
 ... Dr. Siddiqui, 36, is an American-educated neuroscientist. Since 2003, Siddiqui's whereabouts have been the source of much speculation. According to Amnesty International, Siddiqui and her three small children were reported apprehended in Karachi, Pakistan, on March 20, 2003 after the FBI issued an alert requesting information about her location earlier that month. Several reports indicated Siddiqui was in US custody after her arrest in Karachi. But in May 2004 then-Attorney General Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller identified Siddiqui among several sought-after al Qaeda members. ... Aafia Siddiqui is a woman who has been plagued by a number of problems in her life, none of which have anything to do with involvement with Al Qaeda. During the years the US claims she was working as an operative for the organization, she was in fact the victim of domestic violence at the hands of an abusive husband. Community members in Boston declare that she was incapable of any violence, let alone being involved with a terrorist group. "Whilst we welcome this disclosure from the FBI, it has only come after mounting international pressure, and five years of detention and abuse. Siddiqui's case represents the problem of disappearances in Pakistan in the most tragic way. The acceptance by the FBI that Siddiqui has been in custody in Afghanistan raises important questions which must be answered by the Pakistani and US governments. Siddiqui must be returned to Pakistan in order to face charges for any crime she may have committed or released along with her children."
Full article published here. |
Major Court Victory in Lahore High Court
Lahore High Court ruled that the government of Pakistan must take the case of Dr. Aafia and her children to the International Court of Justice ...
LHC for referring Aafia's case to ICJ LAHORE:The Lahore High Court has observed that the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqi's repatriation and detention in America can be referred to International Court of Justice (ICJ) under 'Pakistan Friendship and Commerce Treaty' without the consent of US administration.... Full story here.
Petition Against Pakistan Govt retained lawyers for Dr. Aafia Dismissed
A petition recently filed asking the Pakistan Govt to cancel the appointment of American lawyers for Dr Aafia's defense has been rejected by the Lahore High Court (LHC) due to lack of evidence by the petitioner.
(This was part of the same case under which the LHC required the govt. of Pakistan to take Dr Aafia's case to the ICJ)
Daily Times - Site Edition Thursday, September 10, 2009
LAHORE: Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday disposed of a petition challenging the allocation of $2 million to contest Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's case ....
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An Urdu poem in memory of Dr. Aafia:
This is one selection from an upcoming tribute to Dr Aafia in verse.
Similar work is periodically posted on the website and linked in this newsletter...
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Stand for humane treatment and stand against injustice! Standing for Dr. Aafia brings light to all missing persons, victims of extraordinary rendition and people held in secret prisons. It sends the message that all human beings, especially - our sisters - Muslim women have rights!
God Bless,
The Free Dr. Aafia Campaign |
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Newsletter: Send Dr. Aafia an Eid Message - Updates, New Events and Multimedia |
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Send Dr. Aafia an Eid Message - Updates, New Events and Multimedia
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TAKE ACTION:
Donate to Dr. Aafia's support fund!
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The Government of Pakistan is now providing a legal defense for Dr. Aafia. However there is still a great need for financial support. Her case requires advocacy work, educational materials and outreach as well as investigations into the whereabouts of Dr. Aafia's missing children. Take action here! |
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Free Dr. Aafia
LATEST NEWS & EVENTS |
Greetings!
This is the family of Dr. Aafia's official source for news, updates, action alerts and events related to Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's plight and court case.
Please FORWARD this email with your friends and family and encourage them to subscribe. We protect your privacy and your time, so we will not share our email list with anyone nor will we spam you.
May God bless you!
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Please send Eid messages to Dr. Aafia
With the last 10 days of Ramadan approaching and as Muslims prepare to celebrate Eid-Al-Fitr, please remember that Dr. Aafia and the thousands of political detainees like her and that many disappeared persons will be spending Eid in a solitary cell with no special friends, food or family.
We humbly request that supporters please take time from their busy schedules to send an Eid card to Dr. Aafia. The cards and letters are the only way she knows that she is not forgotten.
The address is:
AAFIA SIDDIQUI, #90279-054
MDC Brooklyn
Metropolitan Detention Center
P.O.Box 329002
Brooklyn, NY 11232
As always, please do NOT discuss her case or matters of political or legal nature.
Simple, sincere messages of support and friendship are most helpful.
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An appeal for Prayers during the last 10 nights of Ramadan!
As the holy month of Ramadan enters into its final 10 days we ask Muslim supporters to please take a moment in their worship to also make a prayer for Dr. Aafia and all others like her who are suffering in silent oppression, separated from their loved ones.
The moments of reflection and sincere prayer cost nothing, except concern, remembrance and faith.
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Updates on recent events - new songs and poems released
On the sixth of September at Karachi University an event was held to highlight Dr. Aafia's case. It was attended by thousands of people who signed up to support Dr. Aafia's campaign.
- During a series of related and coordinated events, food was distributed to several hundred widows and orphans and an open Iftar was held at Dr. Aafia's family residence.
New songs remembering Dr. Aafia were released on the occasion of Defense of Pakistan Day (Sept. 6) in Pakistan and these will soon be available on the family website.
- A book of poems about Dr. Aafia including some by her sister will soon be compiled and released.
On Sept. 02, 2009 the family of Dr. Aafia sponsored an Iftar for 100 persons in quiet remembrance of Dr. Aafia at a local Mosque in Houston. Related:
One of Dr. Aafia's favorite Urdu poems is the classic poem written by the famous Urdu & Persian poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal, who is considered the national poet and the "Soul of Pakistan."
Listen to Bache Ki Du'a - A Child's Prayer here, as sung by Nayyara Noor.
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Up coming events:
1) Iftar in Houston, TX for information on Dr. Aafia's case, tentatively set for Sept. 19, 2009, final details will be posted here.
- To RSVP and more details email use
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.
2) A series of talks and educational forums will be scheduled after Ramadan across the country to correct misinformation about the case and create awareness of the many important issues this case raises.
3) Public screenings of Yvonne Ridley's documentary "The Disappearance of Sister Aafia Siddiqui." The film was originally aired on Press TV.
- Location(s) for are still available, please email us
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to schedule an event in your city.
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Stand for humane treatment and stand against injustice! Standing for Dr. Aafia brings light to all missing persons, victims of extraordinary rendition and people held in secret prisons. It sends the message that all human beings, especially - our sisters - Muslim women have rights!
God Bless,
The Free Dr. Aafia Campaign |
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