Cageprisoners released a sensational statement from Ahmed, the eldest son of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, which he made to an intelligence officer after he was released from US custody in 2008. In it, he discloses for the first time the details of their abduction in 2003 and some information about his detention in the five years in which he was missing. The statement is extracted from a document provided to British journalist, Yvonne Ridley.
In the excerpts released, Ahmed states:
"I do not remember the date but it seems a long time ago. I remember we were going to Islamabad in a car when we were stopped by different cars and high roof ones. My mother was screaming and I was screaming as they took me away. I looked around and saw my baby brother on the ground and there was blood. My mother was crying and screaming. Then they put something on my face. And I don’t remember anything.
When I woke up I was in a room. There were American soldiers in uniform and plain clothes people. They kept me in different places. If I cried or didn’t listen, they beat me and tied me and chained me. There were English speaking, Pashto and Urdu speaking. I had no courage to ask who they were. At times, for a long time, I was alone in a small room. Then I was taken to some children's prison where there were lots of other children.
The American Consular, who came to me in Kabul jail, said, 'Your name is Ahmed. You are American. Your mother’s name is Aafia Siddiqui and your younger brother is dead. After that they took me away from the kids' prison and I met the Pakistani consular, and I talked to my aunt (Fauzia Siddiqui)".
See video clip:
A Ramadan Wish
ARamadanwishinmemoryofAafia
Give me light in my eyes Give me light in my eyes Keep me shining like the first morning
Give me love in my heart Give me love in my heart Keep me humming like the first bird
Give me fuel in my bones Give me fuel in my bones Keep me running like the first runner
Give me faith in my being Give me faith in my being Keep me faithful till the last day
Give me courage in my mind Give me courage in my mind Keep me steadfast till the last breath
Oh Lord give me Adam’s resolve, Solomon’s kingdom Moses’ closeness Jesus’ healing power Abraham’s friendship But most of all give me Muhammad’s love and wisdom
Oh Lord please forgive me Forgive my shortcomings Forgive my sins, for all that I am In you I believe, you I beg and bow to You are my savior, you are my hope You are all I have, and no more My life, my love, my hope, Oh Lord, You and You alone.
... Fauzia Siddiqui
Petition for Dr Aafia's Repatriation Delivered to Pak Consulate
New York, August 14, 2010
A petition demanding that Pakistani government take proper diplomatic action for Dr. Aafia's release was deliveredd to Pakistani Consulate in New York on August 14, 2010.
The petitioners included representatives from diverse groups