Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ISLAMABAD4291
2007-10-03 14:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
RED MOSQUE RE-OPENS FOLLOWING SUPREME COURT
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 004291
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PK
SUBJECT: RED MOSQUE RE-OPENS FOLLOWING SUPREME COURT
DECISION
REF: ISLAMABAD 3290
Classified By: Ambassador Anne W. Patterson, for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 004291
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PK
SUBJECT: RED MOSQUE RE-OPENS FOLLOWING SUPREME COURT
DECISION
REF: ISLAMABAD 3290
Classified By: Ambassador Anne W. Patterson, for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
)
1. (U) A two-member Supreme Court bench ordered October 2 the
re-opening of Islamabad's Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) and two
thousand people gathered there today (October 3) for
afternoon prayers. The mosque has remained closed since the
July military operation against followers of Maulana Abdul
Aziz and Maulana Abdur Rashid Ghazi (reftel). In an
unexpected move, the government appointed Aziz's nephew as
the mosque's temporary Naib Imam.
2. (U) The Court also ordered the reconstruction of adjoining
madrassa Jamia Hafsa and compensation payments to victims'
families. However, the Court simultaneously allowed the
Capital Development Authority (CDA) to expedite construction
of an Islamic research facility, which would encroach on
Jamia Hafsa land. This was the original bone of contention
between the government and the former imams, sparking a
four-month standoff.
3. (C) Comment: The re-opening of the Red Mosque and its
return to the hands of its former leadership is an unwelcome
development. The mosque and adjacent madrassa have long been
centers and rallying points for violent extremism in the
heart of Islamabad's moderate capital. Interior Minister
Sherpao has told us that the GOP has evidence linking the Red
Mosque leadership to extremism in the tribal areas and
suicide bombings in Islamabad. One such bombing occurred the
same day that the GOP tried to re-open the Red Mosque the
last time. Al Qaeda's latest video specifically cited the
GOP's Red Mosque operation in rallying forces against
Musharraf and the Pakistan government. Today's re-opening
was peaceful, and the court's decision may represent its
attempt to seek middle ground between the government and
followers of the mosque. However, it is hard to see how
opening the door for the mosque to resume its position as a
platform and safehaven for militant extremists can benefit
anyone but the extremists. End comment.
PATTERSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PK
SUBJECT: RED MOSQUE RE-OPENS FOLLOWING SUPREME COURT
DECISION
REF: ISLAMABAD 3290
Classified By: Ambassador Anne W. Patterson, for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
)
1. (U) A two-member Supreme Court bench ordered October 2 the
re-opening of Islamabad's Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) and two
thousand people gathered there today (October 3) for
afternoon prayers. The mosque has remained closed since the
July military operation against followers of Maulana Abdul
Aziz and Maulana Abdur Rashid Ghazi (reftel). In an
unexpected move, the government appointed Aziz's nephew as
the mosque's temporary Naib Imam.
2. (U) The Court also ordered the reconstruction of adjoining
madrassa Jamia Hafsa and compensation payments to victims'
families. However, the Court simultaneously allowed the
Capital Development Authority (CDA) to expedite construction
of an Islamic research facility, which would encroach on
Jamia Hafsa land. This was the original bone of contention
between the government and the former imams, sparking a
four-month standoff.
3. (C) Comment: The re-opening of the Red Mosque and its
return to the hands of its former leadership is an unwelcome
development. The mosque and adjacent madrassa have long been
centers and rallying points for violent extremism in the
heart of Islamabad's moderate capital. Interior Minister
Sherpao has told us that the GOP has evidence linking the Red
Mosque leadership to extremism in the tribal areas and
suicide bombings in Islamabad. One such bombing occurred the
same day that the GOP tried to re-open the Red Mosque the
last time. Al Qaeda's latest video specifically cited the
GOP's Red Mosque operation in rallying forces against
Musharraf and the Pakistan government. Today's re-opening
was peaceful, and the court's decision may represent its
attempt to seek middle ground between the government and
followers of the mosque. However, it is hard to see how
opening the door for the mosque to resume its position as a
platform and safehaven for militant extremists can benefit
anyone but the extremists. End comment.
PATTERSON