VIOLENCE AGAINST ISMAILI COMMUNITY SPARKS OUTCRY IN THATTA: ILF DEMANDS JUSTICE
Karachi: In a shocking turn of events, members of the Ismaili community in Thatta have been subjected to violence and desecration of their religious space, the Jamaat Khana (Ver City). The incident, which occurred recently, has incited widespread condemnation from leaders of the Ismaili community and civil society.
ILF leaders Jamshed Ali Khawaja Advocate, Barrister Syed Jaffer Abbas Jafri, Taiseen Manzoor Advocate, Salman Farhad, Zeeshan Ali Khawaja Advocate, Umair Ali Khawaja, Farooq Hashwani, and others have joined forces in denouncing the egregious attack. They have condemned the intrusion into the Jamaat Khana, harassment of women, and the disrespectful act of entering the religious space with shoes on.
The focus of their outrage has turned towards Sindh IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon, whom they demand to be discharged for failing to prevent the desecration of the Jamaat Khana. Additionally, the ILF is calling for the immediate arrest of police officials allegedly involved in the incident, including SP Thatta, Dr. Imran Khan, SP Sajawal Abdul Khaliq Pirzada, and DSP Zulfiqar Qaim Khani. They are demanding that these individuals be charged under section 295-C R/w Terrorism 7ATA .
The aftermath of the violence has left the Ismaili community in a state of panic and agitation, leading to forced migration from Thatta. In response to these troubling developments, the Ismaili community has urged Sindh High Court Chief Justice Mr. Aqil Ahmad Abbasi to initiate a judicial inquiry into the matter.
ILF spokesperson Cecilia James has issued a plea for peace, urging the Ismaili community to remain calm amidst the turmoil. Furthermore, he has indicated that the ILF intends to reach out to international organizations for support in seeking justice for the affected community members.
As tensions continue to escalate, all eyes are on the authorities to ensure that those responsible for the violence are held to account and that measures are taken to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Jamat Khana/ Jamati Security
Jamat Khana/ Jamati Security
Last edited by kmaherali on Mon Aug 05, 2024 12:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Jamat Khana Security
Police 'Raid' On Ismaili Community Council's Office In Thatta Sparks Protests
Police vow probe against officers involved, departmental action if they are found involved in any extra-judicial actions
Kamran Khamiso Khowaja
News
April 23, 2024
Police 'Raid' On Ismaili Community Council's Office In Thatta Sparks Protests
SHARE:
A police squad on Sunday evening barged into the office of the local Ismaili Council in the town of Var in Thatta District. The raid sparked a loud and heated protest from the local Ismaili community.
The matter was further complicated after senior police officers said they had no prior intimation for the raid, nor had they authorised it. However, they assured the community that a departmental probe against the police officials involved in the episode would be launched and those found responsible would face departmental action.
Locals said that on Sunday evening, as many as three police vans pulled up to the Ismaili Council's office. The squad was led by Sujawal Police Station SHO Sajjad Jamal.
A Ismaili Council staff member, who was at the office when the police raided it, said that police barged into the office by breaking open the main gate. He further claimed that the police officers smashed the closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera system and windows besides pelting the building with stones. Such actions of the police spread fear and panic amongst the Ismaili community living near the office.
Another witness, Adil Rahmani, said that Jati SHO Parhiyal Panhwer, Chuhar Jamali SHO Qurban Qambrani and DSP Safar Dawach, among others, were also part of the raiding party and had allegedly ransacked the CCTV systems and other materials, in the office.
Matters took a turn when the police squad attempted to force their way into the local Ismaili community centre (jamaat khana). The staffer said that when the police squad saw a large number of residents come out of their homes and move towards the community centre, they backed off.
Locals said that when the police officers faced resistance from residents, SHO Jamal and two other police officials allegedly threatened the people with dire consequences if they were impeded in carrying out official work.
When locals asked them why they had raided the Ismaili Council's office, police allegedly told them that they had received information about a Gutka (chewing beetle nut) factory operating out of the premises and that they were taking legal action against the contraband manufacturing entity.
Seeing tempers rise among the local community, the police squad boarded their vans and left the scene.
Later, a large number of youth from the Ismaili community gathered outside the Sujawal police station and protested the raid. The protests blocked the road, suspending traffic on Var-Thatta road for around two hours.
A protester, Shahriyar Hussain, said that the Ismaili community and its spiritual leaders have played a vital role in securing Independence and the progress of Pakistan, but it seems as if the police chiefs of both districts have not read their history. He further said that the community is spread over 40 countries, including the USA, Canada, and the UK, and that it is living peacefully.
The protests dispersed after DSP Ghorabari Izhar Hussain assured them of justice. The police attempted to calm people down by claiming that the information they had received was wrong and that they were unaware of the reality of the office they were raiding. The officers added that they never intended to offend the Ismaili community.
Thatta and Shahbunder Ismaili Council's President, Dr Nazir Jummani, said he had attempted to contact Thatta's SSP, Dr Imran Khan, but could not immediately reach him. However, he said SSP Dr Imran later sent a message to clarify that while he was on leave, he had not ordered any police action on the Ismaili Council office.
Later, a community delegation led by Qaim Karwani met with Sujawal SSP Dr Khaliq Pirzada, under whose jurisdiction SHO Jamal operates. SSP Dr Pirzada assured the leaders of the Ismaili community that they would launch a departmental probe against the police officials involved in the episode.
A delegation of the Ismailia National Council For Pakistan met with the Hyderabad DIG on Monday morning and urged him to take notice of the controversial raid. They urged the local community to remain peaceful and avoid confrontation.
Meanwhile, DSP Ghorabari, who had reached the Ismaili Council's office to review the situation and addressed protesters, revealed that they were completely unaware of the raid led by SHO Jamal, adding that no prior information was given to them regarding any raid by the Thatta SSP either.
Condemnation from civil society
ILF leaders Jamshed Ali Khawaja Advocate, Barrister Syed Jaffer Abbas Jafri, Taiseen Manzoor Advocate, Salman Farhad, Zeeshan Ali Khawaja Advocate, Umair Ali Khawaja, Farooq Hashwani, and others denounced the egregious police action and condemned the alleged intrusion into the Jamaat Khana, harassment of women, and the disrespectful act of entering a religious space with shoes on.
They claimed that Sindh IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon bears responsibility for the raid and demanded action against him.
Additionally, the ILF called for the immediate arrest of police officials allegedly involved in the incident, including Thatta SP Dr Imran Khan, Sujawal SP Abdul Khaliq Pirzada, and DSP Zulfiqar Qaim Khani.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Syed Ayaz Ali Shah Shirazi lashed out at Sujawal SSP, warning him of strict action if the Sujawal police's extra-judicial moves are not curtailed.
He said that Ismaili communities have made significant contributions to the development of the country and hold the reputation of being peaceful.
He deplored the illegal act of the Sujawal police against the community.
https://thefridaytimes.com/23-Apr-2024/ ... s-protests
Police vow probe against officers involved, departmental action if they are found involved in any extra-judicial actions
Kamran Khamiso Khowaja
News
April 23, 2024
Police 'Raid' On Ismaili Community Council's Office In Thatta Sparks Protests
SHARE:
A police squad on Sunday evening barged into the office of the local Ismaili Council in the town of Var in Thatta District. The raid sparked a loud and heated protest from the local Ismaili community.
The matter was further complicated after senior police officers said they had no prior intimation for the raid, nor had they authorised it. However, they assured the community that a departmental probe against the police officials involved in the episode would be launched and those found responsible would face departmental action.
Locals said that on Sunday evening, as many as three police vans pulled up to the Ismaili Council's office. The squad was led by Sujawal Police Station SHO Sajjad Jamal.
A Ismaili Council staff member, who was at the office when the police raided it, said that police barged into the office by breaking open the main gate. He further claimed that the police officers smashed the closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera system and windows besides pelting the building with stones. Such actions of the police spread fear and panic amongst the Ismaili community living near the office.
Another witness, Adil Rahmani, said that Jati SHO Parhiyal Panhwer, Chuhar Jamali SHO Qurban Qambrani and DSP Safar Dawach, among others, were also part of the raiding party and had allegedly ransacked the CCTV systems and other materials, in the office.
Matters took a turn when the police squad attempted to force their way into the local Ismaili community centre (jamaat khana). The staffer said that when the police squad saw a large number of residents come out of their homes and move towards the community centre, they backed off.
Locals said that when the police officers faced resistance from residents, SHO Jamal and two other police officials allegedly threatened the people with dire consequences if they were impeded in carrying out official work.
When locals asked them why they had raided the Ismaili Council's office, police allegedly told them that they had received information about a Gutka (chewing beetle nut) factory operating out of the premises and that they were taking legal action against the contraband manufacturing entity.
Seeing tempers rise among the local community, the police squad boarded their vans and left the scene.
Later, a large number of youth from the Ismaili community gathered outside the Sujawal police station and protested the raid. The protests blocked the road, suspending traffic on Var-Thatta road for around two hours.
A protester, Shahriyar Hussain, said that the Ismaili community and its spiritual leaders have played a vital role in securing Independence and the progress of Pakistan, but it seems as if the police chiefs of both districts have not read their history. He further said that the community is spread over 40 countries, including the USA, Canada, and the UK, and that it is living peacefully.
The protests dispersed after DSP Ghorabari Izhar Hussain assured them of justice. The police attempted to calm people down by claiming that the information they had received was wrong and that they were unaware of the reality of the office they were raiding. The officers added that they never intended to offend the Ismaili community.
Thatta and Shahbunder Ismaili Council's President, Dr Nazir Jummani, said he had attempted to contact Thatta's SSP, Dr Imran Khan, but could not immediately reach him. However, he said SSP Dr Imran later sent a message to clarify that while he was on leave, he had not ordered any police action on the Ismaili Council office.
Later, a community delegation led by Qaim Karwani met with Sujawal SSP Dr Khaliq Pirzada, under whose jurisdiction SHO Jamal operates. SSP Dr Pirzada assured the leaders of the Ismaili community that they would launch a departmental probe against the police officials involved in the episode.
A delegation of the Ismailia National Council For Pakistan met with the Hyderabad DIG on Monday morning and urged him to take notice of the controversial raid. They urged the local community to remain peaceful and avoid confrontation.
Meanwhile, DSP Ghorabari, who had reached the Ismaili Council's office to review the situation and addressed protesters, revealed that they were completely unaware of the raid led by SHO Jamal, adding that no prior information was given to them regarding any raid by the Thatta SSP either.
Condemnation from civil society
ILF leaders Jamshed Ali Khawaja Advocate, Barrister Syed Jaffer Abbas Jafri, Taiseen Manzoor Advocate, Salman Farhad, Zeeshan Ali Khawaja Advocate, Umair Ali Khawaja, Farooq Hashwani, and others denounced the egregious police action and condemned the alleged intrusion into the Jamaat Khana, harassment of women, and the disrespectful act of entering a religious space with shoes on.
They claimed that Sindh IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon bears responsibility for the raid and demanded action against him.
Additionally, the ILF called for the immediate arrest of police officials allegedly involved in the incident, including Thatta SP Dr Imran Khan, Sujawal SP Abdul Khaliq Pirzada, and DSP Zulfiqar Qaim Khani.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Syed Ayaz Ali Shah Shirazi lashed out at Sujawal SSP, warning him of strict action if the Sujawal police's extra-judicial moves are not curtailed.
He said that Ismaili communities have made significant contributions to the development of the country and hold the reputation of being peaceful.
He deplored the illegal act of the Sujawal police against the community.
https://thefridaytimes.com/23-Apr-2024/ ... s-protests
Re: Jamat Khana Security
*::: SAFETY & SECURITY :::*
*Announcement - Closure of all Kenya Jamatkhanas - 25 June 2024*
_Ya Ali Madad_.
This is to inform the Jamat that *all* Jamatkhanas countrywide, will remain *closed* for Jamati ceremonies this evening, 25 June 2024.
*_The Jamat is advised to remain indoors and avoid all unnecessary movement at this time._*
*Announcement - Closure of all Kenya Jamatkhanas - 25 June 2024*
_Ya Ali Madad_.
This is to inform the Jamat that *all* Jamatkhanas countrywide, will remain *closed* for Jamati ceremonies this evening, 25 June 2024.
*_The Jamat is advised to remain indoors and avoid all unnecessary movement at this time._*
Re: Jamat Khana Security
*::: SAFETY & SECURITY :::*
*Announcement - Closure of all Kenya Jamatkhanas - 26 June 2024 morning*
_Ya Ali Madad_.
This is to inform the Jamat that *all* Jamatkhanas countrywide, will remain *closed* for Jamati ceremonies tomorrow morning (_Paroriye_) , 26 June 2024.
*_The Jamat is reminded to remain indoors and avoid all unnecessary movement at this time._*
*Announcement - Closure of all Kenya Jamatkhanas - 26 June 2024 morning*
_Ya Ali Madad_.
This is to inform the Jamat that *all* Jamatkhanas countrywide, will remain *closed* for Jamati ceremonies tomorrow morning (_Paroriye_) , 26 June 2024.
*_The Jamat is reminded to remain indoors and avoid all unnecessary movement at this time._*
Re: Jamat Khana Security
*::: SAFETY & SECURITY :::*
*Announcement - Closure of Forthall and Town Jamatkhanas Nairobi - 27 June 2024*
_Ya Ali Madad_.
This is to inform the Jamat that *Forthall (Pangani) and Town Jamatkhanas, will remain closed* for Jamati ceremonies this evening, 27 June 2024.
Joint Jamatkhana services will be held at Darkhana Jamatkhana.
*Announcement - Closure of Forthall and Town Jamatkhanas Nairobi - 27 June 2024*
_Ya Ali Madad_.
This is to inform the Jamat that *Forthall (Pangani) and Town Jamatkhanas, will remain closed* for Jamati ceremonies this evening, 27 June 2024.
Joint Jamatkhana services will be held at Darkhana Jamatkhana.
Re: Jamat Khana Security
::: SAFETY AND SECURITY :::
Message from National Safety & Security
The Jamat is informed that protests are currently ongoing in many cities/towns throughout Kenya. Running battles between protesters and the police have been reported in some areas. The Jamat is reminded to remain cautious and avoid areas where protests are taking place or where crowds have gathered. Avoid unnecessary movement where possible and stay safe!
The Jamati helpline remains available - should you require any assistance please call 0709 299299.
::: SAFETY & SECURITY :::
Announcement - Closure of all Kenya Jamatkhanas - 25 June 2024
Ya Ali Madad.
This is to inform the Jamat that all Jamatkhanas countrywide, will remain closed for Jamati ceremonies this evening, 25 June 2024.
The Jamat is advised to remain indoors and avoid all unnecessary movement at this time.
Message from National Safety & Security
The Jamat is informed that protests are currently ongoing in many cities/towns throughout Kenya. Running battles between protesters and the police have been reported in some areas. The Jamat is reminded to remain cautious and avoid areas where protests are taking place or where crowds have gathered. Avoid unnecessary movement where possible and stay safe!
The Jamati helpline remains available - should you require any assistance please call 0709 299299.
::: SAFETY & SECURITY :::
Announcement - Closure of all Kenya Jamatkhanas - 25 June 2024
Ya Ali Madad.
This is to inform the Jamat that all Jamatkhanas countrywide, will remain closed for Jamati ceremonies this evening, 25 June 2024.
The Jamat is advised to remain indoors and avoid all unnecessary movement at this time.
Re: Jamat Khana/ Jamati Security
Announcement from the Institutions
The National Council is closely monitoring protests taking place in parts of the UK. We anticipate continued demonstrations in major towns and cities. The safety and security of our Jamat is of the utmost priority to the Institutions.
We advise the Jamat to take the following precautions.
Keep updated through reliable news sources
Stay clear of confrontations between protestors, counter-protestors, and law enforcement authorities.
If you have a business or residence near a protest epicentre, ensure your premises are secure.
Identify vulnerable members of the Jamat who may need assistance, especially if located near a protest epicentre
Avoid unnecessary travel to, from, and within areas that are affected
By taking these precautions and staying informed, we can work collectively towards maintaining the safety and security of our Jamat.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MUKHI KAMADIA OR SAFETY AND SECURITY JAMATI LEAD, WHOSE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE ISMAILI APP.
Please ensure that you have downloaded The Ismaili App to stay updated.
Ismaili Institutions for the UK
The National Council is closely monitoring protests taking place in parts of the UK. We anticipate continued demonstrations in major towns and cities. The safety and security of our Jamat is of the utmost priority to the Institutions.
We advise the Jamat to take the following precautions.
Keep updated through reliable news sources
Stay clear of confrontations between protestors, counter-protestors, and law enforcement authorities.
If you have a business or residence near a protest epicentre, ensure your premises are secure.
Identify vulnerable members of the Jamat who may need assistance, especially if located near a protest epicentre
Avoid unnecessary travel to, from, and within areas that are affected
By taking these precautions and staying informed, we can work collectively towards maintaining the safety and security of our Jamat.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MUKHI KAMADIA OR SAFETY AND SECURITY JAMATI LEAD, WHOSE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE ISMAILI APP.
Please ensure that you have downloaded The Ismaili App to stay updated.
Ismaili Institutions for the UK