Other Voices on Dr. Aafia Siddiqui

Dr. Sami Al-Arian, former US Political Prisoner: “It’s with the utmost urgency that I call upon the American Muslim community and all people of conscience in the US and around the world to support the immediate release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, who has suffered immensely because of her faith and beliefs… Her case is one of the most shameful episodes in the so-called war on terror that must be brought to an end immediately. This can only happen when enough courageous people are willing to stand up and speak out. If not now, when? If not you, who?”

Imam Mohamed al-Asi, Washington, DC –based Islamic scholar: “Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s case is a burning ember that will continue to burn the conscience of the Muslims, and particularly the Muslims living in the United States. Her tragic plight exposes the secular government in Pakistan and the “Islamic” organizations; both share a common silence about her plight — a silence that amounts to complicity and a crime against humanity.”

Professor Noam Chomsky (Well-known and respected academic of MIT): “I have followed the case. I hope you have the greatest success in bringing attention to it and rectifying injustice.”

Ramsey Clark (Former U.S. Attorney General, and international law expert): “The case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui is the worst case of individual injustice I have ever witnessed.”

Imam Abdullah Faaruuq, Boston-based Muslim cleric: “For me, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui is a political prisoner being held unjustly in a maximum security prison for showing concern for Muslims here and abroad.  The question still remains, who is Dr Aafia Siddiqui to you?”

Mike Gravel (former US Senator): Dr. Aafia Siddiqui is an innocent Pakistani citizen facing physical and mental torture in America.”

Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick, Outreach Coordinator of the Canadian Council of Imams: “The kidnapping, torture and imprisonment of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a pious Muslim woman, is another dark stain on Western civilization. It can only begin to be cleansed by restoring her innocence, releasing her from prison, compensating her and re-uniting her family. Let people of conscience be united in the restoration of justice for all.”

Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid (Mosque of the Islamic Brotherhood, Harlem NY): “Our sister still suffers. A recent campaign to secure medical attention for Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin resulted in significant changes in his care and circumstances of incarceration. Surely this [mobilization for Aafia] is worthy of our support. Think of this sister as your daughter, or sister or wife, because she is…”

Sr. Yvonne Ridley, UK-based  journalist: “The truth is slowly coming out and history will judge those involved in Aafia’s kidnap, rendition, torture and false imprisonment harshly … but how will history judge you? Being silent is no longer an option – will you have the courage to stand with those like myself who believe in justice and the law, or will your silence continue to support the dark forces at play who work tirelessly to suppress the facts through tissues of lies and fear?”

Imam Zaid Shakir, co-founder of Zaytuna Institute: “Every person if conscious must raise their voice to condemn this outrageous travesty. Aafia’s real crime is being a practicing Muslim. Any of us could be in her place right now. If we do not raise our voices to make sure everyone in this country knows the magnitude of the injustice that has been done to her we will all be vulnerable.”

Cindy Sheehan, American anti-war activist: “Even if Dr. Siddiqui did shoot at the Americans, reflect on this. Say this case was being tried in Pakistan under similar circumstances for an American woman named Dr. Betty Brown, who was captured and repeatedly tortured and raped by the ISI – here in the states that woman would be a hero if she shot at her captors, not demonized and taken away from her life and her children.”