Pakistanis Arrested In Mali

BBC ^ | 10-24-2001 | John Baxter

[blam]

Wednesday, 24 October, 2001, 09:40 GMT 10:40 UK

Pakistanis arrested in Mali

By Joan Baxter in Bamako

Police in Mali have arrested a group of about 20 Pakistani citizens following a meeting called to express solidarity for Osama Bin Laden and the people of Afghanistan.

Bin Laden is the chief suspect of the 11 September bombings in the United States.

Government sources say the arrests follow a meeting last week between US officials and Malian security forces, in which the Americans expressed concerns about the activities of the Pakistanis in Mali.

According to police sources not just in Bamako but also in Timbuktu, the Pakistani preachers have been under surveillance for some time.

'Rich' sponsor

But until now, there has been no reason to believe their mission was anything more than simply preaching in mosques.

Sources in Timbuktu say there is a long tradition of Islamic preachers visiting from Pakistan and many other Islamic countries.

The source in Timbuktu says the Pakistanis there are educated professionals who appear to have a 'rich' sponsor or network that can afford large private airplanes.

However, he describes them as low-profile preachers who move about from one mosque to another, citing the Koran like any other devout Muslims, and so far they have caused no alarm.

Money transfer

But since the arrests on Sunday, a police source in Bamako says there is now evidence that the Pakistanis here were using false passports.

Mali's Muslims have deplored terrorist bombings in US

The source says documents were also discovered allegedly showing that they are receiving considerable transfers of money coming through Burkina Faso.

The allegations, if not proved, could lead to criticism that Mali's secular government is using the current international climate to rein in Islamist political opponents, who have recently been calling for an Islamic revival in the county.

[Pearls Before Swine]

The allegations, if not proved, could lead to criticism that Mali's secular government is using the current international climate to rein in Islamist political opponents, who have recently been calling for an Islamic revival in the county.

As if that would be a "bad" thing.

In the US, we may eventually be forced to conclude that Islam-ism isn't a religion--its an invasive political cult that masquerades as religion, just as communism was an invasive political belief masquerading as a political philosophy. Of course, since its difficult to tell who is who in Islam, it will lead to apparent religious suppression--monitoring mosques, deportations, sequestrations. I hope it doesn't come to that, but a few more terrorist successes, and it will. And I'll support it, won't you?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The source in Timbuktu says the Pakistanis there are educated professionals who appear to have a 'rich' sponsor or network that can afford large private airplanes.

Fast forward in time:

Al-Qaida bases said to be in Sahara

And:

Special Forces Support Pan Sahel Initiative in Africa

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

ping!

[swarthyguy]

Timbuktu - Site of the infamous Dina Khan Hotel, built and financed by AQ Khan in his wife's name.

[Shermy]

Yep.

I wonder if the Paki missionaries stayed there.

I doubt they shacked up in huts.

[NormsRevenge]

Thanks..

The "Dark Continent"... lots of stuff going on

[piasa]

bttt