In Pakistan, Jamaatud Dawa Emir Leads Rallies In Defense Of Saudi Arabia, Says: 'Behind Yemen War' Are 'Deep Conspiracies By The Enemies Of Islam' - 'The Jews, The Americans, And The Western Christian Nations'

Flag of Jamaatud Dawa Pakistan

Following the Saudi-led air strikes on Yemen, Pakistani religious groups and jihadi organizations such as Jamaatud Dawa (JuD), which is led by Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, are depicting the war as necessary for the defense of Saudi Arabia and for the Haramain Sharifain, i.e. the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. A number of Islamic leaders have joined Hafiz Muhammad Saeed in this.

Hafiz Muhammad Saeed founded the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and renamed it to JuD after the former was banned by the Pakistani government following international pressure. The group also operates under the name of another charity, Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIH). He is accused by India and by the UN Security Council of being behind the November 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai.

Recently, JuD has begun holding public rallies in Pakistani cities to cultivate public opinion in favor of Saudi Arabia, especially after the Pakistani parliament passed a resolution urging the government of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to ensure that Pakistan remains neutral in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, where the Houthi rebels are supported by Iran. Hafiz Muhammad Saeed is the leading speaker at a number of these rallies. The JuD-led groups have now also formed an organization called Pasban-e-Haramain Sharifain aimed at mobilizing Pakistanis in support of Saudi Arabia.

It should be borne in mind that the Pakistani parliament's resolution calling for Pakistan to remain neutral on the issue of Yemen war has been harshly criticized by the Sunni Arab countries, with the UAE asking Pakistan to end its ambiguous stance.

In some of his speeches at the rallies, and in an interview, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has blamed the Jews for the Yemen conflict, accusing them, in addition to Zionists and Christians, of nurturing hatred against Muslims ever since the Prophet Muhammad expelled the Jews from Medina. He also described the Yemen war as a religious war, and says that according to the Islamic Sharia, it is Muslims' duty to support Saudi Arabia.

The following are excerpts from Hafiz Muhammad Saeed's statements, in which he also urges the Shi'ite Iran to refrain from supporting the Houthi rebels and to support Saudi Arabia.

"Pakistan Is The Center For The Defense Of The World Of Islam: It Should Rise Up In Support Of Saudi Arabia; Pakistan Should Not Remain Neutral With Regard To Saudi Arabia"; "Every Pakistani Child And Every Pakistani Soul Is [Up For] Sacrifice" For Saudi Arabia

Following are excerpts from a report on statements by Hafiz Muhammad Saeed in Islamabad, as translated from Urdu:[1]

"Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has said that the [Paksitani] parliament's resolution with regard to Saudi Arabia [and calling for Pakistan's neutrality in Yemen conflict]... doesn't represent the nation's voice. [He said:] 'Pakistan is the center for the defense of the world of Islam. It should rise up in support of Saudi Arabia. Pakistan should not remain neutral with regard to Saudi Arabia; rather, it should march to support this brother Islamic country. Those who consider defending Haramain Sharifain [i.e. Mecca and Medina] and defending Saudi Arabia to be two separate things are mistaken.'

"Hafiz Muhammad Saeed said that the defense of Saudi Arabia demands that the [Saudi-led] Operation Decisive Storm be supported completely. When all the Western countries, including America, stopped aid to Pakistan [following its 1998 nuclear tests], then Saudi Arabia, disregarding everyone, continued to aid Pakistan, and lived according to the Islamic relationship. He said: 'Defending the Haramain Sharifain is a matter of honor. Allah has granted us this honor, that the Servant of Haramain Sharifain [i.e. the Saudi King] has looked up to Pakistan for the defense of the holy cities and called us. For the defense of Saudi Arabia and security of the holy cities [of Mecca and Medina], every Pakistani child and every Pakistani soul is [up for] sacrifice.' He added that the hearts of the armed forces of Pakistan also beat for Saudi Arabia..."

"We Should Remember That When All Powers [Of The] World Placed Sanctions On Pakistan… It Was Saudi Arabia [That] Helped Us"; The Jews Are Behind The Yemen Situation – In A Very Big Conspiracy Against The Whole Muslim World

Following are excerpts from a report on the JuD website, in the original English:[2]

"Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has said that the [Pakistani] parliament's resolution to stay out of the Yemen conflict does not truly reflect upon the sentiments of people of Pakistan who are always ready to sacrifice their lives for the protection... of the holy cities. He said that the word 'neutral' was highly inappropriate for a time-tested friend like Saudi Arabia. 'Riyadh has never stayed neutral in the matters related to Pakistan and always provided its all-out support as and when required, and now when its sovereignty and integration is at stake, how can we say that we shall remain neutral?' Hafiz Saeed said... in Lahore Township.

"[He continued:] 'We should remember that when all powers [of the] world had placed sanctions on Pakistan after the 1998 nuclear tests, it was Saudi Arabia [that] helped us.' Hafiz Saeed [said that he] believed that the Jews were behind the Yemen situation, and that this was a very big conspiracy against the whole Muslim world. He said that the word 'neutral' was against Pak-Saudi friendship and against the Pakistani people's sentiments for the holy cities [of Mecca and Medina].

"He alleged that the Jews were supporting the Yemen rebels and providing money and training to the militants, and added that he had no doubt that the overall situation in the Middle East, with special reference to the developments in Yemen, was created in order to disrupt the peace, solidarity and integrity of Riyadh.

"Pakistan, he said, should not hesitate to provide whatever help the Saudi government would seek to deal with the situation. A joint army of all Muslim countries was needed now to fight the conspiracies against Islam... he said, adding that the enemies of Islam didn't wish to see Muslims united and always made conspiracies to divide them."

"Hafiz Muhammad Saeed Has Said That JuD, In Collaboration With All The Religious And Political Parties, Has Decided To Launch A Countrywide Movement For Solidarity With Saudi Arabia "

Following are excerpts from a report on the JuD website, originally in English:[3]

"Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has said that JuD, in collaboration with all the religious and political parties, has decided to launch a countrywide movement for solidarity with Saudi Arabia. The JuD chief was addressing a press conference on Thursday [April 9] at Jamia Al-Qudsia. Also present were Dr. Fareed Ahmad Paracha, Allama Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer, and a large number of other leaders of religious parties. Hafiz Saeed said that [JuD] would hold Tahaffuz Haramain Sharifain Conferences... across the country and that the first of these would be in Gujranwala on April 15... and the second on April 16... in Lahore.

"He also announced that there would be countrywide protests on Friday (April 17) in solidarity with Saudi Arabia. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should immediately declare Riyadh a strategic partner of Pakistan, in order to end all confusion and to provide all possible support to [this] Muslim country [i.e. Saudi Arabia]. He reiterated his beliefs in defending holy sites and said that aggression against Saudi Arabia would not be tolerated.

"Urging the Muslim countries to unite against the threat against Saudi Arabia, he said that any such aggression would amount to an attack on the belief of the Muslim Ummah. He said that an in-camera session of the [Pakistani] parliament should have been held on the Yemen conflict in order to avoid politics."

"Pakistani Military, The Atom Bomb And All Resources Are The Vault Of La Ilaha Illallah [There Is No Deity But Allah – i.e. The Kalima Or Oath Declaring One's Faith In Islam]; Our Relationship With Saudi Arabia Is Based On This Kalima"

Following are excerpts from a report on the JuD website, originally in Urdu:[4]

"Addressing the Conference of Tahaffuz-e-Haramain Sharifain ["The Defense of Mecca and Medina"] held by Jamaatud Dawa, veteran Islamic scholars and leaders of religious and political organizations said: 'The war for the defense of Haramain Sharifain is... the war of Islam and [its] defense. [We] will go to every village and town and organize the movement for the defense of Haramain Sharifain. The people should pressure the members of [the Pakistani] parliament to withdraw its resolution calling for [Pakistan] to remain neutral on defending Haramain Sharifain. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's statement describing Saudi Arabia as a strategic partner should remove all misunderstandings [emanating from this resolution].

"'The Pakistani military, the atom bomb, and all resources [come under] La Ilaha Illallah ["there is no deity but Allah" – the kalima, or oath, declaring belief in Islam]. Our relationship with Saudi Arabia is based on this Kalima. [We] consider the defense of Haramain Sharifain to be part of our belief and faith. One hundred eight million Pakistanis are ready to sacrifice their lives for the defense of Haramain Sharifain...

"'On Friday [April 17], demonstrations will be held across the country in support of Saudi Arabia. The biggest will be held in Faisalabad [the Pakistani town named after Saudi King Faisal]. Since the [Pakistani] rulers describe Saudi Arabia as a strategic partner, they should also support it openly. The enemies of Islam seek to cause conflicts in Muslim countries by depicting [the Yemen conflict] as a war between Shi'ites and Sunnis, between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Together we must thwart these conspiracies and create a robust countrywide movement so that this issue [i.e. whether or not Pakistan should support Saudi Arabia] will no longer be in dispute.'

"In his address, the chief of Jamaatud Dawa Hafiz Muhammad Saeed said that the enemies of Allah had hatched dangerous conspiracies, deciding to create conflict for Saudi Arabia. Selecting the land of Yemen, they had the elected government removed and made the [Houthi] rebels occupy [i.e. take power]. The rebels clearly threatened to attack Saudi Arabia, and clashes on the border with Saudi Arabia began. When the dangers began, the Servant of Haramain Sharifain [i.e. the Saudi king] decided to crush this rebellion.

"We are happy that what King Salman said was also said by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, [i.e.]  that we condemn the Houthi rebels and demand the reinstatement of the government in Yemen. He [Nawaz Sharif] described Saudi Arabia as a strategic partner, and now a high-level delegation led by Shahbaz Sharif [the chief minister of influential Punjab province and brother of Nawaz Sharif] has arrived in Saudi Arabia..."

Hafiz Muhammad Saeed addressing a public rally

"The West Is Fully Aligned With The Jews"; "The Jews, The Americans, And The Western Christian Nations Have Played A Big Role In Raising The Rebels In Yemen"; "Iran Should Understand This Jewish Conspiracy And Not Be Part Of" It

Following are excerpts from an interview with Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, published by the JuD website, originally in Urdu:[5]

Hafiz Saeed: "Behind the war that has broken out between Yemen and Saudi Arabia are deep conspiracies by the enemies of Islam. The Jews are waiting for the Saudis to weaken in this region, and for the people there to be caught in conflict with the ending of the strong [Saudi] government. At this time, the West is fully aligned with the Jews. The Jews claim that Medina belongs to the Jews, and will take Medina under their control at any price. Their claim is that since the Prophet of the Muslims, Muhammad, peace be upon him, expelled Jews from Medina, the Jews want to get their rights back by getting Medina. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, had ordered the Jews expelled from the Arab region. They [the Jews] say that in return they should control the Arab regions.

"The Zionist conspiracy has succeeded – they have gotten the Muslims to fight one another. The Jews, the Americans, and the Western Christian Nations have played a big role in raising the rebels in Yemen .

"The sad part is that Iran is supplying weapons to, and aiding, the Yemeni rebels. This is very miserable. Iran should understand this Jewish conspiracy, and should not be part of this conspiracy in any way. If it becomes part of this conspiracy, then there will be big problems for the Muslim Ummah, because the Jews are also conspiring to have Muslims fight each other everywhere and in every country. There are both Shi'ites and Sunnis in all Muslim countries [sic], so if this conflict arises everywhere and gains momentum, it not only constitutes a threat to Haramain [Mecca and Medina, meaning Islam] but is destructive for the entire Ummah.

"Therefore, I think that behind this, the real factors are ancient Jewish, Zionist and Christian conspiracies, and at this time, the role Iran is currently playing is very much exacerbating this problem. The Muslim rulers should therefore join hands together at the global level and convince Iran of the mistake and provide comprehensive power to Saudi Arabia for its defense so that the Jews-Christian conspiracy in the region would be terminated."

"This Is A War Of Our Faith And Beliefs; It Is Wrong To Describe This As A Regional War"; "We Invite Iran To Also Become Part Of The Muslim Ummah, To... Defend The Haramain, And To Play A Role In The Defense Of Saudi Arabia"

"This war [in Yemen] is of the Muslims themselves. For Muslims, the defense of Saudi Arabia and the Haramain is more important than their lives... If we do not fight the war for Haramain, who will fight? And anyone who considers it someone else's war – what relationship does he have with Islam and the Muslims?

"It is the Western media propaganda that is influencing the people [who argue that Pakistan should not get into this war in support of Saudi Arabia]. The defense of Saudi Arabia and the Haramain is dearer to us than our lives and our countries... This is a war of our faith and beliefs. It is wrong to describe this as a regional war, or as a war of political differences and between two countries, or as a Shia-Sunni problem. At this time, defending Saudi Arabia and the Haramain is to defend Islam."

"According to the Sharia, it is our responsibility that all our resources, and military resources, be used to defend the Haramain. For Muslims, there is nothing bigger in this world than the House of Allah [the Kaaba in Mecca] and nothing else that has more importance than its defense. The defense of the Haramain is obligatory, according to the Sharia."

"We want to convey this message to Iran: You have always claimed that you are part of the Muslim Ummah. You should always keep raising your voice against the Jews for the recovery of Qibla-e-Awwal [i.e. Jerusalem]... We invite Iran to also become part of the Muslim Ummah and, along with the Ummah, to defend the Haramain and play a role in the defense of Saudi Arabia. Do not side with the rebels. It is not right if you, by siding with the rebels, become their power against Saudi Arabia and the Haramain.

"We advise Iran to reform. We also advise the rulers of Iran not to back the rebels; [for if you do this] the Ummah can never be united on a single platform, and this involves spreading conflict to the coming generations of Muslims."

"The Pasban-e-Haramain Sharifain Forum has been created... [its] objective is to gather all Muslim parties and organizations for the defense of the Haramain..."

"Jamaatud Dawa, all praise be to Allah, is standing against the conspiracies of the infidel world, forming the minds of the people to confront international conspiracies, gathering people, activating [them] and raising a force of Muslims, playing a role in the electronic and print media, [and] organizing rallies through a people's campaign. All praise be to Allah, people listen to Jamaatud Dawa...;

"The establishment of the Pasban-e-Haramain Sharifain Forum is a Jamaatud Dawa effort; in the future, Allah willing, the organization will be useful at the international Islamic level too." 

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