Zawahri urges aid for quake victims

Published October 24, 2005

DUBAI, Oct 23: Al Qaeda’s second in command, Ayman al-Zawahri, urged Muslims in a video broadcast on Sunday to help Pakistan’s earthquake victims even though its government was an “agent” of the US.

“I call on all Muslims and Islamic charity organisations in particular to go to Pakistan and give a helping hand to the victims there,” a bespectacled Zawahri said in the tape aired on Al Jazeera. Wearing a white turban and seated beside an assault rifle, al-Zawahri denounced Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.

“We all know that Musharraf’s government is an agent of the United States but despite that I call on all Muslims to run to the help of their brothers in Pakistan,” he said.

“We all know the United States is against the activities of Islamic charities,” said Zawahri, the Egyptian right-hand man of Osama bin Laden. He is wanted by Cairo for anti-government attacks.

The tape appeared to have been recorded on Oct. 9, as Zawahri said the earthquake had occurred the day before.

Washington has accused a number of Islamic charities of funnelling funds to Muslim militants.

Zawahri last appeared in a videotape aired on Al Jazeera on Sept. 19, in which he said al Qaeda carried out the July suicide bombings in London to strike at “British arrogance”. —Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

Taliban divisions
Updated 24 Feb, 2025

Taliban divisions

The only workable solution lies in Mullah Akhundzada loosening his iron grip on the country.
Oblivious to drought
24 Feb, 2025

Oblivious to drought

PAKISTAN faces two types of drought: one caused by dry weather or lower-than-normal rainfall, and the other ...
Digital children
24 Feb, 2025

Digital children

AS most parents with young children will agree, the easiest way to pacify a bawling child is to hand them a...
The long wait
Updated 23 Feb, 2025

The long wait

Pakistan’s fundamental problem is that two of its most important leaders still cannot get over themselves.
Defending freedom
23 Feb, 2025

Defending freedom

THERE was no other choice. Despite assurances of consultations with key stakeholders, the government passed the Peca...
Anti-Muslim crimes
23 Feb, 2025

Anti-Muslim crimes

THE surge in Islamophobic assaults in the UK, as reported by the anti-hate crime charity Tell MAMA, is a stark...