Lafif
Lakhdar International Defense
Committee
Comite International de Defense de Lafif Lakhdar
Communique
Today, we are excited to announce the creation
of
Lafif Lakhdar International Defense Committee
Why, what are we trying
to accomplish, and who are we?
Recently, the London-based Islamic Al Nahdha group led by Sheik Rached
Ghannouchi, falsely accused on its web site (Nahdha.net) the prominent Tunisian writer, Lafif Lakhdar,
of authoring an irreverent
book towards the Prophet.
The
accusation took the form of a criminal Fatwa (a religious edict pronounced by a cleric), which is a straightforward
incitement to kill the author.
During the last two decades
alone, several liberal intellectuals have been the victims of similar fatwas. The murder of writer Farag Foudah and
the stabbing of Nobel Laureate Neguib Mahfoudh, both from
Upon becoming aware of the Fatwa, Mr. Lafif Lakhdar vehemently denied the accusation of authoring the book, and called on all who value the fundamental
freedoms of thought and of expression to help him in bringing the Islamist
leader Ghannouchi to justice.
Several web sites reverberated Lafif‘s call, hundreds of enthusiastic people from many countries sent him supportive messages. As the campaign of support gathered momentum, and more people rallied around Lafif, Sheik Ghannouchi
started feeling the heat; knowing that
he cannot back up his accusation (because he fabricated it) he withdrew the
incriminating article from his web site. This withdrawal represents only a small victory.
It is the
victory for all who long
for or cherish freedom, and value enlightenment over obscurantism. However, the fatwa has not been revoked, and Sheik
Ghannouchi has not felt or expressed remorse. The real victory will come when
Ghannouchi stands in front of a judge
in a British court.
Today, the newly formed
Lafif Lakhdar International
Defense Committee, echoes Lafif’s call, thanks all who expressed their
support, and encourage them
to continue the drive to bring
Ghannouchi to Justice, and uphold the rule
of the law against the rule
of the jungle of obscurantism.
The Committee urges the French authorities to provide appropriate protection to Lafif Lakhdar who lives
in
We in the LLIDC, are from different countries, cultures, religions, gender, and professions; and welcome you,
particularly those who can contribute
furthering this cause with the French authorities and the British legal system, to join us.
We are united by this just and noble cause to defend one of the few bright candles in the Arab world from a looming peril of the rampant obscurantism.
Lafif Lakhdar has dedicated his entire life to defend the oppressed
and the dispossessed;
he has been a tireless activist for the emancipation and freedom of people in the large Arab world. He argued for a modern Islam where women are equal to men and non-Muslims
to Muslims. He has always believed that human beings,
if liberated from obscurantism, tyranny, and ignorance, are capable of growing
wings and soar in the sky
with the birds.
Ghannouchi
‘s attack on the prominent free thinker Lafif Lakhdar is
an attack on all of us who believe in freedom and democracy, and who whish
for a better and brighter future for our region, and more peace and justice for the world. We stand in solidarity with Lafif, and call on every one of you, to do all you can, each
according to her / his position and situation, to
help bringing Ghannouchi to
justice.
We Invite Activist legal groups in the United Kingdom,
and international organizations
like International Human Rights, Pen International, Lawyers Without Borders, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and
others, to
support this cause, because it
is also your
cause.
Please email
us at:
LLIDC@hotmail.com
For further
information on the subject,
here is a short list of links:
http://www.metransparent.com/texts/campaign_defending_life_and_freedom_lafif_lakhdar.htm
http://www.metransparent.com/texts/lafif_lakhdar_appeal_vs_gannoushi_fatwa_english.htm
http://www.metransparent.com/texts/abu_khawla_incitement_to_kill.htm
The Role of Fatwas in Incitement to Terrorism
http://metransparent.net/lafif/lafif_lakhdar_role_of_fatwas_in_incitement_to_terrorism.htm
A Call on the
UN to Establish an International tribunal to prosecute terrorists
http://metransparent.com/texts/arab_liberals_appeal_to_un_for_int_court_against_terror_fatwas_english.htm
Moving From Salafi to Rationalist Education
http://metransparent.net/lafif/lafif_lakhdar_salafi_to_rationalist.htm
The Missed
http://metransparent.net/lafif/lafif_lakhdar_missed_opportunity_of_july_2000.htm
Liberal Journalist Fired from Al-Hayat
http://metransparent.net/lafif/Lafif_Lakhdar_liberal_journalist_fired_from_al_hayat.htm
An Arab call
for Peace
http://metransparent.net/lafif/lafif_lakhdar_an_arab_call_for_peace.htm
Impious, adulterous - Why the Reversion to Islamic Archaism? Lafif Lakhdar (1981) http://struggle.ws/issues/war/afghan/pamwt/wt2/lakhdar.html
Dr. Abu Khawla,
Committee Coordinator
LLIDC@hotmail.com