Pakistani-Americans Condemn Times Square Bomb Attempt
Washington , DC: Pakistan American Democratic Forum (PADF), a US-wide grassroots organization, has “vigorously condemned" the Times Square bomb attempt by a Pakistani-American suspect. “Such actions by self-alienated individuals do not reflect the views of the Pakistani-Americans who unequivocally reject such deplorable acts”
The PADF statement reads in part:
“We join other Muslim and South Asian organizations in condemning the attempted bombing in Times Square in New York. We welcome the arrest of a suspect and hope that all those involved in the attack will be apprehended and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
“Taking our inspiration from the peaceful lawyers’ movement led by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah that resulted in the creation of Pakistan in 1947, and an equally peaceful lawyers’ movement that led to the establishment of an independent judiciary in Pakistan in 2008, we Pakistani-Americans repudiate all acts of terror and reaffirm our commitment to continue to work for the eradication of the root causes of such violent acts.
“Such incidents are reminders that civic organizations and the US government need to double their efforts to help mainstream South Asian communities. Exclusion and humiliation are the primary sources of alienation and radicalization.
“Similarly, civic organizations and the Pakistan government need to help consolidate democracy in Pakistan by establishing rule of law, due process, good governance, transparency, and accountability.”
