AMWEC Thanks Pakistani PM for Re-Arresting Daniel Pearl’s Killers
Los Angeles, CA: The founder & president of American Muslims & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMWEC), Anila Ali, issued the following statement in response to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s actions to keep the murderers of American journalist Daniel Pearl behind bars:
“I would like to thank Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Pakistani government for doing the right thing,” said Ms Ali adding that “while the provincial court made the wrong decision to overturn the convictions of the four terrorists responsible for Daniel Pearl’s murder, Mr Khan’s actions to keep them behind bars while the Supreme Court takes the case means that justice may yet prevail.”
AMWEC and Mrs Ali had made a significant effort to encourage Prime Minister Khan, and provincial and federal government officials to step in and address the provincial court ruling, which was issued on April 2. The decision reduced the sentence of one of the killers, and overturned the convictions of the three others. The Pakistani government vowed to appeal the decision before the nation’s supreme court, and moved swiftly to arrest all the four men.
“American Muslims have often been accused of complacency to terrorism acts such as the late Daniel Pearl murder in 2002, contributing to the rise of anti-Muslim prejudice in the United States,” Ms Ali continued. “While these accusations are false, rare solidarity has come from our Jewish brothers and sisters who confront similar bigotry. The Jewish community, for example, was very supportive of the Muslim community when the Trump Administration issued its travel ban that included a significant number of Muslim-majority countries. This wise decision by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan is likely to help strengthen relations with our Jewish brothers and sisters here in America.”
Founded in 2009, AMWEC takes on the challenge of internal and external bigotry by empowering Muslim women on the front lines. Inspired by our own journeys as immigrants who have prospered in America, we are proud American Muslim women leaders, mostly from Pakistan, who unite to strengthen our community, confront bigotry in all its forms, celebrate cultural heritage, and build enduring bonds with fellow Americans of all faiths. As Americans by choice, our work is a tribute to our great country and our heritage.
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