On Monday 22/10/2012 (The Moscow Times newspaper) investigated the headscarf ban and Putin's comments on Thursday 18th October 2012, according to Reuters and other media agencies, Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the recent hijab bans in schools in Russia's southern Stavropol region by stating, "We must always treat the religious feelings of people with great respect. That must be shown in the state's activities, in the nuances, in everything," adding however, "We have a secular state and we must proceed from this basis." He also suggested that European states which implement school uniform policies that prohibit wearing of religious dress should be viewed as a model for Russian schools with regards to how they respond to female students adopting the Islamic headscarf. His comments have been interpreted by Russian and other media outlets as open support for a hijab ban in the country's schools. His stance emulates the position of other extremist secular states such as France, Belgium, Germany, Canada, Turkey, and Uzbekistan that have also imposed hijab or niqab bans in their society.

Central Media Representative of Hizb-ut Tahrir, Dr. Nazreen Nawaz responded to Mr. Putin's comments saying:

"The blatant hypocrisy and flagrant lie of Putin's call for the Russian state to demonstrate respect for the religious beliefs of its citizens is truly breath-taking considering that this is a state that has a long track-record of pursuing authoritarian repressive policies against its Muslim minority, as also confirmed by the Russian Human Rights Institute. Over the last few years, Muslim women related to men carrying the Islamic dawah have been harassed, imprisoned, abused and threatened with knives by Russian security agencies in order to pressure their men-folk to leave their Islamic duty. The children of some have even been placed in orphanages as part of the Russian state's "anti-extremism" alias "anti-Islam" policies. Now, not content with the persecution of innocent Muslim women, Putin has clearly set his sight on excluding pious Muslim girls from Russian schools, simply for dressing according to the tenets of their religious beliefs in an attempt to fight the rising adherence and commitment of Russia's Muslim women to Islam and to force-feed them flawed secular beliefs."

"While talking of respect for religious faiths, he simultaneously backs the relegation of Muslim girls to second-class status with regards to access to education for practicing their Islamic obligations. He proudly expresses the secular credentials of his state, while this is an ideology that has repeatedly demonstrated its intolerance towards religious minorities and its fault lines, and inadequacy in accommodating rights for all, illustrated by hijab, niqab, and minaret bans in secular states. Muslim women have understood clearly that "respect" in secular states is a privilege only for those who sign up to its beliefs, while marginalisation, stigmatisation, and discrimination are the diet which those devout to their religious faith have become accustomed to under the secular system. This is an ideology that has long-lost the intellectual debate on how to organise just, fair, and harmonious societies."

"Furthermore, how dare Mr. Putin speak of respecting the religious feelings of Muslim women when his government pursues a domestic and foreign policy that has terrorised the innocent Muslim women of Chechnya and supported mass-murder by the butcher Assad of the daughters of this Ummah in Syria whose only call is to live in dignity under the system of Islam."

"Moreover, what has the secular system that he celebrates actually brought Russian women? Today, Russian women face an epidemic of exploitation, trafficking, violence, and discrimination in pay. The secular liberal values promoted by Russia's government have created a social identity for women where they are condemned to be seen as nothing more than a sexual tool to be used and discarded like any other economic commodity. So those secularists who enjoy accusing Islam of oppressing women need to look in their own backyard, as well as recognise that it is not Islam that has stripped Muslim girls of an education and denied them their basic rights but fundamentalist secular systems and the imposition of fanatical liberal ideals upon Muslim women."

"As the women of Hizb-ut Tahrir, we call our dear, devout Muslim sisters in Russia to hold fast to their Islamic beliefs and noble Islamic dress that exemplifies the noble and virtuous value of modesty and dignity. Do not be intimidated or pressured into leaving obedience to your Creator by hijab bans or other anti-Islam policies that are nothing but desperate, weak tactics employed by a state that realises that it is unable to shake your intellectual conviction in Islam or strip from your heart your pure love for your deen. So reject the flawed secular beliefs and be steadfast in your Islamic beliefs and obligations, in the knowledge that you are the ones who have the gained the Pleasure of the Creator of the universe, Allah (swt). And work hard for the establishment of the Khilafah "Caliphate" state under which you will be able to wear your Islamic dress with honour and fulfil your Islamic obligations in an environment of security and true respect."

((إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُ‌وا يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ لِيَصُدُّوا عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ ۚ فَسَيُنفِقُونَهَا ثُمَّ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسْرَ‌ةً ثُمَّ يُغْلَبُونَ ۗ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُ‌وا إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ يُحْشَرُ‌ونَ))

"Verily, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to hinder (men) from the Path of Allah, and so will they continue to spend it; but in the end it will become an anguish for them. Then they will be overcome." [TMQ Al-Anfal: 36]

Dr. Nazreen Nawaz
Central Media Representative, Hizb-ut Tahrir

Continuing with the Hizb-ut Tahrir/ Wilayah Egypt campaign to explain the draft constitution of the Khilafah "Caliphate" State titled, "Egypt's Constitution Must Be an Islamic Constitution." On Friday, 03 Dhul Hijjah, 19 October 2012, Hizb Activists set up a mobile information tent was set up in front of Al-Istqameh Masjid in Giza. Alhamdulillah, large numbers poured into the tent sparking positive discussions with inquiring questions.

Picture Slideshow: Click Here

Last week, Pakistan's Federal Minister of Defense Syed Naveed Qamar met with top leaders in Serbia's House of Guards to lay the frame work for an MOU between the armed forces of the two countries. The proposed military agreement with Serbia is to provide Pakistan's armed forced with ammunition, armoured vehicles and assault rifles amongst other weapons. Notwithstanding the cementing of defense ties, Qamar also proposed the idea of Serbia to establish an embassy in Islamabad and engage with Pakistan through a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). The announcement is yet another example of how Pakistan's ruling establishment is determined to embrace enemies of Islam, as it once again the muddles through another foreign policy blunder.

It is no secret that Pakistan's embracement of America's war on terror-in truth a vicious crusade against Islam- has prompted the Pakistani ruling elite to make several overtures of friendship towards the enemies of Islam, and when appropriate grant concessions to them that greatly undermines the country's integrity and stability. Some of the highlights of this appauling foreign policy are: an American installed government in Afghanistan that is ferociously hostile to Pakistan, capitulation over Kashmir to please India, gestures to recognize Israel, silence over Myanmar's treatment of Rohingya Muslims, preferred ignorance over the plight of Muslims in the Caucasus in return for closer ties with Russia, and now embracement of Serbia-the butcher of Bosnia and the author of Kosovo's the killing fields of: What is next we ask?

By surrounding themselves with such a distinguished company of war-mongers and bigots, it is not surprising that Muslims residing in the affected areas show any affinity at all towards Pakistan's leaders. Palestinians, Kashmiris, Chechnyans, Rohingyas, Bosnians and Kosovans have every right to be upset with Pakistan's establishment. In some ways, the oppression of these Muslims is a result of Pakistan's foreign policy relations with America, which has accentuated their predicament after September 2oo1.

The same can be said for the repression of Muslims inside Pakistan. Pakistan's continuous subservience to Washington has enabled America to dominate Pakistan's domestic scene, and foreign relations. America's reluctance to withhold certain arms and technology from the Pakistani army, while simultaneously demanding actions against militants in North Waziristan has spurred Pakistan's elite to explore relations with Serbia. Belgrade was virtually shunned by Islamabad, until 2009 Pakistani Prime Minister Gilani stated that Pakistan considered Serbia a very important country and described relations between the two countries as warm and friendly.

The gesture coincided with America's public chastisement of Pakistan's leadership to fully commit to military operation against the militants in the tribal areas.

Thereafter, Pakistan worked with Serbia to form cordial relations, despite the horrific crimes perpetrated against Bosnian and Kosovo Muslims. In the mid-nineties the Pakistan army was deployed in Bosnia to protect its populace from the marauding Serbian hordes. And now seventeen years later, the Pakistani army wants to befriend a country that still harbours ill will against Muslims. Serbia's vehement opposition to Kosovo's independence epitomizes this deep seated hatred. The arrest and trial of war criminals Karadzic, Mladic, and Hadzic should serve as a painful reminder of Serbia's past atrocities.

It is all too obvious that Pakistan's leadership is not motivated by bonds of brotherhood founded on Islam to protect the Muslims of Bosnia, Kosovo and elsewhere. However, the leadership prides in the vision of Mohammed Ali Jinnah who is supposedly held in high regard by them. Jinnah said, "We believe in the principle of honesty and fair play in national and international dealings and are prepared to make our utmost contribution to the promotion of peace and prosperity among the nations of the world. Pakistan will never be found lacking in extending its material and moral support to the oppressed and suppressed peoples of the world..." So why is the material support not being extended to Palestinians, Kashmiris, Rohingyas and other Muslims who are being persecuted for their faith. Clearly then, Pakistan's elite is not motivated by Islam or "nationalism" then on what bases do they engage in foreign policy matters?

The answer is that both the civil and military leadership is bereft of any rational ideas that underpin Pakistan's foreign policy. The Pakistani elite follow a simple rule. Blindly submit to American stipulations or run around like headless chickens when America is displeased with them. This master and slave relationship has only one outcome and that is political suicide.

What Pakistan requires is a sound independent foreign policy that matches the aspiration of its people and is rooted in Islam. This can only be achieved through the re-establishment of the Caliphate, which will not only provide political independence, but also ensure that Pakistan integrity is fully protected.

Abu Hashim

The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies concluded a conference held in Doha on Monday, 22 Thul Qi'da 1433 AH, 08 October 2012, entitled "Islamists and Democratic System of Governance ... Experiences and Trends" at which a number of "Islamist" researchers, academics and politicians addressed themselves to the subject of Islam and Democracy...