Should a Mafia Don lead World Muslims? A War Criminal Nominated to Head the OIC By Abdul Momen

Opinion, August 2003, www.aljazeerah.info

Should a Mafia Don lead World Muslims?

A War Criminal Nominated to Head the OIC

By Abdul Momen*

8/25/03

While the world is increasingly demanding the punishment of war criminals and murderers across the nations, the Bangladesh government has nominated an alleged murderer and war criminal as the next Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). This has caused uproar in the Bangladesh society and divided the nation. All the major political parties of Bangladesh, irrespective of rank and file, demanded the government to withdraw the nomination of Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, a known gangster. Even many members of the ruling party are very critical of such nomination. Although during the last 32 years, he is mostly involved in Mafia business as per reports, many however, wish that once he becomes the leader of the Muslim world, he would change and would become an angel overnight!

Bangladeshis Oppose the Nomination All the leading dailies of Bangladesh published reports on the nominee's criminal records and linkages. In a bid to curb such negative publicity, the government however, threatened the editors of three leading dailies, the Daily Star, the Prothom Alo and the Janakantha with intimidation and arrest warrants. But such press harassment did not cow down everyone. The foreign press, even the Muslim WakeUP of New York published a story titled "War Criminal to Head Islamic Conference: Bangladeshis Oppose Chowdhury's Nomination" [July 15, 2003]. In addition, nearly 300 Bangladeshi intellectuals, professors, engineers, doctors, lawyers and other professionals living across all the five continents submitted an international appeal to the Foreign Ministers of OIC countries to dump the candidacy of Mr. Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury (SQC), a political advisor to Bangladesh Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia. They argued that in the current media bashing, the election of SQC, a reputed war criminal and an alleged well-known God Father of various crimes ranging from arms smuggling, kidnapping, election doctoring to cool-blooded murders would add up fire to the fuel and will surely cause more harm to the Muslim ummah worldwide. Given his questionable character and past record, he would be unable to lead the Muslim ummah in these days of 'conflict of civilizations, mistrust and fear'. Many of these professionals have been passing increasingly difficult time since 9/11 as a small gang of terrorists has hijacked their religion of peace, Islam. Are they afraid of yet another hijacker in the making?

The Bangladeshi newspapers are replete with stories of murder, kidnapping, illegal arms and drugs smuggling cases against Mr. Salahuddin Quader Chowhury with verifiable documentation. For example, in the murder case of Nathun Chandra Shaha, case number FIR U/S/302/129 (13)/298/BPC, Mr. Chowdhury and his associates were found guilty. However, he escaped punishment as he was absconding at the time. Therefore, newspapers belonging to different opinions and shades, echoed objection to his nomination. The Shaptahik 2000 in its headline titled "Coalition government put image of the country under threat by nominating a despised politician like SQC' [June 13, 2003] strongly opposed it. Here are some examples of headlines. The Daily Janakantha titled "Nomination of SQC is a disgrace to Bangladesh" [June 4, 2003]. The Daily Juganthar wrote "11-party demands Cancellation of SQC's nomination' [June 3, 2003]. The Daily Star headlined "AL urge the Government to drop SQC's nomination' [June 2, 2003]. The AL is the single most largest party in the country. These are just a few headlines on SQC.

The OIC Nominee Not a New Criminal Two years ago in 2001, when he was not nominated as the OIC's next Secretary General, there had been frequent stories on him as well. For example, the Daily Star reported on May 30, 2001 that "SQC Detained, Arms Seized from his Residence" after the murder of a student leader in front of his house. The Daily Purbokone reported "BNPs' Student Front leader Shot Dead, SQC Detained, Killer Weapon Seized from his Goods-Hill residence' [May 30, 2001]. The Daily Ajker Kagoj headlined "14 cases including 5 murder cases against SQC" [June 1, 2001]. In another headline it stated "SQC's Goods-Hill Residence: A Hill of Horror, Slaughtering Field" [June 1, 2001]. "Nitol was Killed After He Refused to Join SQC's Group in Exchange of Half Million Taka" reports the Daily Ajker Kagaj on May 30, 2001. "BNP's Student Leader Killed by Bullet Shot from SQC's Residence: SQC Arrested, Huge Arms Recovered" headlined the Daily Janakantha on May 30, 2001. "SQC and 13 Others Arrested on Charge of Murder" reports the Daily Azadee on May 30, 2001. "SQC and His 6 Accomplices Arrested When Trying to Flee After Killing" writes the Daily Bhorer Kagaj on May 30, 2001.

His name also came up in 2002. For example, "Top Terrorist Bachaiya Disclosed Arms Connection: Named SQC as Godfather" reports the Daily Azadee on November 28, 2002. "New AK-47 Recovered from Raozan, Top Terrorist Bachaiya Says He Carried Out Orders of SQC in Committing Crimes" reports the Daily Bhorer Kagaj on November 28, 2002.

However, his role in 1971 was worse. The Dainik Bangla, another leading daily wrote on January 8, 1972 "SQC and his father used to pick up and bring hundreds of young men to their Goods Hill Bangalow in Chittagong and torture them brutally". A book 'Chronicle of Bengalee's Freedom Fight' by Mahbub-ul-Alam recorded in detail how SQC was involved in killing innocent people in 1971. In another book titled "The Killing Fields and Torture Center of Chittagong" Shakawath Hussain Monju, a researcher talks about how the SQC's residence Goods-Hill was a center of torture in 1971. It tells the stories how liberation fighters were hung from the ceiling and beaten to death. The National People's Investigation Commission also declared him a 'war criminal'.

So it appears that the political parties and intellectuals of all shades are not opposing him because of 'opposition politics' as the Bangladesh government claims but because of the character and criminal record of its nominee. At least 23 cases were filed against Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury between September 1 2001 and November 20, 2001 in only one police station in his hometown in 2001. The cases are listed in Table 1 below with dates and case numbers. The Khaleda Zia government has not dismissed these cases yet but frozen them temporarily as he is now a Parliamentary advisor to the Prime Minister with the rank of a Cabinet Minister.

Should the Muslim Leadership Leave It to Nominating Country? If the leaders of the 57-member OIC countries leave the case of SQC on the nominating government and remain blind to the character of SQC, they will surely make a blunder. If 1% of the allegations that were made against SQC were true, it would weaken his credibility and effectiveness as the top boss of the OIC. Unless the Muslim leadership clean out their own backyard by themselves, they will lose their sense of high moral ground. It would be an irony if the OIC elects such a known criminal and a gangster as their next Secretary General. This will definitely add disgrace to the OIC itself and would undermine its credibility. Therefore, the Muslim leadership should ask the nominating government to drop the candidacy of this alleged criminal. It is irony that a person like SQC who lacks balance and has the habit of making derogatory remarks on women, education, religion and minority has been nominated to lead the Muslim ummah. Reportedly, last year, it was agreed in principle that the next OIC Secretary General would be from Bangladesh, the 3rd largest Muslim country.

OIC Needs Dynamic Leadership Bangladesh has many decent and respectable candidates that can lead the OIC. But if the current government fails to present a decent and a dynamic candidate, the other OIC members should come forward for the sake of Muslim ummah and may propose new candidates that can command international respect and support at this critical time. It is time for the Muslim leadership to wake-up. Mere dua on Friday prayers for the welfare of the ummah is not enough to change the future of Muslims, one of the poorest groups in the world with ever rising unemployment, instability, hatred and frustration. A few sarcastically argue that don't worry.....once he is elected and as the media would publish reports on his records, the OIC would appoint a new Communication Advisor and a Law firm to defend its top boss and thus may help creation of employment!

The 57-member OIC countries have a total population of nearly 1.4 billion, five times more of the U. S. However, their combined GDP is only one-third of that of the U. S. in spite of their having many critical resources. The GDP of the U.S. is $9.6 trillion while that of the OIC is barely $3.5 trillion. The per capita income of the OIC member countries is very low---- around $2,700 per annum vis-à-vis $35,000 for the U. S. Moreover, the Palestinian issue is becoming more complex that needs balanced approach. Under the circumstances, the Muslim leadership has to take proactive and matured steps for which they need a dynamic leader. Otherwise, they will only lament and curse their own fate in no time. Remember, God helps those who help themselves.

Table 1: List of Criminal Cases against SQC in 2001, the Bangladesh Nominee to head the OIC Case #1 Police Station: Raozan General Diary 339/ Dated 9/9/01

Case #2 Police Station: Raozan Case No 12/ Dated 22/9/01

Case #3 Police Station: Raozan Case No 14/ Dated 22/9/01

Case #4 Police Station: Raozan Case No 16/ Dated 24/9/01

Case #5 Police Station: Raozan General Diary 934 Dated 25/9/01

Case #6 Police Station: Raozan Case No 17/ Dated 26/9/01

Case #7 Police Station: Raozan Case No 18/ Dated 26/9/01

Case #8 Police Station: Raozan General Diary 1078/Dated 29/9/01

Case #9 Police Station: Raozan Case No 03/ Dated 02/10/01

Case #10 Police Station: Raozan Case No 06/ Dated 07/10/01

Case #11 Police Station: Raozan Case No 08/ Dated 07/10/01

Case #12 Police Station: Raozan General Diary 250/Dated 07/10/01

Case #13 Police Station: Raozan Case No 12/ Dated 11/10/01

Case #14 Police Station: Raozan General Diary 580/Dated 16/10/01

Case #15 Police Station: Raozan General Diary 750/Dated 20/10/01

Case #16 Police Station: Raozan Case No 20/ Dated 20/10/01

Case #17 Police Station: Raozan Case No 23/ Dated 25/10/01

Case #18 Police Station: Raozan Case No 27/ Dated 30/10/01

Case #19 Police Station: Raozan General Diary 127/Dated 04/11/01

Case #20 Police Station: Raozan General Diary 184/Dated 05/11/01

Case #21 Police Station: Raozan General Diary 216/Dated 06/11/01

Case #22 Police Station: Raozan General Diary 341/Dated 10/11/01

Case #23 Police Station: Raozan Case No 11/ Dated 15/11/01 Source: From the record of Raozan Police Station, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Note: Raozan is the hometown of SQC from where he got elected. ______________ *Dr. Abdul Momen is a professor of economics and business management currently works in Saudi Arabia.

Earth, a planet hungry for peace

The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers (Ran Cohen, pmc, 5/24/03).

The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers in the West Bank (Ran Cohen, pmc, 5/24/03).