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British Muslims for Secular Democracy (bmsd) reaction to the poison gas attack on girls school in Afghanistan

14/05/2009

British Muslims for Secular Democracy is deeply concerned at news of the 12th May poison gas attack at a girls school in Charikar, north-east Afghanistan, which resulted in the hospitalisation of 98 people (including 84 students). This is the third poisoning incident to take place at a girls’ school in the past fortnight.  bmsd believes that every child has the right to obtain an education in a safe, secure environment and strongly condemns these attacks. 

While no group or individual has accepted responsibility for the poisonings, Education Ministry officials say they believe it is a series of poison gas attacks by militants who oppose education for girls.  Attacks on girls’ schools have increased in the past year, particularly in the east and south of the country, as the Taliban insurgency has gathered momentum.  bmsd urges the Afghan authorities to conduct a thorough, impartial investigation into these attacks, and to strongly resist the inegalitarian principles underpinning them.”

Dr Shaaz Mahboob of bmsd said: “All Muslims and non-Muslims should condemn this cowardly act on defenceless young girls who are struggling to continue their education and contribute to the development of their country in an increasingly hostile environment.  We all support these students, and it is imperative that whoever has carried out this attack should be brought to justice as per the country’s laws.”


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Notes to the editors:  

  1. bmsd is made up of a group of Muslim democrats of diverse ethnic and social backgrounds, who support a clear separation between religion and the State.  
  2. bmsd’s mission statement:   “To promote civic engagement, social inclusion, responsible citizenship and good governance particularly within constituent Muslim communities of Britain; in order to build an understanding of the shared values between all citizens to enable them to live in an inclusive, pluralist, secular and confident Britain.”   
  3. bmsd claims no mandate or false representative status. Our primary concern is democratic engagement not detailed theological analysis or debate. The level and depth of commitment to the doctrinal core and orthodoxy of the faith varies among Muslims as much as it does in members of other faith groups. bmsd founders wish to create a platform for alternative, diverse Muslim views, essential for a progressive, multi-layered, democratic identity that is not in conflict with itself or fellow citizens.  
  4. For details please visit http://www.bmsd.org.uk  
  5. For any further queries, please contact:  Dr Shaaz Mahboob on  shaaz@bmsd.org.uk or 07961365751 or Tehmina Kazi on 0207 631 4175