Source: Dawn
US authorities have threatened Pakistan’s most respected citizen Abdul Sattar Edhi with deportation, he said.
“I just received a telephone call from someone, telling me that I am being deported,” Mr Edhi, who is now in New York told Dawn.
He said he was stopped at the airport in London when he tried to board a plane for New York on Jan 8.
Mr Edhi then contacted the US Embassy in London who gave him a letter which allowed him to proceed to New York. The letter also advised him to see US authorities on Feb 18 to clear whatever misunderstandings they may have about him.
Mr Edhi arrived in New York on Jan 9 and was detained at the airport for eight hours.
“They were questioning me why I look the way I look,” said Mr Edhi who has a long beard and always wears traditional Pakistani dress along with a traditional cap.
“They also wanted to know why I visit the United States so regularly,” he said. “I told them I am a social worker. What else I do? I only do social work,” said Mr Edhi who has branches of his trust in several US cities.
“If they do not let me work here, I will work somewhere else.”
About Edhi:
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, as of 1997, Edhi Foundation’s ambulance service is the largest volunteer ambulance service in the world. He also personally holds the world record for having gone the longest time working without having taken a holiday. As of when the record was set, he has still not taken a single day off work.
E-mail this article to a friend
Tags: deportation, Edhi, UK, US
6 responses so far ↓
1 Affan Javed // Jan 29, 2008 at 10:53 am
we love edhi! may Allah bless him!
americans are getting paranoid by their fear of beard… for once they should think rationally and realize the beard cant kill! in fact in this case, beard is a saveR !
*do i make sense, cos i think i do! *
2 Mariam Farid // Jan 29, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Freedom of expression these americans teach us…well what about now?
True every tragic horrific incident leaves man paranoid but then again what about the rest of the world…what about the Muslims around da world or the Blcaks in the world? We all ve faced our worse nightmares but that by no means allows neone jew muslim hindu or christain or atheists for dat matter to violate a fundamental human right…as the US has donw on so many numerous occasions…without swayin any further from the topic at hand…i believe the US government n their people should for once practise what they preach! To earn trust n love one must give some to get some my dear fellow americans.
3 oal // Jan 29, 2008 at 10:42 pm
“The letter also advised him to see US authorities on Feb 18 to clear whatever misunderstandings they may have about him.”
So wait.
In essence, the matter between “US authorities” and Abdul Sattar Edhi is private and unresolved.
If the matter smacks of discrimination against Muslims, this U.S. organization may be expected to take the lead in addressing it:
http://www.cair.com/
For a little political background:
http://www.cair.com/Portals/0/pdf/American_Muslim_Voter_Survey_2006.pdf
“Freedom of expression” encompasses the full range of human communications, but it is not a concept idealized or realized without encumbrance. Most often, you’ll hear it is illegal, for example, to shout “Fire!” in a crowded theater (where there is no fire), but less often provoking crowds to violence, passing state secrets, and producing seditious speech may also make for a call to court.
As regards journalism and perhaps some of this flowdown to whoever is on the Internet, one might suggest looking always for factual and verifiable information in news as well as a responsible presentation of it.
4 Fiza Hameed // Jan 31, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Hi Friends I found some most wanted videos, which about “Saddam Hussain Executing Videos” “Benazir Bhutto Bomb Attack Death in Pakistan” “Real Story About LAL MASJID & Aunty Shamim in Pakistan” “Syed Adnan Kakakhel Conversation with General Musharaf (President of Pakistan). Just visit www.MobiGhar.Com and Click 3GP Amazing Videos Link.
Regards
Fiza Hameed
5 jasmine // Feb 16, 2008 at 4:48 am
Benazir Bhutto lying on hospital bed moments after being brought to the hospital after the shooting - Exclusive video
Watch it here….
http://pkfocus.blogspot.com
6 no mane // May 10, 2008 at 7:10 pm
thes shepal american what they want to do
Leave a Comment