InfoAnda - Hardline Pakistani schools a draw for foreigners

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

German industrial orders jump by 5.2% | 6 January 2011
NKorea says it is preparing satellite launch | 24 February 2009
Microsoft judge says oversight process at much better place | Technology | | 23 April 2009

Pakistani o/n rates rise; rupee weakens; stocks down | 10 February 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Hardline Pakistani schools a draw for foreigners

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Hardline Pakistani schools a draw for foreigners By CHRIS BRUMMITT and ASHRAF KHAN,Associated Press Writer - 2 hours 48 minutes ago Send IM Story Print KARACHI, Pakistan – Anas bin Saleem, a 12-year-old American, spends seven hours a day sitting cross-legged on the floor memorizing the Quran. He is one of thousands of foreigners who have flocked to conservative Islamic schools in Pakistan, despite a government ban, the Associated Press has found through interviews with officials, documents, visits to the schools and encounters with dozens of students. Pakistan and foreign governments consider the international students a potential security threat. The students could export extremism back to their own countries, or stay and fight in Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan, where the United States is battling a resurgent Taliban eight years after the invasion. Pakistan stopped granting student visas in 2005, but many students still arrive on travel visas and never leave when they expire. "We are concerned, but what can we do?" said an official from one Southeast Asian embassy in Pakistan who asked for anonymity because he did not want to upset his hosts. "We can't stop people from traveling...It is their constitutional right." Officials are concerned in general about foreigners coming to Pakistan for training in militancy. Most recently, five young American Muslims were arrested after meeting with representatives of an al-Qaida linked group and asking for training, a Pakistani law enforcement official said Thursday. And in a separate case, the U.S. accuses another American, David Coleman Headley, of attending militant training camps in Pakistan and conspiring with members of the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba to conduct surveillance on potential targets in the Indian city of Mumbai before the deadly terror attacks there in November 2008. In Anas' school, Jamia Binoria, several hundred students from 29 countries live alongside 5,000 Pakistani pupils, teachers said. Binoria is one of the largest schools in the country and one of at least four schools in Karachi with foreign students on its books. Anas says he's not taught militant Islam at Binoria. But clerics firmly endorse suicide bombings and jihad against Western troops in Afghanistan on the school Web site, and Anas admits he is fed up with anti-American barbs from teachers and pupils. "I get it like every second," says Anas, who left Louisiana last year with his Pakistani-born mother, barely spoke the national language when he arrived in Pakistan and misses Hannah Montana. "I'm like 'shut up' and don't talk like that." Only a handful of the foreign students are Westerners; most are Asians and Africans in the late teens or early 20s. Many come to Pakistan for a cheap Islamic education, albeit a conservative one, part of a tradition of Muslims traveling to gain knowledge that goes back centuries. But with Pakistan now a main global hub for al-Qaida and other militant groups, their presence in poorly regulated schools _ many with links to extremist groups _ inevitably raises concerns. Some get their visas extended by sympathetic officials, according to school and government officials. School principals help by concealing the students' identities from authorities, officials told The Associated Press. "Where there is a will, there is a way," said Mohammad Naeem, the head of Anas' school, without elaborating. "They are committed to getting an Islamic education." Many students are from countries themselves battling terrorist groups or Islamic insurgencies, such as Somalia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. Governments there are desperate to avoid their citizens linking up with al-Qaida operatives abroad or returning home radicalized. The minutes of a meeting attended by government and security agencies in Karachi obtained by The Associated Press concluded that foreign students at Islamic schools are still being admitted with no clearance from security agencies, something those present said was "illegal" and posed a "serious security risk." It recommended they be deported. Interior Minister Rehman Malik denied anyone was slipping into the country unawares, and said students suspected of links to militancy were deported. But a senior interior ministry official in the city said the ban was not being fully enforced because of fears of a backlash by the madrassas, which can quickly incite thousands of young men. "We have a tendency to soft pedal in Pakistan, especially when it comes to Islamic affairs," said the official, who asked for anonymity to discuss the sensitive subject. Pakistan's government has struggled for years to supervise the country's approximately 15,000 madrassas, many of which critics say are breeding grounds for militants. Several are linked to sectarian or extremist groups implicated in violence. In 2003, for example, a group of 12 Southeast Asians were arrested from schools in Karachi, one of whom was later convicted of transferring money to fund attacks in Indonesia. Another member of the group was arrested in July and is awaiting trial in Jakarta in connection with twin suicide bombings in Western hotels. Some madrassas have refused to comply with the ban because they see it as another example of the government interfering in their affairs and stigmatizing them. They complain that no such restrictions exist on foreigners wanting to study at Pakistani medical colleges, for example. "Under the United Nation's charter, every religion is free to teach," said Qari Iqbal, an administrator at Jamia Islamiyah, which is known for having educated several leaders of the former Taliban regime in Afghanistan as well as at least three militant commanders in Pakistan. "Why are Muslims being singled out?" Iqbal said the school was home to just 19 foreigners, all of whom were finishing courses that began before 2005. Thais are believed to make up the largest single group of foreigners in the country. Almost all come from the south of the country, where Muslim insurgents are fighting a bloody war against the government of the Buddhist-majority country. Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said there was no evidence the students were returning from Pakistan to join the war, but acknowledged the government did not know how many Thais were in the Pakistan, and their identities. At one rundown school in Karachi, students from Indonesia, Southern Thailand and Cambodia gathered together recently to cook and eat dinner together in a makeshift kitchen on the roof. The smell of dried, fermented fish popular in parts of Southeast Asia hung in the air. At another, several Africans were among those lining up for communal prayers. "There are so many African brothers here in Karachi I can't begin to count them," said Musa, from Sierra Leone, before other students urged him to stop talking. The AP team was angrily accosted as it left the mosque by a smartly dressed man who refused to identify himself. Most of the students are affiliated with Tablighi Jemaat, which translates as "preaching community," an international Islamic missionary movement that has strong roots in Pakistan. While conservative, it is not a militant group. Still, it has appeared on the fringes of many international terrorism investigations, with suspects _ including "American Taliban" John Walker Lindh _ either using it as mask to travel to Pakistan or as a springboard into violence. Each year, about 5,000 travel to the country to attend short courses or preach in mosques, said a member of the group. A yearly gathering close to the group's headquarters in the Punjabi town of Raiwind attracts hundreds of thousands of followers, many from abroad. Christine Fair, an American academic who has studied Pakistani madrassas and militant recruitment, said foreigners associated with Tablighi represented more of a worry than those enrolled at schools. "If you want to become a militant, Raiwind represents an opportunity to meet potential recruiters, and get yourself to a camp," she said. "Anyone can get a visa to go." Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Democracy "referendum" plan heats up Hong Kong politics Reuters - 1 hour 21 minutes ago Highlights of UN resolution against NKorea AP - 1 hour 33 minutes ago Thais extend North Korean arms cargo crew's detention Reuters - 2 hours 6 minutes ago US mulls Predator strikes in Pakistani cities: report AFP - 2 hours 37 minutes ago Hardline Pakistani schools a draw for foreigners AP - 2 hours 48 minutes ago News Search Top Stories Dubai to pay debt with $10 billion aid from Abu Dhabi Fed likely to dampen speculation on early exit Greece waits for its financial medicine Nanomaterial used in cancer tests, medicine delivery Decades-old dioxins pollute river, divide US community More Top Stories » Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Top British banker admits 'mistakes' on bonuses Tiger Woods' girlfriend apologizes in TV interview 'Whack A Banker' game proving a hit in Britain Dubai stocks maintain profits after break Fed likely to dampen speculation on early exit More Most Viewed » Global stocks mixed amid Dubai debt crisis Tiny magnetic discs could kill cancer cells: study Virgin unveils spaceship to offer space tourism Tiger Woods' girlfriend apologizes in TV interview Dubai blackout over debt plans to hit Gulf markets More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Monday, 14 December 2009
Israel funnels millions of dollars to settlements
Catalans vote in symbolic independence referendum
Campaign mocks treatment of Iran student leader
Leaders strike deal on Sudan democratic reforms
Berlusconi bloodied by hit to face, says he's fine |
Supreme leader says Iran's opposition violates law
US jobless rate 'could rise further'
Greek economy minister urges immediate reforms
With Gaza cease-fire, south Israel blossoms
Israel expels Jewish seminary from army deal |
Houston is first major US city to elect gay mayor
Iran's Khamenei issues stern warning to opposition
Iran's president pledges support to Hamas leader
PLO set to extend Abbas term as Palestinian leader
300 stuck temporarily on Disney World monorail
Turkmenistan-China pipeline to start Monday
`Princess and the Frog' hops to No. 1 with $25M
Nobel-winning economist dead at 94
NKorean weapons seizure could affect nuke talks
S Philippines grapples with crisis after crisis
Politics dominate Calif education reform effort
Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline to open Monday
Authorities: Rottweiler mauls, kills Fla. toddler
Thaksin back in Cambodia as Thai "spy" to be freed
Senator says opposition grows to Medicare buy-in
Taiwan fishermen 'fall victim to climate change'
Houston biggest US city to elect openly gay mayor
Senate to vote on $1.1 trillion spending bill
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Disney's Princess charms weekend moviegoers |
Disney's "Princess" charms weekend moviegoers
Reggae star Buju Banton facing drug charge in Fla.
`Princess and the Frog' hops to No. 1 with $25M
Gunmen storm Afghan police post, kill 8: governor
Italian protester breaks Berlusconi's nose |
Italy's Berlusconi in hospital after attack
2009: the Year of Twitter and Facebook
Afghan war decision toughest of presidency: Obama
Fed likely to dampen speculation on early exit
Russia cuts gas to Armenia after bomb found: report |
Greece waits for its financial medicine
Accenture ends relationship with Tiger Woods
Afghan air strike wreaks more havoc in Germany
Nanomaterial used in cancer tests, medicine delivery
Conservative favored in Chile presidential run-off |
Mobile phone English lessons a hit in Bangladesh
Timeline of Iranian, North Korean nuclear programs
Decades-old dioxins pollute river, divide US community
Israel votes new funding for settlements
Democracy referendum plan heats up Hong Kong politics |
Kurds, Turkish nationalists clash in Istanbul
Low turnout in Catalan independence referendum |
Myanmar rebels grow more opium to buy arms: report |
Brown in Afghanistan vows new push to defeat Taliban
Iraq: No time to act after US tip before blasts
Kurds, Turkish nationalists clash in Istanbul |
Saudi opposition petitions for vote after floods
China blocks Sun TV signal in content crackdown |
Israel okays millions of dollars in aid to settlements
Highlights of UN resolution against NKorea
Thais extend North Korean arms cargo crew's detention
AP INVESTIGATION: Monsanto seed biz role revealed
Google to produce, sell own Nexus One phones: report |
US mulls Predator strikes in Pakistani cities: report
Kidney donor's night-before-surgery poem
Accenture ends relationship with Tiger Woods |
Nurses are key to matchmaking in kidney swap
Hardline Pakistani schools a draw for foreigners
Apple fires back at Nokia in patents battle |
Avalanche fears, clouds hamper search for climbers
Cambodia frees convicted Thai spy
Lieberman resists Medicare buy-in plan
Crew of NKorean weapons plane in Thai court
Venezuela's Chavez sees U.S. 'threat' over Iran ties
Plane crew held for 12 more days over weapons haul
Obamas join stars for Christmas benefit concert
Obama: Expect no more White House gate-crashers
Woman executed in China over child prostitution
China might not take climate change funding: FT
UN: 2 UN hostages freed from Darfur
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
46 injured in pileup of about 50 cars in Conn.
Johnny Depp can't get used to winning awards
Seoul shares turn up on Dubai news; builders rise
Toyota to start selling plug-in hybrids in 2011
Mercedes-Benz sees China sales up 15 pct in 2010
Korea Hot Stocks
Confidence up at Japanese manufacturers
Obama's brother turns down film role
Pakistan
Johnny Depp can't get used to winning awards
Japan's business confidence grows: central bank
Seoul shares turn lower; KOPEC jumps on debut
History miniseries takes on the Kennedys |
Taiwan dollar near flat in thin trade, eyes stocks
`Precious,' `Up,' `Hangover' make AFI top-10 list
Downey's Sherlock Holmes an action hero |
S.Korea Nov ind power demand growth at 8-yr high
L.A. critics honor Iraq war movie Hurt Locker |
Luxury travel business bounces back
NBC launching Chuck game |
`Hurt Locker' wins LA Critics' best-picture prize
Hundreds of Indian languages struggle to survive
Big US box office kiss for Disney's 'Frog Princess'
US-TECH Summary
EU warms to Oracle-Sun deal
Detained Americans to be tried in Iran: minister |
Insurgent foe's slaying shows cracks near Baghdad
Koalas, penguins at risk of extinction: study
Hi-tech, eco-friendly dream home takes shape in Japan
U.S. forces chief warns of Afghanistan fight |
Gunmen kill 16 police in Afghan ambushes
Jackson, Boyle and Tiger transfix in 2009
Cadbury says rejects 'inadequate' Kraft takeover bid
Bin Laden: symbolic icon in impenetrable fortress
Dubai to pay debt with $10 billion Abu Dhabi fund
Turk PM calls for unity after Kurdish party ban |
Pakistan seeks clues on jailed Americans |
Iran says makes arrests over torn Khomeini picture |
Will Ecuador drought dry up Correa's popularity? |
Motorized bar stool from DUI case fetches $1,125
DNA map shows pandas may lack meat taste buds
Katrina recovery was test of ability to adapt
Beijing cuts broadcaster's signal amid media crackdown
EU warms to Oracle-Sun deal |
Iran to put three US hikers on trial
Accenture ends relationship with Tiger Woods |
Democracy "referendum" plan heats up HK politics
Boxer's opponents capitalize on 'ma'am' exchange
U.S. envoy says no timetable yet for North Korea talks
Gaps in DNA databanks have led to tragedy
NBA launches Web, mobile sites for fans in India |
Pakistan police probe Americans in terror case
NATO: Top US defense official visits Afghanistan
Accenture marks 1st sponsor to cut ties with Woods
Protest widens against creation of new Indian state
Clinics help people represent themselves in court
Philippine troops kill one militant after jailbreak
Obama to meet with bankers, then Lebanon's leader
Cambodia frees Thai 'spy' after pardon by king
26 operations, 13 kidneys: hope to few with little
16 policemen killed in 2 attacks in Afghanistan
Korean derivative funds rebound sharply; risks eyed
Toyota aims to roll out plug-in Prius in two years
`Avatar' joins tradition of the Hollywood colossus
China unveils landmark Turkmenistan pipeline
Coal still king in China, despite climate pledge
India inflation hit 4.8 percent in November
S.Lanka set for record current account surplus
Confidence grows at Japanese manufacturers
Golden Globes nominations launch Oscars race
India's gold retailers jump on the 'brandwagon'
History miniseries takes on the Kennedys
Downey's "Sherlock Holmes" an action hero
NBC launching "Chuck" game
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01