World Affairs Board - View Single Post - Hamas Spiritual leader warns Pakistan against

**Lunatock** · 08-22-2003, 22:06 PM

http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/

Hamas warns Pakistan against recognising Israel

ISLAMABAD: The founder and spiritual leader of the Islamic militant group Hamas said on Thursday that America was trying to trick Pakistan into recognizing Israel, a move he warned would be a "disaster."

Sheik Ahmed Yassin made the comments in a recorded speech aired on loudspeakers at a rally of nearly 10,000 Islamic students at a university in the capital, Islamabad. Pakistan has no diplomatic ties with Israel, but President Pervez Musharraf has encouraged a national debate about whether Islamabad should recognize the Jewish state.

On Thursday, Yassin’s message said in Arabic, "Pakistan should not recognize Israel. Pakistan should not be deceived by the Americans. Recognition of Israel would be a disaster." An interpreter translated the speech into Urdu.

Yassin also spoke about American troops in Afghanistan. "Despite its might, America is trapped in Afghanistan. America’s oppression and might will not last forever,’’ he said. "Muslims should get more strength. Muslims will rule in the future. Muslims should get strength by working hard."

08-22-2003, 22:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
Lunatock Staff Emeritus Join Date: 08-03-03 Location: Southeast Pennsylvania Posts: 3,505 Country:	Hamas Spiritual leader warns Pakistan against http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/ Hamas warns Pakistan against recognising Israel ISLAMABAD: The founder and spiritual leader of the Islamic militant group Hamas said on Thursday that America was trying to trick Pakistan into recognizing Israel, a move he warned would be a "disaster." Sheik Ahmed Yassin made the comments in a recorded speech aired on loudspeakers at a rally of nearly 10,000 Islamic students at a university in the capital, Islamabad. Pakistan has no diplomatic ties with Israel, but President Pervez Musharraf has encouraged a national debate about whether Islamabad should recognize the Jewish state. On Thursday, Yassin’s message said in Arabic, "Pakistan should not recognize Israel. Pakistan should not be deceived by the Americans. Recognition of Israel would be a disaster." An interpreter translated the speech into Urdu. Yassin also spoke about American troops in Afghanistan. "Despite its might, America is trapped in Afghanistan. America’s oppression and might will not last forever,’’ he said. "Muslims should get more strength. Muslims will rule in the future. Muslims should get strength by working hard."