According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and others, hundreds of women and children were killed in many neighborhoods throughout the Syrian city of Banyas, and are witnessing hundreds of families fleeing out of fear of "new massacres" after the massacre in the neighboring city of al-Bayda. This escape is happening following the intensification of field executions by the regime forces and their loyal militias in al-Bayda...

Leading up to Pakistan's parliamentary elections on May the 11^th, the UK Guardian paper published a story under the headline, "Pakistan Women Face Battle for the Right to Vote" that discussed how letters have been circulated in regions of the country warning men not to allow their wives, sisters and daughters out to polling stations. Around the same time, the Associated Press produced an article regarding how in the small village of Mateela, its men had got together with other nearby communities and decided that their womenfolk would not vote in these parliamentary elections.

Expectedly, there was outrage expressed by some in response to these stories, focussed primarily on the point that these actions that deprived women of the right to engage in the democratic electoral process were curbing women's political voice. However, the question was never asked by the mainstream media as to the actual political influence that the votes of Pakistan's women (and indeed even its men) wield in these parliamentary elections to create a brighter future for the country. For regardless of the votes which are cast, under Pakistan's corrupt democratic system, the politics of the state will continue to be dominated by a class of political elite and feudal families who use elections to simply rubber stamp the continuation of their political dynasties, and who make self-serving laws and use their positions to amass personal fortunes from the wealth of the people rather than sincerely looking after the needs of their citizens. And regardless of which political party gains prominence in these elections - whether it be the PPP, the PML, or PTI - they hold no real solutions to the host of political, economic, educational, social, legal, and security problems that women face in Pakistan. For example, Al-Jazeera ran a news piece on May 7^th that discussed how despite regular campaign promises to improve the pitiful state of girls' education in the country, Pakistan's main political parties had failed to deliver and none of them had come up with a plan to implement those promises.

This vacuum of solutions to problems is hardly surprising as all these parties embrace the flawed and intellectually bankrupt democratic system where human beings rather than the Creator of the Universe make the laws - a system that has a proven legacy in Pakistan and across the world in being clueless in how to solve the problems of women. It was this democratic system in Pakistan that enabled political power to be concentrated in the hands of corrupt, incompetent rulers and self-serving landowners who in imitation of dictatorships have pursued a policy of abducting, arresting, imprisoning, and torturing those who oppose their oppression and corruption, including the sincere members of Hizb ut Tahrir, rendering as meaningless the political rights of ordinary women in Pakistan. It is this democratic system that has implemented the debt-generating interest-based economic system and other financially crippling capitalist policies including harsh taxes and the privatisation of the state's vital resources. All this has subjected Pakistan's women to extortionate food, gas and commodity prices; exposed them to electricity shortages; caused billions to be spent on debt-servicing rather than education and healthcare; and concentrated wealth in the hands of the few while impoverishing the masses such that today almost half of the population live in poverty (according to the UNDP Human Development Report 2013). And it is under this democratic system that Pakistan's women have continued to be exposed to unacceptable levels of sexual harassment, rape, forced marriages, acid attacks, honour killings and other violations of their dignity and wellbeing.

It is clear that under Pakistan's democratic system, the votes of its women (and indeed its men) in these elections are simply ink on paper and will not translate into creating real positive change within the country. Indeed, the call for women's rights has only ever been an electioneering tool of Pakistan's secular parties to secure power. Creating real change for the women of Pakistan and across the Muslim world requires us as Muslim women to look beyond meaningless elections and outside the current systems in our Muslim lands. It necessitates the establishment of the Khilafah "Caliphate" state, built solely upon the Laws of Allah (swt), Who through His limitless Mercy and Knowledge has laid down a comprehensive blueprint within the Quran and the Sunnah of how to organise a state and solve the problems of women and men alike in a manner to establish harmony, security, prosperity, and justice for all. It is this vision of the Khilafah "Caliphate" that Hizb ut Tahrir works for, but not with vague policies and proposals but rather with extensive and detailed solutions to the Ummah's problems, all based upon Islamic evidences. For example, with regards to education of girls, the party has not only mandated that providing a good level of education to women is an obligation of the state but it has defined detailed policies to establish a first-class education system to achieve this, including how to ensure effective training of teachers, adequate funding, accelerate scientific and technological research and advancement, and ensure a curriculum and method of teaching that nurtures strong Islamic personalities, enlightened thinkers, and students who pursue knowledge for the sake of reward and contributing effectively to society rather than simply to secure employment and personal economic gain.

While it is indisputable that Islam gave women the right to select their ruler and representatives 1400 years ago, it is also unequivocal that engaging in the democratic process of electing MP's and presidents who govern by their own laws rather than those of Allah (swt) is forbidden in Islam, for He (swt) says, ((إِنِ ٱلۡحُكۡمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ‌ۚ)) "Indeed, the rule is only for Allah." [TMQ Yusuf: 40]. But furthermore, for those who truly value the political voice and activism of Muslim women, it is not to the ballot box of futile parliamentary elections that they should be directing them but rather to creating real political change through working with their full efforts for the establishment of the Khilafah "Caliphate".

Dr. Nazreen Nawaz

Member of The Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir

On 06 May, 2013, in the dead of night, the agent of imperialist crusaders, zalim Sheikha Hasina unleashed a brutal, cowardly, barbaric attack on the hundreds of thousands of Muslims who were gathered at Motijheel Shapla Chattar, Dhaka, to protest against the outrageous vilification of Islam and RasulAllah (saw). Upon her orders, at around 2:30am, a combined force of more than 10,000 police, Rapid Action Battalion and Border Guards well equipped with heavy weaponries, firing thousands of rounds of bullets, ambushed the unarmed, innocent Muslims from all directions, in the crusading style of America, the invader of Iraq and Afghanistan. 2500-3000 Muslims were massacred in cold blood and many more thousands were injured. We in Hizb ut Tahrir, strongly condemn this vicious and disgraceful attack upon the Ulemah and ordinary God fearing Muslims, and pray that Allah (swt) showers His blessings upon the Martyrs.

Oh the Believing People who were present at Shapla Chattar!

From now on your duty is one and only one. That is, you must adopt the re-establishment of Khilafah "Caliphate" as the sole demand of your movement. Our beloved Prophet (saw), for the sake of whose honour you have given your blood, struggled throughout the entire period of His Prophethood for establishing, defending and expanding the Khilafah "Caliphate". Only the Khilafah "Caliphate" state will permanently bring an end to the repeated vilification of Islam and RasulAllah (saw), and avenge the blood of the martyrs from Hasina. Therefore, without delay, before it is too late, hasten to overthrow Hasina, the enemy of Islam and raise your voice high in chanting slogans for establishing the Khilafah "Caliphate" - "The way to avenge the blood of martyrs/Khilafah "Caliphate", Khilafah "Caliphate"; the only way for liberation - Khilafah "Caliphate", Khilafah "Caliphate"; the mother of all commands from Allah-Khilafah "Caliphate", Khilafah "Caliphate"; Sunnah of RasulAllah - Khilafah "Caliphate", Khilafah "Caliphate"; Ijma of the Sahabah-Khilafah "Caliphate", Khilafah "Caliphate"." RasulAllah (saw) said,

"إِنَّمَا الْإِمَامُ جُنَّةٌ يُقَاتَلُ مِنْ وَرَائِهِ وَيُتَّقَى بِهِ"

"Verily, the Imam (Khaleefah) is the shield from behind whom you fight and protect yourselves." [Sahih Muslim]

We, in Hizb ut Tahrir, want the truly sincere Ulemah from amongst the leaders of the protest movement to know that the 6^th May massacre has brought upon you, the honoured inheritors of the Prophets (as), even much greater responsibility. The people came to the streets overcoming all fear and obstacles and sacrificed their fresh blood only and only for the sake of their love for Islam and RasulAllah (saw). Therefore be truly loyal to Allah (swt) and the believers and do not divert from this even by a hair breadth by letting your movement become a means to the Awami-BNP for holding onto power or reaching power. From this moment onwards take your movement forward towards its rightful end, by transforming your movement into a movement for establishing Islam, for establishing the Khilafah "Caliphate". And if you do not do so then it will be a grave neglect of the great responsibility brought upon your shoulders.

((يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَخُونُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ وَتَخُونُوا أَمَانَاتِكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ))

"O ye that believe! betray not the trust of Allah and the Messenger, nor misappropriate knowingly things entrusted to you." [Al-Anfaal: 27]

Oh, People!

We know that, just like your brothers who were at Shapla Chattar, you too are outraged by the frenzy of attack upon Islam and the honour of RasulAllah (saw) by Hasina and her secular allies who give lip service to free speech. And we know your outrage against Hasina is not limited to this alone. Rather for the past four years you have been silently bearing the pain from the Pilkhana massacre and boiling inside from witnessing the hyper-inflation, Hallmark-Destiny-Padma Bridge corruption, share-market scam, the death of your loved ones in the fire of Tazreen Fashion factory and from the collapse of Rana Plaza etc. For how much longer will you stay silent?! Rush out to the streets immediately in demand for the Khilafah "Caliphate" and call upon your father and uncles, brothers and sons, relatives and trusted officers from the military to overthrow Hasina and transfer the authority to Hizb ut Tahrir.

Oh Sincere Officers in the Army!

How long will you remain silently seated in your barracks? The people of the country are sacrificing their fresh blood for the sake of Islam and they have rejected Hasina with full hatred. Instead of cleaning the barrels of your guns sitting inside your barracks, come to the aid of the people and challenge the material power of Hasina by your material power. Meet force with force. Your duty is not to protect democracy, which in effect means protecting the throne of zalim Hasina, the agent of US-India, the killer of the people, the killer of your officers. Rather your duty is to protect Islam and the people from her tyranny. Relieve the people from the clutches of the failed Awami-BNP politics by removing Hasina and transferring the authority to Hizb ut Tahrir so that we may establish the Khilafah "Caliphate", whereby the Amir of the party Sheikh Ata Bin Khalil Abu Al-Rashtah will assume the responsibility as the Khaleefah and unite the people of the country, unite the global Ummah, protect the honour of RasulAllah (saw), punish the killers of Army officers and free the Army from US-Indian domination.

Headlines:

• Free Syrian Army Rebels Defect to Jabhat al-Nusra
• Karzai: America Wants to Keep Nine Bases in Afghanistan
• Pakistani Court: US Drone Strikes Illegal, Government Should Stop Them
• Burma Government Accused of Participating in Genocide

Details:

Free Syrian Army Rebels Defect to Jabhat al-Nusra:

Syria's main armed opposition group, the Free Syrian Army (FSA), is losing fighters and capabilities to Jabhat al-Nusra, an Islamist organisation that is emerging as the best-equipped, financed and motivated force fighting Bashar al-Assad's regime. Evidence of the growing strength of al-Nusra, gathered from Guardian interviews with FSA commanders across Syria, underlines the dilemma for the US, Britain and other governments as they ponder the question of arming anti-Assad rebels. John Kerry, the US Secretary of State, said that if negotiations went ahead between the Syrian government and the opposition - as the US and Russia proposed on Tuesday - "then hopefully [arming the Syrian rebels] would not be necessary". Illustrating their plight, FSA commanders say that entire units have gone over to al-Nusra while others have lost a quarter or more of their strength to them recently. "Fighters feel proud to join al-Nusra because that means power and influence," said Abu Ahmed, a former teacher from Deir Hafer who now commands an FSA brigade in the countryside near Aleppo. "Al-Nusra fighters rarely withdraw for shortage of ammunition or fighters and they leave their target only after liberating it," he added. "They compete to carry out martyrdom [suicide] operations." Abu Ahmed and others say the FSA has lost fighters to al-Nusra in Aleppo, Hama, Idlib and Deir al-Zor and the Damascus region. Ala'a al-Basha, commander of the Sayyida Aisha Brigade, warned the FSA Chief of Staff General Salim Idriss about the issue last month. Basha said 3,000 FSA men have joined al-Nusra in the last few months, mainly because of a lack of weapons and ammunition. FSA fighters in the Banyas area were threatening to leave because they did not have the firepower to stop the massacre in Bayda, he said.

Karzai: America Wants to Keep Nine Bases in Afghanistan:

Afghan President Hamid Karzai vowed on Thursday to wring concessions from the United States in negotiations to sign a security pact, saying Washington wanted to retain nine military bases in the country. After more than 11 years of US-led military intervention in Afghanistan, the two countries are hammering out a deal to allow a limited US troop presence to remain after the international coalition leaves next year. The size of the "residual" force has not been agreed, with numbers ranging from 2,500 to 12,000, according to US officials, as Washington winds down a war that has become deeply unpopular at home. "We are in very serious and delicate negotiations with America," Karzai said. "America has got its demands, Afghanistan too has its own demands, and its own interests... They want nine bases across Afghanistan. "Our conditions are that the US intensify efforts in the peace process, strengthen Afghanistan's security forces, provide concrete support to the economy - power, roads and dams - and provide assistance in governance. "If these are met, we are ready to sign the security pact," he told the audience during a speech at Kabul University. US officials have reportedly said that if 6,000 troops were kept in Afghanistan after 2014, only two bases, in the capital Kabul and at Bagram airfield, would be maintained. The US has avoided revealing details about its plans in Afghanistan after 2014 and Karzai's claim that a total of nine US bases may be kept open are likely to intensify pressure on President Barack Obama. Immunity from Afghan law for the remaining US troops is likely to be a key demand from Obama, and Karzai has previously said the issue may have to be decided by a gathering of tribal elders. Karzai said he would allow bases in Kabul, Bagram, Mazar-i-Sharif, Jalalabad, Gardez, Kandahar, Helmand, Shindand and Herat if Afghanistan's security and economic conditions were met. "We agree to give you the bases. We see their staying in Afghanistan beyond 2014 in the interests of Afghanistan as well as NATO," he said.

Pakistani Court: US Drone Strikes Illegal, Government Should Stop Them:

A high court in Pakistan has ruled that US drone strikes in the country's tribal belt should be considered war crimes and directed the government to use force to "protect the right to life" of its citizens. The Peshawar High Court has recommended the Pakistani government advance a resolution against the attacks in the United Nations. The court issued its verdict on the CIA-run air strikes in response to four petitions charging the attacks killed civilians and caused "collateral damage." Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan heard the petitions, and ruled that drone strikes on sovereign Pakistani territory were illegal, inhumane and a violation of the UN charter on human rights. "The government of Pakistan must ensure that no drone strike takes place in the future," the court said on Thursday, according to the Press Trust of India. Khan also asked Pakistan's foreign ministry to file a resolution against the attacks in the UN. The court also recommended that if the US rejects these findings in the UN, Pakistan should break off relations with Washington: "If the US vetoes the resolution, then the country should think about breaking diplomatic ties with the US." The Pakistani case was filed last year by the Foundation for Fundamental Rights, a charity based in Islamabad, on behalf of the families of victims killed in a drone attack on a tribal Jirga, including more than 50 tribal elders and a number of government officials. According to a report submitted by political officials of North Waziristan Agency, 896 Pakistani residents of the region were killed in the last five years ending December 2012, and 209 were seriously injured. A report by the South Waziristan Agency showed that 70 drone strikes were carried out in the last five years ending June 2012, in which 553 people were killed and 126 injured. "In view of the established facts, undeniable in nature, under the UN Charter and Conventions, the people of Pakistan have every right to ask the security forces either to prevent such strikes by force or to shoot down intruding drones," the court verdict said.

Burma Government Accused of Participating in Genocide:

The Burmese government is conducting a concerted campaign of genocide against its Muslim minorities. Buddhist monks and the state are collaborating in violent attacks on Burma's Muslims, the academic and activist Maung Zarni said during a discussion on the recent violence against Muslims in Burma at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand in Bangkok on Thursday. "It's nothing short of genocide," he said. "Genocide is a process that unfolds; it's a virus that spreads quickly into a contagion that cannot be stopped. What has happened in Burma in the last two years is evil, vile and depraved," he said. The genocide in Burma is now on the scale of Pol Pot's Cambodia, he added. "And it won't stop until all the country's Muslims and Rohingyas are eliminated." These are challenging times, Burmese Muslim leader Myo Win said. He runs an education NGO called Smile in Rangoon, and came from Burma especially to attend the seminar to provide first-hand testimony of the situation facing Muslims in Burma. "It's not a communal or sectarian conflict, it's a one-sided, targeted and often deadly attack against Muslims, under the purview of state authorities," he said. "Community leaders are spreading hostility and hate against Muslims, through the distribution of pamphlets and propaganda ...verbal abuse, harassment and violence," he explained. Inside Burma there is a state of fear among the country's Muslims, he said. The violence against the Rohingyas in Arakan last year and then the attacks on Muslims in central Burma have left most Muslim communities feeling vulnerable and scared.

Abu Hashim