IMPRISONED JOURNALIST RELEASED AFTER 17-MONTH ORDEAL

 

Earlier today, Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, the Muslim journalist jailed after publishing articles that urged his nation of Bangladesh to recognize Israel, advocated interfaith dialogue, and condemned terrorism and the growing power of radical Islamists in the non-Arab Muslim world, was released at about 7pm Dhaka time.

Throughout 2003, Choudhury wrote articles countering the biased news about Israel and the Jews, interviewed Israeli professor and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Ada Aharoni, and helped Zionist Richard Benkin publish material in the Bangladeshi press. All of this sparked debate and discussion where there had been none before. But as he was about to leave for an historic address in Tel Aviv, Choudhury was taken away by police.

Not charged at first, though accused of the catch-all “spying for Israel,” Choudhury was repeatedly denied bail even beyond the limits of Bangladeshi law. Police raided his home and office, seizing computers and files; followed by a mob that sacked the premises with impunity. His brother was beaten and twice had to flee Dhaka; and his family was threatened and brought to the brink of financial ruin. Eventually, he was charged with sedition, a capital offense, though the government admitted in its own investigation that there was no real evidence for the charge.

But things started to change early in April when US Congressman Mark Kirk (R-IL) got involved, calling a meeting between himself, Benkin, and new Bangladeshi Ambassador Shamsher Chowdhury. Kirk proved a solid advocate for Choudhury and human rights, clearly enunciating the case for his freedom. Chowdhury was receptive and promised to press the matter with his government. All three men pledged to work together for justice. The ambassador proved to be a man of his word. Soon thereafter, Choudhury began receiving the needed health care previously denied him; and only three weeks after the meeting, he was freed. It was accomplished within the framework of Bangladeshi law and involved efforts by several high government officials.

Choudhury himself is anything but bitter. Speaking with Benkin shortly after his release, Choudhury said “my 17 months in prison will have been worth it” if the government of Bangladesh helps return that nation to the principles of tolerance and democracy that are its heritage.

And based on what we have seen from that government, his optimism seems warranted.
 

The Italian Muslim Assembly and the Cultural Institute of the Italian Islamic Community want to heartily thank those who contributed to Choudhury's liberation, first and foremost Dr. Richard L. Benkin, and then the US Congressman Mark Kirk, Ambassador Shamsher Chowdhury, all media operators and Webmasters, journalists and human right activists who contributed to circulate information about Choudhury's detention, all those who wrote to politicians and Bangladeshi Embassies asking for his liberation. What happened show how mobilization can be effective in denouncing injustice and in giving relief to its victims.

The best way to show that Choudhury's sacrifice was not in vain is perseverating along the path of  normalization of relations between Israel and the Muslim countries, of strengthening interfaith dialogue and of spreading Jewish-Muslim Understanding. This is what Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury was imprisoned for, and this is what his praiseworthy example is teaching us.