The changing nature of American society and ours

The changing nature of American society and ours

2

Azeem M. Mian

The death of Aimal Kansi marks the first execution of a Pakistani on American soil. Many Pakistanis, though horrified by Kansi's crime, are uncomfortable with the aftermath--yet the Pakistani community has remained silent on the issue. We as a community must give up our silent fears and our disconnectedness.

In the wake of the Aimal Kansi's execution for killing a CIA agent, I see disturbing things about the relationship of Pakistani Americans to American society. Many are troubled by the fact that Kansi was not tried under Pakistani law even though he was arrested there. The government of Pakistan broke its own laws in giving up Kansi to American authorities. If the Pakistani government cannot follow the law of its own land, than who will?

Kansi readily admitted his crime. Why then was he not tried in Pakistan? Instead, he was brought to the United States, tried and executed, and then his body was sent back to Pakistan. This affair has made many Pakistanis, who were horrified by Kansi's crime, uncomfortable with the aftermath; an aftermath which marks the first execution of a Pakistani on American soil.

I went to Virginia, with many others from the media, to camp out in front of the jail where Kansi was held. I reported on television to Pakistanis an account of the 11 hours prior to the execution. I met 70-year-old retired Professor Saeed Mian, who has met regularly with Kansi for the past several years and was with him on his walk to the death chamber. I met those who administered the execution; they came out of the prison afterwards to address the media. I also met Kansi's two brothers. But I was especially moved by the 80 or so people who held a vigil outside the jail, in nasty weather, protesting the death penalty.

There was not one Pakistani among them. How could there be with the incredible fear in the community of being seen to be associated with a militant? The cleric of the local mosque refused to read the prayer for the dead for Kansi, even though in Islam this rite is given to criminals. No matter how awful the deed, when the criminal dies, a prayer is said for the human being that he was. In this case, people were denied the opportunity for collective sorrow, regret and mercy.

Aimal Kansi is certainly no hero of mine. He committed a terrible crime. He confessed to premeditated murder, as well as admitting that he was angry at U.S. policies. But I will pray for a criminal who confesses, and expressed his remorse to the relatives of his victims. As a community, we should confidently be able to do that in this country. Instead, the community is aloof, disinterested and numb.

Of all of the Pakistanis in the area, only one retired professor and his wife, who were previously unknown to Kansi, kept him company for four years. Prison officials even allowed the couple to see Kansi before his death. No official has harassed them.

The example of this couple shows that one can express one's opinion and behave according to the law. We as a community must give up our silent fears and our disconnectedness.

2002-12-04

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60

1

Urdu

Pakistan Post

edits

The changing nature of American society and ours

Rehan Ansari

born-digital

article

The death of Aimal Kansi marks the first execution of a Pakistani on American soil. Many Pakistanis,

yes

no

2002-12-04