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The following is research published today from MEMRI’s Special Dispatch Series and the MEMRI TV Project. Special Dispatch No. 3785—South Asia Studies Project/Pakistan Pakistani Academic Examines Pakistani Military's Double-Faced Policy of Protecting Terrorist Organizations, Including in Punjab Province In a recent article, Pakistani academic Dr. Tariq Rahman examined the Pakistani military's policy of protecting various terrorist organizations in Pakistan, especially the Sunni jihadist groups in Punjab province who routinely attack Shi'ite Muslims. In an article titled "Can Pakistan End Terrorism?" Rahman, who is a Professor Emeritus at the National Institute of Pakistan Studies of Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, argued that the Pakistani state maintains a double-faced policy towards terrorist groups. He also observed: "Certain [militants] groups in Punjab, which also carry out sectarian killings, are protected so that they can be used against India. The [Pakistani] army and intelligence agencies view these groups as strategic assets." To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5224.htm. Special Dispatch No. 3786—South Asia Studies Project/Pakistan/Islamic Reform Noted Pakistani Academic Rejects the Concept that the West is Dar Al-Harb (Realm of War) for Muslims (Drawing courtesy: tribune.com.pk) In a recent article, noted Pakistani academic Khalid Zaheer examined the Islamic scholars' interpretation of the West as Dar Al-Harb (countries at war with Muslims). Such a conception that the non-Muslim world should be brought to change to Islam has been prevalent among Muslims all over the worldwide, and especially propagated by Islamic religious groups and terrorist organizations in recent years. Khalid Zaheer is a columnist and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Central Punjab in Pakistan. In his article titled ''Is the West Dar Al-Harb for Muslims?'', he argued that the idea of Dar Al-Harb was prevalent during the times of the Prophet Muhammad, when he himself conveyed the message of Islam to non-Muslim rulers and was subsequently followed by his companions. However, in modern times the concept is no longer relevant to peace, Zaheer argued, noting: ''The world we are living in can never be a peaceful place so long as this ideology continues to influence a good number of devoted believers who are convinced that peace cannot come to this world until the entire world comes under the political rule of a Muslim Khalifa [Islamic caliph].'' Instead of being Dar Al-Harb, he stated, the West is Dar Al-Dawa, i.e. countries whose inhabitants should be invited to voluntarily embrace Islam. Khalid Zaheer's interpretation is an attempt to introduce a moderate version of Islam. Similar efforts have been made in different countries, especially in India where a number of Islamic scholars have argued that India, being predominantly a non-Muslim and democratic country, is Dar Al-Aman, the house of peace. To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5225.htm. Special Dispatch No. 3787—South Asia Studies Project/Saudi Arabia/Pakistan Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Rejects NATO-Like Military Alliance of Muslim Nations, Says: 'OIC is Striving to Protect the Interests of the Muslim Ummah' In a recent interview, Abdul Aziz bin Ibrahim Al Ghadeer, the Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, answered a range of questions regarding Pakistani-Saudi relations, the Arab uprisings, the role of the Organizations of Islamic Conference (OIC), and Saudi Arabia's relief measures for the Pakistani people affected by the 2005 earthquake and the 2010 floods. Ambassador Al Ghadeer was interviewed by the editors of the Urdu-language Pakistani dailyRoznama Ummat. During the interview he also rejected questions regarding the need for a NATO-style military alliance for Muslims, stating: "We should practice our religion and Sharia sincerely. If we follow our religion with sincerity, then we wouldn't need such an alliance [like NATO]. If you follow Sharia, then you would give respect to other people and would get respect in return." The Saudi ambassador also rejected the Pakistani journalists' questions that foreign powers may be behind the Arab uprisings, stating: "Every country's problems are different. The nature of the problems varies from country to country. We cannot describe it as only the conspiracy of foreign powers, nor can it be said that it's due to pressure from somewhere else. The factor of mass anger is present in some places." While discussing Pakistani-Saudi relations, Ambassador Al Ghadeer also brushed aside media reports that CIA contractor Raymond Davis, who was arrested in Pakistan over double murder charges, was released following mediation of the Saudi rulers. To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5226.htm.