Al-Qaeda Ayman al-Zawahiri who was rumored to be dead suddenly emerged and in a nine-minute video praised Muskan Khan.
Al-Qaeda Ayman al-Zawahiri Closely Following Indian News
Egypt’s Al-Qaeda Ayman al-Zawahiri the world’s most wanted terrorist, while rumored to be dead, suddenly surprised the world, revealing he was closely watching Indian news and in his nine-minute video complimented Muskan Khan, the poster girl of pro-Hijab protests across India, even calling Muskan Khan ‘sister’, and the Al-Qaeda chief said he was so moved by her act, especially the raising of “cries of Takbeer” stating that he learned about Muskan Khan from videos and social media signifying that he is closely following Indian events and politics.
Muskan’s father, Mohammad Hussain Khan, alarmed while speaking to India Today distanced himself from the video statement released by Al-Qaida chief Ayman Al Zawahiri, calling the comments of Zawahiri leader “wrong”, and said he and his family were living peacefully in India.
Stating that such incidents are disturbing the peace of the family, he said the police and state government can initiate any inquiry to ascertain the truth and said, “We don’t know anything about it (video), we don’t know who he is. I saw him today for the first time. He has said something in Arabic…..We are all living here with love and trust like brothers,” Mohammad Hussain Khan told reporters in response to a question on Zawahiri’s video.
When questioned on Zawahiri praising Muskan, he said, “People say whatever they want….this is unnecessarily causing trouble. We are living peacefully in our country, we don’t want him to talk about us, as he is not related to us… it is wrong, it is an attempt to create division among us.”
In the Arabic video clip, with English subtitles provided by SITE Intelligence Group that tracks the online activity of white supremacist and jihadist organizations, Zawahiri also reads out a poem, which he says he wrote for “our Mujahid sister” and for her “brave feat”. “May Allah reward her for exposing the reality of Hindu India and the deception of its pagan democracy,” the Al-Qaida chief said in the video saying, “‘Muslims are oppressed in Hindu democracy’.
The video was titled “The Noble Woman of India”, depicting Muskan Zainab Khan, where Zawahiri recited and dedicated a poem he had composed to praise her.
Referring to Muskan Khan as ‘sister’, the Al-Qaeda chief said he was so moved by her act, especially the raising of “cries of Takbeer”. Impressed by her chanting provocative Islamic slogans, Ayman al-Zawahiri said he decided to write a poem.
As Muskan too had seen the video, her father said whatever Zawahiri has said is ‘wrong.’ “… she (Muskan) is still a student, she wants to study,” he said. Asked about demands from a section of people for an inquiry to find any links, Khan said let it be done, there is law, police, and government for it.
Here is the video:
BJP took the cue in reacting to the video released claiming it was an international conspiracy and Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said, it proves the involvement of “unseen hands” behind the row.
He said the Home and Police department officials are keeping a watch on developments and tracking things in this connection.
Scholar, Raphael Gluck from the USA said, “Seems Ayman al-Zawahiri is alive after all. The al-Qaeda leader has appeared in a ‘proof of life’ video commenting on a February 2022 incident where a college student in India protested the right to wear a hijab
Seems Ayman al-Zawahiri is alive after all. The al-Qaeda leader has appeared in a 'proof of life' video commenting on a February 2022 incident where a college student in India protested he right to wear a hijab pic.twitter.com/JCNuXbYqsD
— Raphael Gluck (@einfal) April 5, 2022
Who is Muskan Zainab Khan?
Muskan Zainab Khan is a second-year student of PES College of Arts, Science, and Commerce in Mandya in Karnataka and shot into the limelight when at the height of the hijab row in February was heckled by a group of youth, wearing saffron shawls, for entering the college with a hijab. As they kept shouting at her “Jai Shri Ram”, Muskan finally reacted by shouting “Allah-hu-Akbar.” Following this, college authorities intervened and brought the situation under control. The camera captured her courageous reaction and she became famous with people making memes and changing their profiles to memes and pictures complimenting her.
Following her ‘brave’ act, Muskan Khan became popular amongst Muslims, who showered praise and gifts on her. Maharashtra Congress MLA (Bandra) Zeeshan Siddique had paid a visit to her residence in Mandya and handed her an iPhone and a smartwatch for her’ courageous act’. Islamic outfit Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind had also announced a cash reward of Rs. 5 lakh to Muskan Khan.
The Mayor of Malegaon Municipal Corporation (MMC), Tahera Shaikh Rasheed, had also announced that the ‘Urdu Ghar’ in the city would be named after Muskan Khan because she stood as an epitome of courage.