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Europe ponders stricter security measures

Batuk Gathani

London: The aid that poured in to Pakistan after the devastating earthquake last year has been linked to British terror suspects. The Times described it as "a potential link" between some of the [Islamist] terror suspects, arrested over the alleged plot to destroy [European and American] aircraft using liquid explosives.

Abdul Rauf (52), father of two of the suspects in the terror plot, who runs a bakery business in Birmingham, was detained before boarding an international flight in Islamabad. Mr. Rauf was questioned but not charged.

Ministers to meet

Airline passengers throughout Europe are facing tougher and unprecedented security measures as part of the seven-point anti-terrorism package announced recently, after a meeting of 25 European Home Ministers. Two of the proposed measures are scheduled to be discussed at a meeting of European Transport Ministers next week. The European Union is discussing proposals to call upon airlines to provide advance information about passengers. This is already happening on flights bound for the United States.

According to media reports, the central figures in the alleged terrorist cell are linked to the ultra orthodox movement called Tabligh Jamat which was founded in India. The European headquarters of this sect are located at Dewsbury in West Yorkshire. Authorities have identified two ring leaders of the plot as Tabligh followers. Western intelligence agencies are monitoring the movement of Tabligh's travelling preachers.

Members of Britain's 1.6-million strong Muslim community originate mainly from Pakistan and Bangladesh.

According to security sources, though the majority of Muslims are law-abiding, Islamist fundamentalists have won over a tiny section. There is also concern over many young and locally born Muslim youths getting increasingly attracted to the fundamentalist creed and lifestyle.

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