Q&A: the Red Mosque
Updated on 10 July 2007
Find out who runs it, who's inside it and what the Pakistani military are doing about it.
What is the Red Mosque?
The Red Mosque, or Lal Masjid, is a mosque with a religious school for women attached. It's situated in the heart of Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.
It is the focus of the current siege between Pakistan's military and radical Islamic clerics and students who are protesting against General Musharraf's support of the 'war on terror'.
It has become a centre for radical Islamic learning and is the biggest madrassa in Asia, with thousands of female students living there.
In recent months, students from the mosque have been holding Islamic protests, carrying out raids on brothels, and calling for Sharia law in the capital.
The mosque has also raised the issue of hundreds of missing people in Pakistan; suspected radical militants and families who are believed to be held by Pakistan's secret police.
Who is in the mosque?
It is unclear exactly how many people are in the mosque, but it is believed up to 250 armed militants are inside, including several "hardcore terrorists" with links to al-Qaida.
It is also believed hundreds of women and children from the religious school are also inside, although the mosque leader Mr Abdul Rashid Ghazi has claimed 1,800 students of his religious school are inside. Worried families outside the security zone have received calls from girls within the mosque pleading to get out.
So far Pakistan's military has said that 20 children have escaped and that 50 armed militants have been captured before. No women have been found as yet.
Why are they fighting?
Students at the mosque have become increasingly agitated in recent months, defying the authorities and calling for Sharia law in the capital.
They have kidnapped policemen as well as people they consider to be involved in immoral, un-Islamic activities.
Last week, seven Chinese workers were abducted after being accused of running a brothel. This initiated the siege by Pakistan's security forces.
The government wants to detain a number of people who are on a wanted list, and also a number of foreigners whom they believe are inside.
Who is running the mosque?
The mosque is run by two brothers, Abdul Rashid Ghazi and Abdul Aziz. Their Islamic beliefs became increasingly hard-line after the assassination of their father, the previous leader of the Lal Masjid.
The brothers admit to having previously had contact with many of the wanted leaders of al-Qaeda, including Osama Bin Laden. But they deny having any links now with organisations banned for supporting terrorism.
They have openly condemned President Musharraf for his support for America's 'war on terror' and they support calls for jihad.
Mr Ghazi said: "We will not agree to any condition which makes it appear that we have made the slightest concession or that we have bowed to pressure from the government.
"We would rather die than to make any such concession."
How is the military operation being conducted?
Pakistan's military commandos and paramilitaries assaulted the mosque at about 4am, entering the compound and exchanging fire with militants inside. So far 50 militants and 8 soldiers are said to have been killed.
The army says it has gained control of the roof and has cleared two floors of the building, but is meeting "tough resistance" from militants in the basement.
Those inside the mosque are reportedly using hand grenades, light machine guns, petrol bombs and other weapons.
How is this viewed in Pakistan?
President Musharraf is being keenly watched by the nation over his dealings with the mosque.
Many believe he should have acted months ago to head off this violent confrontation, instead of giving in to many of the mosque's previous demands. It is possible he has been courting favour from religious parties ahead of forthcoming elections.
If, however, the outcome of the siege is too bloody, the president may suffer a backlash from supporters of the mosque. There have already been a string of attacks from pro-Taliban militants in north west Pakistan.
Internationally, America will lose a key ally in its 'war against terror' if President Musharraf loses power in the aftermath of the siege.
