Last modified: 2007-02-16 by ian macdonald
Keywords: pakistan | crescent (white) | star (white) | sipâh-e-sâhaba |
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Seen on a visit to Pakistan from February to March 2001, several variants are
known (shown below).
Michel Lupant, published in Gaceta de Banderas,
October 2001
See also:
In a recent TV report about a demonstration in
Pakistan against US intervention in Afghanistan, I spotted a flag which I have
been unable to find in FOTW. It is somewhat reminiscent of that of Jammu and
Kashmir, but certainly different. It shows a green field with white crescent and
star pointing to the bottom fly, with a canton made of seven (perhaps only five)
stripes blue-white and the remaining half of the hoist (i.e., beneath the
canton) red. The star is somewhat elaborate. I am in doubt as to the proportions
of the flag, looking at the image I would think it was 1:2 rather than 2:3, but
I seem to recall the hoist defacements certainly looked like two square areas as
in my image,
Santiago Dotor, 19 September 2001
This flag has been reported
before as a flag used in Pakistani-occupied Kashmir, perhaps even the flag of
the Pakistani Kashmir. I'm not aware of any connection with the Taliban or Bin
Laden's group.
Jorge Candeias, 19 September 2001
I believe the contributor is
comparing this flag to that of the Azad Kashmir.
It is in fact quite different from the Azad Kashmir
flag.
Santiago Dotor, 20 September 2001
I've seen today this flag in the reports about
demonstrations in Peshawar. It appeared here and there in the middle of a sea of Jamiat al Islami
flags. I was paying close attention this time, and I came to a couple of
conclusions somewhat different to Santiago's. For one, I'm almost positive that
the stripes in the canton are white and black instead of blue and white. And
then, it seemed to me that the "star" is curved rather than angular, sort of
flower-like.
I do agree with Santiago's assertions about sizes and ratios. The red and black
and white areas at the hoist are positively square, leaving another,
larger, square at the hoist. The crescent, though, was placed as in the
Pakistani flag, pointing 45º up and toward the fly, and the whole
crescent+"flower" device seemed to me a lot larger than in Santiago's
image.
Jorge Candeias, 28 September 2001
I also saw those images with
several similar flags. I still have the impression that the stripes are dark
blue, but not so dark as to be mistaken with black. I also agree about the
orientation of the emblem, with respect to the recent TV images. However I am
very sure that the first one I saw days ago had the emblem pointing to lower
fly, as in my image. Most probably these flags do not have specifications, so
that different handed- and industry-made versions co-exist. I believe the key
elements to clear up would be the colour of the canton stripes and the
orientation of the central emblem.
Santiago Dotor, 1 October 2001
I've seen this flag often, but
never long and close enough to get a good look of the symbol. Until just now. I
just saw in one of our channels' late night news a flag being waved in front of
the camera and the symbol was very clear. And the conclusions are:
- The number of "points" is indeed 5. There's no doubt left about it;
- The "star" is not really a star, but quite flower-like instead;
- The shape of each point/petal is semicircular;
- The depressions are pointed
Of course, there's the possibility that this is simply a variation. But I'm
absolutely positive that in that specific flag these were the characteristics of
the symbol. It looked pretty professionally-made - no amateur stitching or
painting.
Jorge Candeias, 15 October 2001
by Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán
This flag seems to be a variant
of UFE 1 - it was seen on the TV news in Mexico. Black and white stripes over an
orange square, the rest is green.
Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 13 October 2001
by Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán
Another version lacks the
red-orange square.
Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 13 October 2001
by Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán
This flag has inside the star the name of Mohammad plus other inscriptions.
Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 26 October 2001
[Click on image for larger version.]
This Reuters photo shows the removal of a sign-board outside the headquarters
of the militant group Sipah-e-Sihab, one of those lately banned by Pakistan.
While not a flag itself, it has design elements we have seen in other flags
during the last few months.
Al Kirsch, 13 January 2002