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Jamaat-ud-Dawa rally: Banned outfit incites violence
Clerics warned the media against criticising religious decrees.
Clerics warned the media against criticising religious decrees.
LAHORE: Shockingly, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, an organisation proscribed since the Mumbai terrorist attacks, not only managed to organise a sizeable rally, but clerics invited to speak during the demonstration spewed hate speech upon hate speech, targeted minorities, incited people to violence with impunity and roused people to adopt the ‘way of jihad’.
Despite the presence of clear cut laws, speakers “praised” the actions of the self-confessed killer of former Punjab governor Salman Taseer and warned media commentators against what they termed being critical of fatwas (religious decrees)” while discussing blasphemy matters.
Head of Jamaat-ud-Dawa’s political affairs wing Prof Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki said that anyone “supporting a blasphemer is also a blasphemer and both must meet the same fate”.
Hundreds of Jamaat-ud-Dawa activists and their sympathisers initially assembled near Nasir Bagh and started marching towards the Punjab Assembly building on The Mall.
Hafiz Makki said that Taseer had been assassinated because the government had not “educated him” about being careful on sensitive issues before appointing him as the provincial governor.
He said matters concerning blasphemy “are like (a live) high-tension wire with more than 11,000 volts … whoever touches (it) would be reduced to nought”.
Highly charged marchers, carrying placards declaring a ‘holy war against elements conspiring against Islam’, ripped away signboards and streamers in favour of the slain governor and surprisingly also in favour of his successor, Latif Khosa.
Endorsing Mumtaz Hussain Qadri’s actions, Hafiz Makki said the man had played “his due role and police department should be proud of … such a (true) lover of Holy Prophet (Pbuh)”.
Chagrined at Pope Benedict XVI’s statement in which he had urged the Pakistani government to “repeal” blasphemy laws, the speakers went ballistic and warned Christians and Jews “everywhere” that Muslims were “ready to take extreme action”. At one point, Hafiz Makki even urged all Christians to “convert to Islam”.
Warning people who had presented a “gift of tears for Taseer”, Hafiz Makki said that there would be more weeping in the days ahead, adding: “What is the death of one man (Taseer) when so many (people) are (being) killed on the streets daily?”
Earlier, Convener of Tehreek Hurmat-e-Rasool (Pbuh) Maulana Ameer Hamza said that whoever “commits blasphemy revokes his right to life”.
Addressing President Asif Ali Zardari, Maulana Hamza said: “You should know that we will not allow you to free Aasia (Bibi),” adding in an offensive manner to take “this opportunity to convey the same message” to President Barack Obama.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2011.
Reader Comments (18)
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Why am i not surprised that the PML-N let this happen. Disgusting is an understatement. What a shame and god help Pakistan when the government of the day can turn a blind eye to such activities and then we wonder why there is no law and order. Some one should file a case against Shahbaz Shariff for aiding and abetting hate and violence, but for that to happen we would be needing to live in a civilized society which sadly we are not!!Recommend
And this is supposedly a “charitable” organisation according to China and Pakistan.
Wow! Just wow!Recommend
Who needs God wheny you have so many people passing judgement on you right here!Recommend
Ignorant and arrogant clerics in action. Preach Islamic values please. Preach tolerance, anger and emotions control, universal brotherhood, meekness and complete submission to Allah’s will.Recommend
Who is gona take action against these people ? Hukumat ne churian pehan rakhi hain , all of them are afraid of these fanatic maulvis .
God save PakistanRecommend
I thought JuD was fighting for Kashmir against India…Recommend
Blatant, open threats of murder are ample proof for military action in Punjab.Recommend
Kashmir jihad is over, now these lunatics have shifted their “focus” towards thier own countryRecommend
I am against Jamaat ud Dawa, but in support of the blasphemy law.Recommend
it appears to be an Indian forum, I must presume now! Surely! Paki people have been so much brainwashed that its even hard for them to differentiate between foe and friend. Pakistan is an Islamic country and we must strive not to hurt the emotions of majority? Whats wrong with people protesting? don’t they have right to take streets?
Can some tell me, whats special these liberal extremists are up to, or what they bring to the table? iPod, iPhone, fashion shows, separation of religion from state…what else…It nothing but the adaptation of European values, isn’t it? It is the very ideology that paved the way for Europeans to separate the church from the state affairs. Remember, Islam enlightened the world with its governance when Europe was still living in the dark ages. We must not forget that it will always be 180 degrees of difference, no matter what!
So, extreme liberals stop complaining or bashing Pakistan, or else leave our country as you have better chance of seeking asylum in any European country.Recommend
Sadly allowing such acts openly only further weakens our Kashmir case in eyes of the world.Recommend
Drone attacks should be extended to Muridke. That is the only way to staunch this cancer.Recommend
This is only going to get worse, as the government and the establishment continues to cede space to these religious fascists. The only way it will stop is if the state gathers its courage, and puts away people like Makki for incitement to violence, and threatening citizens.Recommend
@Tahmeen “I am against Jamaat ud Dawa, but in support of the blasphemy law.”
T
he Quran declares categorically that Allah (SWT) has categorically reserved the right for Himself to judge and punish the blasphemers.
Who gives you or any one else the authority to overrule Allah’s command? Aren’t you committing a blasphemy by stepping into the godly realms?
Any law that creates disorder and threatens the peace of a society can never be an Islamic law. A law that depends upon another law for its correct implementation can never be a just law.
Ask yourself, if disobeying Allah by taking His judgments in you hands is not blasphemy. Ask yourself whether or not condoning murder of an innocent man instead of promoting forgiveness and tolerance is not disrespectful to the Holy Prophet (SAW). If you still want to support the man-made blasphemy law, then God help you and show you the right path.Recommend
I am sure Nawaz Sharif knows exactly what’s happening in Karachi, but sadly is clueless about what is happening in his own backyard or maybe he is a part of it. Most probably, looking at his political upbringing & his sponsors he is very close to these people.
Now he is suddenly become a great democratic, but not so long ago, he was professing his love & talking about taking the mission of a dictator forward on his funeral, very well covered by PTV.
I ask all these PML (N) democrats, how can they all talk of democracy or rights when their own leader not so long ago tried to impose the Amir-ul-Momineen bil (1999), where as he would have been the PM, President, Supreme Commander (in short Shahjahan) of Pakistan.
Please wake up, people to these false claims of righteousness.
All Hail Democracy!!!!!!!!!!!Recommend
@jahil_Awam your name says it all. Pakistan was formed so that Muslims and all other religions will be able to freely practice their faith. Where does Islam permit the cold blooded murder of another human being because he objected to a MAN MADE law which actually has been on the books since the time the British ruled India. It is people like you who have given Pakistan and Islam a bad name.
Those commenting on this board are hardly Extreme Liberals and if you label them as such because they are voicing their concerns then you are no better then these mullahs and goons who are taking the law into their own hands and glorifying a Murderer!! We have a parliament and if they have the so called support of the Masses then get elected and voice your concerns in the House not on the streets. The people of this country are suffering enough due to lack of educations, no clean drinking water, no roof over their heads and these zealots are out on the streets protesting those that supported some one who stood up for a Poor woman who happened to be a Pakistani first then a Christian.Recommend
Pardon me,
But hasn’t the Government repeatedly said that it will not amend the blasphemy law? what are they protesting about now?Recommend
I will not say them anything but shame on Punjab Govt for allowing it to happen.Recommend