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Fire breathing clerics call for revenge
The leaders of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) openly advocated violent revenge.
Protestors express their anger over the attacks at the Data Darbar, and call for punishing people involved in the incident. PHOTO: EXPRESS
Addressing a charged protest demonstration outside the Data Darbar on Friday, with over 3,000 emotional participants, the leaders of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) openly advocated violent revenge.
Several SIC members vowed to ‘seek revenge’ for ‘the attack on Sunni honour’ and urged violence against those responsible. Instigating the cheering and vulnerable mass of participants, Allama Abdul Tawab Siddiqi questioned, “Are you a devotee of the saint in name only or do you want to seek revenge and prove your allegiance?”
Tempers and emotions ran high as the protestors raised their hands in unison, heeding the call and promising to prove their loyalty. Allama Siddiqi then administered them a collective oath.
A masked gunman fired a round from the midst of the crowd to mark the end of Allama Siddiqi’s speech and as a symbolic gesture of the crowd’s respect and agreement.
Raghib Naeemi then took the stage and read out a list of demands for the government. He said that all the individuals responsible for the Thursday night’s suicide attack should be arrested and publically hanged preferably in front of the Data Darbar. He demanded that all literature spewing hatred against Sunnis should be destroyed and banned.
Raghib urged the government to protect the lives and properties of the Sunni community. He suggested that Rana Sanaullah should be dismissed from his position as law minister for his alleged links with terrorist organisations.
Moreover he demanded that Abdul Rehman Jullendhari (member Wafaqul Madaris Qari Hanif) and Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi (member Sipah-i-Sahaba) should be named in the FIR.
Other speakers alleged that the Punjab government and the Auqaf Department were equally responsible for the attack on the saint’s shrine by failing to ensure its security.
Qari Zawar Bahadar claimed that the government was promoting terrorism by continuing to finance various factions. He said that the government had banned various militant organisations owing to international pressure but had continued to support them under new names. He said that the government needed to give up its duplicity on terrorism.
The council announced a shutter-down strike for Saturday in a joint meeting at Jamia Naeemia.
Despite the public declarations and incitement, the protest was not interrupted and the police superintendant present at the scene made no move to arrest any of the leaders or the participants or to stop them.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2010.
Reader Comments (29)
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Oh dear… This looks like its heading for a very explosive situation.Recommend
The Sufis spread Islam throughout the sub-continent through their tolerant and moderate views. What contribution has these Taliban and their supporters i.e. the conservative religious parties has made to Islam in the sub-continent? They can only kill and destroy.Recommend
Sunni (Barelvi) a majority is the most peaceful sect. All the suicide attacks in Pakistan have been carried out by Deobandis. Not a single attack has taken place against them. After suffering a lot when followers of saints raise their voice, they are said to be creating differences. Establishment and Media’s blind support to terrorist can’t save from getting them exposed now.Recommend
Just wait for these hate mongers to eliminate each other.
Violence begets more violence.Recommend
When State Agencies supporting terrorists than there is no other option for the victims to come and take law in their hands.
I am not sure is there any Sunni Sufi Govt. in this world else our so-called Analysts will blame that Govt. and say Saudia and __ Govt. playing proxy war here and no one want to fight all come from outside. Like they did before in Mass Murdering of Shia Community by the hands of State sponsored Terrorist Outfits.Recommend
No no! Strategic depth and protecting the haqqanis and there allies is more important for our army. For the pml-n votes are more important thab protecting punjabs citizens. Left right and centre a wave of inaction follows such events. Tommorow someone will cliam that hidden hands are at play and foreign agencies roles can not be ruled out. How many must die before we are shaken out of denialRecommend
Once again it comes to protests and we see gunmen in pictures. Once again, the article tells that a round was fired.
Though a protest makes sense, but firing a round is not a sight one would like to see at a Darbar of a Sufi. Completely against the message of Sufi Islam, this sight seems to me more in line with the Jihadis. One might argue that one round does not do anything and all of the demands in speech were sort of justified, but it is the twisted image of the “right” people that has affected common man’s perception of Islam for so long. I think, we should have be more careful about it.Recommend
Now these idiots want revenge and more innocent blood will spill. God save this country.Recommend
As though Pakistani Sunnis were a persecuted minority … laughable!Recommend
Go boys…go get em…we all know the govt wont!Recommend
So much for calling for Sunni Ittehad (unity) by this Sunni Ittehad Council … by aiming to revenge with other Sunni groups (mainly Deobandi)
It is shame that our political leadership is only interested in revenge and blame games ….and does no productive work in atually curtainling the menace of terrorism.Recommend
If continue to fail to provide security to people and these holy places where a poor go for a peace of mind and get some food…
then people decide by themselves to get punish these terrorists… this lead us to a civil war… becarful zardari, becareful nawaz, becareful shahbaz..Recommend
O boy!!! what are these guys up to. I am also a sunni and I have great respect for the Data Sahib as I am great admirer and believer of his thoughts but it does not mean that you should also come out blazing with your automatic weapons and declare an open revenge against those who did this. why are we trying to create more fuss rather than clearing that has already gathered. Criticising Govt. and asking for resignation from Mr. Sanaullah is very much demand able and acceptable but instigating people to kill their own countrymen is nothing less than terrorism and in that case you even don’t know that who actually has committed this awful act.
I really feel sorry for all this, MAy ALLAH guide these people in right pathRecommend
So they think this attack was some sort of sectorial attack! Alas! what they think!Recommend
Misfortune of this generation:
that our energy, our sensitivity is exploited by this menace of terrorism the hatred breed who bombed at data darbar/Aashoor procession etc are getting their aim by converting our peace loving nature into vilent nature.
My brothers who are angry,(and they must be angry). Must strenghen them by following the teachings of Data Sahib. convert their anger into strength against the Hatred and intolerance.
Spread the message to Love the Human life / spread the message to seek knowledge / spread the message to bear the idiological differences. Infact islam was spreaded by the knowledge and love
(if islam was spreaded with sword then Spain sould be Muslim state)Recommend
All of them due to (PML-N)Muslim League Noon policy.
We hate Nawaz Sharif and his associates.
They are supporting the wrong people.Recommend
Sectarianism getting stronger. Enermies have won.
Those who carried arms shouldve been arrested.Recommend
No muslim can kill fellow muslims. Be aware of foreign elementsRecommend
Please don’t get trapped into the henious schemes of enemeies of Islam. Just be tolerant and follow the teachings of Mohammad (PBUH). We are Muslims and we must stop getting ourselves associated with any sect in Islam.
If you really love the poise Saint, Data Hejvairy, then following his way of life.Recommend
These guys should be arrested the first thing. Half of all the things that happen in our country, specially those that we repent on later, are done due to super emotional blackmailing.Recommend
For certain reasons, this story has been amended. If it was not, it might have created an uproar. The true story stated that these protestors openly said that they would ‘kill four sect leaders,’ and said that they were responsible for the attacks at the shrine and at the same time the govt is also responsible, in terms of failing to protect its people.Recommend
@ Usman
Please stop this nonsense of foreign elements. These are
the people that are supported by the likes of law minister and chief minister, and all of N league. JUST FOR POWER. I REQUEST MR KIANI TO CLEAN HOUSE!!!!Recommend
People should remain calm and let the government to put behind the bars of master-minds of all terror attacks in Pakistan.Recommend
alas, we are going to harvest what we have sown in 80s.God protect us. V R THE HOLLOW MENRecommend
Attacks were carried out by enemies of Pakistan and Islam and I am sure that everyone who is involved in this incident to happen will remain in Hell forever InshaallahRecommend
Please dont cover such people. It only fuels the situation and gives them cheap publicity that they crave but certainly do not deserve.Recommend
Mr. Bilal Raza Qadri, By declaring that Deobandi’s are responsible for all the misdeeds in this country including terrorim is playing into the hands of people who want to develop factions amongst the nation and create infighting. one blaming the other. Get a sense and stop blaming others around you. We’are all same. This Brelvi Deobandi bulls* is just plan ignorance and proves your brainwashed state of mind. Think laterally and stop playing in to the hands of so called experts on Islam who brand everybody as infidel.Recommend
why don’t people fear Allah? do whatever you want to do, but at least care for other people’s rights, property and LIFE. A muslim is not only required to take care of it but also to be the protector.Recommend
Well if state is not taking any action then people will take arms and will go against these terrorist and their supporters.Recommend