Barelvi leader alleges pro-Deobandi bias in Defence Housing Authority
A Barelvi leader has asked the Lahore Corps Commander to stop the Defence Housing Authority’s (DHA) Religious Affairs Department from interfering in the appointment of khateebs and muezzins – sermon givers and givers of the call to prayer – alleging that the department is biased towards Deobandi clerics.
In a letter to the corps commander, who is vice chairman of the DHA, the secretary general of the Milade Mustafa Welfare Society in DHA Lahore said that the Religious Affairs Department was interfering in the Human Resources Department’s responsibilities to ensure that Deobandi scholars are appointed to positions in mosques in DHA. “Because of Deobandi khateebs in DHA mosques, Barelvi people have ... opted not to go to DHA mosques,” he added.
Muhammad Siddique Qadri said in his application, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, that 66 of the 75 people working in the Religious Affairs Department were Deobandis and the rest were Barelvis.
He accused Religious Affairs Department Director Brigadier (retired) Shamsur Rehman and Khateebe Aala Sarfaraz Awan of bias against Barelvis. He said a muezzin, Qari Abdul Aziz, had recently resigned because of them. He also asked the corps commander to ensure that khateebs do not issue fatwas against other sects of Islam. Appointments in DHA are highly prized as a khateeb who spends nine years at a mosque in DHA is entitled to a free plot.
Sarfaraz Awan, DHA’s chief khateeb, dismissed Qadri’s application, saying there was no substance to his complaints. He called Qadri an “extremist” affiliated with the Sunni Tehreek. Awan said that the DHA had a transparent process for the appointment of mosque officials conducted under the supervision of the Human Resource Department. He said that DHA was looking for a khateeb and a naib khateeb and the deadline for applications had been March 9. The applicants would soon be given a date for a written test, after which a shortlist of candidates for interview would be prepared. “A board completes this process under the supervision of the HRD director. The Religious Affairs Department has no role,” he said.
He said that Qari Abdul Aziz had not resigned, but been dismissed for misconduct. He said Aziz had been caught stealing electricity. “He used to sleep in the main hall of the mosque with his family with the air conditioner on,” he said. “He used to enter the mosque through a window, which is an insult to the mosque. That is why he was sacked.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 11th, 2012.
COMMENTS (34)
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This is what promotes sectarianism. Why ONLY deobandi mosques in DHA? is it really Saudi pressure to discourage moderate Barelwis and promote pro-taliban deobandis in DHA ???
It is DHA- Deobandi Housing Authority. What did he expect?
Muhammad Siddique Qadri should start BHA - (Barlevi Housing Auhority) to counter DHA
@asad: Dude, get over it. As long as sectarianism isn't promoted, how do you even know whether the Imam is Deobandi? Also, I've never seen a Wahhabi Imam. I think the middle path is what these Deobandis follow and that is why consensus has been found on their appointment.
In Karachi DHA as well, there is not a single mosque that belongs to brelvis, shias or any other sect except Deobandi. Strange isnt it?
Exactly same is the condition in DHA Karachi as well. Almost all of the Khateebs and Imams in DHA, Cantonment Board and other Authorites are Wahabi/Deobandies. Not a single mosque have a Barelwi Sunni Imam in DHA Lahore and DHA Karachi. Actually it is because of the pressure of Saudia, which makes the agencies bound to promote Wahabi sect in Pakistan. And for those who dont know the reality It is Banned For Barelwis and only For Barelwis to build a mosque in DHA, Cant, or Clifton areas of Karachi. Neither can Barelwis build their own Masjid nor they are given any Imam in DHA mosques.
The DHAs is perhaps the only place in the whole of Pakistan where people pray with peace and tranquility because whoever is responsible for the administration of mosques in the DHA, makes sure that learned and enlightened scholars are hired to serve the community. We, the residents of the DHAs are very proud that not even once in the history of DHA anyone raised a finger on this community's religious tolerance and beliefs. For this, we are extremely thankful to the DHA administration.
Barelvi Leader's letter should be thrown in the dust bin. DHA standard should be followed in all mosques. Fanning Sectarianism.
I wish whole pakistan should start following DHA policy.
Allowing Barelvi mosques means compromise on your privacy. They misuse loud speakers to a very large extent and force their will on neighbors. Beware of them...
Why aren't Shia and Ismaili officials appointed also? Surely, they have just as much right.
What is there bone of contention. All DHA mosque's follow a standard Policy which does not step on others toes. They are doing a wonderful job. What is so special which the Barelvi's have to offer. I offer my prayer's in peace.
In Lahore DHA there is not a single mosque that belongs to brelvis, shias or any other sect except Deobandi
@Falcon:
That guy is a fantastic read. Agreed.
Military, Mullah, Masjid...Housing...Messed up state.
Despite the disappointing extremism shown since the Taseer assassination by the Barelvi sect, and their own past of members targeting Deobandis, the Barelvis are still considered more tolerant, if not accepting of other non-Sunnis or non-Muslims, comparatively to the Deobandis who are still considered more extreme or radical, as most major militant and terrorist groups, be they anti-state or sectarian against Barelvis or Shia Muslims and other minorities, are usually drawn out from members who are inclined with their views.
So he needs a PLOT in DHA, give him one :)
In India we have 1000s of temples belonging to all sorts of Gods. still Hinduism is not divided into sects of these different Gods and Goddesses. We go to all the temples and identify with all the Gods. I fail to understand why Pakistani Muslims can not go to all the mosques? We have many Gods but we are all one. Muslims have one God but still they are different and have different mosques. Problem is not of Islam, but of Muslims. Therefore, problem can not be solved by religion, but by Muslims.
Can these mosques be non-sectarian? For instance, free of all controversies? If the imaam is Barelwi, will he still hold Mawlid gatherins on 12th RabiulAwwal though some Muslims don't think its correct? I think non-hardcore molvis from both sides might be appointed provided that they don't dive into controversial matters and provided they're really careful about ikhtilaaf in masaail.
Skipping the rest of the rhetoric from both sides, I agree with the demand of the barelvi cleric that no sect should be publicly scorned to be outside the bounds of Islam. This creates unnecessary hatred and then manipulated by extremists to harm others. Murtaza Haider in Dawn showed in a detailed research in op-ed few months back that some sects have historically shown higher proclivity towards violence than others.
No this is the best system, otherwise people will start fighting over he control of mosques
Islam came and destroyed business of religion. The thugs who deviate from actual teachings are changing our religion to start business again. We need to check that who deviate from the teachings of Quran and Sunnah. Only deviation makes them different with colors of dress and turbans, they identify their sects to stand apart from others. Is this Islam??? the actual teachings are otherwise.
We were told to be calm and peaceful in both joy and sadness (Read Surah Al-Asr), but we go for extreme to satisfy our personal desires in the name of Islam.
Unless we start reading Quran by meanings, we will be looted and fooled by some controversial clerics.
There is a good number of decent and non political religious organizations, silently working for the betterment of Muslims but we don't follow them that is why we are being divided by these religion business mafia.
Yep, just what we need the corps commander to spend his day dealing with. Priroties, priorities!
And exactly why cant barelwis pray alongside deobandis? Last I heard Deobandis still consider Barelwis as Muslims altho most hard cote barelwis dont consider Deobandis as Muslims and refuse to pray behind them. Somebody needs to teach these barelwis how yo peacefully co exist.
Pro-Deobandi influence and bias is a reality.
When Bush was told that there was a major Shia / Suni issue in Iraq, his response was 'But I thought they were all Muslims' ........if only he knew how right he was in his thought but sadly how wrong otherwise.
ET trying its best to promote sectarianism...
All they want is to occupy the mosques and politicize it and when they are not successful they are using there tactics. Beware of these Sunni tehreek
Zia promoted deobandi islam in country and specially army, and now some sections are promoting bralvi islam there will be restlesness until state treats all sects fairly and with justice and stop supporting any praticular brand of religion for her own interest.
I am trying to find out if Prophet Muhammad PBUH was a Deobandi or a Barelvi , or was he a Shia or a Sunni ?
These maulvis that are involved in deobandi vs barelvi debates are the biggest fitna around and do the most damage to inter Muslim harmony.
Barelvi Sunni Tehrik is more dangerous than anything in Karachi. A new extortion mafia now trying to get in to lucrative Defense Society. Every one know them as they are growing bigger by allowing more criminals in their ranks.
Beware of these thugs... I have seen this post more than once on ET and seems like fueling sectarian violence in Pakistan.
What is the purpose of this Article? Deoband and Bravali !