Local clerics in Kohistan have handed down their “final edict” against non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in the district, terming their activities “haram” and demanding that the local administration revoke their NOCs immediately.
In a meeting at Jamia Masjid Kamila, over 150 clerics from across the remote district vowed that they will not offer funeral prayers (Namaz-e-Janaza) for the people who continue to be beneficiaries of any NGO. They also formed a 34-member committee for the purpose of ensuring that the NGOs pack up and leave the area as soon as possible. The committee will meet on July 14 to decide on a future line of action if the NGOs are not driven out from the district.
The clerics had earlier given the NGOs until June 29 to pack up.
Former Member National Assembly from Kohistan, Maulana Abdul Haleem, blamed NGO workers for launching a campaign against Kohistani customs and Islamic codes. He said that despite repeated warnings they did not stop ‘hatching conspiracies’ against the ulema and their customs.
Former members of provincial assembly Maulana Dildar and Maulana Abdul Khanan of Kundiya valley, Maulana Fakhrul Islam, and Maulana Noor Nabi Shah also spoke at the meeting.
According to official sources, the district administration has been persuading the clerics to allow NGOs to work by following their local customs. Earlier, Kohistan District Coordination Officer Aqal Badshah held a meeting with the clerics in this regard but they refused to rescind their decision.
There are over 500 local youths working with NGOs in the district and a majority feel that their jobs are now at risk, said a local social activist requesting anonymity.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 2nd, 2012.
COMMENTS (17)
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Guys I have been to the area in 2006-2007, just passed while going to GB for sight seeing, its beautiful area (kohistan) but people are damn conservative, I stayed in Shangrilla Hotel Chilas, it had no TV. When asked tha manager told me the day we brought tv sets they stormed the hotel, so we had to keep it a TV free hotel...
Where is Pakistani Govt,Judiciary,Army now?is their any Govt in Pakistan???who are these ignorant mullahs to decide about funerals of innocent people?These so called mullahs are criminals and I hope Pakistan wakes up and punish em.
The Mullas and Sectarian forces have now taken their Jihad to the dead. After the Ahmadis have been turned in their graves, they have now turned to others.
How long will it take for Pakistanis to realize the terrorists have declared a war against common Muslims and welfare works of any kind? Let us see who comes out as winner, the terrorists or common citizens?
Above all these clerics don't quote any Hadith or Quranic verse to support their edicts.
Now NGO workers should also learn how to pray Namaaz- e -Janaaza and ignore. Though they will certainly come with other restrictions but Lage raho.( in awareness programme)
Height of non-sense both for locals and mullahs. Any-one can lead the funeral prayers if he knows how. Our problem is we don't our religion and rituals that's why we are hostages to these radical clerics.
After reading comments in this piece
I believe Pakistan has a chance
Are we there yet-stone age?
Good keep on living in the dark age...
there should be an army operation in this area to clear up these brain washing fools
I think we need a scale for mullahs in Pakistan. Real islamic teachings divided by mullahs own inventions ... I also recommend using exponents as I envisage the rankings to be quite low
So the day of judgement has come and clerics have taken over the judicial system of the universe.
Does the Pakistan government have any sovereignty or are these clerics in charge?