KARACHI: Over two dozen religious scholars belonging to the Deoband, Ahle Hadith, Barelvi and Ahle Tashi schools of thought condemned sectarian killings in Quetta, Gilgit, Para Chinnar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Karachi and other areas and vowed to work together to curb hatred in the society.
They were speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday under the banner of the Bain-ul-Muslimeen Forum (BMF).
“Muslims of different sects are being targeted, and almost all sacred places have been attacked by terrorists,” said BMF president Maulana Tanveerul Haq Thanvi. He suspected that a controversy to destabilise the country was on foot, and added that law enforcement agencies and the government were acting as “spectators” in the whole situation.
Thanvi also lamented that while Muslims belonging to different sects live peacefully with each other in other countries, it was only in Pakistan where such ethnic and sectarian clashes were taking place. “Jinnah made the country for people belonging to all sects and religions. [But now] people are compelled to migrate to other countries. The business community is also shifting its investment,” he added.
Allama Abbas Kumaili said that the country had already lost a part to ethnic violence in 1971, and he felt that “non-state actors” were once again active in the country. “I see dollars and riyals being spent for the spread of sectarianism.”
Thanvi, Kumaili and others present on the occasion said that they would contact other religious scholars as well, and ask them to play their role in controlling incidents of sectarian violence in cities.
Some people who had gathered outside the press club with national flags, chanted slogans in favour of Shia-Sunni unity. “We are peace-loving people. We condemn the suicide attacks and targeted killings that are taking place in the name of Islam,” said Allama Hafiz Jamil Rathore.
The BMF was formed after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement had organised a Bain-ul-Muslimeen Conference on September 1.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2012.
COMMENTS (15)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Isn't it a bitter fact that the people spreading religious hatred also call themselves as "Religious Scholars". These gentlemen should reject the "Black Sheeps" within their own "White" ranks.
What about religious thugs?
@suraj: Why only academic books? What about scripture?
@Cautious: conspiracies exist.....what about recent disclosure by US NAVY SEAL COMMONDO?
and MQM done it again.......... Mashallah step in the rite direction,
“I see dollars and riyals being spent for the spread of sectarianism.”
Opposing sectarianism and giving sectarian comments, these Allamas.
We such saw such shows hundred of times before. The people who are sitting they are already not in fight. The people who are real culprit never attend such meetings.
To work in the direction of tolerance, i would like the elite Islam scholars to work for the deletion of hate content against other faiths in academic books, first.
@Cautious: Because you dont let us
It is step forward from our Deoband, Ahle Hadith, Barelvi and Ahle Tashi Muslims for the unity and peace of our country.
Rather than blame "non state actors" why not look in the mirror --- don't you guys ever get tired of conspiracy theories?
It is a good step but the issue is NOT sectarian!
Certainly a positive move. They should do it more often.
Notable absentee -- JI
United "We" stand better we can defend zia's constitution brauhaha!!