Bilour to offer bounties for future blasphemers
Undeterred by scathing criticism from several quarters over his bounty offer, the railways minister remains defiant.
Ghulam Ahmed Bilour – who belongs to the liberal Awami National Party (ANP) – said on Friday he would announce head money for anyone who blasphemes against Islam.
Addressing a congregation in Peshawar’s famed Masjid Muhabat Khan, Bilour said it was unfair on the part of the West to defend the sacrilegious movie as “freedom of expression”.
Bilour came under criticism from Western countries as well as others in Pakistan for his $100,000 bounty for the filmmaker who made the anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims.
However, the bounty offer earned him “goodwill” of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. The TTP praised him and removed him from their “hit list”.
Bilour was, however, unmoved by the TTP decision. He said that he did not fear death because he believes “only God decides how and when someone will die”.
The minister called upon the United Nations to criminalise blasphemy against Islam.
The government and Bilour’s own party have disowned the bounty offer. However, Bilour informed the gathering that he attended a recent meeting of the federal cabinet, where no one objected to his bounty offer.
“Neither the prime minister contacted me on the matter nor did my party issue me any show cause notice.”
The minster condemned rioting, violence and arson attacks on Ishq-e-Rasool Day. “I condemn the rioting and subsequent destruction and the burning of a Church in Mardan. This created a negative image of Islam and sent a wrong message to the world.”
Right-wingers and religious parties have praised Bilour for his “bold” stand on the issue. The Tehrik-e-Khatam-e-Nabuwat announced a ‘Tamgha-e-Shujat’ (Medal of bravery) for Bilour to show its support for him. The award will be presented to him in a Hurmat-e-Rasool conference to be held in Peshawar in the next few days.
Addressing the same congregation, Maulana Tayyab Qureshi extended full support for Bilour and said that the minister was following in the footsteps of saints and companions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He said Bilour was the first person to have taken such a “bold step”, adding that Peshawar should also be credited for this because Bilour made the bounty offer in this city.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2012.
COMMENTS (17)
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Irrespective of the rights and wrongs of the bounty, I must admit that hatred against Islam and Muslims has reached its peak in the west. I can easily say it from my personal experience here in the UK that the common man in the street has a bias against Muslims and simmering hatred of Islam. Anything that demonizes Islam attracts them like a lamp attracts the moths. The argument that it is the acts of some Muslims that reinforces this stereotypical narrative does not hold water.
how much money he has given to help people live, I know he has been offering money to help kill people. Where is he getting all this money from? How come his own railways is in such a mess if he has so much money to give for barbarism?
i love you Brave Ghulam Ahmad Bilore you are a true Muslim
Wouldn't be nice if he donates this bounty to flood victom of Pakistan who are desperately waiting for help. If we have more ministers like him then we are doomed.
"He said that he did not fear death because he believes “only God decides how and when someone will die”."
Why does he not leave it up to God and keep his mouth shut, then?
Bilour, the federal minister, declared bounty out of respect and honour for the Holy Prophet s.a.w.
but now we see all the blood-sucking liberal fascist pouncing on him because of his loyalty to islam.
There are many other and important issues than Islam and Blasphemy for every day life for the people of Pakistan.
It will be more useful to use the “bounty” money for the development of the country instead of killing the “imagined” enemies of Islam.
What Mr Bilour is going to do for Rimsha and Christians whose lives have been destroyed by Mullahs who planted torn pages of quran into a pile of ash?
Is he thinking of joining a religious outfit?
Where's the bounty on the Imam who burned the Quran and unjustly blamed the handicapped Christian child? This pathetic man should be removed from his govt post - Shame on him - Shame on your govt - Shame on Pakistan.
Many heads are going to roll just for the money then.
Now he should be appointed as a minister of bounties declaration .
All Ministers should bow down to TTP and offer bounties. Then all the people should. This way TTP cannot attack anyone in Pakistan.
of course- his ministry (Pakistan Railways)needs no discussion.
Tamgha e shujaat? This is a medal awarded by the government of pakistan. How can tehreek e khatam e nabuwat award a medal by this name. Will the government of pakistan take notice?