People place bouquets in front of a banner bearing the names of the two killed assailants who attacked French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, in Peshawar on January 13, 2015. PHOTO: AFP
PESHAWAR: While last week's attack on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo sparked global outrage, dozens of people in Peshawar paid tribute on Tuesday to the brothers who carried out the murders.
Though small in scale, the event was indicative of the anger that portrayals of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) can ignite in some parts of the world, particularly in Pakistan where tough blasphemy laws make insulting the Prophet (PBUH) a crime punishable by death.
Local cleric Maulana Pir Mohammad Chishti led some 60 people in prayers for Cherif and Said Kouachi, who shot dead 12 people at the magazine's offices on January 7, as worshippers called the pair "martyrs".
They also chanted "Death to Hebdo publications" and "Long live Cherif Kouachi, long live Said Kouachi", and kissed posters of the brothers who were shot dead by police two days later.
"These two brothers have paid the debt of all Muslims in the world and we present them our salute and respect," Chishti said.
Aurangzeb Alhafi, professor of Islamic Studies at Punjab University in the eastern city of Lahore said he attended the prayers as a religious duty.
"If freedom of expression stops at the mention of the Holocaust, then it should also stop at the honour of our Prophet (PBUH)," Alhafi told AFP.
Fourteen people are languishing on death row in the country for falling prey to its blasphemy laws, which rights groups say are used to persecute minorities and wage personal vendettas.
Mobs often take matters in their own hands and lynch those accused of blasphemy, and such killers are widely feted.
Charlie Hebdo meanwhile has announced it will defy the attackers by putting a cartoon of a weeping Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) on its next cover.
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@goggi (Lahore): JE NE SUIS PAS CHARLIE because Charlie Ebdo itself is a form extremism promoting incitement and exclusion of peoples it considers to be below it's intellectual level.
Since I too belong to Punjab University...., one thing more I feel that requires correction, is that Prof.Dr. Aurangzeb Al Hafi is Professor of "Research Methodology" for doctoral research at University of the Punjab Lahore, instead what has been misreported by all news surces.
@T Chaudhry: Totally Agree! If you have the opportunity to meet or make friend with these people; You will see their life is totally opposite of what they preach; If not in sin then their recklessness in life, their family or children care, their affairs in public and the promises they make! If you don't believe how a river is made from a simple droplet; meet one of their simple and see how harmless a drop of water is that bring tsunami of destruction.
Mulla of Pakistan live in fool s paradise. Only the saying that we are muslims will not elevate us in the eyes of Allah unless we practice what we confess. Once the muslims have the character and strong faith supported by actual practice upon the teachings of Islam; it was the golden era of Islam and it were muslims who helped Europe to emerge out from their Dark Ages; but now Islamic world is in Dark Ages. Clergy then were the people to misguide others into condemning all the goodness and so tarnished the lusture of Christianity and now the same role is being played by Islamic clergy. Instead of helping people towards Allah , they are misguiding them towards doom.
@Asad: All should note that @Asad has AGAIN conveniently neglected to give us his delusion about how this Attack in Paris was "Staged" as he claims! As for French Ploice Commissioner Helric Fredou's suicide mere hours after the event, please also tell us what nefarious plot that action implys!!! :
there should be limitataion in expression
so i guess a fresh wave of attacks on churches and Christians in Pakistan is soon to follow? Long live the religion of peace
@Pity: they are not terrorists u just shutup ok ..they done which should must be done
@Adnan Khan: if you do no like the cartoon that this magazine publishes, give a befitting rebuttal with another cartoon or an article etc. Killing someone is not the answer. This magazine's circulation was not more than 60 or 70 thousand. After this attack, it has zoomed up above a million.
@numbersnumbers: Also do you know that the police in-charge investigating France shooting incident committed suicide? Why would he do that? Wake up or is it that you just don't want to? Do a little research before posting comments!
@numbersnumbers: I would suggest you to do a little research on a thing called Google , see shooting video and observe it yourself. You and a lot like you are already living in delusion so keep it up (Y).
@SKN: Yep. Hopefully they also won't mind some French people entering Pakistan to kill them all for hurting their sentiments.
Je suis Charlie
The clip was shown on NBC World News,in the US...a few million Americans saw it
@Baba Jee: I actually read it as a good news story. In a community of thousands, there are ONLY 60 people here. Hopefully there is not another story in future, but if there is, I'd like to see "1 person celebrates killers, and granny hit him with a broom"
Well, you've already started a conspiracy theory. Might as well take it to the next step. While we're going down the road of irresponsible journalism, let's somehow blame India and America too. Maybe these 60 people were really Indians who posed as Pakistanis to destroy our name? Yes...that must be it. Oh and they must be funded by America. How else did these people in the pictures who look like they can barely read their native language print banners in English? Yes...India and America to blame for this and our little Pakistan is innocent as always. Idiots.
For those who say this shouldn't be news because it is only 60 people.
a) So where are the Pakistani rallies condemning the attack on Charlie Hebdo? Where there any?
b) This is a nation where a current high court justice, then a lawyer, garlanded Mumtaz Qadri after he murdered Salman Taseer. It is ridiculous to claim that the sentiments of these 60 protestors are not shared by a significant fraction, probably majority, of Pakistani population.
To all who urge the media to not cover such a small protest, have you not learned that you can't sweep the intolerance and hatred in society under the rug? The article quoted a PROFESSOR OF ISLAMIC STUDIES at Punjab University who sympathizes with the murderers! This should cause alarm, serious introspection, and ACTION by those who contend that this is not the "real" Islam, because a professor of Islamic studies is undoubtedly teaching his students that shooting sprees in response to cartoons IS the real Islam.
That's the freedom of speech.. Everybody saying and doing whatever they like.. so let them.. why questioning them now.. ??? FREEEDOOMMMM OFFF SPPEEECHHHH
Clearly this is insane nation..Alas!
@James: Yes, I am awaiting Mr.Musharraf, and Mr. Lakhwi of giving 'proofs' of India's Involvement in Peshawar attacks as well.
Shame ET! 60 people come out and you make a news out of it. Shame shame!
There is a solution: All educated and enlightened people should go out and spread the words of civility, mercy, tolerance and compassion anywhere anytime. Establish volunteerism among youth, outside their religious commitments for all community & the country. That must include people from all backgrounds. You must bravely Hire, make friends and encourage others to include minorities of other faiths and culture or background a gateway into their life and teach other for same.
@Baba Jee: there were only 7 men out of millions in Peshawar school ......... need I say more ?
A Murder-Happy nation we are! Such a sad thing... If we dont feel someone's else pain, no one will feel ours...
Who knows maybe ExprexTribune got death threats too if above item not posted!
Pakistan is doomed. Imagine how this will play out in the international press !!
I am Charlie.
@Asad: All should note that @Asad claims that "France Drama was all staged....", but somehow his keyboard ran out of ink before he could tell all of us the truth about what REALLY happened in France! So please put in a new keyboard cartridge and tell all, otherwise we may believe that just dream up these delusions!
Take my words- India behind this too, may be through Afghanistan :-P
@Pity: it is indeed the freedom of thought and expression brthr don't be jealous of this.
Now this is ridiculous !
We have the pictures of the Clerics who were leading this parade of the imbecile. These are the same who brainwash your kids in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria etc to become suicide bombers etc. The Intelligence community, I am sure takes notice of these events and would use its power to curb such act.
It is upto the so called learned Ulamas to correct this approach by condemning this and other similar actions.
@James: This Mullah doesn't represent Pakistan. There is democracy in the country and there are parties representing political aspersions of the people. Remember Pakistan is more than 180 people.
You didn't see these faces in Peshawar when 134 children were shot in the head at point-blank.
Their is a difference between freedom of expression and hate speech , it is deliberate cannot be tolerated in the name of so called freedom of expression .
While attacks on the magazine staff are condemnable, mocking somebody's religion is no freedom of expression. Why is mocking holocaust anti semetism and mocking somebody's religion freedom of speech.
These crazy mullahs have passed their sell by date.
No one has the right to take the law in to their own hands and murder people.
Please can the Government strengthen the courts and law enforcement - until these bearded ones start going to jail for breaking the law, they will carry on behaving like this.
Disgusting.... how would you like it if people celebrated the killers of the children in Peshawar school.... speechless....
So, Peshawar has already forgotten the massacre of over 100 kids by the terrorists of same ideology that killed French cartoonists. Great.
@James: The whole of Pakistan is not involved in this... these are done by terrorist groups in there... and how would you say india has anything to do with this??
Some one is behind this big instigating such demonstration to brand Pakistan a terrorist state. Something to investigate: Who printed those high quality posters particularly in English so that international readership can read it and get its attention. Those jahil Mullahs and majority of Pakistanis in that area can barely read Urdu let alone English. It is all orchestrated from across the border. The Pakistani authorities are sleeping.
ET, kindly remove this post. Thanks. Please.
Very sad & shameful act our beloved Prophets SAW's sketches are being published in such a way freedom of the press,one should care for the feels of other faith holders all muslims shall be answerable to Allah be ashamed & accept that we all are cowards we can't even record a protest,this is only provoking an outrage in the muslims,no doub't religion is a very sensitive issue it caused more wars on earth then any other issues its a matter of belief tolerance is not the term but provacation for Gods sake leave the issue alone & live with peace.
This is the example that how media is spoiling our society. There is no difference between between this cheap media and the terrorist. There were very limited people who were following such kind of conduct but media helped them in spreading there thoughts throughout the world without any cost. Shameful act for any media of any country.
@Ch. Allah Daad: dear i am really impressed at ur this super conscience statement , “When you see something bad, close your eyes or think it bad in your heart”.
60 People. Yet newsworthy enough to humor the Indian trolls and trolettes.
@harsh: This small group of crazies do not represent the majority view of Pakistanis who are shocked by the senseless murders. Such people should not even get attention or they should just be arrested.
ET has hit a new low. In a population of 180 million, obviously you're going to find such cases. Even in US.
What is government of Pakistan doing? Sleeping? If publishing cartoons were playing with the sentiments of Muslims, why celebrating killers is not offensive to the family and friends of victims? There are many writers in the west who say that the cartoonist were not the champions of freedom of expression although no one can justify their brutal killing. Government should be brave and take action against these type of people.
Before Paris tragedy few people knew what Charlie Hebdo does but thanks to our brainless Mullahs and fanatics, it has become famous all over the world. Not only it hasn't stopped or interrupted its publication, it has printed one million extra copies. After one or two more incidents, these disgusting cartoons will become most popular printed item in the world. We will see them everywhere, at our coffee mugs, shirts, walls and on greeting cards, then what Mullahs and fanatics would do?...except to tell us strange excuses, e.g. "When you see something bad, close your eyes or think it bad in your heart".
Sick and morons! Disgusting! Now Government needs to handle such crowds! Mentally handicapped people!
Shame on you Express stop giving coverage to these ugly Mullahs The same news is on DAWN as well . These newspapers are dying for rating don't worry when these Mullah will cut throat then don't call us or cry
No wonder why Muslim youth throughout the world get misled - its the Clerics who honour such acts like that of the CH attackers that seems encouraging.
I am surprised the local administration and specially the Pak Army allowed such get-together in Peshawar - thought the town became more secure after the attack at the school. The get-together would have been a welcome & assuring site for the returning students! ???
ET - brave of you to be impartial in your reporting
world have so short memory, who revive jihad? just go back to afghan war in 1980, who trained them, equip them, invite them in white house? when west need them they give them slogan of Jiad....then west left them to fight each other after Russian went back ...then west declare them terrorists. now they are after west...and west is also responsible of new terrorism in France and other countries... in the name of freedom of speech they draw the cartoons, insult islam, ..ever they draw any cartoons of their own mothers and naked pics of their wives, sisters....NO, they just provoke and propagate Islam..West must stop them .don't blame Islam...
1) Those who have problem with this news must know first this is an AFP story not ET's.
2) This story is already popular in international media bringing bad name to Pakistan 'again'.
3) Military courts for these morons? I think yes!
So millions of pakistani muslims condemned the attack but ET chooses to bring the world's attention to these group of extremists. Well played media.
To all these mullahs and anyone else who has a problem with freedom of speech, all I have to say is this :
Je Suis Charlie
Regards, A Reasonable Muslim.
"Dozens of people in Peshawar paid tribute on Tuesday to the brothers who carried out the murders."
And afterwards they led a rally to celebrate their other brothers who Killed 140 infidels including 131 little infidels at a school in their own hometown.
The quality of journalism is rapidly deteriorating ET. A few ppl making mockery of our beautiful religion and you make it into a radicalised report. The media is an important face a country has and your not doing a very good job at it.. And now as always... this comment will be blocked....ill be shocked if it isn't...
What a strange lingo has the society evolved in the name of Islam. Every murderer is a Jihadist. Every dead terrorist is a martyr. Every Muslim -- even kids -- killed -- is a martyr. Angels become martyrs in this twisted use of language. And all in the name of peace and mercy.
Strangely, these people celebrate the cartoonists, by exercising the same freedom of expression even if it is abusive. Only that freedom is theirs alone to use.
Why publish such an item. Only 60 people? Its not worthy of being a news item.
ET, kindly remove this post. Thanks.
Shame ET! Trying to paint if those sixty mentally sick people are representing 200 million people of Pakistan...Many Congratulations for making Pakistan more RESPECTABLE in the eyes of World Community!
There is no difference between them and Chalie Hebdo. Both are holding extreme positions. Common Muslims are sandwish in all this mess and nothing to do with it. This is going to intensify once they publish more.
Coming from Pakistan is this a surprise?
Congrats Express Tribune on reporting 60 ppl in a nation of 200 million....I don't think the freedom of expression is valid for any county except Pakistan ...Jis ka dil kurta hai Headline bana deta hai ...TV per report chala deta hai...
60 people in a country of 200 million.............was this worth reporting?
The acts of these 'scholars' give Islam a bad name. Nowhere in Islam it is written to kill innocent people. Yes, what the newspaper did was wrong. But if their objective was to show Islam in a bad light, they succeeded. And are succedding considering that these Mullahs consider the two attackers as martyrs. Sorry, they are murderers (especially considering the fact that they also killed a Muslim police officer). They are no better than the newspaper which published such blasphemy.
these people are idiots, nothing less and nothing more. Cant compete with the civilized world in education but can never cease to portray themselves as complete idiots.
ET, just '60' people and you had to make a news out of it! Amazing journalism.
some local unknown mulla trying to be instantly famous all over the world. why cant local media ignore such people
„Je suis Charlie“:
Really? Now? They do this now? I guess they forgot Peshawar attack really soon. Excellent way to alienate and brand us as international terrorists. Pakistan really needs this! How moronic can we get....
If Charlie Hebdo has the right for freedom of expression, I guess they have it too. Sad but true.
Organizers of these rallies should be investigated. I am sure they will have links to TTP.
sick people.
This act by Charlie Hebdo is an act of provocation. Alas, there is no real Muslim government in this world who can stand against this act of provoking sentiments of billions of Muslims. At least we as Muslims can condemn this act and voice that we do not support killings that were done in Paris, however we also see actions by Charlie Hebdo are uncalled for and 'I am not Charlie'.
Did this cleric know the brothers also killed a Muslim police man (along with all the others)?? for nothing! and they are kissing their posters??
That's why Taliban killed Peshawar's children! INTOLERANCE towards everyone and sympathies for the terrorists!!
If this monstrosity failed to shrug off our denial and sympathies towards the Taliban and the extremists then nothing, absolutely nothing will.
Not at all surprised they are celebrating murder! Did this cleric learnt NOTHING from Sunnah?? What has Islam become now??
Arrest all those who attended this rally as they are potential terrorists.
If it were up to me, I would throw all of these people in jail. But, freedom of expression calls for me to tolerate them. Sigh.
When will media learn that these Mullahs love publicity and that's the only reason they do such crazy things. Stop giving them importance and they will die natural death.
So they condone murder in the name of religion........and from the other side of their mouth they say ' to kill one person means the death of humanity '......WHY DON'T THEY MAKE UP THEIR MINDS ?
Whole world going on direction while the Pakistan on other........surely India is also behind this.