Pakistan

Religious parties announce strike on Dec 31

Nation-wide strike called as protest against "conspiracies" to repeal the blasphemy laws.

Ppi December 28, 2010

KARACHI: Religio-political parties including Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Jamait Ulema-i-Pakistan (JUP), Jamiat Ahle-Hadith, Tanzeem-i-Islami, Tahreek-i-Islami have announced a complete shutter-down strike across Pakistan on December 31, 2010.

JI’s deputy chief, Professor Abdul Ghafoor Ahmed, said on Tuesday that the strike will be held to protest against the "conspiracies" of present rulers to repeal the blasphemy law. Ghafoor said that he regretted that "anti-Islam elements and their local agents" were out to repeal the blasphemy laws in Pakistan to achieve their "malicious goals" against Muslims.

He said that the blasphemy laws had been drafted by clerics from all schools of thought and passed by the National Assembly unanimously.

Ghafoor said that sentences for blasphemy against Jesus Christ are incorporated in the laws of western states, including the United States and the United Kingdom among other countries. He said that no religion in the world allows blasphemy against messengers of God.

The JI deputy chief further said that the JI "pities that some so-called non-governmental organizations (NGOs) of human rights were supporting blasphemy and blasphemers". He called on the trader’s community and transporters to take active part in the strike.

In addition to the strike, the religio-political parties will hold a mass congregation in Nishtar Park in Karachi on January 9, 2011.

COMMENTS (12)

AQ | 13 years ago | Reply There is no physical punishment for Blasphemy in Islam. Holy Quran discourages to hurt others sensitivity but there is not a single verse in Holy Quran which states that blasphemy is punishable by Man. As a Muslim we should try to read and understand Holy Quran. Right from the beginning of Holy Quran, we are told that the only way to become righteous is to follow the guidance of the Holy Qur'an. This is a perfect Book; there is no doubt in it; it is a guidance for the righteous, (2:3)

AsifB | 13 years ago | Reply @ Shakil Ahmed re "according to Quran Our Faith is not even completed without the Extreme Love of Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him. Our faith require us to keep The Muhammad (PBUH) before our parents, children, property and all what we have in this world." Shakil bhai, that is so IF you have that faith. If you are a Muslim, you will follow the teachings of the Holy Quran and examples of the Prophet Muhammad. BUT no one can force their own faith upon anyone else and each individual has a right (and is free to) believe what they will. If you believe that God is allmighty and benevolent and that He as our creator has given this right to each one of us, then it is not up to any of us (humans) to take His place and pass judgment on others. Making the assumption that we can take His place in this matter would certainly be blasphemous. Assuming that God Almighty needs our protection from other "sinful" people (columnists, writers or whoever) is also presumtious. As you rightly said "everyone is liable to answer for his acts" ... I would only add "for his OWN acts". Consequently, I would very much appreciate if everyone else in the world let me do exactly that; Please respect my right to have my own faith and let me answer for my own acts. Do not assume I believe the same things you do and do not try to force me to do so either. Salaams, Asif ps. I understand that the above way of thinking is not very popular with "mullahs" as it means I am out of their control and answer only to God.

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Nasir | 13 years ago | Reply @Shakil Ahmed: I totally agree with your views!

akw | 13 years ago | Reply

Ghafoor said that sentences for blasphemy against Jesus Christ are incorporated in the laws of western states, including the United States and the United Kingdom among other countries. He said that no religion in the world allows blasphemy against messengers of God. Blockquote

Do the people of Pakistan know that this is a lie? Do they know that you are free to say whatever you like against Jesus in Western nations? Western nations not only don't jail people for this, they don't issue death sentences for it. They don't issue death sentences for those who wish to leave any religion for another, or for none at all. Islam is truly a weak religion if it is necessary to defend it by killing anyone who "insults" it or its prophet. It is a weak religion if it must be imposed by the sword. It is a weak religion if it is necessary to keep its followers by threat of death for leaving. Is Islam that weak?

Shakil+Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply "A Christian Mother" how innocent the words are, but do I ask the writer why they did not write for Aafia "A Muslim Mother". We at Pakistan, on the name of Freedom, trying to get fredom from our religious, but friends do recall according to Quran Our Faith is not even completed without the Extreme Love of Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him. Our faith require us to keep The Muhammad (PBUH) before our parents, children, property and all what we have in this world. There is a definite end of this world and everyone is liable to answer for his acts, so please be ready to answer there. The writer, the commentors and the readers do not have any exemption there. I request the columinist and the writers if their words can be helpful to the Islam instead of fake socialism. Regards, Shakil Ahmed

mohammed+abbasi | 13 years ago | Reply mullahs - may allah swt give them hidayat

AsifB | 13 years ago | Reply Same old, same old... :P Clerics can preach what they wish in their own congregations, but why do they believe they have the right to hijack a whole religion? What makes them believe they represent all muslims? Do they believe God has given them that right? In that case they are being blasphemous, as God has clearly given each human being the capacity and right to reflect upon and make such spiritual decisions individually. If on top of that they use the named of God to threaten and so to speak, "put the fear of God" into other individuals in order to gain control over them, well... that is just way beyond their role as spiritual guides. Whenever a political force (because that is what they really are) starts to blame "a foreign conspiracy" for their troubles, you can be sure that the threat they fear is right in their midst where it is most disarming... It is educated and free thinking muslims they are really afraid of.

buspur | 13 years ago | Reply so new year will be embraced with chaos and a law and order situation. Kudos! this is a mere tactic to divert attention of the masses from real issues. why dont the mullahs protest against injustice, occupation of state land by mosques, suicide bombing and mass spree in the name of Islam. these issues are the real threat to the 'image' of Islam. Aasia Bibi case has became a matter of life and death for the mullahs because some liberal elements in the government raised voice over the human aspect of the issue.

Khalid | 13 years ago | Reply Same old trend- just obsreve what Mullahs, MQM etc are saying and doing and one can very easily understand the plans of "deep state" against the current fragile democratic set up.

Iqbal+Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Barbarians want to strike again !!!!!

Syed Nadir El Edroos | 13 years ago | Reply malicious and conspiracy - completing newspaper columns and slogans since......-

Cautious | 13 years ago | Reply How can anyone with a title of Professor make comments indicating that the West has blasphemy laws protecting Jesus Christ? I guess he doesn't mind bending the truth if it satisfies his political/religious goal.

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