Pakistan

MQM lawmaker declines to lead Fateha for Taseer

Lawmakers in Senate stood divided over the issue of offering fateha for a deceased person.

Express January 29, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Polarisation on religious issues again became visible at the highest level when lawmakers in Senate stood divided over the issue of offering fateha for a deceased person.

When Senator Abdul Khaliq Pirzada of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was asked to lead the prayers for the soul of the assassinated governor of Punjab, Salmaan Taseer, he flatly refused.

A parliamentarian later termed the incident an “abhorrent aberration” in the country’s parliamentary history.

The prayers were requested by Senator Nilofar Bakhtiar of the PML-Q, who requested chairman Senate Farooq H Naek that the house should offer prayers for the late governor’s departed soul. She also urged the upper house of parliament to pass a resolution to condemn elements supporting Taseer’s killer.

Offering prayers for persons of national repute is a routine matter.

After the MQM lawmaker refused to lead the prayers, the Senate chairman himself led the prayers to avoid further controversy.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (28)

Asmat Jamal | 13 years ago | Reply MQM has covert understanding with the extremists and that is one reason that their processions and gatherings remained safe always and every time.

Khalid | 13 years ago | Reply So Karachiites haven't really come out of their Jamate Islami past. So much for the Secular Party. At the same time other so called secular or liberal parties like PPP are also blameable. Khalid

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mnkhan | 13 years ago | Reply only a non muslim will refuse to say or lead fateha for an other muslim," inqilab" zindabad.

Haseeb ur Rehman | 13 years ago | Reply I fully agree that Salman Taseer was not of National stature. He even was not of provincial level. may ALLAH forgive him and rest his soul in PEACE !@Pakistan One:

Tanzeel | 13 years ago | Reply Read this official clarification letter from Mr. Pirzada http://i55.tinypic.com/16l0iaa.jpg

Majid Maqsood | 13 years ago | Reply It shows mqm is not moderate political force.

Tilsim | 13 years ago | Reply @ S A H gillani Thanks. Explains where the problem lies.

JButt | 13 years ago | Reply MQM has many barelvis in its ranks.

S A H gillani | 13 years ago | Reply Background of Mr. Pirzada might suggest his action.... http://www.senate.gov.pk/ShowMemberDetail.asp?MemberCode=547&CatCode=8&CatName=Senators+2006-2012+to+2009-2015

Tanzeel | 13 years ago | Reply Inquired from sources and what I learned about this issue will get published in Tribune tomorrow where he clarified himself by saying that he was not with Wazu so he avoided this.

Abbas Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Salman Taseer Shaheed does not need any Fatiha Khawani from hypocrats of his party or anyone else. He died for a cause and exposed many people. Millions attended Zia's funeral and said Fatiha Khawani, but there were handfull people in Bhutto's Janaza and everyone was afraid to say nice words about Bhutto. Now millions visit Bhutto's Mazar but no one remebers Zia with nice words. Time will change and these hypocrats who are afraid to say Fatiha will soon be exploiting Taseer's death.

Asad Noor Pugganwala | 13 years ago | Reply جانے کب کون کسے مار دے کافر کہہ کر شہر کا شہر مسلمان ہوا پھرتا ھے Being a Muslim it is so very shameful to learn what happened in the Senate.It is not that MQM is exposed even all the religious parties are exposed too. It is totally against the teachings of Islam. What are we trying to establish what we are, certainly not muslims that is for sure.Our religon teaches us to be peace ful and tolerent. MQM and all the religious parties are always on the look out to gain political milage they dont care about Islam and Pakistan. We want to practice Islam not the agenda of the mullah.Allah we seek your help and guidance.

Yasir | 13 years ago | Reply Those that are condoning the murder of Salmaan Taseer might think themselves good muslims but one thing is certain; they are horrible human beings. Makes me feel ashamed of being a Pakistani.

Reader | 13 years ago | Reply @Faria Syed: Absolutely! Its abominable!

Yasser Khan | 13 years ago | Reply FYI to all, there are certain religious outfits who doesn't believe in offering "FATEHA KHWANI" . Hence it should be noted that any person should have religious independence to do it based on his personal beliefs, offcourse the political party cannot enforce anyone to put it behind. The fact of matter is MQM as a political party condemned the assassination of taseer and also they did attend Mr. Taseer funeral, this reporting doesn't make enough sense, though it published in BBC urdu also to have some mirch masala

asad | 13 years ago | Reply ok finally MQM did atleast one good thing........

Sajjad Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply The very polarisation of society is itself a media grown thing, and only media can tackle it best. Consensus of opinion on common issues must be formed, otherwise we'll go spiralling down the path to revolt - nothing else !

S. Ali Raza | 13 years ago | Reply This is an EXTREMELY malicious and maligning post! E-Tribune management MUST take note of this and find out the reasons behind this attempt.

S. Ali Raza | 13 years ago | Reply There is a difference between asking to "Lead" a prayer and offering a prayer. I believe Haider Abbas has clarified that this was a personal decision of the Senator and not a party policy.

Ashiq Ali Ansari | 13 years ago | Reply Every Muslim, irrespective of his degree of LIBRALISM OR SECULARISM, has some SEEDS to love the Prophet (Peace & Harmony be Upon Him). It is not Talibanism to show decline towards the religious values. There must be some difference between Talibanisation and Love with our Holy Prophet.

Syed | 13 years ago | Reply Again ET is give half truths and not the full story !! Haider Abbas Rizvi later told that Pirzada's refusal was a surprise act even for the party and against their official policy. They are referring this to central executive council for taking action against him. So stop telling half baked and distorted stories

zaigham | 13 years ago | Reply This guy Khaliq Pirzada is typical tunnel vision molvi... I have seen him on tv a lot of times... I wonder why was he given a senate ticket?

Faria Syed | 13 years ago | Reply I am disgusted that one man can refuse to pray for another. This is shameful.

M M Malik | 13 years ago | Reply Allah makes his own decisions, He is not guided by our prayers. He listens to our prayers by his sheer grace.

Pakistan One | 13 years ago | Reply "Offering prayers for persons of national repute is a routine matter" The question is was Taseer of national repute? I dont think so,

Yasser Khan | 13 years ago | Reply But MQM did attended Taseer Funeral, there must be some other reason.

muhammad faiz | 13 years ago | Reply finally the propaganda is exposed.The real face is now shown.All the press conferences & talk shows can't hide the fact that another of our self proclaimed liberal,secular political parties has a mentality similar to the taliban. I think the great leader should start his campaign of fighting Talibanization by weeding out the religious barbarians in his own party.

Nazir Habib | 13 years ago | Reply More on this please, like why did he refuse. Your newspiece is not very clear to this blogger. It is nebulous. Sorry!. Salams for 2011.

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