Ulema to observe Friday as 'day of condemnation'

Renowned clerics of the country on Tuesday unanimously condemned the brutal mob lynching of Sri Lankan national on blasphemy allegations, denouncing it as "un-Islamic" and "extrajudicial".

The ulema, belonging to a variety of sects, called for stern action against the culprits and announced that the forthcoming Friday will be observed as the “day of condemnation”.

Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology Dr Qibla Ayaz read out a joint statement from ulema following their meeting with Sri Lankan High Commissioner Mohan Wijewickrama at the Sri Lankan Embassy.

"It was an inhumane act, and to accuse someone of blasphemy without proof is not in accordance with the Shariah," he said.

He said all scholars from various sects had gathered to express condolence and solidarity on the horrific incident. "This tragedy caused anger worldwide as the mob brutally killed a man and later burned his body."

Addressing a presser at the Sri Lankan High Commission, flanked by the High Commissioner, Vice Admiral Mohan Wijewickrama, Special Representative to Prime Minister on Interfaith Harmony Tahir Ashrafi and other renowned clerics, Qari Hanif Jalandhari said Ulema unequivocally condemn the heinous act, at mosques and Imambargahs on the said day across the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Mufti Taqi Usmani said the delegation conveyed their heartfelt sorrow over the barbaric incident to the High Commissioner, the victim’s family and the people of Sri Lanka.
“Pakistan and Sri Lanka are two friendly countries and this tragic incident is not only painful for Sri Lanka but also for all of us as a shared grief,” he said.

Also read: Ashrafi asks CJP to treat Sialkot lynching as 'test case'

Mufti Usmani called for due punishment to the culprits involved in the act of barbarism. He expressed the hope that the government would compensate the victim’s family accordingly.

Expressing his thoughts, Ashrafi said the followers of all religions and religious scholars in the country strongly condemned the lynching of the Sri Lankan factory manager.

He added that leaders of religious organisations expressed grief and offered condolences to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner and the people of the country.

“Those involved in the incident had not only brought bad name to the religion but the country as well,” he maintained.

Other scholars present at the occasion also threw weight behind the condemnations and held the view that the inhumane act could not be justified. They demanded the government to compensate the victim’s family, saying every Pakistani is in pain and shares the hours of grief with their Sri Lankan brothers.

Addressing the media, Sri Lankan High Commissioner said that it was tragic to see the brutal attack on Priyantha Diyawadana by the extremist mob.

Also read: Main culprits involved in Sialkot tragedy arrested: Fawad

“However, we are happy that the government of Pakistan has taken stringent action against the culprits involved in the incident to punish them,” the ambassador said.

He noted that a number of culprits had already been rounded up and were behind bars.

“This incident will not affect bilateral ties between the two friendly countries,” he assured and pointed at the fact that the relationship between the two countries dated back to the independence of Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

He added, “We are very confident that this particular incident will be handled by the government and justice will be provided to the victim’s family and children.”

The high commissioner thanked the delegation for expressing condolence to the people of Sri Lanka and the victim’s family.Main culprits arrestedMinister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Tuesday said that the Sialkot tragedy had elicited condemnations from across the country and said that the primary actors in the lynching have been arrested.

The minister said this during a meeting with Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to Pakistan Mohan Vijay Vikrama here.

Fawad also expressed profound regret over the incident and informed the high commissioner about the steps taken by the government after the incident.