LAHORE:
Tahaffuz Namoos-i-Risalat Mahaz (TNRM) has condemned a mixed mini-marathon race, calling it ‘un-Islamic.’
The provincial government organised the ‘Family Marathon’ as part of the Punjab Sports Festival 2012 on Sunday. More than 200 women participated in the race.
The TNRM held an emergency meeting on Sunday at Jamia Rasoolia Sherazia to express their views on the race. TNRM president Allama Razae Mustafa Naqashbandi chaired the meeting.
In a statement, TRNM strongly condemned the race and said the Punjab government was following in the steps of former president Gen (retd) Parvez Musharraf. It said home was the best place for women, adding that it was not right to bring the women to streets for an un-Islamic purpose. It also noted that the Punjab government had set up a Food Street in Heera Mandi to promote a ‘dirty culture’ furthering Musharraf’s policies.
The statement said there was no difference in this regard between the rule of Parvez Elahi and Shahbaz Sharif.
Talat Aftab, 35, said he had brought his wife to participate in the race and that there was nothing un-Islamic about running. He said there was a separate race for women.
Advocate Rabiya Bajwa, a rights activist, said religion was being used as a tool to keep Pakistan behind the times. The lawyer added that people should think twice before calling any activity un-Islamic.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 5th, 2012.
COMMENTS (28)
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As long as these bigots continue to feed on halway, any activity requiring physical exercise will have to be un-islamic !!!
TNRM strongly rejected.......................no place for bigoted hypocrites in any human society, they are doing more harm to namoos i risaalat than anyone else!
Why are these mullahs so fixated on keeping the people of pakistan physically, emotionally and mentally unhealthy!
First Hindus, Christians and other minorities, next Ahmadis, Shias and other sects; now women. What's next ? Pakistan surprises everytime I look at them.
... these guys are the Bajrang Dal ... of Pakistan ...
What is islam?? we have completey got into utter nonsense regarding our religion.. go and take a deep breath All you fundamentalists, this is the modern world with Islam is its enlightened version, islam is not fundamentalist, so you stop being the same..
Can someone please forward my queries to TNRM guys: 1 - Would TNRM agree if a mehrem runs with women? 2 - OK I agree running is not allowed. How about Shot-Put? Or Dicus Throw? Is my mind playing games again with me?
If you dont want to run.... dont run...dont like watching people run...close ur eyes..i believe had these peaceful runners carried AK-47 wearing shalwar kameez it would have been acceptable to you
I was wondering why there was no such news, yet. Thanks.
mix race should not be promoted but this marathon was fine because there was seperate race for women
Well we have news for TNRM . . . there are a whole bunch of other Pakistanis living in Pakistan who think women should have a life and personal freedom to choose the way they live. So TNRM, please decide what you want to do for your own self and let others be. We will live and let live and so should you. We promise not to interfere with your way of life as long as you do not interfere in ours and so long as we all live within the law of the land there should be no problem. Best wishes.
Excellent. Maybe now people shall see just how stupid these fools are.
Send them to Mars, they can live in parallel universe, they give a hoot to human rights abuses, never condemn crimes against humanity, killing of innocent human beings by militants but they are very worried about mix marathon.
No one cares about these bigoted maulvis. Do they not know the status of great Muslim women? Do they not know the history of great Muslim women? Who have fought wars side by side with men? Who have done trading and business in this Man's world...
If only we had educated these guys when they were kids... we would not have to deal with them today.
"It also noted that the Punjab government had set up a Food Street in Heera Mandi to promote a ‘dirty culture’ "
The only reason they oppose the Food Street is because the TNRM doesn't want crowds gathering near the HM as they will be able to spot all the top leaders of the TNRM who visit the HM frequently...
Its obviously clear, not everyone wants to stick to islamic rules! thats why i want secular Pakistan! not islamic Pakistan, where everyone is forced to stick to islamic rules!
@IndiKid: how about men keeping their eyes to the ground while addressing women, how about punishment for men who rape women, how about punishing men who burn women who don't bring dowery, how about first giving women their due share in property as well as income............once that is done, then you can call Pakistan an Islamic country.....then you can ask for closing down marathons or such events.
They weren't running naked! What's wrong with TNRM?
what is happening to punjab nowadays?
TNRM ..........who ?????
http://tribune.com.pk/story/345224/muzaffargarh-revenge-plot-10-women-stripped-one-paraded-naked/
I wonder what is tnrm's response to the news linked above... and how they intend to go about curbing this un-islamic practice.
If they do not like "western unislamic marathon" then they can go to Afghanistan or live under water in arabian sea (if marine life accepts them).
i reiterate.... go and protest the abuse of women by men, where a man commits a crime and the other party takes revenge against the women, the muzaffargarh issue of yesterday being the latest such reported issue. Ensure that your protest brings the perpetrators to justice. THAT is according to the true spirit of islam.
Totally agreed. Pak is Islamic country. Only the activities explicity( pun not intended) sanctioned in Quran and approved by genious (pun intended) Mullahs should be allowed. Women must stay in homes, in burqas, prepare food only, and make babies. Marathon is so western.....Its only for kaffir women.
Women are not allowed to run. Please disvand Pakistan women sports teams as well.