Shia killings: Altaf berates rising religious extremism

Says murder of the innocent must be condemned by people of all faiths and beliefs.

KARACHI: In a veiled reference to religious extremists, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has said that those who once opposed the creation of Pakistan have now stolen Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s ideology to take hold of the country.

He was speaking at an event on Sunday hosted by the in-charge of the MQM’s women wing, MNA Kishwar Zehra. Veteran politicians Mairaj Mohammad Khan, Iqbal Haider, Fehmida Riaz, the former governor of State Bank of Pakistan, Salim Raza, and the former vice chancellor of the Karachi University, Dr Peerzada Qasim, were also there.

The founder of Pakistan wanted a country where people of all faiths and creeds were to be treated as equal, Hussain reiterated, according to a statement issued by the MQM.

“Pakistanis need to regain the country from those who have overtaken it and ensure that people of all faiths are treated equally,” he said. “Islam is the religion of peace, but extremists practice the opposite of what Islam teaches.”

The MQM chief was extremely regretful of Shias being targeted in the country. He termed their murder as the murder of Pakistan, which should be condemned by people of all faiths and beliefs.

The MQM members in parliament were directed to raise the issue in the assemblies.

Several resolutions were adopted at the meeting, including an appeal to the people to rise above political differences and not consider a particular sect as “wrong”; to pray in each other’s mosques irrespective of their faiths and sects; and to ensure respect of all faiths. Another resolution included an appeal to the members of provincial assemblies and parliament to call on the government to allow people to practice their faith freely and with security.

The participants also called on the superior judiciary to play its role to stop the murder of innocent. It was also decided at the meeting to consult with the judiciary on the issue, and a committee headed by Mairaj Mohammad Khan was formed.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10^th, 2012.