Slitting throats of our own brothers to protest others' blasphemy: Altaf Hussain
“The filmmaker is sitting comfortably in America… Will you slaughter your own sister, brother, mother over blasphemy committed by someone else? What kind of love is this for the Prophet (pbuh)?”
Enumerating the losses of life and property suffered on the Ishq-e-Rasool Day, Hussain said that the “extremists and terrorists” looted everything and even had electronic cutters to cut away and steal entire ATM machines.
“Protesters had sticks in their hands. They had special ATM machine cutters. It depicts that they were not there to express love for the prophet (pbuh) or protest against the film. But instead, taking Ishq-e-Rasool as an excuse, they had left their homes to loot and kill,” Hussain stated while asking the audience if any of the looters were from Karachi. The audience replied in negative.
“We burnt down a church in the name of Ishq-e-Rasool. What if, in the name of Eshwar, Krishna or Jesus Christ, someone burns down our mosques?” Hussain asked which was followed by a heavy silence from the audience. “Blasphemy should not be committed against any prophet under the banner of freedom of speech,” he maintained.
Calling out to all “liberal, democratic, progressive and secular” people of the country, Hussain asked, “Do you want a Taliban-type, al Qaeda-type Pakistan or a liberal, educated, progressive Pakistan?
“Now is the time to come forward and break the criminal silence.”
While serving an apology for being harsh during his speech, Hussain said that his greater interest was to save Pakistan.
Karo kari
Hussain also condemned the karo kari that is practiced in the name of honour in parts of Pakistan. “If a girl marries out of her own will, according to Shariah, then she is accused of karo kari and is murdered.
“If we love Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), then we have to get rid of karo kari,” he stressed.
He added that those who bury women alive should be buried and the “skulls should be disjointed” of those who murder in the name of honour.
Absence of leadership?
The party leader said that people always complain that there is an absence of good leadership in the country, but he said that new leaders “won’t descend from the sky in the form of angels”.
“If you can’t see the right leaders, then it is not anyone’s fault,” he asserted and told the audience about how he was the first one to lodge his protest against the blasphemous film when all the others were asleep. “They were sleeping when I sent a telegram to Ban Ki-moon and the OIC that this [film] is intolerable.”
Addressing the Pakistani youth, he said, “If you don’t want to come forward then I won’t have any other choice than to back out from Pakistan’s politics… Decide and tell me today, do you want me to say goodbye forever?”
COMMENTS (25)
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Regardless of reasons to make fun of Altaf, one has to admit that he is the only liberal fiery force standing against the extremist - therefore, better for Pakistan to support him than the other parties that lack balls for confronting extremists.
@Umar Farooq Khawaja: Yes, it should be a crime but you will be the biggest criminals. So called Muslims are more blasphemous to the proper teachings of Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAW) than non-Muslims. Look at your societies and evaluate your character and deeds. Forget those speeches about the beautiful saying of Quran and Holy Prophet (SAW) because we do not see anyone practicing in the daily life. Who are the biggest reason of bring this day to Islam? Is not your actions and behavior totally opposite to the true teachings of Islam? Amazingly, you still have nerve to call others as anti-Islam? For God sake, wakeup from the state of denial and realize your own shortcoming and hypocrisy toward Allah and His prophet (SAW). Once you’ll stop real blasphemy, everything else will be fixed, InshAllah.
Sure, you cannot control 7 billion people armed with smartphones, but people have always been able to commit crimes. That's the whole point of law enforcement. The real issue here is that anti-Semitism, homophobia, paedophilia, etc are crimes, whereas Islamophobia is not. Anti-Islamism should equally be a crime and for that matter hate speech based on anybody's religion.
Altaf is not in Pakistan so that is the reason of his talking sense but incase he comes back to his homeland he would soon start speaking the language of the railway minister. The polluted atmosphere of the country which is full of religious intolerance, violence and discontentment has changed the behavioral pattern of the people living in Pakistan whereas Pakistanis living abroad are progressive and secular.
I'm not from karacki but agree with most of his ideology! Pakistan needs more progressive liberal and courageous leaders like Altaf.
@Kashif Dada: No Sir, I can't stand him.
@Rahman:
Is your full name Rehman Malik?
I feel vindicated by the bold statement of MQM leader. I have seen the difference between rightwing parties and real progressive and democratic parties. That is why I have been supporting the elected coaliton govt. This is a true answer to the local leaders like Bilour. Well said, thanks a lot for the courage.
People of Pakistan must pay attention to what Mr Altaf Husain is saying, he is the only one with vision and courage to speak out against those who have profaned Islam and Pakistan. I respect the man and his words and consider him as someone, the only one, who can speak the truth as clearly and without any amibiguity. Good for his followers within the MQM and Sindh, I congratulate them.
the killer of pukhtoons saying that killing and slaughtering in the name of blasphemy is not acceptable and yes he can do it for his own purpose. shame on both who did violent protest and on this killer of pashtoons too.. both are terrorists
You are really like a leopard. At least to make the current statement. People say you are sitting in UK as such making such statements. I would say many others also sitting in UK but never had the courage to call goat a goat. How truly you have analysed the facts. Sitting in glass house these extremist and fanatics throwing stones on the houses of others. In the name of beloved prophet (pbuh) they were grabbing the money. This is what is their Ishqe Rasool. They have ishq but only with money and with their self oriented benefits. Keep up your stance. A day will come for you if this country has to survive on the map of the world.
If you are true to your words Mr Altaf Hussain, pls provide protection to the minorities in your ruled city. How many sectarian killers roam aound while you and your workers sleep like dead? One could call you courageous only if your men protect EVERY one in their constituency in the name of humanity only. YOUR governor and YOUR government, YOUR public back up and MQM popularity, and yet, everyday, there are so many getting killed. Have you ever tried to protect them just as you offered a 100000 men for the rich and elite of the city? Until you do this, i dont think you can manage ever to be called a true lover of Prophet pbuh. Our Prophet pbuh had the same rule and offered protection to all, not the rich only. YOU keep ruling and the poor keep dying. Something is wrong with this scenario, dont you think?
This guy has the spine, conviction and courage to say what no one else says in Pak.
Well said by Altaf Hussain:
We want a liberal, educated, progressive Pakistan
With all my political differences with MQM, I am forced to salute Altaf Hussain for calling a spade a spade. Only a real mard-e-momin can take a just stand in out unjust, pseudo-religious, morally corrupt and spiritually impotent society. Hats off to Altaf Hussain, may Allah give courage and intelligence to our other political and religious leaders.
life or death is in Allah hand hence Altaf Bhai, please come to Pakistan if you really are a brave person/leader.
A good attempt to divert public attention from recent and yet another "ultimatum" to PPP government.
Change of heart and change of Political stance since a couple of years. What this party has done to Karachi in the past is shameful. Just words cannot erase the memories of the past events. If his party cannot find a leader in Pakistan, they should close down shop!
Indeed he spoke the truth about the terrorists and extremists that caused the chaos in the peaceful protest in Karachi and some other areas. Rallies and protests were held in Balochistan Punjab Waziristan Gilgit-Baltistan too but ended in a peaceful way. IDK why i feel that this man really speaks the truth and is loyal to the country. So what if he could not bring the change himself, at least he does not feed the youth with lies. Good Work Sir.
Maybe it's time for common sense to prevail. There are approximately 7 billion people on this planet and anyone who has a smart phone and access to the internet can place an offensive video on-line. Whether it's porn, blasphemous material, conspiracy websites, or jihadist propaganda no amt of policing can eliminate it all -- in the long run the only thing you can control is your response to the offensive material.
This guys seems to be pretty sensible and progressive. May be he is just stuck with vote politics.
I recently (couple of months) started following the author. He makes sense, so far. But, I also learnt that he is sitting in UK and making these comments. Pls go home and work with people and make these comments. Accurate observation and right message, nonetheless.
A repeat a of prev comment: Today Dicky insulted me, I went home and beat the sh!t out of my brother. Now, Dicky will think twice before insulting me again. ..pc