Altaf advises people to only pray behind leaders condemning Malala attack
Hussain also requested ulemas belonging to different schools of thought to denounce the attack on Malala and her fellow students during congregational prayers on Friday.
He asked the congregations to offer special prayers for Malala’s well-being and health and for the other students who were injured in the attack.
The MQM chief praised ulemas belonging to Muttahida Bainul Muslimeen Forum and others for showing courage and condemning the incident. He asked them to unite for saving the country.
DawnNews reported that Hussain urged all office bearers, party workers and peace loving citizens of Pakistan to submit the details of all muftis and ulemas in their localities within a week – irrespective of the sect they belong to – to the party’s sector offices situated near their residence.
He said that the details of all religious leaders holding different positions and titles such as mufti, imam, aalim and khatib, collected from all sectors will be consolidated at MQM headquarters, Nine Zero.
Hussain further said that the names of the people who refuse to give the information should be noted down so that the government itself could obtain the details.
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@Raj - USA:
You can’t just blame one politician or only politicians living in Pakistan for Pakistan’s destruction (so far). I don’t understand the destruction threshold you have set to compare Altaf hussain with other politicians. I believe Altaf Hussain has destructed Pakistan as much as other politicians have done and in fact I would blame him even more. He and his party have been in government since last 12 odd years? Musharraf did damage and who was supporting him???? “Altaf Hussain” and now PPP is destroying Pakistan and who is supporting them??? “AltafHussain”. We all know how he defended Pakistan in India….by calling partition the biggest blunder in the human history so you just can’t say that he can defend the country. If he can defend Pakistan I would challenge him to go to BBC or CNN and speak against drone attacks. Its only Imran khan who can defend Pakistan in the current scenario. Things haven’t changed at all…..MQM still wants to control the whole Karachi….If he is such a great leader he should simply come back and lead from the front (not from the phone). This is what I call bold and brave leadership.
Condemning the Malala atrocity is a must but to use that as a pretext for saying where one should pray is tending towards a total control of society.
@m.johri: You say: "Is it true that you are responsible for 43 murders as pointed out in NRO case." Wern't these cases made up or are they actually real?
Altaff Hussain you are right about our dear daughter Malala.Deep down our hearts are praying for her every minutes of the day.However our hearts are also sad for the killings which seems to go on every day in Karachi ,and it is general notion "you started all this afew years ago " and then you ran away to London .Is it true that you are responsible for 43 murders as pointed out in NRO case.
@Jadugar: It is failure of his government to maintain law and order. Instead he goes Gestapo on Imams. Why dont he ask the useless MNAs & MPAs to resign.
FYI eleven people died in Karachi. Where is the Altaf Hussain statement?
Altaf Hussain, you have proved to be a leader who can steer Pakistan out of the barbaric clutches of butchers, people call them Taliban. I would call them Kafreen.
100% agree .. understand what Mr Altaf Hussain is saying ... its not some thing on what you start the arguments or questions..
A true patriot and one of the few sane people left in pakistan
Who does he think he is? How about if another politician coming up with dead line that if you don't visit Malala within next 4 days then you are with Taliban....What will he do then?
I agree that every religious leader should condemn this and be clear on this issue of violence against kids, girls and right for their education BUT it doesn't have to come from another politician.
people who have slightest soft belly for taliban are enemies of pakistan and enemies are not allowed to live in pakistan just leave pakistan we need more dorne attacks or those fanatics will kill all our malalas we wont have any sisters at all
@Hairaan: Yes I do not live in Karachi but I know them very well. Being as a Punjabi student, I faced them in late 80's and I don't consider them very sacred either. But lately, I love him because of his bold and politically incorrect stands. He is taking stand for weak people of our society. Unlike others he is upfront, no double talk - one virtue of a Mard-e-Momin. In my opinion people who exploit religion are much worse than those who exploit worldly ideology. I hate people who live “on” religion instead of living “by” religion. So called secular people are much better than “professional” custodians of Islam. Therefore, one Altaf Hussain is better than thousands of “holy” men who exploited Islam for their political, sectarian and vested interest. May Allah bless us and safeguard us from evil of extremism and terrorism on the name of Islam,,, Inna lillahe wainna alaihe rajeon.
@Muhammad Rohaan Sadiq: I was not for him also earlier and have mentioned so in my earlier comments. Yes, in the earlier days he wanted control of Karachi when his party was a Mohajir movement. It appears that he has changed now though I would still like him to return back to Pakistan and lead the country from there. Again, the politicians living in Pakistan have done much more damage to Pakistan. Even Musharraf damaged Pakistan when he was in the country. But from overseas he has done relatively better for Pakistan. I recall his fund raising event where he collected several millions of dollars for the flood victims. Even now, he defends Pakistan much better than many of the politicians living in Pakistan. As I am not a Pakistani, I may not have the same bitter feelings about Altaf Hussein as many Pakistanis do. I realize it now. All said, Altaf Hussein's recent statements are sensible and bold. He is not trying to confuse Pakistanis and lead them to more destruction like what other politicians are doing.
@Aamina Bibi: Pray behind AB's photo. You can find it on all public buildings and KESC poles in Karachi. Snach one you get easily hold of and here you go.
Altaf Bhai Zindabad, we obey to Altaf Bhai at any cost , i have told kids also to pray only behind pro malala prayer leaders , but what they do if they dont find pro malala leader
Controlling all aspects people's life through coercion is just what the Taliban do?
Why these mullah, mufti, khateeb needed anyway? We have quran and sunnah to follow. Any sane, adult muslim, abiding muslim nam should be able to lead prayers. Just dismiss all these professional mullahs, khateeb, muftis. Stop listening to their flamming sermons, stop asking for opinions or fatwas. Convert madrassas into publich school. Problem solved !!
Condemning the Malala attack is called for but not fascism.
@Raj - USA:
You see you live in USA and I am not surprised that you wrote this "some Pakistanis are criticizing him". He is a wise POLITICIAN (I agree) but his brain always goes the other way. He always say things but he doesnt have the thing in him to practically do anything (Good) for Pakistan because whatever he has done so far is too bad to appreciate this statement. All he has ever wanted is to control Karachi! thats all! what kind of patriotism do you see in that?
@Muhammad Rohaan Sadiq: And ET deleted the punch line from my comment :(
Don't try to confuse the issue as a religious one the killing of this girl is a criminal act and should be treated accordingly@ZA:
Pakistanis remember well that this man saluted Musharraf for butchering hundreds of girls like Malala in Lal Masjid.
May be because he has been talking the truth as regards the Taliban issue for some time now and you choose to ignore it.@Khushk:
Our prayer is our personal matter. We chose to pray behind whoever we please.
@Rahman: Probably you do not live in Karachi. Nobody here can afford to give chandas, zakat, fitranas, sadqa, and other financial donations to anybody. All such donations are collected by the representatives of the middle class educated peoples.
appreciated for Mr Altaf Hussain's Vision. Thanks to MQM and its leadership for taking this issue strongly.. Thumbs Up MQM !
Wow, Bhai is on fire. Keep going, please do not stop.
@tausif: Ask a cut from donations.
@Khushk: You're getting on my nerves....seriously !
i don't like Altaf Hussain an dhis party but the action he has taken is highly commendable. Govt should be the one taking these steps.
altaf bhai, i am from rawalpindi but can not agree more on your stance.
@saleem: Do you mean extortionists vs terrorists?
Altaf Bhai should we care to ask if the one we are praying behind is Muslim or not? Or just the condemnation is enough? By the way just read somewhere Madona has also condemned the attack. Just asking....
Not only a first practical step but a wise one too. Secondly, people should stop giving chandas, zakat, fitranas, sadqa, and other financial donations to them and their institutes so they feel the “real” effect. Small steps like that may teach them to behave like decent human beings and true followers of Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAW), InshAllah.
@ moise I'd rather live with extortion then get killed by some Jahil terrorist who seem to have all the Mullas affections and hidden encouragement. It seems that money is more important then your life?
@ Nitish: He is not the only one, This man has the courage to speak against not only the Mullas but also against Killings of minorities, innocent, Shia, and the Taliban unlike some people in the Govt. especially in the Punjab.
MQM should organize a movement to go after the taliban
@tausif: The list will be used to extort animal hides during the coming eid season.
@Hopeful: I do agree with his statement absolutely.... But COURAGE, SERIOUSLIY??? when u r calling from london.... Infact, he doesnt even has the courage to come to pakistan
Excellent advice. I am surprised that some Pakistanis are condemning and criticizing Altaf Hussain. I was also not for him earlier but I am all praises for him now. Many have claimed that Islam is an unifying force. Altaf Bhai is the only wise politician who is using Islam to unite Pakistanis to stand up against evils. All others come up with some reasons such as incapability to take on the terrorists, like IK saying that his party members shall be targeted by the terrorists if he condemns their acts or the government and military not taking any action to wipe out the terrorists. Worst still some religious leaders try to support the terrorists by trying to explain their actions or come up with conspiracy theories. This is the first time any leader has spoken so clearly against the terrorists and has issued severe warning to their supporters and appeasers. The religious leaders who were reluctant to condemn have been forced to condemn the terrorists, though belatedly. Similarly I also appreciate Aamir Liaquat Hussein who was the only religious scholar who was clear and serious in his condemnations and was able to say on TV that the Ulema should be the first one to condemn such acts but even those who came on board rather did it reluctantly and belatedly.
i wonder what would he do with the list of all mullahs ?
I pray some scholar issue fatwa against extortion. I can't wait to see his reaction.
Hussein is ahead of other political leaders. Never see any one courageous like him.
I am still unable to belevie why is so much hype being created of this issue. When innocent people are being killed through drone attacks....no one talks about them just that militants killed...when there are attacks in Afghanistan on marriage ceremonies killing innocent people....no one gives it a serious note.....however this issues seems to have taken the whole world like the most burning issue. I doubt it is only attack on Malala...Now get ready for drone attacks much deeper in Pakistan in pursuit of so called Al Qaeda and Taliban
@saleem: They train the Al Qaeda there. Latest export is guy name Qumu to Libya.
Bravo..
@sid: Where was he and his vision when hundreds of girls of almost Malala's age were killed on Pervez Musharraf's order.
Can anybody ask this guy to stop talking nonsense.
Altaf, please stop giving us your one cent advice.
lol.a mafia party calls for peace!
@Hopeful: Nobody is that stupid either.
Sitting Abroad due to Mullahs?
Altaf Bhai is the true champion!
That is an excellent idea that brings a lot of moral clarity. Now on, I will always ask my prospective imam whether he supports or opposes the Taliban and AlQaeda. If he does, I will refuse to offer prayers behind him. Thank you for your suggestion.
the reason these killings continue is because a large population in pakistan has become wahabi. they sort of have a soft corner for these talibans. talibans view is our way or die. whose Islam are they following? wake up pakistanis
I am no fan of MQM but credit should be given where credit is due. MQM has been only political entity which has clear and unambiguous stance against this tragic and barbaric attack on 14 year old Malala.
Good thought............Visionary leader.......
Excellent advice. Also do not vote their front man.
Yah, ulemas now should break the ice and condemn all acts of terrorism and religious extremisim. Iltaf bhai u should also come in pakistan and ask Malala. Yous should also visit swat for showing ur solidarity with malala family. I hope instead making statement sitting abroad u wil show any action now.
Excellent! Who else has courage to say this?
hehehe..seems that this man is fed up of mullahs.
Any mula refusing to condemn the taliban need to be sent to guantinamo
Altaf bhai....We want yours and your party skills to keep this pressure up...
I agree with Altaf Hussain. People should not pray behind Molvies who support, eulogize, perpetrates and smells of terrorism or are reluctant to condenm and abondon their vicious activities.
this man is getting on my nerves...seriously!
Why does the Tribune give prime space to Altaf?
Mind blowing sir..kudos to you..we need more people like you, then only peace will prevail in our subcontinent..dil khush ho gaya