Condemning Israeli aggression against Palestinians in Gaza, Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has questioned the United Nations Security Council, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Pakistani government over their “blatant silence”.
During a telephonic address to party leaders and workers in Islamabad from London, the MQM leader lamented that the international community including the Muslim Ummah were shamefully silent over the brutalities of Israeli forces in Gaza and other cities of Palestine, who kill innocent children, women and civilians by dropping bombs and missiles. “I always support the right and if Israel is committing a wrong, then I will condemn the act and I don’t care how my life is at risk due to my stance,” Hussain said.
Expressing sorrow over the “martyrdom” of many innocent Palestinian people in the attacks, he urged UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron to use their influence to stop the Israeli aggression.
“I see the bodies of innocent kids and civilians lying drenched in blood after the Israeli attack,” he said addressing the conference which was attended by a large number of MQM parliamentarians, senior leaders and workers.
“I urge the international community to play their role for immediately halting this aggression which has been continuing for days”. Hussain also asked the government of Pakistan to “show courage” and press the international community to intervene.
“Why aren’t the 50 Muslim countries taking any unanimous steps against this aggression? Why have they failed to say that they don’t need the members of the UN if it fails to stop the Israelis against Muslims?” he questioned.
The chief of MQM expressed grief over the “indifferent attitude of Muslim leaders and the OIC”, saying, “If there is any honour and dignity of the Muslim Ummah, it should stand united and raise collective voice to stop this aggression. This is the right time for Muslim leaders to take a decision for unity against the atrocities meted out to the Ummah.”
“Although some of my party leaders were reluctant over my stance [but] I cannot be mum over this aggression even at the cost of my life. And I don’t care how mighty Israel is,” Hussain said. “It is time for the government in Pakistan and its foreign office to lodge a strong protest against the United Nations for its failure to discharge its duties. If you are scared of them, then you may take any worker of the MQM with you for this purpose.”
The MQM chief also criticised Pakistan’s political and religious parties “who did not express any concern over this inhuman act of Israeli forces”.
“For God’s sake, political and religious parties should stand up and raise their collective voice.” Addressing religious parties of the country, he warned: “You will see a revolution soon in this country and you will be held accountable by those who you had misguided in the name of religion.”
The MQM chief also condemned all kinds of violence in Pakistan whether it was in the shape of “Talibanisation” in Swat and tribal areas, violence against Malala Yousafzai or in the form of honour killings in Punjab and other parts of the country. “I am a Muslim but not an extremist and I don’t have any hatred for others in the name of religion or sects. I have respect and sympathy even for non-Muslims as I am a human being.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 19th, 2012.
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