A file photo of interior minister Rehman Malik. PHOTO: PID / FILE
KARACHI: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) minority MPA Saleem Khurshid Khokhar moved an adjournment motion in the Sindh Assembly on Wednesday against interior minister Rehman Malik, who reportedly declared non-Muslims as terrorists.
Khokhar said that Malik had told the National Assembly that terrorists had been asked to lay down their arms or declare themselves as “non-Muslims”.
“His speech was totally biased and against religious minorities. We condemn it and demand the government get the interior minister mentally checked,” Khokhar told the media after assembly proceedings on Wednesday.
Earlier, Malik had said, “Islam has no room for violence. Innocent people are losing their lives. Those who had been killed in Quetta were also Muslims. Why are you killing your own Muslim brothers? Is this Islam? If not, why you people are not declaring yourself as non-Muslim.”
Khokhar said minorities have equal rights in the constitution and the white colour in the national flag, which is an icon of peace, also represents the religious minorities in the country.
“The statement issued by federal minister has created resentment among our people and we fear Malik will order police and law enforcement agencies to kill minorities,” he added.
The MPA further claimed that it was not the first time such statements have been issued by Malik and other conservative lawmakers of the PPP.
“PPP MNA Abdul Haq aka Mian Mitho had already called minorities’ lawmakers agents of international agencies including RAW, Mossad and American CIA. However, Malik had also criticised the leader of the Catholic Church Pope Benedict XVI by relating his gathering with Tahirul Qadri’s long march held in Islamabad.”
He said that he would take the matter to the current session of the Sindh Assembly and would request the speaker to adjourn all proceedings to discuss this sensitive issue.
COMMENTS (55)
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"tender apology for making irrational statement"? seriously? r u kidding me?? what's with you calling us Muslims terrorists even those who r innocent? be open-minded idiot. that's what governments want you to think. well done you've been fooled. oh btw 9/11 was a set up for you to think Islam is only about terrorism. anyway, i'm loving this Rehman Malik.
Pakistan is in need of sane people. There are far too many mad people in this country.
@Hammad Mian: Indian media never uses muslim terrorism, They always use Pakistani terrorism because muslims of India are not terrorists. Next time you hear or read Indian media, Listen carefully.
Yes western media does use term 'Muslim or Islamic terrorism'. As they Generalise it doesnt tell their people that Muslims of India, Malasia, Indonasia, Turkey, Iran, Kazakistan, Turkiministan, Srilanka, Burma, France, Canada are not Terrorist.
@Hammad Mian: Have heart to face the truth!!
@gp65.: It is not my 'point of view'. Allah gave only one 'deen' through every messenger. Christian , Jews Hindu etc had divine message. The messages were distorted each time and a new messenger commissioned. Ultimately message was preserved and its follwers were required to convey this message and to behave as messengers.
Those who ignore the message, do so at their own risk and cost.
Five pillars is a idea of ulema like Ten Commandments invented by Jew and Christian ulemas.I dont find succh a thing in Quran. One has to follow the book which was revealed and followed by Muhammad Rasool Allah.
Please seek your answers from Quran. Thanks for your reply.
On one hand Rehman Malik says that mobile phones are the most strongest weapons of the terrorists and on the other hand Rehman Malik declares non-muslims the terrorists.Actually Rehman Malik needs strongly any psychologist's/psychiatrist's mental checkup/consultation because now-a-days he is facing severe ministry's ending phobia in March 2013.This is much the option for him to resign from his post so that he could live mentally peaceful......
Actually we and every one beleives that, they are fighting in the name of islam and Rehman Malik has tried to say that what they are doing has nothing to do with the Islam and Islamic priciples so, they should stop doing so or declare except what ever they or doing is unislamic. So please dont politicies at being non muslim doesnt meent to being hindu or christian or other non muslim relegion. It shows that how tolorent or the muslim when everybody around the glob declare them terrorists by name. Muslims need to be appriciated by whole world for their tolorence!!!
its now high time for Malik to tender apology for making irrational statement
Where do we keep getting people like him to govern us?
Terrorists are NOT MUSLIMS, using the term non Muslims is misleading.
Khokhar said that Malik had told the National Assembly that terrorists had been asked to lay down their arms or declare themselves as “non-Muslims”.
This guy is a Interior Minister for Pakistan. That reflects intellectual level people that rule/run Pakistan. Is this the same guy who thought Shah Rukh Khan was in trouble in India.
This guys is not much different form other Pakistanis. Most Pakistanis see Pakistan as a pious country.
@Reas: "Muslim means one who submits to God or one who obeys God. According to this definition, muslims are found or can be found among all groups of people including Christians, Jews, Hindu and among the people who name themselves as Muslims"
Interesting point of view. I have some questions for you :
Do the 5 pillars of Islam apply to these people who consider themselves Christians, Jews, Hindus etc. who are actually Muslims according to you? What about atheists? Are you saying that the LeJ people who kill their Shia brethren are atheists? (they i.e. atheists don't submit to God and obey God so they are non Muslims according to your definition the only non Muslims in the world and according to Reman Malik thos killing Shias are non Muslims. I wonder how LeJ will feel when they learn that you think they are atheists). Do the laws of apostasy kick in when the one who calls himself/herself a Muslim become another type of Muslim (by your definition) who calls himself/herself Hindu? What about when the reverse happens?I look forward to be educated by you on these nuances.
@Hammad Mian: "KULWANT SINGH: but the problem is Western and Hindu media constantly portray Muslims as terrorist which is unacceptable".
What is Hindu media? Did you man Indian media? You do know that India also has Muslim journalists? BEsides thatin India I have never seen a blanket stereotype of Muslim as a terrorist. YEs specific acts of terror where Muslims were involved will be described as such but the reverse is also true. No one in India denies that the perpetrators of Samjhauta Express were Hindu (and by the way they are in jail). As far as we are concerned, all terrrorists need to be punished for their acts of terror and people should not be spared just because of their religious identity.
Khan
is there a way to shut him up? He has not the resposibility to define the characteristics of muslims or non muslims. Dos one have to go to the supremo and complain about the Zardari preferred members all the time. His performance on CNN was disgraceful, infact he should be allowed to speak his native language!
Rex Minor
@kaalchakra:
"Of course, we have always known that no Muslim can be a terrorist."
Really?
I thought the fact indicated that an overwhelming majority of terrorists are muslims!!! Perhaps I have been living in a cuckoo world. Not in the real world where most muslims live peacefully and prosper well.
Same parliament that declared Ahmadis non-muslim. so what's new; go figure. Unfortunately it is slippery slope on which this country has embarked.
@Azim How did you assume this ?
Terrorist are not Muslims - he should have said instead
@gp65.: Although we all know how good a genius Mr Malik is when he opens his tongue but lets not confuse his statement. All he is saying is that because these savages use Islam for their bad deeds and criminal activities and since the very religion prohibits these acts therefore, either they're not following that religion (and hence are not Muslims) or must follow what that religion is telling them i.e stop their anti state, anti religious activities. I guess Mr Khokhar is not able to understand the meaning of Malik is saying.
most of his party workers and leaders hate him because of his attitude. He tries to be superior and always hatch conspiracy against senior party leaders. He has rose to the senior ranks and files of party within short span of time and will fall back in the same speed soon. Just wait and see
This is the most absurd, most ridiculous, most anti-humanity 'complaint' I have ever heard. It shows how 'religious tolerance' is going overboard. Of course, we have always known that no Muslim can be a terrorist. So the implications have been clear to all since forever. What did this 'minority' member now suddenly realize? This is just disgraceful. I am shocked anyone living in Pakistan would make such an accusation.
He seems to be mentally sick. Every day changes his statements.
Why do people take Rehman Malik seriously ?
Those complaining above fully understand what he meant.........
Please sir don't abuse and misuse Sharia by calling non-Muslims are terrorists.There is no mention in Sharia that non-Muslims are terrorists.
I know Rehman Malik is a liberal compared to many other bigoted and militant Pakistanis.The media might be projecting it in a wrong way.But to clear the smoke of misconception I request him to apologize to the minorities.
Rehman Malik sir,please stop giving fatwa against non-Muslims.
So does he mean to say Ahmadis/Hindu/Christians/Shias.. living in Pakistan are all terrorists.?
Come on sir.. even muslims will not agree with your point.
You are all missing the point :
Mr.Malik by asking terrorists to declare themselves as "non Muslims" is paving a way for them to be labelled as Apostates so that they can be easily killed without any fear of retribution -sharia compliant and brilliant!
Sir you yourself insult non-Muslim minorities in Pakistan and point figures at India for not taking care of Sharukh Khan a minority Muslim.Sir please stop this Hippocratic attitude.But one thing is sure in some cases and at some times I like Rehman saab because he uses innovative ways like banning mobile phones to prevent bomb blast against the Shia minority sects during muharam and saving the lives of many people.
Rehman Malik sir for your information "I am a non-Muslim and I am not a terrorist".
Rehman Malid did not say tnat non Muslims are terrorists. It is misinterpretation of his statement.
Muslim means one who submits to God or one who obeys God. According to this definition, muslims are found or can be found among all groups of people including Christians, Jews, Hindu and among the people who name themselves as Muslims.
All the people in the world are recipient of same message of God through all his messsengers.
Either Saleem Khurshid Khokhar misnderstood RM or press misrepresented his views.
Oh plz give me a break
minorities are portraying in wrong light..statement has nothing to do with minorites..he just want to say that terrorists can't be muslim..it doesn't mean that they are christians, hindus etc
@Muhibullah: "I think Khokhar is being disingenuous. Mr. Malik is merely invoking Islamic brotherhood in an effort to get the insurgents to surrender."
By saying that they should call themselves non Muslims if they want to continue their kiling spree, he implies hat this is what the non Muslims do as a matter of course. In doing so though he is tarnishing the non-Muslims for no good reason.
Terrorism is Not associated with Any religion. I am sure that is what he meant, although his statement may not have covered this sentiment entirely. What more can we expect from a society that is hinged on claiming Islamic identity.
@Naseer Ahmad: "Answer me this, Who is the worst. A non muslim who does not know Kalma Tayiaba or the so called die hard muslim who cannot correctly say Kalma Tayiaba which is the first pillar of Islam."
HAs it occurred to you that a non-Muslim may not even believe in the Kalma? Why would knowing the Kalma even be a criteria to judge them?
@KULWANT SINGH: but the problem is Western and Hindu media constantly portray Muslims as terrorist which is unacceptable.
Mr. Minister apologize to the minorities of Pakistan immediately for hurting their sentiments.
Terorists are terorists not Muslims.Christian,Hindu,Sikh,Parsi,Bodhi etc etc no religion allow to hurt any one may be from any sect but the terirists will never understand this.Allah uneh sumatt bakhshe,
"We condemn it and demand the government get the interior minister mentally checked,” The best demand ever made by any MPA. To me many top notches need this check.
I see is that a huge, huge sectarian violence is just around the corner in Pakistan. Many groups are now openly calling for elimination of minorities. Minorities now generally means Shias as the killings are between Shia and Sunni groups only, and not between muslims and any other minorities, such as, Ahmedis, Hindus or Christians. To me, when someone is talking of minority community and terror in the same breath in Pakistan, they mean Shia, Sunni divide only. Other minorities may be victimized but there are no killings between those groups. This time when the snow melts, the rivers shall flow red in Pakistan. RM is part of this plan to create chaos. One such stupid statement, coinciding with an act of terror between Shia / Sunni groups is all it takes to engulf the country in flames. Of course the Sunni kingdoms will be happy to pour their oil and Iran would flare up with its gas. Relatively, Hindus, Ahmedis and Christians are safe this time, if they stay aloof. I am unable to understand why Zardari is keeping quiet. He is very secular, but yet is allowing such acts by members of his own party.
These thinks such as minority bashing happens only in Islamic Republic of Pakistan.Its own leads gives hate speeches against minorities.
Answer me this, Who is the worst. A non muslim who does not know Kalma Tayiaba or the so called die hard muslim who cannot correctly say Kalma Tayiaba which is the first pillar of Islam. (Article of faith). It is not a big secret that Rehman Baba, the Interior Ministor failed to recite Kalma Tayiaba correctly in the parliament house.
Minister Rehman Malik should apologize to the minorities of Pakistan for hurting their feeling intended or unintended(by mistake).
Somebody hold his tongue
He has insulted the non-muslim minorities and according to Blasphemy law he should be punished.
“The statement issued by federal minister has created resentment among our people and we fear Malik will order police and law enforcement agencies to kill minorities,” he added. Well Mr.Rehman Malik is reknowned for loose talk but he will certainly not "order police and law enforcement agencies to kill minorities".
Rest of the world thinks the other way down - i.e. Ask terrorists to lay down their arms and if they decline, ask them to declare themselves as Muslims!
I know this is offensive, will hurt many in Islamic world, but exactly same I feel with Mr Malik's remark, which is taken by almost all muslims as something normal!
Actually it may be a good thing that terrorists are being asked to declare themselves non muslims. Minister may not have meant it but It may spread a little bit of awareness or atleast some confusion among illiterate potential terrorists converts that by becoming terrorists, by some definition, they stand to loose their muslim identity. The very coveted identity that they are killing for. Ministers statement is biased and against religious minorities but it is better than telling the terrorists that by killing innocent people they are becoming more of a muslim, as preached by religious zealots.
Well, he is from PPP too.
Cannot we say that anyone living in Pakistan is a Pakistani rather some people who try to own this land based on religion while anyone who disagree with them or have a different belief is stamped with a minority label!! ? The only way forward for a progressive Pakistan is the day when anyone living in our country will be called a Pakistani irrespective of race, religion and creed and this is the only way forward for us and that will lead to a progressive nation.
LOL @ Rehman Malik hahah too much!