JI chief Syed Munawar Hasan’s addressed a political gathering in a mosque on University Road in Peshawar Wednesday afternoon. PHOTO: Iqbal Haider
The Awami National Party has decided to approach the Election Commission of Pakistan to protest over the Jamaat-e-Islami’s use of a mosque to campaign for the general elections.
The move follows JI chief Syed Munawar Hasan’s address at a political gathering in a mosque on University Road in Peshawar Wednesday afternoon.
ANP’s provincial General Secretary Arbab Mohamamd Tahir told The Express Tribune that the party’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chapter President Senator Afrasiab Khattak will write a letter in a couple of days to the ECP to protest against the gathering in the mosque.
Tahir explained that JI had arranged a function at Spin Jumaat (White Mosque), which was addressed by Hasan. He added that if one political party started using mosques for electioneering, then other parties would also follow suit. He said the letter will also be forwarded to Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Tahir stated that the use of mosques for election campaigning amounted to violation of ECP’s code of conduct and called on the commission to take notice of such violations on its own, irrespective of whether a party approaches it or not.
The political atmosphere, he said, was already tense due to terrorist and sectarian attacks and candidates were finding it difficult to approach the public for votes due to threats they faced from militants. As such, the use of religious places for campaigning purposes could create further problems.
“People go to mosques to offer their prayers and when some people start making political statements in mosques, it will lead to a further deterioration of the situation and will add to the unrest.”
However, the provincial spokesperson of JI, Israrullah Advocate, denied his party was using mosques to campaign for the May 11 polls.
He said his party was conducting its meetings in open spaces and at hujras and did not use religious places.
Hitting out at the ANP, Israrullah claimed that it was facing many problems because of the ‘wrong policies’ it pursued over the past five years of its governance in K-P.
Defending Wednesday’s gathering, the spokesperson claimed it was not slated to be held in the mosque and they had planned the programme outdoor at the public square. However, they were approached by the police to move inside the mosque due to heavy rain at the time.
“First they [police] asked us to shift the programme to the University campus however, they later told us to utilise the nearby mosque,” Israrullah added.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 26th, 2013.
COMMENTS (11)
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@pir syed saddam: well said , Chacha China is being welcomed by all anti American and anti Indian forces working in your country , so you may realise your dream . Plz. Work hard for the entry of Chacha China in Pakistan .Why they are trying to enter in Leh ? I think they are much eager to realise your dream .
It is an open fact that mosque is ment for nonreligious activity . Every friday people discuss nonreligious issue at length . No one has raised objection so far then what ECP can do in this regard . JI can organise election AZAAN on friday and through use of loudspeaker of mosques can perform her campaign , no one can cheak them in Pakistan .
This congregation was principally scheduled to be held on University Road Peshawar, since it rained the organizers had to quickly shift this in shelter and nearest available was Spin Jumaat, the famous mosque on University road. I dont know what milage ANP is trying to get out of this out of courtesy move. Isnt this a clear depiction of ANP as if it is unable to capture the sentiments in their favor of individuals those who go praying. Where is the Pukhtoonwali on this account? This declares a clear defeat on part of the nerve drive that is going on in KPK. This will not go in their favor, however JI has got another point to convey to the masses that now ANP wants to moderate the outreach of parties in mosques. I cant differentiate on this between fanatics and ANP. Prior wants to impose and latter wants to moderate it for political gain. The public remains bewildered eventually people are at loss.
@ET moderators where is my other comment??? You published my rebuttal to @Yane Aly but my original comment censored? why? Does ET think Pakistan is not a Ideological state or does it endorse the ECP's stance?? ET people you are mean!!!
@Xayne Aly Our religion not only permit one to participate in politics but it has also set guidance on how o conduct affairs of politics! Masjid serves as a community centre, its not only a place to offer prayers 5 times a day! Oh and by the way if you think i am a JI supporter or a Mulla, thn sorry to disappoint you, im not!
thats y sometime i feel dat that we all need Marxism
In Pakistan the use of the pulpit for things other than religion has been allowed by the state in their short sighted policies So making a noise at this time especially when the ANP was in power for many years, seems a bit ridiculous..................but better late than never.
Using religion as a political strategy or religious places for their public gatherings is a weapon of weakest leaders. Pakistan has lost leaders now, resorting to their self proclaimed piety.
@Syedpk: if you are supporting them, what's the need of saying that u hate them. be confident and stand up to what ur heart tells u.
ANP is this time absolutely right. JI in reality rarely cares about principles of fairness.
I hate ANP to core but I support their stance.