A file photo of the National Assembly. PHOTO: APP
ISLAMABAD: In an odd method of protest, a parliamentarian on Wednesday gave the call to prayer inside the National Assembly after the deputy speaker declined his request to announce a delayed prayer break. The routine break had been cancelled because a speech was underway.
Jamiat-e-Ulema-Islami Fazl (JUI-F) lawmaker Maulana Ameer Zaman then proceeded to begin praying on the floor in front of the speaker's rostrum while the session was still under way.
Zaman had asked the deputy speaker to announce the prayer break after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Javed Hashmi finished his speech but the request was turned down.
Hashmi started his address before the Zuhr prayer timing (1pm) and stopped briefly to listen to the azaan that comes from the National Assembly mosque - as is custom on the floor of the house - and resumed after it was over. No break was given (or even requested). Hashmi finished his speech 20 minutes later after which Zaman asked the deputy speaker to announce a prayer break.
The deputy speaker said the time for a break had lapsed and the proceedings will continue as scheduled. At this, Zaman did not step out to pray when the azan had sounded the first time, nor was he content with stepping out to pray himself.
Instead, Zaman stood up at his desk and gave a second call to prayer - this time himself - on the floor the house and then stood in front of the desk of the speaker to offer prayers along with Jamat-e-Islami's Sher Akbar Khan and Jamshed Dasti.
The protest seemed to have worked: the deputy speaker hastened to adjourned the session and everyone left the hall.
COMMENTS (22)
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@Pakistani: i belong to his contituency, this man is has done nothing except negative politics. we voted him for the peace and development of our are not to make azaan in parliment. he is trying to show he is the only good muslim in the house. we are sorry to all of you we have sent this stupid your parliment.
I think it's fair, if it's a form of protest, but not okay if it's for political gains.
I bet all the minorities are feeling so welcomed in pak democracy right now.
Well, the minorities who are still alive and not converted at least..
@Anon , Why should they be serious ? they got diplomatic passports; and Polio like bans hurt people like us ... !
Well for starters, follow the rules of the house would be good. If you disagree with the current setup be reasonable and mature to talk it out rather than forcing what you want to do onto others!
WELDONE
Lets just hope that the deputy speaker isn't charged for blasphemy now.
It will be interesting to find out what Mr. Zaman has done for his constituency in the past one year.
O lord! Can't you see they were getting so much accomplished they just need that entitled break.
Dear molana, this is National Assembly, not a mosque. Have you ever thought you probably don't belong here?
in our country any rule can be broken if you can show that its for the sake of religion!
Religion in the corridors of politics & governance...
Who will inform Maulana that Azaan and prayers should be offered in a mosque and not in the Parliament hall. Whoever wants to pray should go to the mosque after informing the speaker. These people just want to convert Parliament hall into mosque.
Form over substance..........the religion of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
I wish they would have shown same enthusiasm in eradicating the polio........
Self righteousness at its best
What a fun place this National Assembly is to work for.
GOD BLESS HIM - Some thing good to hear.
This is called 'Islamic Democracy' .......... !
Nice! Get in their face and insist on it.
What is bad about it ?