Father of 'brainwashed' Jamia Hafsa student moves SC, seeks safe return

Qayum says he was threatened by Lal Masjid administration for sharing his story with the media

ISLAMABAD: The father of a 26-year-old Jamia Hafsa student, who was allegedly enlisted in the seminary without her parents’ consent, has filed a petition in the Human Rights Cell of Supreme Court, seeking the return of his daughter. 

Sheikh Mohammad Qayum, 59, accused Jamia Hafsa administration of forcefully keeping his daughter Uzma at the seminary and not letting him meet her.

While speaking to The Express Tribune, the father said he tried every possible way to bring his daughter home but in vain. "We asked renowned religious leaders to mediate between us but the Lal Masjid officials would not listen to anyone," he said.

"What kind of an institute prevents parents from meeting their own daughter," he asked. Criticising the notorious madrassa for inculcating extremist views, Qayum said he was threatened by the Lal Masjid administration after his story was published in the newspapers.

"If something happens to me or my family, Umme Hassan and Maulana Abdul Aziz will be responsible," he said.

The case of Qayum's 'brainwashed' daughter surfaced on the media after he decided to join an ongoing protest led by members of civil society in Islamabad against the Lal Masjid chief cleric.

The distressed father said he is pain for the last seven months and called on political leaders to take up his cause and help unite him with his daughter. "I have sleepless nights, thinking about my child; is there no one who can help me?" he said.

Uzma was reportedly registered with Madrassa Rozatul Quran for a four-year Sharia programme but later moved to Jamia Hafsa without telling her family on Umme Hassan's persuasion.