Million march: Government accused of being soft on blasphemy

Thousands take to the streets against French caricatures.

LAHORE:

“The government is trying to push the country towards secularism but we will not let this happen,” Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) secretary general Liaqat Baloch said on Sunday.

He was leading a Million March against the publication of blasphemous caricatures in French magazine Charlie Hebdo. Thousands of people participated in the rally from Nasser Bagh to the Punjab Assembly.

Baloch accused the government of targeting mosques and madrassahs and arresting religious leaders on the pretext of curbing extremism. “The government wants to promote secularism through such moves.”

He said some elements were hurting the sentiments of Muslims.” He urged leaders of Islamic countries to get united in demanding laws against blasphemy.

“Our rulers should stop being apathetic. They must raise the issue of blasphemy in an effective manner,” the JI leader said. He said Muslims were the victim of the West’s partiality.  “The West has been trying to create unrest by instigating Muslims around the world. Muslims are facing many issues but they will never allow blasphemy.”

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam leader Amjad Khan asked the participants of the rally to give an undertaking that they would take inspiration from Ghazi Ilm Din against blasphemy. He favoured effective implementation of Section 295-C (hurting religious sentiments) of the Pakistan Penal Code PPC to deal with blasphemy.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Lahore president Parvaiz Malik also addressed the rally. He said the government, too, was offended with the publication of blasphemous caricatures. “The government understands and respects Muslims’ feelings.”

Protesters carried placards and banners saying ‘I love my prophet’ at the demonstration. PHOTO: SHAFIQ MALIK/EXPRESS

He said President Mamnoon Hussain had written a letter to the Fench president condemning the caricatures. The government had also raised the issue with the French ambassador. He said the National Assembly had passed a resolution condemning the publication.

He said the government had also written a letter to the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) asking the member states to reach a unanimous stance on the issue. “It will convey the protesters’ sentiments to the OIC,” he said.

Maulana Ameer Hamza criticised 40 heads of states for attending a rally to show solidarity with Charlie Hebdo.

“A group of Franco and 40 thieves had expressed sympathies with the magazine saying that ‘we all are Charlies’,” he said. “If they are Charlies, we are Muhammadis.”

He demanded that the prime minister take effective steps against blasphemy.

JI leaders Farid Paracha and Abdul Ghaffar Aziz, Pakistan Awami Tehreek leader Farhat Abbas, Jamiat Ahle Hadith leader Zubair Ahmed Zaheer, Islami Jamiat Talaba leader Syed Mustaqim and Father Philip John also addressed the protesters.

Mute but not silent

Physically-challenged members of a defunct organisation staged a protest demonstration in front of the Lahore Press Club against the sacrilegious caricatures. They demanded death penalty for the blasphemers.

A large number of mute people attended the demonstration that had been organised by Al Muhammadia Special Persons, a JuD wing.

The protesters, carrying placards and banners, chanted slogans against the United Nations, America and France.

Abu Al Hashim and Al Muhammadia Special Persons head Abu Imran addressed the protesters. The speakers called upon the government  to increase pressure on the United Nations and the European Union for making a law against blasphemy. They said blasphemy was the biggest form of terrorism.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26^th, 2015.