Shariah campaign: Abdul Aziz’s sermon tests admin’s nerves

Controversial cleric leads Friday prayers; govt warns of arrest

ISLAMABAD: Despite severe warnings by the city administration, Maulana Abdul Aziz led the Friday prayers at Lal Masjid — after almost a year — but failed to revive his campaign to enforce Shariah at a massive level.

The controversial cleric of Lal Masjid kept the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration on it toes after his announcement to address the Friday sermon and reinitiate his campaign to enforce Shariah in the country on Thursday.

Aziz was to lead a procession following the Friday prayers, however, the district administration as a preemptive measure warned of arresting him under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order and Section II-EE of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) if he failed to abide by the law.

The notice stated that as Maulana Aziz had been placed on the fourth schedule, a section of the ATA under which someone suspected of terrorism is kept under observation, it is mandatory for him to register his attendance with the local police regularly.

The federal government had put Aziz on the fourth schedule for his alleged anti-state activities on August 3, 2005.

A senior official of the administration told The Express Tribune that Aziz had given an undertaking in December last year to IGP Tahir Alam Khan in which he promised to abide by the law and cooperate with the government. He had also pledged to keep the police informed of his daily activities. The official, however, added that the undertaking was violated.

The sermon

On Friday, Aziz arrived at the mosque at around 12:30pm along with students of Jamia Hafsa where he led the Friday prayers. During his 15-minute speech, the cleric stressed over the implementation of Islamic Law in the country, demanding the government to immediately enforce Shariah.

Security was beefed up during his sermon with the presence of a heavy contingent of police and rangers.

The cleric, during his sermon, urged students to reach the mosque next Friday so he could continue the campaign to enforce Shariah. However, the administration is working on how to persuade him not to do so.

Sources in the administration said negotiations will continue and they will try to persuade him otherwise before next Friday. However, Aziz could also be arrested as a last resort.

Another senior official of the administration, requesting anonymity, said though there is no rule or law that restricts a person from offering prayers or leading a sermon, the undertaking has bound Aziz not engage in any anti-state activity.

Sources in interior ministry told The Express Tribune that the minister has said Aziz will not be allowed to act against the state at any cost and the government will ensure that the National Action Plan is implemented in letter and spirit.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2015.