Lal Masjid cleric vows to continue ‘Sharia law’ campaign

In video message, Maulana Abdul Aziz demands enforcement of Quran and Sunnah across the country

ISLAMABAD: The infamous cleric of Islamabad’s Lal Masjid has rejected a warning issued by the district administration against his recently launched campaign for implementation of ‘Sharia Law’ across the country.

Maulana Abdul Aziz and his wife Umme Hassan rallied to push for their campaign on Friday despite a warning by the local administration that the former’s activities could put him behind bars.

“Pakistan was created for the Islamic system but has been far away from Islam since birth,” Aziz said in a video released on Sunday, adding he would go ahead with his plans.



“I demand a committee be formed to determine if the present British-era judicial system is in accordance with Quran and Sunnah,” Aziz is seen asking in the 25-minute video.

The prayer leader said nothing could deter him from his mission, adding he wanted to tell the government and all state institutions his movement for the implementation of the teachings of Quran and Sunnah will continue.

“I demand enforcement of Quran and Sunnah as it a constitutional obligation,” he said, and offered himself for an open trial if there is any case pending against him. “I want to put myself on trial but that should be in line with Islamic Sharia.”



Aziz insisted any trial against him should be held in accordance with Sharia, saying he will give in black and white an undertaking he would accept any kind of punishment.

The cleric also demanded an end to the interest-based banking system, bringing the media in conformity with the Quran and Sunnah and accommodating religious scholars in the courts.

Aziz also accused Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan of following a ‘flawed democratic system’. “Remove all centres of vulgarity and release all those languishing in jails without any cases,” he said.

A heavy contingent of police and Rangers had been deployed on Friday in the areas surrounding Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa in Islamabad in the wake of the cleric’s announcement to restart his campaign.

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.

In December last year, the Aabpara police registered a case against Aziz for criminal intimidation, and the government withdrew the official security he had enjoyed for three years.