EXTREMISM DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED TO ISLAM-ALTAF HUSSAIN
No Muslim can think about profaning the Holy Prophet (PBUH) let alone blaspheming

LONDON: 10^TH JANUARY 2010:
Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement Mr Altaf Hussain has said in unequivocal terms that no Muslim can think about profaning the Holy Prophet (PBUH) let alone blaspheming. Even the minorities living in Pakistan cannot blaspheme against the Holy Prophet (PBUH) hence I appeal to religious leaders of every shade of religious persuasion to stop their demonstrations after clear assurances from Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani that no amendment is being made in the blasphemy law. He was talking to an assembly of office-bearers of various wings of MQM at Khursheed Begum Memorial Hall.

“Islam is a religion of peace and it gives us a lesson of respecting all other religion besides Islam itself. Quran has clearly said that ‘to you your religion and to me my religion’. At another place it says ‘there is no compulsion in religion’. Allah Almighty is saying in clear terms that Islam teaches moderation instead of force and extremism. Religious extremism is diametrically opposed to the teachings of Islam.”

“Wherever there is extremism there will be discord, deceit, hypocrisy, violence and savagery. Islam not only gives a message of peace to the Muslims but also guarantees peace and security to the non-Muslims. History tells us that kings, monarchs and rulers have always exploited religion to legitimize their rule and perpetuate their power. The same thing happened in our country as well. Some elements are not only exploiting religion for their personal gains but also misleading innocent and unsuspecting Muslims by asking them to do things that has nothing to do with the real teachings of Islam.”

“If Islam is misinterpreted and the religion of peace and security is changed into a medium of strife and destruction, will it not be tantamount to holding Islam in contempt? Is preaching violence in the name of Islam furthering its cause? Does this action not fall within the ambit of showing disrespect to the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)?”

“If the dead are dug out from their graves and hanged in streets, if the people are killed in suicide attack while praying in mosques, if mosques and imam bargahs are attacked and innocent Muslims are mercilessly killed then will these acts not be against the teachings of Islam?”

“The shrines of a number of saints who spread Islam by preaching during dark ages were bombarded whose ancestry goes back to Hazrat Ali and the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Does carrying out suicide attack on the shrines of such saints not amount to gross disrespect to the Holy Prophet (PBUH)? How many religious organizations protested against such despicable acts of violence?”

“The religious extremists have transformed young people into extremists and fanatics to such an extent that they did not feel any clemency towards people when they were prostrating before Allah in prayer. Which religion is this? Is a good picture of Islam being shown to the world through such actions or its good name is being tarnished?”

“This is not Islam. This is extremism and fanaticism. Islam does not teach us to do such heinous acts but some elements are promoting religious extremism and bigotry in the name of Islam. These elements are spreading violence and hostilities.”

“This is not the love to Islam and the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The Holy Prophet (PBUH) came as a mercy for the worlds. He brought mercy and blessings for all and not violence. He treated non-Muslims and even his enemies well. He did not seek vengeance but forgave all. After the Victory of Makkah he forgave the woman who chewed the liver of his beloved uncle Hazrat Hamza (May Allah be pleased with him). It is unfortunate that the religious fanatics were trying to cast a shadow on the lofty image of such a beloved Messenger of Allah.”

“MQM respects all religious sects and schools of thought and it has been working for sectarian harmony for the past 32 years. We feel that just as blaspheming against the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was a sin and injustice and punishable the calumny against any one that he has blasphemed against the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was equally reprehensible a crime not worthy of clemency for Islam does not tolerate false accusations and slander.”

“For the past many days demonstrations have been made against changes in the Blasphemy Law, but Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani has categorically stated in a press conference that the government is not bringing any kind of changes in the law. I appeal to religious leaders of every shade of religious persuasion to stop their demonstrations after clear assurance from Prime Minister that no amendment is being made in the blasphemy law. No Muslim can think about profaning the Holy Prophet (PBUH) let alone blaspheming him. Even the minorities living in Pakistan cannot blaspheme against the Holy Prophet (PBUH)”

“The Holy Prophet (PBUH) himself did what he preached. If I told my workers to overpower self-ego and work for collective benefits instead of personal gains then acting on the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) I myself first acted on it. I asked people to work with honesty and integrity but first I distanced myself from the taints of dishonesty and improbity. Had I not been a staunch devout of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and not acted on his teachings and corrupted myself by unbridled loot and plunder, I would also have become a billionaire. I pray Almighty Allah to keep me firmly in the path shown by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and keep me steady in it.”

“I have always preached peace, security, dignity of human beings and moderation as told in the Holy Quran and enunciated by the Holy Prophet (PBUH). I have always maintained that whoever you are and whatever sect you belong to or whatever school of thought you subscribe to, you should respect everyone. Do not hate anyone. Everyone has a right to live. You must all adore Allah according to your way. It is for Allah to judge as to who is right and who is wrong. It is for Allah to decide as to who will go to heaven and who will go to hell on the Day of Judgment and not for man.”

“Whoever thinks that I am wrong should leave me now but I will not swerve from my path. The religious fanatics want to destroy the environment of religious tolerance and sectarian harmony in Pakistan particularly in Sindh and want to promote intolerance and bigotry but while MQM is yet present their aims would not come true and fanatics would not be allowed to overtake.”

“MQM is a political party that believes in religious tolerance and sectarian harmony. There is no place for the religious fanatics in its rank and file. We are not only working for unity among Muslims but also unity among various faiths as well. We want to promote moderation and establish an environment where people respect religious sentiments of others. We should not only revere mosques and imam bargahs but also give protection to Churches, Temples, Gurdwaras and all other places of worship acting on the injunction of ‘to you your religion and to me my religion’”.

In the end Mr Altaf Hussain asked office-bearers of various wings of MQM to hold corner meetings in every nook and corner to promote religious tolerance and sectarian harmony.

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