Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida
Quami Movement (MQM) has reiterated that the South Asian Region
is edging towards precipice, changes may occur including the
geographical changes. He appealed to the people in general and
the MQM workers and supporters in particular to remain alert and
keep unity in their ranks and file. He said this, addressing a
study circle of the MQM Labour Division at the Khursheed Memorial
Hall in Azizabad, Karachi over the telephone from London.Mr Altaf Hussain quoted a verse from the Holy Quran “Al Asr” in which God enunciates “By eventide, everyman [feels] at a loss except for those who believe, perform honourable deeds, encourage Truth, and recommend Patience and Constancy”. He said that indeed those who have acted in nobility and righteousness’, encouraged Truth, preached patience and constancy are not at a loss. He meant that who truly believed in their faiths are not at a loss whereas, those who remained unbeliever, did not act in nobility and righteousness, did not encourage Truth and recommend patience and constancy are indeed, at a loss.
Mr Altaf Hussain emphasised that the first condition
of every religion is having faith on it whether it is Judaism,
Christianity, Buddhism or the religion of Islam. He said that
over one billion of Muslims, however, believe in the oneness of
the God and also on Mohammad (PBUH), being his prophet. But if
their acts and practices were analysed, it would prove to the
contrary to the teachings of the religion. He said that those,
who in the quest of wealth and privileges, resort to lies,
cheating, deceit, fraud and unlawful acts and whose acts are
contrary to the teachings of the religion, could they be
considered pious, faithful or believer (Momin)?
He further said that those who apparently become believers but do
not measure up to the teachings of Islam and act conversely, they
are the one who are at a loss.Mr Altaf Hussain said that the verse of the Holy Quran is in fact, a formula for the well being of the humanity but unfortunately, the so-called clerics have confined the verses into parochial parameters of the religion.
Mr Altaf Hussain, further elaborating on the verse of Holy Quran “Al-Asr” said that God in this verse not only mentions the joining of faith of Islam but also ordains a principle for mankind. This is a recognised principle that when one joins a movement against oppression one must have complete faith in its aims. The meaning of this faith is that along with the preaching of righteousness one should also advocate tolerance and raise voice against oppression and perfidy. Such individuals shall never prostate in front of anybody except God Almighty and will not take oath of allegiance to any oppressor. When one takes such actions he becomes a target of untold atrocities. In reaction to the struggle for the ideology of truth, they will be a target for state barbarity and may even be executed extra-judicially. Not only the members of their household will be arrested but also even they may be tortured and executed for the sole purpose of shaking their faith. When they are confronted by such brutalities they should be tolerant and patient. Mr Altaf Hussain emphasised that weakness in ideological belief weakens the faith and individuals change allegiance overnight. Where the faith is strong the intensity of atrocities will not be able to dislodge it. On 19 June 1992, when the army operation against the MQM commenced, those who did not have faith in MQM’s philosophical thought felt that Altaf Hussain’s chapter was closed and they changed their loyalties. But there were those who remained steadfast in their ideological belief, remained faithful to their oath, endured every conceivable hardship and remained patient, they were the victorious. Those who do not have complete faith are universally disgraced.
Mr Altaf Hussain said, that by practically following
a true ideology positive results are achieved, where as by
following a spurious ideology positive results are not achieved.
For example, he asked the champions of the Nazaria-e-Pakistan as
to what benefit they had provided to the Muslims of undivided
India? Was the force of Muslims strengthened or weakened by
dividing it into three parts? What would the protagonists
of Nazaria-e-Pakistan say about 1971 debacle, is the ideology
intact or was it severed with the break up of Pakistan, he asked.
He pointed out that during the genesis of Pakistan, we were fed
that Hindus and Muslims were two different nations. Their
religious believes, social and cultural values were different.
After independence in an undivided Hindu majority Indian Muslims
would only survive as a second-class citizens. A separate
homeland for Muslims was, therefore, proposed. The Muslims
of India sacrificed immensely in life and property for this
ideology. When the partition of India was announced
the founding father of Pakistan on 8 August 1947, while
addressing the Muslims of India told them, “now India has
been divided and I appeal to all the Muslims of India that they
should remain as loyal citizens of their country (Bharat).”
Mr Altaf Hussain asked that if Indian Muslims had to stay in
Bharat why they were made to sacrifice so dearly? Had the
genesis of Pakistan based on truth it would have provided shelter
to one hundred million Muslims of India in Pakistan. But
the ideology that does not provide shelter to those who sacrifice
for it cannot be perfect.He further said that Pakistani borders were closed for those who wholeheartedly sacrificed for the creation of Pakistan. Whereas those who opposed the creation of Pakistan formed the Unionist Party and sided with British Raj, became the sole proprietor of Pakistan. He said that this ideology was fouled as history proves that Muslims settled in India are more than that in Pakistan.
Mr Hussain said that military operation was launched against the children of the creators of Pakistan, they were brutally oppressed, more than 15000 innocent MQM workers were extra-judicially executed, however, as their ideology is true, therefore, despite all the tyranny MQM couldn’t be decimated. The coercion against the MQM continues even today. However, only time will prove whether the oppressors are at a loss or those who lost their loved ones and continue to exercise patience and carried on with their righteous struggle and are doing so even today.
Commenting on the current geopolitical situation, Mr Hussain said that the South Asia Region is passing through a very critical stage of its history. The region could experience alterations, even geographically. He said that the international community is well aware of the fact that MQM is a disciplined and united democratic force and ignoring the MQM would not be in the interest of the international community.
Mr Hussain said that the Establishment and its
Agencies are providing arms to the religious and jihadi
organisations to make common-man as their hostage with a view to
portray that the cities of Karachi and Hyderabad support these
religious and jihadi organisations. However, they would
never succeed in their efforts and time will prove as to who is
at a loss.Mr Hussain advised the MQM workers to exercise patience, remain steadfast and have faith in the justice system of Almighty Allah. Those who despite facing oppression continue to exercise patience and preach righteousness are not at a loss. Whereas the fate of those, who are intoxicated with power and consider themselves as God, will be destroyed and annihilated. He further stressed upon the MQM workers that it is the need of time to maintain unity in their ranks and file, remain alert and strictly follow the organisation’s instructions. He highly praised the workers of MQM Labour Division for remaining steadfast and determined despite facing the cruel oppression and coercion.