MANIFESTATION OF EXTREMISM AND VIOLENCE BY A FEW EXTREMIST ELEMENTS IN ISLAMABAD IS NOT ONLY DEFAMING PAKISTAN BUT ISLAM AS WELL - ALTAF HUSSAIN
Mr. Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) has appealed to the journalists, columnists, intellectuals, lawyers, religious scholars, human rights organisations, women rights organisations, other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the people of the country to unite, demonstrate their solidarity and raise their voice against those manifesting and fostering religious extremism under the rubrics of Islam.
Mr. Altaf Hussain exhorted that our religion Islam is a religion of love, peace and tranquility, tolerance and teaches respect for humanity, respect for women and upholding of the rights and freedom of each individual of the society. He further added that in our religion there is no element of compulsion or force and therefore, Almighty Allah has clearly commanded in the Holy Quran: “La-ikraha fiddin”, meaning that there is no compulsion or force in religion and our Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was sent by Almighty Allah as a “Rahmat-ul-lil-Aalameen” who spread Islam through teachings by manifesting his exemplary and impeccable character, virtues and pragmatic approach while certain elements today are not only manifesting extremism but also trying to forcibly impose their obscurantism over the people under the guise of Islam.
Mr. Altaf Hussain stated that for the past few days the way certain elements are manifesting extremism, obscurantism and violence in Islamabad by kidnapping women by leveling allegations, forcibly occupying public properties, attacking public vehicles, ransacking shops and intimidating shopkeepers, traders and public on the yoke of gun-power in the name of Islam is not only becoming the sources of defamation of Islam in the country but throughout the world.
Mr. Altaf Hussain stated that under the Islamic jurisprudence no citizen has right to take the law unto his own hand or himself punish another citizen by accusing him. He further added that it is within the jurisdiction of the Courts of respective countries to dispense justice and punishments to individuals and those taking law unto their own hands and subjecting citizens to atrocities under the guise of Islam, are in fact, defaming Islam throughout the world.
Mr. Altaf Hussain reiterating called upon the people of Pakistan, writers, journalists, intellectuals, righteous religious scholars having true understanding of the spirit of Islam to unite and raise their voice against these extremist acts, violence and atrocities committed under the pretext of Islam. He also demanded of the President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr Shaukat Aziz and prominent institutions to take actions within the canons of law against those perpetrating extremism, forcible occupations and subjecting people to atrocities in the name of Islam and to give them exemplary punishment because it is the fundamental duty and responsibility of the State and Government to protect and provide safety to the lives and properties of the people. He also appealed to the leadership of all the political parties especially those claiming to be the upholder of democracy, tolerant, moderate and liberal that it is the need of the time for them to come forward and play their role against religious extremism committed under the name of Islam leaving their political interests and expediencies aside.