London – 10
November 2001
Mr Altaf Hussain,
MQM Founder and Leader, has said that those who wish to impose
extremist religious system in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh
province, and deprive women of their equal rights are not serving
Islam but in fact, they are presenting the distorted image of
Islam. He was addressing a study circle of the MQM Ladies
Wing at the Khursheed Begum Memorial Hall in Karachi, Pakistan,
which was also attended by the MQM Deputy Convenors.
Mr Hussain spoke
at length on self-assessment, confession, reformation, gaining
knowledge, importance of women in society and current situation
in the South Asia Region. Speaking on the role of women in
Movements, Mr Hussain said that no Movement could succeed without
the participation of women. The role of women in the MQM’
struggle is exemplary and their sacrifices will always be
remembered. After the commencement of State Operation
against the MQM on 19 June 1992, when all the MQM male members
had to go underground, it were the women who came forward and
took over the affairs of the Movement. The very first
protest demonstration against the State Operation was organised
by women. When the male members of the MQM were not allowed
to bury the corpses of MQM martyrs then it were the women who
carried carcasses of martyrs. They refused to surrender
against the State oppression and barbarism.
Mr Hussain said that women are the basic element of
society and the importance of their existence could not be denied.
However, considering women to be physically weak, some elements
do suppress them. Some components present the distorted
image of religious teachings upon women and speak out that
womenfolk must be locked in the house, if she comes out of the
house then acid must be thrown at her face, if she travels alone
then she must be punished with lashes, they have no right to
education or enter into employment, etc.
Mr Hussain said
that those who are against educating women, depriving them of
equal rights, locking them in homes and treat them as animals are
not only the enemies of women but also the enemy of humanity.
Mr Hussain said that leaders of so-called religious
and jihadi organisations claim that they would impose extremist
religious system, i.e. locking-up women in their homes and throw
acid on their faces if they leave their homes. Addressing
them he said that they should not use abusive language against
women and they must not forget that if it wouldn’t have been
for the women then there would have been no saint, intellectual,
scholar, philosopher and even there wouldn’t have been any
Taliban who speak against women. He said that to deprive
women of their due rights is not only negation of their
importance and status but also the negation of humanity.
Speaking on South
Asia Region Mr Hussain said that the situation is extremely
crucial; anything could happen, therefore, keeping in view the
present state of affairs we must understand the importance of
unity. He stressed upon the women workers of MQM to
strengthen their unity and prepare themselves mentally and
physically to face the coming situation.