FOR WORLDWIDE PEACE AND RESOLUTION OF PALESTINE ISSUE,
MUTTAHIDA SUPPORTS DIALOGUE WITH ISRAEL – ALTAF HUSSAIN

London: 3 September 2005

The MQM leader Mr. Altaf Hussain while addressing a large gathering of workers in Hyderabad Sindh province stated that to promote peace in the world and for the resolution of Palestine issue and to safeguard the interest of Pakistan, MQM supports dialogue with Israeli government. He said that some elements are criticising the recent meeting of Pakistani Foreign Minister with his Israeli counterpart. Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) had made Madinah Treaty with the Jews according to the needs of that time, when it was agreed that any attack on Jews would be considered an attack on Muslims and vice versa. He said that Islam is a religion of peace and moderation. It does not preach hatred of anyone. We all have deep sympathies with the people of Palestine and – the young and old, male and female, who have all suffered for over 50 years. Scores have lost their lives in freedom struggle. We stand by the ‘just’ demands of the people of Palestine and pray to God Almighty to grant them their homeland so their pains may come to an end. Today, Palestinian representatives are having a dialogue with Israel for peace and to resolve the Palestine issues. Those elements that oppose negotiations with Israel should tell us whom should Palestinians negotiate with? Referring to the events of 9/11 in United States and 7/7 in London, Mr. Hussain pointed out that international political scenario is changing very rapidly. We must keep pace with the events and keep our eyes open. Our actions must be guided by wisdom and common sense, not by emotional slogans. We should take steps according to the needs of the time. If the leaders continue to lead the public up the garden path the country will suffer enormously. The religious parties particularly should learn from the disasters of Afghanistan where thousands of young Muslims were misguided by these religious parties and perished in Tora Bora Mountains and representatives of these parties refused to accept their corpses. The hypocrite character of some clerics is such that they persuade common man to send their children to fight against United States whereas they send their own children for higher education in the United States. The preachers of Jihad should go and fight Jihad in person before preaching it to others. He said that it is a folly not to accept a reality. If one does not accept a reality, it does not affect that reality. The same attitude was adopted with Muttahida but today Muttahida has been recognised nationally and internationally. In order to promote peace worldwide, to safeguard the interests of Pakistan and for the resolution of Palestine issue, Muttahida fully supports dialogue with Israel.