Barelvi scholars have condemned both Osama bin Laden and the United States as “killers of thousands of Muslims”, while demanding the release of the “heroic” Mumtaz Hussan Qadri, the self-confessed killer of Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer.
Speaking at the annual degree awarding ceremony at Aiwan-i-Iqbal for 40 religious scholars on Saturday night, Idara Sirat-i-Mustaqeem head Dr Ashraf Jalali said that Barelvi Muslims saw little difference between Osama and Obama, the US president. Both had killed thousands of Muslims. He said those who were glorifying Osama were really supporters of Obama and following his policies. He demanded an end to US involvement in Pakistan.
Dr Jalali also demanded that prayer leaders and speakers for mosques in DHA be chosen on the basis of proportional representation. He said that the peace could only be ensured through an Islamic system of government.
He urged the participants to oppose “enlightened moderation”, a phrase coined by the government of former President Pervez Musharraf, as it was “the root of all social evils”.
He demanded that politicians give up their lavish lifestyles and serve the public. He said even a hint of rigging in the upcoming elections would result in a bloody revolution.
He also demanded that the government release Mumtaz Qadri, an Elite Police guard who shot and killed Governor Salmaan Taseer while assigned to protect him. The audience roared in approval and shouted slogans praising Qadri. Dr Jalali has already given an award to Qadri and called him a hero.
The picture is of the murderer Qadri, who is unfortunately for peace in Pakistan, being praised as a hero.
This kind of rhetoric by the power hungry Mullahs will destroy the very fabric of the society in Pakistan. Their total lack of submission to the writ of the Government in matters like safeguarding human life, introduces total chaos in human affairs and thinking. May Allah help the innocent and peaceful.