PAKISTANI
SHIITES AND SUNNIS DRAW LESSON FROM IRAQI SHIITES AND SUNNIS AND END DIFFERENCES
FOR NATIONAL INTEGRATION: ALTAF HUSSAIN
London-1 April 2003
Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM)
asked Shiites and Sunnis living in Pakistan to draw a lesson from Iraqi Shiites
and Sunnis and practically end their differences, once and for all, for the sake
of national integration. He said this to a delegation comprising scholars of
different sects and religions that had come to meet him at the MQM International
Secretariat in London. The members of the delegation interacted with him on the
on-going war in Iraq and posed several questions.
Mr
Altaf Hussain, responding to the scholars said that changes in the world are
rapidly taking place on social, moral and political fronts and predictions, as
regard to the future, at this point of time, is not possible. Furthermore, he
said that in this fast changing world only those countries would sustain where
national integration would prevail over sects, jurisprudences and religions.
Elaborating further, he said that only those countries would sustain where each
others sects, jurisprudence, religion is respected instead of unjustifiably
criticised or targeted, where people are treated in equality and are provided
equal share in national wealth and resources.
Mr
Altaf Hussain dilating on Iraq war said that the United States, Britain, their
allies and policy-makers believed that Iraq would be conquered in a few days and
various reasons were provided justifying their belief. He said that main reason
given was that the people of Iraq are disgruntled with Saddam Hussain while the
second reason was that Iraq is deeply divided on sectarian basis between Shiites
and Sunnis and the Shiites majority is against Saddam Hussain. He said that the
world is witnessing today that Shiites and Sunnis in Iraq have risen above their
sectarian divide and are pitched against the allied forces for the integration
of Iraq with whatever little resources are at their disposal.
Mr
Altaf Hussain further added that unfortunately in Pakistan each other’s are
not only decreed as infidels but even their murders are considered just on the
basis of religious jurisprudence and belief. Pondering on this, he said that it
is therefore, now imminent, that the Shiites and Sunnis in Pakistan should draw
a lesson form Iraqi Shiites and Sunnis, make an announcement of practically
ending their divide, once and for all, genuinely embrace each other and vow that
Shiites and Sunni are equally Pakistani and their patriotism is above any
suspicion. He further said that similarly, religious minorities living in
Pakistan are Pakistani nationals and they be embraced as well and not be seen
with suspicion so that the concept of one nation be strengthened and only this
magnanimity would sustain the country.
Mr Hussain, concluding his thoughts, said that it was the need of the time that all smaller provinces are equally treated and made genuinely autonomous by devolving rights and power, they be provided their due rights and considered equal citizens to combat the difficult days ahead. The visiting delegation shared his views and thanked Mr Hussain for meeting its members.