London – 8th April 2007
MQM Founder & Leader Mr Altaf Hussain has stated that the people of Pakistan will not accept baton and kalashinkov shariat in the name of Islam and will support Government action against such elements. He stated this while addressing a mammoth public gathering organised in 17 zones of Sindh including Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar.
Mr Hussain said that Pakistan came into being on 14th August 1947 as an independent country and the Founder of Nation Mohammad Ali Jinnah on several occasions stated that Pakistan is now an independent and sovereign State and all its citizens irrespective of their religion, school of thought or fiqah are all equal citizens of Pakistan and have equal rights and freedom to practice their religion. Unfortunately, if we analyse the history of Pakistan, then with regret we see that political environment reveals that the real cause behind the creation of Pakistan was put behind and government system was based on kingdom. In every era the religion of Islam was used to for personal gains to please the foreign masters. As a result one nation concept never flourished in Pakistan. Sense of deprivation is rife and distinction between rich and poor visible. Rule of country has become the property of a few families and their children. The ruling mafia has used the name of religion to serve its purpose and as a shield to protect themselves. The common innocent citizens of Pakistan were deceived in the name of Islam and they were used as fuel to gain the ulterior motives of foreign masters. Once again today, in the name of Islam and shariat a heinous game is being played and the country’s establishment and a few conspiring elements are involved covertly and overtly and foreign interests may also be behind this to serve their interests.
Referring to the history Mr Hussain said after the 1970 general elections during the regime of Yahya Khan the Awami League emerged as the single majority party but the army generals of West Pakistan in collusion with a feudal lords and religious parties issued fatwas on Bengali leadership to prevent them for acquiring power. All this was orchestrated in the name of religion; thousands of Muslim brethren were executed including elders, mothers, sisters and young children. Al-Shams and Al-Badr were created and supported by the Army Generals – innocent Bengalis were massacred. As a result Pakistan was dismembered and Bangladesh was created on 16th December 1971. It may be remembered that Al-Shams and Al-Badr were created by Jamaat Islami and well supported by the Army. In 1977, during the PNA movement the alliance of religious and political parties the name of Islam was again used to raise the slogan to establish the Islamic system and Nifaz-e-Shariat. Many lives were lost but were the Islamic system or Nifaz-e-Shariat established? However, as a result Martial Law was imposed on 5th July 1977. Thereafter, during the Cold War between USSR and USA, the name of Islam was again used to play with the emotions of the public and to create mujahideens who were convinced that USSR were infidels and not Ahle Kitab whereas the USA is Ahle Kitab. The war was propagated as the war of Islam against Kufr. When the Russians were defeated then the same mujahideens were termed as terrorists and the bloodbath is continuing in Afghanistan since. Thousands of innocent Pakistani citizens were also sent on jihad and were murdered – did any of the mullahs sacrifice their lives or become martyrs in the name of Islam? Thus the name of Islam was used as a shield by these so-called religious mullahs for personal gains and to please their foreign masters.
Mr Hussain said that the issue today is that once again the name of Islam is being used as a shield. The geographical situation of Pakistan is such that its neighbouring countries are Afghanistan, India and Iran. Within this region’s structure and its geo-strategic position which country is under the threat of attack? Iran is our neighbouring country and if any action is taken against Iran will the people of Pakistan allow themselves to be used? They replied … ‘No’.
Mr Hussain said that his responsibility is to make the people aware whether one likes him or not it is evident that he has always spoke the truth out boldly. It has been observed that be there an issue in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Eritrea or Somalia – we are being deceived in the name of Islam. We do sympathise with Muslims all over the world but first we must resolve the issues within. Do the people of Pakistan want that once again in the name of Islam, the establishment and some self-interested so-called religious leaders use them to serve the interested of their foreign masters to interfere in the affairs of another country? He termed this against the interest of Pakistan. He appealed to the Pakistani citizens, rulers, people at the helm of affairs and those elements of the Establishment who love Pakistan that for God’s sake refrain from using Pakistanis as fuel to serve the interest of foreign masters. He claimed that no political leader to date after Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan has come out and informed the people of current situation as Altaf Hussain is doing.
Mr Hussain said that he is not aware if the President Musharraf, Prime Minister Shokat Aziz and the Federal Cabinet are aware of true facts or not with regards to the Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa issue and the announcement of the “Kalashinkov Shariat”? He declared that what is happening in Lal Masjid and Madarsa Hafsa is a conspiracy against President Musharraf, the Government, the country and its citizens.
Mr Hussain said that we see in the media that there are some reservations because of the presence of women and children inside the compound. He reminded that at the time of East Pakistan action why there was no consideration for women and children? When action was taken in Balochistan why there was no consideration for women and children? When army action was taken in FATA and Waziristan why then no consideration for women and children? When in 1983 military action in Sindh no consideration for women and children? When on 19th June 1992 the army operation was launched against the MQM why no consideration given to innocent women and children? He asked if the Lal Masjid and Madarsa Hafsa make the citizens hostage under the baton and kalashinkov shariat then will you support them or your Altaf Bhai? He asked do the people of Pakistan want the imposition of baton and kalashinkov shariat? Do you accept this form of shariat? They replied … No.
He warned that through a conspiracy in the country as in Parachanar the Sunni and Shiite riots will be orchestrated. He appealed to the citizens of Pakistan to make a pledge today that they will end all their differences in the name of religion, sect or fiqah and Sunni or Shiite and we will defeat any such conspiracy.
Mr Hussain apprised the audience of the reasons behind the Lal Masjid and Madarsa Hafsa issue in Islamabad. He said that the baton wielding force are visiting video shops and threatening them to close down their businesses of selling audio and video cassettes and CDs. They are confiscating the stock and setting it alight. Citizens listening to their car radio are being stopped, harassed and threatened –their car radios ripped out of their cars. Womenfolk are falsely accused, tortured and forced into making confessional statements. Barbershops are being threatening not to perform shaving of beard or else face dire consequences. Several female car drivers have been stopped, harassed and their vehicle damaged. How is television, car radio, VCR or CD player forbidden when they were not even invented during the time of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). How can using scientific inventions and hi-tech equipment be forbidden? Is there a verse in Holy Quran stating that it is forbidden to shave the beard? During the era of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) the mode of transportation used by the womenfolk was camel, horses and ponies as cars were not invented then. If now vehicles have been invented and used as a mode of transportation then it is similar to riding a camel, horse or a pony – why then it is being declared forbidden for females to drive a car? The religious fanatics of Lal Masjid and Madarsa Hafsa have announced that they have established their courts –thus by establishing these courts in the presence of Federal Shariat Court and Supreme Court is an act tantamount to establishing a State within a State. Is terrorism, coercion or extremism according to the teachings of Islam or the preaching of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)? The Holy Quran states: Let there be no compulsion in religion [2:286]. Where does it state in Quran or Hadith that womenfolk cannot study or get higher education? Where is it stated that women are forbidden from driving a car? The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) stated that to acquire knowledge is compulsory on both men and women. These fanatics have bombed several girls’ schools and also threat the parents not to send their girls to schools. They are regressing us back to the era when the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said to the people of Mecca that it is oppressive and coercive to confine the womenfolk within the home boundaries. Did the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) lift a baton or sword to say accept Islam or prepare to die? As a result of oppression towards the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and his Companions in Mecca he decided to migrate to Medina. He only lifted the sword in defence at the time of Jang-e-Khandak and Jang-e-Badr. On the occasion of Easter I want to ask did the Jesus Christ preached through sword or with peace and love? Those who want to impose baton and kalashinkov shariat must be aware that we are Muslims and do not attempt to make us Muslims again on baton or kalashinkov. We have firm belief and faith in the Allah Almighty, His Holy Book the Quran and His Last Messenger the Prophet Mohammad (PBUB). No baton or kalashinkov mullah need to preach or force us to make us Muslims again. We were Muslims, are Muslims and will remain Muslims. He warned that if these elements will try to come to Sindh then we will practice our right to defend. He asked the audience are you ready? They replied … Yes. He went on record to say that we have no objection to Madressahs where Quran is being taught and we respect such religious teachers. But those who are trying to impose their kalashinkov shariat on others must be warned that the people of Pakistan are not wearing bangles.
He appealed to President Musharraf, Prime Minister Shokat Aziz, the Government, ISI, MI and all other agencies to save the country from such elements as they are maligning its image. He assured that whatever action is taken against these elements, the people of Pakistan will support you. Imposition of baton and kalashinkov shariat is anti-Islam, unconstitutional and illegal. He appealed to the womenfolk of the country to get united under the banner of MQM as it is the only party struggling peacefully to ensure that they have the freedom to acquire education and will always be against any elements who want to stop the education of women. He warned that those elements who are threatening and harassing the womenfolk from driving their cars that the people of Pakistan will do the same to the bearded mullahs and then they must not complain. Criticising the role of the so-called national political leaders he asked where are they when needed. They must come to the public – if not then at least speak with the people from abroad.
Mr Hussain reaffirmed that we don’t want to fight; we were peaceful and would like to remain peaceful. Our struggle will continue with peaceful means. We are against all sorts of fanaticism and extremism. We believe in religious tolerance and sectarian harmony. MQM is an umbrella providing shade to people from all religion and sects and they worship with full freedom according to their religious beliefs. We believe in democracy and we represent millions of downtrodden middleclass masses of the country and consider them as equal citizens of the country. He assured the righteous religious scholars who teach the teachings of Allah Almighty and the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) of his full support and urged them to come forward and support the MQM and raise their voice against the baton and kalashinkov shariat. He paid tributes to religious scholars who have openly opposed the act of baton and kalashinkov shariat. He appealed to the lawyers, teachers, doctors, journalists, columnists, human rights organisations, NGOs, women rights organisations and people from all walks of life to get united, come forward and save Pakistan from further destruction. He also appealed to all linguistic communities to defeat the conspiracies of pitting one linguistic unit against other. He particularly appealed to the people of Punjab to come forward, support Altaf Hussain and save Pakistan and its citizens.
Mr Hussain informed the audience that it has been announced by the Coordination Committee to organise a rally in Karachi on 15th April 2007 against the unconstitutional, anti-Islam and illegal baton and kalashinkov shariat. He appealed to all citizens including the minority communities to participate in the rally in large numbers. He warned the elements behind the baton and kalashinkov shariat that just because Altaf Hussain has always preached peace and love – do not take this as his weakness.
In the end he paid tributes to all the MQM office bearers and workers for gathering in such large numbers on such a short notice and organising the sessions in all major cities of the country.
END